1st Test, Edgbaston, Birmingham

[Stowford Mess]

Good ball but another lose shot from Khawaja. Never ever learns does he, gives us an in when we looked super flat and had to resort to Root.

Not sure how loose a shot it was... guy bowled an 88mph ball on an off stump line that jagged in and clipped the inside edge. Maybe could have left it on height but was a pretty decent nut.

 

[Uppercut]

It’s so frustrating. You’re in, you’re set, the opposition are losing patience. Just bat time ffs.

Incredibly reminiscent of last summer when no one could capitalise on a start.

That’s a serious ball from Stokes though no? Of every dismissal this match it might be the one you can fault the least.

 

[wrongun]

Does Stokes bowl better after he's scored a few runs? Looks a different bowler than in the first dig.

He’s probably also just finding his feet after the WC

 

[GotSpin]

Pretty good ball but Khawaja should be set and ready for those

 

[mr_mister]

Game over now.

Nah... Khawaja is not the be all end all

 

[wrongun]

Not sure how loose a shot it was... guy bowled an 88mph ball on an off stump line that jagged in and clipped the inside edge. Maybe could have left it on height but was a pretty decent nut.

Not a lose shot but a mental lapse rather. Ball was good not unplayable

 

[trundler]

Literally everyone expected them to be 3 down by the time they get the lead

 

[vcs]

Stokes is just so good in these conditions. Can run through teams when he gets it right. He bowls some real magic balls.

 

[Shaggy Alfresco]

Still very much in the balance.

 

[wrongun]

Nah... Khawaja is not the be all end all

Hope im wrong but I go by game flows and that was a very bad time to get out. Also, he should’ve seen stokes off for a bit.

 

[Stowford Mess]

Not a lose shot but a mental lapse rather. Ball was good not unplayable

Good balls take wickets... unplayable ones generally don’t.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Yeah, bowling on Smith's pads isn't the way to go.

 

[trundler]

Paine needs to grow a pair today.

 

[trundler]

Brainless from Head

 

[trundler]

Looks like a Headless chicken

 

[GotSpin]

I quite like Travis. Good chance for him here

 

[trundler]

I quite like Travis. Good chance for him here

Would be a Travisty

 

[BoyBrumby]

Head definitely looks the least awful Australian batsman not called "Smith" or "Warner".

 

[trundler]

Smith plays the field artfully. True joy.

 

[91Jmay]

We have so few options, Denly might be worth a go. Smith average against legspin was slightly lower - I noticed his average against left arm orthodox was in the 30s. Interesting with Leach a potential option.