*Official* Second Test (Lord's, London) 28 June–2 July

[Spark]

England's bowlers have looked awfully stiff so far this morning...

 

[GoodAreasShane]

What a glorious sight

 

[Burgey]

TPC not here to **** spiders either. All three of those shots were in complete control

 

[social]

Anderson has bowled more half volleys in this game than he generally does in a couple of series

 

[RossTaylorsBox]

Seems like you'd want to bat a few more overs if you've got a 40 year old bowler in the team.

 

[Spark]

Anderson has bowled more half volleys in this game than he generally does in a couple of series

Not much margin for error when batsmen can take two steps down and turn good length balls into half volleys tbf

 

[ripper868]

This mornings Smith attitude seems much calmer then last night Smith attitude. He'll get out now to something silly, but if he doesn't, England will still be bowling at 4pm.

 

[ashley bach]

Anderson is done

Gee who would have possibly imagined that he might struggle in this series.

 

[Burgey]

If they could combine the positive approach with the ability to switch gears when needed, they'd be very good. Bending the game to your will IS a positive approach, and that can be done without playing a shot at every single ball. England's approach to the short stuff was baffling yesterday. You can't bat positively if you are out.

Yeah but being adaptable is what makes very good/ great players. These guys aren’t known for their defensive games. I don’t know that they can do that. For all the bluster, was their first innings run rate meaningfully higher than Australia’s? I don’t think it ended up being so. Really good players have gears, not just one, whether it’s first or fifth

 

[_Ed_]

not here to **** spiders

I've often wondered what the **** this saying means. Why would anyone assume that's what someone's purpose is?

 

[trundler]

Anderson's uselessness in the second innings overcoming Smith's inability to score runs in the second dig

 

[kevinw]

I'm sure Jimmy would have liked to retire on an Ashes high but I suspect he will retire on a 0-5 shellacking with individual poor performances (three tests, he'll be rotated out).

 

[Woodster]

If they could combine the positive approach with the ability to switch gears when needed, they'd be very good. Bending the game to your will IS a positive approach, and that can be done without playing a shot at every single ball. England's approach to the short stuff was baffling yesterday. You can't bat positively if you are out.

You’re right and I agree, but it seems so obvious that’s the case that I’d like to hear the reasoning behind why it’s not been done yet or whether they’ll look to do that in the second innings and beyond.

I also don’t think we can forget the fact we’re playing a superior team and perhaps any strategy we employ will have its weaknesses and if we reverted to type (pre Bazaball) we’d be moaning about the lack of intent, rabbits in the headlights, etc. I think we know there’s a balance to be struck between aggression and pragmatism, just not sure why this hasn’t yet been acknowledged by Stokes and co in the way we play.

 

[_Ed_]

This is fairly lacklustre bowling.

 

[Saket1209]

I dont think they will Include Anderson for the next test. Maybe he will play another test at home in Manchester but his record isn't good there

 

[Calm_profit]

Nice chance for Uzzie to get honours board.

 

[Burgey]

I've often wondered what the **** this saying means. Why would anyone assume that's what someone's purpose is?

It just means not here to waste time.

 

[TheJediBrah]

Some of these bouncers should be wided

 

[Aidan11]

We've forgotten how to take wickets.

 

[Spark]

I have seen this plan get Smith a few times tbf. Though I don't think he'd even be able to reach these, they're that short.