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

[SillyCowCorner1]

Yes, he is in that mood now.
Remember the days of ODI cricket just for a batsman to cross his 100 and then he change gears.

 

[ashley bach]

There's just not a moment of boredom here.

 

[Aidan11]

Declaration.

 

[kevinw]

Well that is a BOLD declaration.

 

[loterry1994]

Tbf, I don’t think many teams worry more about Root than KP

Latter is seriously underrated because of his personality

yeah they sure feared him when he was captain

 

[TimAngas]

That's just too alpha.

 

[Spark]

England right on top with 393...? What?

 

[sledger]

Wish Stokes would hurry up and declare. England batting far too long here.

lmao they actually did it wtf

 

[Ashes81]

Interesting declaration - let's see what Warner and Khawaja are made of

 

[Darwin Award]

Congrats Joseph Root!!

If it wasn't for that stupid shot where he threw away his wicket on 95 against New Zealand he'd now be even with Steve Smith on centuries by now...

He really has picked up the pace in the last few years and went from 20 centuries to 30 in very quick time.

He'll also this series go past Allan Border and break into the Top 10 most runs scored in tests batsman.

 

[wpdavid]

Hit out? 400/ declare and bowl for 10/15 minutes

You called it mate. I guess we'll soon see if it's the right call.

 

[Jfry]

Hopefully limit the damage to 1 down at stumps

 

[slippy888]

I can't see Australia winning from here they always struggle in English conditions and they might not cross 300 1st innings why are England even money to win this

 

[Daemon]

Hope Lyon doesn't buy a 5-fer here. He's done well so far but deserves some stick.

 

[Darwin Award]

Lyon carted for 20 in that over... LOL!

 

[Nintendo]

Huh? Why on earth did stokes declare.

 

[Daemon]

Hope Lyon doesn't buy a 5-fer here. He's done well so far but deserves some stick.

Well that ensures it

What a bat**** crazy declaration

 

[flibbertyjibber]

This is bonkers. Could have got another 50 or so tonight/tomorrow.

I can understand declaring if you have 2 tailenders in but we have our best player in seeing it like a football

 

[weeman27bob]

#Intent

 

[Spark]

Honestly part of the reason I've been so irritable is just how obsequious the commentary has been. No, England are not "right on top" on a flat Day 1 pitch having put up less than 400. Teams have lost Test matches putting up a hundred more than this on pitches like this. Australia put up 470 on a deck like this a few months back and it wasn't anywhere near enough.