leicsmac

Well, that's the first of 8536308 things that need to go right to win this. Now for the next.

Hopefully we'll see the return of Wood, Atkinson, Robinson, etc sooner rather than later. It's probably true that we miss Broad and Anderson more in these conditions than anyone thought, too.

24 wins, 12 losses, one draw. Hmmmmm. Do agree regarding the three players mentioned, though.

They haven't had that kind of run of results yet. Perhaps I'm willing to have a little more patience than most, though. I'm reasonably sure there are a few people wanting a wholesale change of style, but leaving that aside for a moment, I do agree that changes in personnel are needed (Bethell for Pope, and anyone for Crawley, for instance). Actually having any or more than one of six first choice seam bowlers might help too - I honestly didn't know the injury problems were that bad.

When this team is having the same run of results as the team before it (eg. before the change in playing style), then it is not reactionary. The last time I checked, it wasn't. I agree that things could be better, but the current commentary by various talking heads just screams throwing the baby out with the bathwater and going back to the previous way of playing - which, again, wasn't all that successful.

That too.

...cue the reactionaries on the BBC website, I guess?

Still no idea about what is a 50/50 defendable total here.

Umpire properly trolling Siraj with that one Bloody close

Isn't that the damn truth. And one day that might be very consequential.

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst, I think.

Depends if you think things will really change after those three years.

Ooof. Fvcking hilarious on every occasion except when it happens to you

And Canada has a lot of airspace that the US likes to use. Something to consider.

On the topic of vaccines elsewhere: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy0w1p0wq87o The US attorney general has ordered charges to be dropped against a doctor accused of destroying Covid-19 vaccines worth $28,000 (£20,742), distributing fake vaccination record cards, and giving children saline shots instead of the vaccine at their parents' request. Pam Bondi said Dr Michael Kirk Moore Jr. "gave his patients a choice when the federal government refused to do so". He had been indicted by the Justice Department under the Biden administration in 2023. The plastic surgeon was already on trial in Utah, where he had pleaded not guilty to all charges including conspiracy to defraud the US. The acting US Attorney for the district of Utah, Felice John Viti, filed to dismiss the charges on Saturday, saying this was "in the interests of justice". Dr Moore was accused of providing fraudulently completed vaccination certificates for more than 1,900 vaccine doses, the US Attorney's office in Utah said in 2023. It would appear that harmful ignorance is now government approved.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cyvj13d9ylpo The European Union (EU) and Mexico have expressed disappointment at US President Donald Trump's threat to impose 30% tariffs on their imports from 1 August. Mexico criticised what it called Trump's "unfair deal" and insisted its sovereignty was non-negotiable, while the EU's chief, Ursula von der Leyen threatened to take "proportionate countermeasures", if needed. Both said they wanted to keep negotiating with the US. Trump has warned he will impose even higher import taxes if either of the US trading partners decide to retaliate. Why not go straight to a mass boycott and closing airspace to American flight carriers, with added vaccination checks for American tourists? Stop pussyfooting around the man and treat him like the bully he is.

Root is far more dependable, Brook is a heavier and faster scorer when it clicks. Would agree that Root is best when it comes to consistency which is what these things should measure, though.

Brook is superb and he's the best Test batter in the world for a reason, but that was needless.

And neither is Brook, Smith or Duckett, come to that. It's an opener and no.3 that are the only real issues.

Got to be the Root, Brook, Stokes and Smith show again then.

It really is. England should be leaning into it rather than being genial, it makes them better players too.

It's a gamblers mindset, which I don't really mind on a pitch like this and against an attack of this quality when at some point there will be a ball with your name on it. Just a question of getting as many as possible before you roll snake eyes.

Not sure the England bowling is as good, but yes, do see what you mean, England riding their luck too here.

Assuming that you're referring to Siraj here, perhaps a few Archer 90mph+ deliveries into the body line in the fourth innings (if he bats) might help with his manners.

Ignorance is a deadly sin with a body count higher than any of the other seven, yes.