Osavo

Still waiting on mine.

They'll just take the away priority point off you I think.

Anyone who has lauded and enjoyed England's approach under Stokes/McCullum cannot now turn around and say it was the wrong decision to declare in the first innings and to enforce the follow on (I have seen moaning in some quarters!). Both were bold decisions which have defined this leadership team so far and have produced some unbelievable test matches. Ultimately, that aggressive style will backfire sometimes but we'll watch some brilliant cricket in the process. Credit to both teams for such a spectacle, especially to New Zealand for their resolve in turning the game around. Thoroughly enjoyable game and what an advert for 5 day test match cricket.

If he doesn't do it in terms of innings, he surely will in terms of balls faced? Strike rate almost exactly 100 at the minute.

Harry Brook Fantastic to see Root silence the doubters from some quarters too. After a tough start, what a partnership.

Waking up to another brilliant Harry Brook knock. Shock. Sounds like Duckett played nicely too.

His decision making in that 2 v 1 chance was appalling. Imo he had to take one or two more touches, wait for Dunk to commit then pass or shoot as appropriate. I saw it as him trying to pass responsibility on to Vardy, something he's guilty of far too often when he's not in form.

Can't believe people still believe this nonsense. We're skint and so is he, King Power isn't going to recover. I'm pretty sceptical that their vast wealth actually came from a chain of relatively obscure duty free shops, but however it was generated, it certainly isn't being generated anymore. Just wish they (or whoever is responsible for these loans) would stop irresponsibly saddling the club with god knows how much debt secured against (increasingly) uncertain future earnings.

Yeah agreed. Got a good, level-headed skipper in Cummins and a top 5 who all look in supreme form. England's approach to pitch preparations in the Ashes will be interesting. Obviously we thrived on flatter decks last summer, but you feel that also plays into the Aussie batsmen's hands. The traditional approach of preparing English green tops to get them out just feels like it could also be a recipe for disaster with 'Bazball' though. Either way, it's going to be a cracking series. It's just nice to go into the Ashes with a genuine chance of winning it for once! I think the Aussies are genuinely buzzing to go up against this new England approach as well.

I'll be picking this up this week. First series was fantastic so really looking forward to it. Just thinking about how good an English equivalent would have been over the last 18 months

Christ, I'd tried to wipe that from my memory

There's no way the ECB should allow that kind of deal until the favour is reciprocated and CA allow English players to play in the Shield. That Smith one really irks me too because the bloke has previously shown no interest whatsoever in playing in the Championship. Labuschagne is a bit more understandable as he has committed to Glamorgan and has played for them for 5(?) years now, but Smith can get in the bin.

Phil Salt with a cracking innings in the SA20. Have to say I'm enjoying this tournament so far. Brilliant to see so many English players over there.

It's not original at all. Half of the football league used to sing it.

Someone will correct me if I'm wrong, I'm sure, but I'm relatively certain that first contact with the ball has to be inside the rope. That's what makes the catch legal. It's actually a really interesting debate. I get that it's out by all laws of the game, however for me that doesn't look quite right and should not be allowed. It will probably spark a law change of some kind.

They'll be in one envelope with the lead booker's name on. I picked up tickets from Anfield no bother like this.

We didn't play Bournemouth in the last round?

Surprised to see Lawrence back in the squad, other than that looks a pretty straightforward selection. Seam bowling looks strong with Anderson, Broad, Potts, Robinson and Stone. We really do have a strong array of seamers at the moment, with Archer, Wood, Woakes, Mahmood, Overton and SCurran to consider as well.

Harry Brook sells for 1.3m in the IPL auction! What a few months for that man.

Not a selfish point at all imo. I do get the strikes are causing chaos, but would expect the club to have offered collection at Gillingham for example.

Beth Mead is overwhelming bookies favourite. Stokes obviously already has one so can't really see him getting another, not that it should be relevant of course (but is). If I'm honest, if you're looking for a cricketer who encapsulated England's renaissance it's Bairstow, despite his absence since September.

Absolutely chuffed for Ahmed, what a talent! Also we've gone off like a rocket chasing this, love this team

Removing David Gower as anchor and replacing him with Ian Ward was a terrible decision by Sky.

I think you've totally missed the point. No one said that 3,000 extra people would turn up, and even so it would require nowhere near that number to cause a serious safety issue. It's like people learn nothing from history, even more astonishing given there has been an event of this nature this week. The chances of an accident remain low, obviously, but it's utterly moronic to encourage people to take actions which increase the risk to other people's safety on a public forum. Clearly you have a different view on this.

Thought that as I typed it, although nice to be optimistic