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

[Molehill]

Where's third man?

Just been taken from Cover where Root nudges an easy 2.

It's kind of genius really.

 

[Nintendo]

I mean conventional wisdom in test cricket is that you need a way to score off the channel ball to succeed. Thought smith walking across and flicking it was weird, but reverse ramping it takes things to a whole new level.

 

[CartyDurham]

Morning to U.K. viewers, evening to all our friends wherever they maybe

here we go again England look intent to score above five and over

I still think that over 280 to 320 is needed to give Australia a real 4th innings problem

45 for 2, lead 52

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Root's been told he's getting axed for the returning Foakes unless he lifts his s/r

 

[chris.hinton]

Five test tour of India coming up in January. And for the first time ever, I'll be supporting India.

Really? why. Its an awesome start 14 runs in 9 balls. Root is getting going

 

[trundler]

Boland's return to ground level is turning out to be rougher than expected. Root's surely in his head now.

 

[GIMH]

I think I've worked out England's game plan.

It's to undermine the entirely credibility of the sport of cricket.

Yes, scoring runs sure undermines the sport's credibility. Whatever next

 

[Kenneth Viljoen]

Ollie Robinson may be a 78mph trundler but apparently he was more than quick enough to bounce out the Aussie tail.

I mean he's averaging 21 with the ball in Test Cricket, he gets wickets even on a bad day , it's a sign of a great bowler imo

 

[Nintendo]

Boland's return to ground level is turning out to be rougher than expected. Root's surely in his head now.

One bad innings and a few reverse ramps from root isn't exactly a return to ground level, tbf. Blokes still averaging 17 with the ball.

 

[chris.hinton]

Root will take all bowlers to the cleaners. He knows how good he is. 100 coming

 

[trundler]

One bad innings and a few reverse ramps from root isn't exactly a return to ground level, tbf. Blokes still averaging 17 with the ball.

He won't be by the end of this series.

 

[Nintendo]

I mean he's averaging 21 with the ball in Test Cricket, he gets wickets even on a bad day , it's a sign of a great bowler imo

Pisses me off that people write him off so much, honestly. Came over here and averaged 25 with the ball despite being half fit, took his wickets @20 in PAK on some of the flattest roads you'll ever see served up in test cricket and has ended up with 3-60 here on an absolute road. He's a quality bowler.

 

[straw man]

Yes, scoring runs sure undermines the sport's credibility. Whatever next

that's right

 

[chris.hinton]

Aussie bowlers are now looking worried

 

[CartyDurham]

Can’t remember who it was that pulled me up about strike rates with the Aussies. I’m fuming about England only going at 3.9 per over

though this current power play is helping

 

[the big bambino]

Wouldn't mind seeing Green bowl a little more often at Root. Might get toweled but he did get him a couple of times in Oz.

 

[chris.hinton]

Haha Borland is looking Club standard

 

[GIMH]

Haha Borland is looking Club standard

that good?

 

[CartyDurham]

Could I ask my Aussie fans, has Boland bowled before with the keeper up at the stumps ?

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Both Boland and Robinson are quality international bowlers who have made superb starts to their careers. They'll still have bad days though.