Cricket

Nice cameo from Smith, too.

And the love of Woakes continues.

collapse is on....

Too easy for Duckett

^ jinx

Some good 'brain-free' batting this morning. Makes the game interesting but, really, do we need to see poorly-executed reverse sweeps on the first morning 20 minutes before lunch?

Smith out before he got in.

Much as I was hoping for 400+, this could make for an interesting match.

England doesn't deserve Joe Root.

Atkinson making a fine stand in for Smith / Woakes in this innings.

If they're willing to tolerate his daft ramp attempts, they probably do.

Atkinson establishing himself as a bona fidé all rounder.

If he carries on like this, he could be Botham reborn.

(Yes, I know the pitch has been tarmacked)

the pitch has been tarmacked

which didn't stop Lawrence, Pope, Brook, Smith, Woakes all getting out fairly cheaply.

Well played Atkinson.

Good recovery from England, this. Wasn't too long ago I was thinking I'd be happy with 300 when Woakes got out.

Surrey boy done good innit?

Was there today. Beautiful day for cricket. A few very poor shots, but Root looked imperious until his final shot. Impressive cameo from Gus at the end. Hoped for more from Pope, Brook and Smith but they never seemed to get to the pitch, so maybe it's harder than it looks.

Also - would not have enjoyed being in one of the full on sun stands. Hot as fuck early doors, but in the shade from 12:30ish.

maybe it's harder than it looks.

They were saying on TMS that the Lords pitch did less today than on any other Test (first? can't really remember) day in 20-something years, so most likely not.

Root's dismissal smacked of ''when you let the intrusive thoughts win''. he looked like he could easily bat his way to 200 but then came his moment of madness.

I am loving what we are seeing from Gus.

oh and bring back Zak. very much missed.

Ah - interesting. It didn't seem like there was much going on but after wine/pints one loses perspective a bit. But none of the biffers were able to get going - seemed to be more of a nurdling track. Will see what their batters make of it tomorrow.

Yes Gus!

Phil Tufnell just suggested that he may be a genuine bowling all rounder.

You read it here first....

103 off 103 balls, 11 fours and 4 sixes. Wowsers.

Now on the century honours board at Lords, already on the 5for and 10for boards.

A catch that the innings deserves.

What cricket.

that has made me feel positive about the future of this England test side

obvs 400+ was always on the cards...

Another excellent session for England after probably losing the first two of the match, on balance. Right in the box seat now.

in the seat in front of the box seat now