creeeeeeeekeeeeeet

[Worthy4England]

Three tons on the board - next up, Joe Root! That's a long day...

What’s the business about it being 4 days? I mean it could be over in 4 but still - why can’t it be normal?

Gotta be honest mate, until you spotted it, I hadn't. Suspect it's to do with rest days...But what is bizarre, is there is pretty much zero narrative from anywhere outside India and the "rules" about it from the ECB are just over a page long. But when we played Ireland, a couple of years back, that was 4 days too. So I guess, they save a day (but increase the playing time per day a bit), if they can get a result in 4 against opposition that are theoretically "weaker" whilst only losing in theory 50 overs.

[BWFC_Insane]

Three tons on the board - next up, Joe Root! That's a long day...

What’s the business about it being 4 days? I mean it could be over in 4 but still - why can’t it be normal?

Gotta be honest mate, until you spotted it, I hadn't. Suspect it's to do with rest days...But what is bizarre, is there is pretty much zero narrative from anywhere outside India and the "rules" about it from the ECB are just over a page long. But when we played Ireland, a couple of years back, that was 4 days too. So I guess, they save a day (but increase the playing time per day a bit), if they can get a result in 4 against opposition that are theoretically "weaker" whilst only losing in theory 50 overs.

Still 90 overs a day and no extended times. I get it in terms of rest days but I also think it reduces chance of results in a game that needs to do more to maximise results. Especially in England on a bank holiday!

[Worthy4England]

Yeah - I'm with you.

[Worthy4England]

So. Three day tests? Job to do. Job done, not learnt much!

[BWFC_Insane]

England currently thumping the West Indies in the first ODI this summer. Not won many of these for a while so makes a nice change.

[Worthy4England]

Yeah, any win at the moment, is a goodie.

[BWFC_Insane]

Bit of a reversion to the mean today sadly….

[TANGODANCER]

Oh Joe...go,go,go. what a hero..

[BWFC_Insane]

Oh Joe...go,go,go. what a hero..

Yeah an outstanding innings and had to be as most others were far from outstanding with the bat. And duckett had a poor time in the field too.

Root made it look easy in relatively challenging conditions.

[BWFC_Insane]

England bowl first because ‘data says you must at Headingley’. But data doesn’t take account of the fact it’s hot, has been for a few days and first session is full sunshine. So ideal batting conditions.

India 200-2 as a result.

I’m all for data but putting maybe the best batting side in the world in first in ideal conditions is a step too far for me….

[Worthy4England]

Least said, soonest mended

[Prufrock]

Over the last 15 years, the numbers say bowl first.. But today's a day where you think "I mean, maybe we'll have a bat...". I wouldn't fancy being on the boundary, put it that way.

[Worthy4England]

^^ There's a bit of a problem when people just use the stats and don't then apply a cross check. They're a factor not an answer.

It' a bit like when the missus declares it's not going to rain based on the weather app, and I'm sat out the back watching it rain.

[Worthy4England]

I'm thinking India not hoping to bat twice...

[BWFC_Insane]

I fear really fear for us in the ashes. The bowling attack we have is very very average.

[Prufrock]

Harry Brook you lucky, silly, lucky boy.

[BWFC_Insane]

Harry Brook you lucky, silly, lucky boy.

Englands day but they have had some luck. Two drops. And Brook.

It’s an old fashioned ‘see Bumrah off’ and then play. Should just be trying to get through his spells.

Root had an off day.

[BWFC_Insane]

Jamie Smith with one of the most mindless dismissals you will ever see in test cricket. 3 balls before a new ball. 4 men on the boundary. Let’s take them on. Out.

Mindless.

[BWFC_Insane]

Test evenly balanced but this England bowling attack is dire. Third innings conditions in their favour and Carse did ok, Woakes bowled at least in the right places but is far too slow these days and the rest spray it round like confetti. Stokes always seems to make something happen but he should be an occasional option not the main man.

Honestly what’s embarrassing is that we’d have a better attack if Anderson and Broad were still going and it isn’t even close.

[Worthy4England]

We'd class Bumrah as one of the best bowlers currently out there and India batsmen being certainly above average, yet their bowlers struggled too in the first innings, apart from Bumrah, and batting they made 6 more than us. We need to move on from Broad and Anderson, I doubt they're coming back any time soon, but that said, I hear you, it could be a long 12 months from here...

Woakes has pushing 200 test wickets - but not notably very good in Aus.
Tongue and Carse both pretty new - with Carse doing well in NZ - but it all feels a bit wing and a prayer.