creeeeeeeekeeeeeet

[TANGODANCER]

Not the best of batting starts after a great dismissal of India. We need some composure now.

[TANGODANCER]

And Root goes for 21.........

[BWFC_Insane]

On paper you’d say England shaded that day. I’d still prefer India’s position now Root has gone though. England need to get 250 plus considering we bat last here. Not convinced we will. Needs a couple of decent partnerships.

[TANGODANCER]

On paper you’d say England shaded that day. I’d still prefer India’s position now Root has gone though. England need to get 250 plus considering we bat last here. Not convinced we will. Needs a couple of decent partnerships.

One man never made a team. Time for somebody to step up and play the game. Oh for a couple of Ben Stokes right now.

[Bruce Rioja]

And Root goes for 21.........

Because sadly, once again he's basically had to go in as an opener rather than as a number 4

[BWFC_Insane]

And Root goes for 21.........

Because sadly, once again he's basically had to go in as an opener rather than as a number 4

Indeed. Three hundreds in a row he was going to not score big sooner or later.

England need Pope, Bairstow and Woakes to fire and hopefully Malan to hold it together. I fear the pitch will flatten out for days 2 and 3 so we need a score this innings.

[Prufrock]

Would love Malan and/or Pope to get big scores now.

[Worthy4England]

And Root goes for 21.........

Because sadly, once again he's basically had to go in as an opener rather than as a number 4

Agree with the sentiment Brucie - who'd want number 3 in the England team? They're going in as opener ahead of Root.

[Bruce Rioja]

Immense pressure on Pope and Baisrstow now, just to make the innings look half decent even.

We really are going to regret not having a bat yesterday, I'm convinced.

[BWFC_Insane]

Immense pressure on Pope and Baisrstow now, just to make the innings look half decent even.

We really are going to regret not having a bat yesterday, I'm convinced.

Feels that way to me too. Yes we bowled them out cheaply but unless you get a substantial lead you are still batting last.

[Worthy4England]

I'm getting the words "flash" and "pan"...Pope and Bairstow need to dig in. Any sort of nearby total might give us a chance...

[TANGODANCER]

Seems to have steadied the ship a little and at least got us back on track. Bit of a weird test this with the bowlers being the headliners. Is it the pitch, the weather or a combination of things?

[Prufrock]

Immense pressure on Pope and Baisrstow now, just to make the innings look half decent even.

We really are going to regret not having a bat yesterday, I'm convinced.

Feels that way to me too. Yes we bowled them out cheaply but unless you get a substantial lead you are still batting last.

I do broadly agree, but the flip side is that "batting last" is not going to be batting on a day 5 minefield. Not inconceivable a good chunk could be on day 3.

[BWFC_Insane]

Immense pressure on Pope and Baisrstow now, just to make the innings look half decent even.

We really are going to regret not having a bat yesterday, I'm convinced.

Feels that way to me too. Yes we bowled them out cheaply but unless you get a substantial lead you are still batting last.

I do broadly agree, but the flip side is that "batting last" is not going to be batting on a day 5 minefield. Not inconceivable a good chunk could be on day 3.

I think the pitch is as you say less relevant than you'd normally say. My worry is this - that probably day 3 in terms of the pitch will be as good to bat on as you'll get across the 5 days (though weather not so good). So if we don't get a lead its a lot of pressure to bowl them out cheaply on what might be a relatively flat deck. We might get some weather assistance though.

Whilst you can absolutely make a good case for either side and normally you'd prefer to be in England's position right now - the reality is I doubt many of us would be confident at all of this line-up chasing down much in excess of 200 batting last. Obviously they are more than capable but I just find it a tough one. Though our hope is that this is one of those wickets that just gets flatter and slower as the match progresses - and you do get those - not sure at the Oval like but if it is then we only need get close to their score. I fear though that the pressure of scoring something is what worries me with this team.

[Prufrock]

I'd have it on a knife edge at the moment but yeah, broadly agree. India have looked as ropey as us with the bat too though. They've basically only got 5.

[BWFC_Insane]

Right now conditions look pretty spot on for batting. England need to do their absolute best to keep these two together till tea and beyond.

[Prufrock]

If we are batting at any point tomorrow I think there's a very good chance we'll win the test.

[BWFC_Insane]

If we are batting at any point tomorrow I think there's a very good chance we'll win the test.

Batting tomorrow? Blimey I can't see it. Be delighted if we were.

[BWFC_Insane]

FFS that was absolutely ridiculous Moeen. A good innings spoiled with absolute utter nonsense.

[Prufrock]

If we are batting at any point tomorrow I think there's a very good chance we'll win the test.

Batting tomorrow? Blimey I can't see it. Be delighted if we were.

I meant in either innings.