Yep. It's not completely done until Buttler's gone or he's batting with Jimmy.
English cricket thread
- Thread starter Samid
- Start date
It’s good counter-attacking cricket from these 2. Puts the pressure back on Pakistan.
I know the quicks have got a couple of wickets, but really surprised Shadab’s not been given a few overs.
Would he get in to this side as a batsmen? It is getting odd how they apparently only trust him to bowl to the tail.
He averages 35ish in Tests but I’ve never considered him as a batsman option, rather a decent bowler who can do a bit with the bat. I mentioned earlier that I don’t think he’s got the patience at the moment to be a consistent Test bowler as the #1 spinner, but he can take a wicket & his googly is very good. Not sure why they’ve not used him at all this session.
Get this under 100 and you reach the point where the players to come in are liable to come in with belief.
Good session for Pakistan but England still have a chance. These 2 have batted very well so far & put the pressure back on Pakistan. Buttler’s played some lovely shots.
Pakistan have to go with Yasir + Abbas/Shadab from here on.
At this rate, the game will end today!
Pakistan have to go with Yasir + Abbas/Shadab from here on.
At this rate, the game will end today!
Have to promote Broad to 9.
Just had a look at Stokes stats.
his top 16 scores, including all his centuries came from batting at no 5 or 6. he seems at his very best when he has less pressure.
Although it’s also fair to observe no 4 experiment is very new.
Need to get Abbas in for control. With Woakes they need to get him on the back foot with some short stuff.
Don't get me wrong I think he's best at 5 but I disagree with your take on his batting style.
I'm so pleased England have made today interesting. Even if it all goes wrong quickly after tea.
Pakistan are obviously here for a battle. If England can match them, it could be a great series.
Pakistan are obviously here for a battle. If England can match them, it could be a great series.
Have you got how many innings he's played in other positions? I can't remember it happening often.
I don't know. He's getting his runs wacking it at ten. I'm worried if you promote him he'll try and 'play properly' and it won't work.
Yeah wrote an edit, no 4 experiment just started. 8 innings so far
But I don’t think Stokes has the game yet to be world class in that position; he is either pure defence or very attacking and not the middle ground that position demands.
his game is far better suited at 5, and with 160+ runs already on the board.
Every time I see Ebony Rainford-Brent she is dressed immaculately and it makes the rest of them in their ill-fitting suits look awful.
I will admit that I have given Joss's keeping some heavy criticism against both the Windies & Pakistan, however this innings feels like when he played a handy knock supporting Stokes in that game at Headingley last year. I just hope he doesn't give his wicket away again like he did in that one when England were also trying to claw their way back into that run chase too.
That was Bairstow, Stokes ran Buttler out for 1.
Oh god yeah it was sorry about that
We can go to half seven, if someone claims the extra half hour, right?
To be fair Jos is the only other guy I'd back in this team to pull off a miracle and that's just based off of his one-day exploits.
Yep if the umpires decide that a result is possible
Sure you don't mean 8
Wonder how bad is Naseem Shah's niggle that made him go off the field, he'd be useful against the tail
Shouldn't have give Stokes so much chatter it's karma
Maybe, Bess is ok I feel.
Well at least we managed to achieve that target
The England tail will definitely prefer spin at 1 end, 2 quicks might be the best way to go for Pakistan now. Abbas basically bowling until the end.
These 2 looking comfortable at the moment
This is the best Woakes has played since West Indies at the World Cup, think he batted 3 that game
Game is turning very quickly. Pakistan now probably need to get both of them out to win.
It’s what makes Test cricket so fascinating. 90 mins ago, Pakistan were in complete control & now it looks like Azhar doesn’t know what to do.
I’ve been really impressed with how they’ve not just played their shots but taken the singles too. Momentum with England at the moment, but one wicket changes things again.
Very well played Woakes. England in control.
Azhar has to get the spinners on to get something off the pitch. The seamers aren't getting any swing.
Azhar has to get the spinners on to get something off the pitch. The seamers aren't getting any swing.
Englands game now?
To be honest I've been more impressed with his batting than his bowling. He's made a few good knocks.
yes!
i thought overnight that england needed to get some of these runs ODI style. no way they could get there through a war of attrition.
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These two have certainly showed a similar level of application that we saw from Blackwood & Chase for the Windies in that first test at Southampton which is what you have to do with this kind of target
This has been a hell of a days play. A real shame there's no crowd, this was just made for a full house.
New ball could play important role here
Does the Double Nelson count in this game? 
12 more overs to go
Honestly not sure why he's not going with the spinners in tandem. What's he waiting for?!