Alex

They don’t have those batting averages if they play over half their tests in England. But I don’t think there’s much doubt they’re a better team on paper. Even in England, although that makes it closer. If England can win this first test that could make all the difference though. Mark Wood could be crucial too

Definitely mixing up his belta minge with his sunshine fanny. Easy mistake to make

I remember that

If it was tempered last night and then one or both openers survived, there’s the opportunity to smash it about today with the sun shining. I think that’s all you and I are saying. I agree with Gloom / Robin too and overall it’s been great. That doesn’t mean you can’t make reasonable criticisms. I still think enforcing the follow on and giving NZ a chance was wrong. Even if it was a thrilling match / climax. But I can see the counter argument. It very possibly is what test cricket needs too. Abroad, if not so much here, where pulling the crowds in is less of an issue anyway.

The Brook dismissal was very unusual. Also Australia had the good fortune to have a bowl in that mini session in those conditions. But those two openers are likely to be in bother as soon as there’s any movement off the pitch and / or in the air. We’ve discussed Crawley but Duckett tries to get bat on ball on almost every single delivery. They don’t even try and adapt to conditions / circumstances either. Crawley got a good one but a lot of classic openers would’ve left it. The Duckett one was ridiculous in the circumstances but he’s almost pathologically incapable of leaving the ball

Serving Metropolitan Policeman 👍🏻

I just can’t get my head around it with him. His first class record is shite. I mean I know he is a lower order batsman but, to put it in context, Adil Rashid has a better first class batting average. It’s not like Crawley is a raw but talented teenager either.

Tbf that’s precisely what his supporters deserve

I’m didn’t realise Tyler was 77. Mins, he’s been around for ages. The tiresome prick

Another thing. If Australia get 400 from 130 overs after England get the same from 80 overs (for example) the former are probably better off, not just in the second innings of matches bout as a whole in a very compacted 5 match series. From the point of view of the bowling attack having to do all that extra work. I like the positive approach / attitude and Stokes is a great captain in terms of fielding positions etc. But you don’t have to do funky shite all the time in the name of entertainment. Especially against the best side in the world

So after Bairstow’s missed chances we now have Moeen Ali looking decidedly undercooked and possibly having a finger issue. After bowling more overs yesterday than in the whole of the IPL. Totally unprofessional looking. The declaration looks ridiculously arrogant now and I thought it was stupid at the time the way Root was batting on that pitch

Anderson clearly not willing to risk anyone dropping another

Beyond a joke now like

Can’t wait for Clarke to go to Crystal Palace for £10m and instantly become an overrated mercenary

I’m not a fan of Centerparcs anyway tbh but Whinfell Forest isn’t even in the lakes and the scenery is nowt special. It lies between the lakes and the Pennines. I could recommend loads of places I’ve stayed but the trouble with specific houses, lodges, whatever is they can quickly go downhill of the owner doesn’t spruce them up at least once a year. Because they’ll often have people staying there 40+ weeks a year so will get trashed. Ambleside is a really nice town. If you want somewhere where you can stroll to the village pub but it’ll be quiet of an evening then you have options like Troutbeck (the Troutbeck near Windermere) or Langdale (Chapel Stile / Elterwater). Langdale has stunning scenery, is still easy to get to (about 20 mins from Ambleside) and the two places I mention (which are adjoining villages / hamlets) have a couple of good pubs, coffee shops, village store etc. There’s some great places round Coniston and Ullswater too. I can also recommend Eskdale. There’s some specialist booking sites like Wheelwrights but everybody seems to be on Booking.com now from B&Bs all the way up to luxury mansions. I would think about roughly where you want to stay and look on there tbh and go off recent reviews, proximity to pubs etc. You will pay a premium if it has to be in the school hols though

Aye, because he wouldn’t be in the team.

Do you a particular area in mind? Also, in one of the towns or somewhere quieter?

Also if they’re that desperate to get Bairstow in (understandably after last summer) he could open on these pitches. The other thing with Foakes is he’s good enough to stand up to our quicks on this pitch. Not that he’d do it all the time but it would keep the batsmen honest now and again and brings in the possibility of a leg side stumping

Declaring isn’t looking too clever now

None of those things are bad luck really. A test wicketkeeper should be taking regulation chances and you shouldn’t be overstepping as a bowler either. Although there is more of an argument for the no ball being unlucky

Your mate’s a mag though. FTM

Aye. He was brilliant but he was finished through injuries by the time he ended up at Boro

When Batty stamped on him he reckon he was just following the instructions on his shirt

I think he might have left when they arrived. Juve were noted for being prepared to overhaul their squad and balance the books back then. It seemed odd to sell Ravenelli and Vialli that summer. Both were class for them as well as forming a great partnership. But they had Vieri, Del Piero and (I think) Pippo Inzaghi all coming through. They also sold Paulo Sosa who, ironically played against them and was victorious for Dortmund in the CL Final 12 months later. Then again, Juve signed Zidane in the summer of 96 too.

Still early days but this looks to have the makings of a very good series