2nd Test, Lord's, London

[Woodster]

We've been saying that for months. Or even get Woakes and/or Curran to bat up the order and put another in the middle order.

Even just the same team with Woakes opening and Roy at 5 or 6 looks better.

Really don’t get all this clamour for Curran to move up the order! He really isn’t a Test class batsman, might get away with betting him seven in certain circumstances but wouldn’t really consider that in England.

 

[social]

Cummins looks decidedly innocuous so far.

Unless you’re facing him

 

[Starfighter]

I think Root is best at 4, and when he's not captain.

 

[TheJediBrah]

Cummins looks decidedly innocuous so far.

Yeah I was thinking that. With the sun out nothing's happening in the air, and the pitch isn't doing much for him. Can't really blame him.

also I hate Burns' backlift

 

[Uppercut]

Hazlewood obvs not as good as Cummins but he's so much more skillful. Feels like they're bowling on different pitches.

 

[StephenZA]

I think Root is best at 4, and when he's not captain.

And I am sure England would like another 2 quality batsmen to allow this to happen...

 

[trundler]

A road like this is where you would expect Cummins and top form Hazelwood to outshine their peers

 

[TheJediBrah]

Really don’t get all this clamour for Curran to move up the order! He really isn’t a Test class batsman

and Roy is?

 

[Woodster]

Why they bother analysing Roy's technique? Everybody know that he is not a test opener, of course he is going to push at the ball.

Yes, maybe more so than most orthodox openers, he’s going to snick off early doors. He’s very different to a standard opener, just hope England persevere long enough to see the benefits he brings to the side in that position,

 

[Starfighter]

I forgot how small a postage stamp Lord's is. Tight two right on the boundary.

 

[TheJediBrah]

Hazlewood obvs not as good as Cummins but he's so much more skillful. Feels like they're bowling on different pitches.

Well they're bowling from different ends. That can often make a big difference with seam movement.

 

[Lillian Thomson]

they should get at least 475 from here

So at 2-1 after 3 overs with a poor batting line up England should get at least around their 20th highest score ever at Lords. Super.

 

[Woodster]

and Roy is?

Time will tell on that front but he’s done enough in international cricket (and when he’s played first-class cricket for Surrey) to earn the chance to prove it either way.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Why does Root not just open and let England play a better middle order bat? Makes no difference to current team setup.

There aren't any decent middle order players though. Why do you think we have Denly at 4?

 

[vcs]

England and their opening woes yet again.

 

[morgieb]

This is bowling from Hazlewood. Looking really dangerous.

 

[TheJediBrah]

Haze is really making the ball talk here. Looking like a great selection at this stage.

 

[Burgey]

Poor old Jason Roy just ain’t up to it is he? Hands so hard. It’s a tough gig, but he ain’t the answer

 

[TheJediBrah]

Time will tell on that front but he’s done enough in international cricket (and when he’s played first-class cricket for Surrey) to earn the chance to prove it either way.

Doesn't he usually bat in the middle order though

 

[StephenZA]

Yes, maybe more so than most orthodox openers, he’s going to snick off early doors. He’s very different to a standard opener, just hope England persevere long enough to see the benefits he brings to the side in that position,

I just don't see it... yes play him 5 or 6 if you want, but his technique is not just gonna come right for a moving ball in Test matches. The Sehwags of the world are rare.... there is a reason that many great opening LO batsmen bat 6/7 in the Test teams.