The fielding is uncharacteristic as he’s normally a safe pair of hands. One bad drop doesn’t mean he’s out of form in that respect and can happen to anyone. As for the batting, Bob Willis is suggesting Denly opens with Roy coming in at No.5 and Stokes at No.4... I still think Bairstow is the better option and give the WK gloves to Buttler. Bairstow should at least be No.3 in my opinion.
Roy has shelled a couple & just doesn't look right. YJB isn't really a test keeper. Sanga pointed out how his stance is awkward & leaves him snatching. The best keeper is 'centurion on debut' Ben Foakes. The ball just melts into his hands &, I am told, the ladies just melt at his dashing good looks.
I like Roy and he's clearly world class at the one day game but this experiment isn't working and they would be mad to continue with it. Which they will. Don't think Bairstow can keep and open. To bring in Foakes, who do you drop? Otherwise Buttler to keep ?
Bairstow should be nowhere near the gloves. He’s really only a stopper rather than a keeper. Agreed re Roy. I thought it was worth trying but it probably is a Catch 22. To succeed, he has to play freely. If he plays freely, he will sometimes fail. Sooner or later he’s sucked down the sink & it’s been definitely sooner. I would be tempted to drop Bairstow. He’s a bit Pogba. Good but not great & cringeworthily needy. Tasty 50s down the order but we’ve got 6 players who would go like a breeze at #7. Bairstow opens or doesn’t play.
Roy for me, should bat at 5 with Stokes at 3. His test batting has come on leaps and bounds and his century at the weekend was brilliant. Root at 4. Denly to open with Burns. Butler at 6 and Bairstow 7. Not fussed on who has the gloves but certainly Bairstow's fielding is probably the best in the team. I also like his batting and did very well in both innings in very different circumstances
Might be forced into a change if Roy doesn't make it . Pope on standby . https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/27431229/jason-roy-passes-concussion-test-blow-head-nets
Conspiracy theory? Embarrassing to drop Roy so Bayliss enrols a hired gun to take him out. 43 yo Marcus Trescothick.
It does seem a bit suspicious that he has suddenly picked up an injury, me thinks it is a bit of a cop out
Well, well, well. https://www.espncricinfo.com/series...csavers-county-championship-division-one-2019 Winner takes all when Essex visit Taunton in Sept?
Ready to start but its about to rain again for another 30-45 mins per radar ! https://www.netweather.tv/live-weather/radar
Its going to rain again there about 2pm just as they come back out after the rain break ! It's going to rain on and off all day today, very frustrating. At least Archer won't get tired !
Exactly, esp after the way Oz weaseled their way to a draw last time. What's the TuT prognosis for Sat-Mon?
Bit farcical to take the players off for bad light now, especially after losing the majority of the day already. It’s nothing more than a bit gloomy, maybe even just a case of good cloud cover. Test cricket is the best format as far as I’m concerned - but they don’t help themselves by looking for reasons not to play.
Think they knew it was about to rain. Only for 5 minutes but we'll probably lose 45 mins of cricket unless they take an early tea. I think with the score, and lack of play, we may regret choosing to bat last.
Not looking good. 97/2, 70 odd run partnership and we are batting 4th after choosing to bowl. Not a good day so far......
I thought the umps did well at Lord's going through the last day. The odd thing is going off for bad light when there are floodlights. Footballers don't go off for bad light in midweek games. Flanneled fools need to man up.
I haven't seen any today but choosing to bowl isn't a huge endorsement of Leach in the 4th innings. Leeds can turn towards the end.
They expected it to be overcast all day I think . Maybe still is and we've just bowled badly ? Warner had to turn up at some point.. And the Lasanage guy is going well again - in form .
Yes, but Jofra is dangerous in bright sunshine. In murky weather with a red ball he could kill somebody
