[Dolly]

WTF is happening ?
Its not meant to be like this 

[butters]

The ship seems to be steadying now - Bell playing a good innings with a reprieved Bairstow. Was more than a little concerned earlier though to say the least.   

[Jaspersharpe]

Yes 221/4 looks a little better than 28/3. 

Bairstow v lucky indeed.

[Moo]

The Umpires have indeed been cruel to Australia..............................good on them

[rich d]

Just watched the highlights. We're really not batting well, I didn't see the pitch or the aussie bowlers do much. If smith can take 3 with that sort of bowling swann should be on the honours board! It'll be interesting to see what a parr score is.

[tomtom]

Just watched the highlights. We're really not batting well, I didn't see the pitch or the aussie bowlers do much. If smith can take 3 with that sort of bowling swann should be on the honours board! It'll be interesting to see what a parr score is.

On TMS they suggested (this morning) that 350 was a par...

[butters]

On TMS they suggested (this morning) that 350 was a par...

Didn't hear that but it sounds low to me for batting first on that wicket. Having said that after the first three wickets went down it would seem about right I suppose but then Trott, Bell and Bairstow got past fifty today but only Bell went on to score big so 350 would have been considered a bare minimum I would have thought.

Good bowling today by Harris though - lovely description of him from Cricinfo:

"Harris, a stout man bowling with aggression and intent, barging through the heat haze like a combine harvester powering through a cornfield, had three for 28 in 13 overs by tea. Like the best harvester, Harris maintained an immaculate line".

Also impressed with Clarke's captaincy yet again - he really does try and make things happen and Cook could do well to pay attention IMO.

[tomtom]

Twas Vaughn who gave that figure - whilst Bell and Bairstow were just getting going...

[Jaspersharpe]

WTF is happening ?
Its not meant to be like this 

You were right of course Dolly, it's meant to be like this. 

[Richie Crouch]

Fantastic stuff so far! 

[Dolly]

WTF is happening ?
Its not meant to be like this 

You were right of course Dolly, it's meant to be like this. 

   so happy to be wrong


So... do we enforce the follow on or bat again ?

[Jaspersharpe]

Not counting chickens however, I'd bat again. Loads of time, great forecast we could quickly bat them out of the game and then get at them as the pitch deteriorates.

[Dolly]

So would I -  opinion in the office is split though.
Counter argument here is that if we get them to follow on ,get a few more wickets tonight, couple in the morning and the pressure will get to them

[tomtom]

TMS view seems to be 99% England bat again - chance to give our bowlers a good rest..

[Dolly]

Right, its decided.
Cookie was just waiting to get the UKB thumbs up.

Me you and Jasper think we should bat again so I'll let him know

[Dolly]

OK back around
Its not meant to be like this
Cook and Trott both playing on their stumps against Siddle  - WTF ?


Just when you think a match is in the bag...

[Jaspersharpe]

And KP wafting like a tit for no reason.

This is England, it's never going to go smoothly.

[butters]

And KP wafting like a tit for no reason.

It is all part of a cunning plan to further demoralise the Aussies - drop KP, restore Compton to opener and drop Root to no.4. 

[rich d]

https://mobile.twitter.com/richardsdickens/status/358327548620451841/photo/1

[Richie Crouch]

Well jealous! I need to get hold of a digital radio to get tms at the crag tomorrow

Good to see Root get his 50, fingers crossed he can push on.

[Jaspersharpe]

Yes, loving this as it must be torture to watch if you're Australian.

Root should really have been out for single figures yesterday but this innings should do his confidence a load of good. Great stuff.

[rich d]

If cook, trot and Peterson actually put in a batting performance, we will absolutely slaughter them. Win the toss get a proper first innings score we could obliterate them. Hard not to be loving it!

[butters]

If cook, trot and Peterson actually put in a batting performance, we will absolutely slaughter them.

Not sure about Cook but both Trott and Peiterson have made half centuries haven't they? Consistency is more the issue with the latter two and of those I have far less concerns about Trott. Prior is probably the biggest disappointment for me with the bat so far.   

[Jaspersharpe]

Cook made 50 in the second innings at Trent Bridge. He then promptly got out but you're still right.

[DaveC]

A thorough kicking for a crap side that really does not deserve any better. Until Australia produces a new generation of batsmen capable of concentrating for more than 30 minutes I am afraid they are doomed to disappoint their supporters. A well-deserved win for England.

   Just a little  to add. You guys on here really should stop worrying about your batting line-up, somebody has stepped up in both test matches at crucial times and played the innings that was needed. Even better, you have some good players around the counties able to step up if somebody has a prolonged slump,  Take a look back at the great Australian teams from 1989 to 2003 (as many of us over here do.... ) and you'll find it was exactly the same, you just need one or two of your batsmen - any one or two will do - to fire each time and then your bowlers have something to work with...and your bowling line-up doesn't need that much to work with in it's current form.