Viscount Tom
International Debutant
I'd honestly prefer he bats himself into some form.Perfectly happy for Buttler to play like this.
I'd honestly prefer he bats himself into some form.Perfectly happy for Buttler to play like this.
I know right..and that shot from Cook to get himself out against a part time spinner? Dreadful. T20 has destroyed the technique5 wickets in a day; shorter forms have turned test cricket into a joke!
As Boycott will say, cheat's charter. 21 deliveries gone from the game.The most blatant attempt by Misbah to get them off for bad light.
And who can blame him.
That's what it looks like being, some one needs to put some bottle caps under the pitch mat to liven things upThis is going to be interesting tomorrow - only for the first hour though unfortunately, and I expect I'll miss that
Some big decisions to be answered over the next 6 days of test cricket with a view to South Africa. Ali vs Rashid for the spinner/all rounder spot in South Africa - as its almost certain Hales will open there. Bairstow playing for a Test future vs Taylor. Maybe Bairstow vs Butler for the wicketkeeper position. 4 wickets and a 50 for Stokes means he's pretty much nailed on for the winter. Feel a bit sorry Taylor as I don't think they'll make any changes until the 3rd test and I think UAe wickets are made for him so I think he's going to end up being judged on what he does in South Africa, where I think he might struggle.
I think Buttler's failure was a lot more forgiveable, tbf.So Bairstow and Buttler both failed, no clearer there then on either.
I'm not so sure I think they'll ditch Bairstow after the next match if he doesn't score well. He's now had 4 tests and made one score over 50 and generally been unconvincing. I think Ali will get the spinner spot in South Africa, mainly because he's the stronger batsman and the spinner will be lucky to bowl 20 overs an innings. My bet is Taylor will get the last test and the South Africa series, Hales will open. I think Bell, Stokes and Ali are all reasonably safe in the team until an opener and a number 5 really take their chance. Ali opening seems pretty much a stop gap measure to get 4 seamers in because they aren't convinced with the spin bowling options and yet need 2 spinners in the UAe.Hmm I reckon they'll stick with the Bairstow, Stokes, Buttler group throughout the winter now almost regardless of performance. If they were gonna play Taylor it was at the start of this tour and they didn't. They've gotta give Bairstow, Stokes and Buttler all 3 tests now, and I wouldn't select Taylor in SA.
Ali will almost certainly be the spinner for SA