Groan. What is wrong with Cook???

Now Root is gone. WTF???? 🤬

---

Root gone its all gone Pete Tong already. 26-2. Root cant open end of story.

---

KP gone.

I'm turning it off. Shambles

---

Always a risk facing the new ball.

Peterson gone now. Going well for the tourists at Lords yet again

---

All out before Tea at this rate. Far to many of our batsmen are out of form.

 

 

---

 

 

Need Trott to dig in and Bell to give us another chapter of heroics.

Let's see if Bairstow can deliver when needed. If not, get shut & revert to plan A (ie, Compton in, Root back to 6)

 

---

If Cook wasn't the captain, his place would be dodgy

---

Given the wicket has some good pace & bounce, it's looking like a mistake to leave Finn out.

 

FFS, England - horses for courses. Did England not know the TB wicket was going to be a bit soft? Not know that the Lords one would be quite hard? It's almost like they're making selection decisions without taking into account the pitch.

 

---

Isn't it just ..............................not

---

I think this morning shows the Aussies are no mugs , we had won this series before a ball was bowled, we need to get our heads into gear

---

80/3 now which after being 28/3 is something at least! Really need Bairstow to step up in this innings when he comes in, this is his time to show what he can do. If he gets an unplayable one that cleans him up then fine but other than that no excuses.

Why doesn't Trott open???

---

Don't forget that Cook was in exactly the same place just before the last tour to Australia. IIRC he made a ton at The Oval to secure his place and hit the form of his life after that.

I think there's a tendency to forget just what fine lines separate success and failure as a batsman, especially opening the innings when you're facing the best bowlers with a new ball when it always moves around. You need an element of luck - nobody plays at the ball and intends to miss, but you see a lot of playing and missing. On a bad day you get a touch, like Root at Trent Bridge.

Anyway, a decent recovery to lunch. Somehow we need to be batting in the morning and to get past 300. If these two can get 100s we ought to get close to 400, which will be good after 20-odd for 3.

---

 

 

 Yep, said that before the test series started, see how the second innings goes for him but I suspect he needs shunting back down the order. I think he might be an opener one day, he has real talent and I think he will be very good. Bairstow on the other hand I am not so sure about, but then I never trust a ginger, time for him to prove me wrong.

I am not convined Trott is an opener either, being an opening batsman is a bit of an art, you really want a settled pair at the top of the order that are an automatic selection for the team. The Cook / Root combo isn't working. Compton I am not so sure about either so it is a tricky one!

 

Also why move Trott, I think he is in his best position now, he is a number 3.

Trotters gone.

 

Bugger

---

Slightly cocky.

Big wicket. Bairstow in now for his regulation 24 runs and out.

---

BTW, I've had a 'consolation bet' on Aus for this Test. Got 7/4 when we were about 40-3. As I really can't see it being a draw, they're not bad odds IMO.

The money was some of what had been sat in a Bet Fred account since the last Open (itself ultimately the result of a free bet after the Grand Nat 2012). I used about half of what I had to put lickle e/w bets on 4 golfers to just add to the fun. Still got a tenner left in to muck around with when the mood takes.

---

You might get some dosh out of that Martin

---

161-4

They will be disappointed if at least 250 isnt made

---

Right on cue, bowled (as usual) for 21, but gets a reprieve. Just a no ball

---

Moving along nicely , could they be looking at 400?

---

40 runs later Bairstow is still there. Nailed on after a reprieve isn't it?

This is turning into England's day after a dodgy start *Cue clatter of wickets*

Bell is batting like the son of God.

---

Have to agree, forgetting the poor start England have done well today and got themselves back into a good position

---

Bell saves the day again

Was a bit shocked when I checked the score this morning and saw 28-3 ........  267-4 looks a bit more respectable

---