Oh, Bopara has a much better chance of having a good Test career than Shah - Shah is 30 before he's gotten first crack at the thing, Bopara's just 24.
The fact he's younger does not necessarily mean he'll be more successful. If he doesn't score runs he won't get in the side, just as if Shah scores runs he'll be there for years to come. He's only 30, batsmen can still get better around this age.
I think this is wishful thinking, I'm afraid. Draw has to be the big favourite from here.
Cook
Aus would have been 60 odd (I think) for 4 with North coming in with the pressure really on. Australia have already got a good total for the wicket thanks to the runs added by Punter and Clarke so that drop catch was crucial.
You're a cartoon, y'know.
Of course it was. Where did I say it wasn't?
That's debateable, given that only Cook of other batsmen has looked even remotely comfortable. Had Strauss been dismissed on 50-odd, West Indies could easily have ended the day on top - they'd have been in such a position had England been 300 for 7 or so.
I don't think it's entirely wishful-thinking TBH. There's certainly something there to give encouragement to all of Swann, Sidebottom and Anderson. Whether they manage to cash-in is another matter, as it's obviously not there in droves.
Yes I agree with Rich, not sure it is totally wishful thinking. I agree they're going to have to work hard for the wickets and use the new ball well, but if they can manage a bit of reverse swing, that hasn't been particularly evident in England's innings, we may be in business.
Yeah that's true but nor can you say it's likely that there'll be a result. All I'd say is that given what we have seen, the draw has got to be fairly heavily favourite.
I would not say a draw is a heavy favourite. I would say and England win on the current state of play has to be slight favourite.
Hmm. You should probably get on England if that's how you feel because the actual odds are:
Of course none of us know what the pitch and weather are going to do, but we can and do certainly have a fair amount of idea. The pitch is unlikely to break-up and the weather is going to be unsettled and the possibility of showers is going to remain throughout.
