*Official* First Test (Edgbaston, Birmingham) 16–20 June

[trundler]

Aus have neither bowled nor fielded well to be in such a good position. Pope is to blame imo.

 

[Burgey]

Takes me back to the days when Root had to bail the top and middle order out and we'd only get a score if he got a hundred.

TBF that was all of 14 months ago

 

[social]

Dumbest rationale for a review I have ever heard

Fatty put his finger up quickly because he was out Tubby

 

[honestbharani]

Australia totally spooked by the mythology of something that hasn't really happened yet.

See also: First test of the BG series earlier in the year.

 

[Burgey]

Unsurprisingly, the Stokes review leads to Shane Watson trending on Aus twitter.

 

[Molehill]

What planet is Erasmus on today? Weird way to give Stokes out.

 

[Adders]

Play proper test match cricket and they’d be about 330/4 today on this pitch

Yeah and on the flipside playing proper cricket would have seen us lose 8 from 12 instead of winning 10 (?)

 

[Burgey]

What planet is Erasmus on today? Weird way to give Stokes out.

One of the rare correct contentious decisions today so far.

 

[Spark]

One of the rare correct contentious decisions today so far.

Frankly none of them should have been contentious, that's the thing

 

[Anil]

Root going along nicely…England need a big one from him now…

 

[Ashes81]

Adam Gilchrist says hello

So out of all the Aussies that have played test cricket, you can name 1 who walked - well done mate

 

[social]

What are the odds of Stokes being dropped/rested this series?

He’s crocked and a liability atm

 

[SillyCowCorner1]

So it's confirmed that Stokes is the specialist captain.

 

[Molehill]

What are the odds of Stokes being dropped/rested this series?

He’s crocked and a liability atm

I'd say wait until England have bowled. He's been more inspirational in the field than with the bat.

 

[Shri]

think brendon's insecurity about getting owned by the aussies has rubbed on to the squad

 

[Jfry]

So it's confirmed that Stokes is the specialist captain.

If only Risabh was here

 

[GIMH]

think brendon's insecurity about getting owned by the aussies has rubbed on to the squad

utter drivel sorry

 

[TimAngas]

Cummins on for bowled/LB vs Bairstow please.

 

[Calm_profit]

think brendon's insecurity about getting owned by the aussies has rubbed on to the squad

Just like in his playing days.

 

[Burgey]

I like how busy Bairstow is at the crease these days. Just looks so much more proactive since the Sydney test out here last year than he used to.