England (Internationals)

(So as to create a more general thread than the "1st Test" one.)

Roree and the Vicar of Sibley have made it to Lunch - the first time since 2011 that England have made it through the first session of a Test Match at home without loss.

Yes and look what's just happened. Crawley has gone to pieces and even Root seems undercooked. And Wood is batting at 8....

Correction it's Stone at 8. Blimey this is a poor side.

I hope Ollie gets a decent score in the 2nd innings otherwise he might get classed as the new Ramps,great county player couldn’t crack test cricket I don’t think he will tho excellent player

Wasn't Gary Ballance the new Ramps?

RB wrote:Wasn't Gary Ballance the new Ramps?

The left handed one!!

Can’t believe that during a spell of hot dry weather that we haven’t picked Leach. Very lop-sided attack,which they we’ll regret if it spins

They are probably hoping for Root to take another 5 for 8 runs! But yes your right, I think there are very few Tests where you don't play a front line spinner, albeit we have not really had a good one since Swann. The problem here is that they are so obsessed with playing Broad and Anderson together they can't fit anyone else in. And really your never going to find their soon to be needed replacements by doing this.

Classic Broad

Oh for a spinner.

Might as well try Sibley's ocassional leg spin. Nothing much in this pitch for Wood or Stone by the sound of it. Not watching but has anyone swung the ball?

Another bad day at the office for the bowlers today, only one who looks threatening is Broad, although Stone should have had Young but for a bad drop by Root. Be hard to get out of this match with a draw with our batting and bowling.

Ollie Pope is in danger of becoming the new Ian Bell who took a long time before he converted stylish 30's into bigger scores. It's not just the cover drives that are similar.

We are paying the price of poor selection, no spinner and playing a bowler in Stone who is fast but very erratic and a keeper who is not up to Test standard with the gloves or the bat!!

I think we're playing about 7 players who shouldn't be there. This is about the worst England side for a very very very long time. And the Ashes are just 5 Tests away, and we don't even know who out "best" top 3 are, Burns apart. It just shows the absurdity of this resting policy.

They look half the side without Stokes!!

30/3! Well nothing changes. It's possible this could be over tonight at this rate.

Allison Mitchell: "England are in real trouble". Talk about staying the obvious. 58/5 still 27 behind. You could not make this up.
The T20 squad just announced for Sri Lanka looks 10 times better than this lot. Come back Moen all is forgiven.

This really is a poor showing.
Root said he wanted to win 7 test matches before the Ashes; We'll do well to LOSE only 6 on current performances.
Would Stokes and Buttler make that much difference? What other options are there? Denly again? Malan?
The Aussies must be licking their lips if this is the best we can offer.

I think Stokes for sure, but he hardly bowls much these days. I'm not a Butler fan in Tests. Denley can stick around but Malan would be my choice. Obviously Foakes back, Sam for variety and Leach. But whoever it is has got to play at least 4 of the 5 against India. We don't have a team together at all. NZ are well organised, gell well, don't posture around and do everything we don't. This is effectively their 2nd Team as well!

Very disappointing display compounded by inept selection policy with no spinner picked and a substandard wicketkeeper/batsman! Surely there are better keepers in the Championship than this guy!

Can't believe I travelled to Birmingham today for that dross

R.I.P. English Test Cricket which died at Edgbaston on the 12th June 2021.
Joe Root's face walking off said it all. A team beaten in every discipline by a superb unit missing 6 of their players.

Ex- Surrey and England left hand opening bat makes a peritinent comment which could perhaps be applied to another Surrey and England left hand opening bat...

#ENGvNZL  Believe me it gives me no pleasure watching @ECB_cricket
struggle but for too long technique has been sacrificed on the altar of free expression & mental strength . The non-technical chickens are coming home to roost!

https://twitter.com/abutch58/status/1403748499393499138