Cricket

Did the King of Sp(A)in last until 2010-11?

D'oh. I was harking back a bit further and glossed over Trott and got my Priors and Joneses arse about face!
(hangs head in shame - though not as much as whoever put in the order for that mug)

Anyone suggesting that either of those two are test match openers really doesn't know a thing about test cricket.

Simon Hughes, Vic Marks and Steve James to name three suggesting Bairstow opening

Well all three must have been on the pimm's because you'd have to be half cut to think YJB has the technique or temperament to open the batting.

edit - but it shows the dearth of talent we've got that these are solutions people are serious about.

I think is is based upon the fact that the Selectors have no faith in other openers currently playing in County cricket,
and,
the Ed Smith plan of selecting the best (fit) players and leaving Bayliss, Root & Buttler to find a batting order. (Smith denies any input into Moeen at 3). Ben Stokes does seem to have found a slower gear, presumably to show he has a sense of responsibility after his Bristol escapade.

Well ECB have gambled fully on Bayliss leading England to winning the world cup. If they don't the last 4 years will have been a disaster as the test team has drastically declined as a result.

Bayliss was brought in to do one job; improve our white ball cricket. He's done that.

Can't remember when I last enjoyed a day like this, worth the £37 ticket

Which is exactly what I said, doesn't mean it had to be done at the expense of the test side.

nice couple of pints back :) so cook gets last ton Anderson to beat Glen McGrath in wickets ?

What are you expecting of this team right now? They're about to beat the #1 side 4-1 and drew against a Pakistan side who are decent in English conditions. I won't lie, Buttler aside some of the selections have been shoddy.

Anyway it wouldn't surprise me if you saw two coaches for red/white ball after next summer

Bairstow could open when he’s in decent nick but he’s very suspect at the moment. Lots of dismissals this summer due to poor technique.

Bairstows best at 6/7, and that's the current problem; too many blokes who can bat there and get shifted around. For as long as Stokes is around the team will fit around him

I don't think we're going to lose, but not winning would be classic England

I can't take my eyes of this - fantastic test cricket. Pant's having the time of his life.

Lancs sticking it up the Dirty Yorkshire Bastards. I’d LOVE it if they went down.

Dillllllllllllllllllllllllly

Curran to deny Anderson?

Give Cookie a bowl

Cookie denies Anderson would be hilarious.

Got 'im!

JIMMY!

After all the dropped catches I can understand Anderson taking the wicket to surpass McGrath on his own. Clean bowled, middle stump out of the ground.
(Hope a photographer got a picture to rival Greig's dismissal in 1976).

Sounds like Somerset got away with their pitch, CMB. Not that it’ll make much difference.

Not that I really care but how are the Aussies not picking Glenn Maxwell?! mental.

Don't think there was enough chat of Adil's absolute snorter yesterday. Ball of the century.