martyn

Penalty should have been retaken as well by the looks of it..Ashley Young was in the box

I'll never agree with something like that being a penalty

If we have to sell him because the price is right then fair enough. Against the backdrop that we're expecting to be challenging at the top end of the table, I disagree with the assertion that we'd be fine because we have Ayew/Monga/Alves/others who can "fill in". If you continually chip away at the quality of your first 11, then the team will eventually suffer. BEK is a better option in his position right now than all of the above. Same with Hermansen and Stolarczyk. Stolarczyk will be "fine" at this level, but Mads is a level above and a difference maker over the course of a season relative to the competition. It's a different conversation if our fanbase can accept a period of consolidation, and reduce expectations in the event we start blooding more youth and spending less money. But given how much we've been spoiled over the last 10 years, can we do that?

Fair point on Cook's record in Australia for the Lions. Still don't think they'll take him as he doesn't fit the "profile". This England would take Olly Stone having not played any cricket in a year.

This cycle has been about preparing for the Ashes, they've made that clear. Sam Cook is a very good bowler, but he's the archetypal county military medium seamer. He'd be a Woakes type in Australia but 2mph slower and without the batting. Crawley is a safer selection than Pope for me, especially as he has a decent record against both Australia and against 85mph+ bowlers. Watching Ollie Pope bat is stressful and I'd absolutely be in favour of replacing him, but they won't do it now. I hope I'm proved wrong but for me he's a modern day Hick/Ramprakash type, can take county attacks apart but gets exposed at test level.

The point about averages doesn't take into account conditions. Yes, English pitches have flattened out a bit over the years, but it's generally one of the tougher places to be able to consistently make big runs. Several world class players have averages in England below their means. The issue with this side is less the batting as a unit (taking individuals out of the equation), and i'd be pretty confident asserting the "Bazball" approach has gained us better results than the alternative with this set of players, but more the lack of penetration in the bowling. A world class spinner would make a world of difference.

Bethell and Smith this morning are more deserving of criticism for me. People will say Brook but without him India would have been celebrating long before. That Bethell shot was appalling, and Smith's cameo this morning was laughably bad, set the tone for the morning. Fair play to India, they bowled immaculately after the Brook wicket, and Siraj deserved that moment.

Littlers scoring power just too much in the end.

Massive credit to Jess Carter as well, thought she was very good after a horror tournament.

Can now see why the selectors were reluctant to select Dawson despite his first class record. Mostly tidy, but doesn't threaten anywhere near enough.

He had a decent game at Old Trafford, either his first game on loan or first game after he signed permanently, can't remember which. After that however... I'd nominate Ryan McGivern at home to Bristol City under Pearson. Made Ivan Sproule look like Messi.

This version of England will get crushed if they reach Spain. Chloe Kelly and Lucy Bronze delivering as usual.

Any recommendations here for as cheap as possible burner phone which would do the job?

3:14, good to know his urologist has given him a clean bill of health.

Didn't get out of the way after handing over the trophy and ended up front and centre for the trophy lift, then the bouncing.

Sinner's base level is higher than Alcaraz, it's why I think he'll end up winning more slams, fitness permitting. Alcaraz is the more classically talented player, but still has a habit of donating away sets he should be winning. Unless someone else breaks through, they'll both win a boat load of slams, they're so far clear of the pack.

Monga already our best player

Don't think Draper has ever looked great on grass. Best performance was v Alcaraz at Queen's a while back where he was serve and volley and aggressive on the first strike. He was tentative today, letting Cilic dominate from the back and never attacking the weak 2nd serve. Cilic was clever in the rallies and really exposed the backhand side of Draper. Think if Draper is to win a slam, it'd be on a hard court, but that will be incredibly difficult with how Alcaraz and especially Sinner are on that surface.

Total collapse from Boulter. Such an unstable player.

Camera work was unbelievable, did that set full justice.

Will switch on Prodigy after The Maccabees who have been sensational.

If it's not for you it's not for you, but that summation of Doechii does a massive disservice to the complexity in that show. I've no skin in the game really, I can take or leave rap/hip hop in general, but she can rap very well, sing, dance and has stage presence.

Yeah not sure how you'd classify them, definitely some hints of Mark E Smith with the delivery at times. Crowd looked like they were having the time of their life, which made for an entertaining watch on the telly.

Just watched her set. Absolute superstar in the making. Wunderhorse and Fat Dog (lead singer looks like KDH and sounds like James Acaster) the 2 other sets I've really enjoyed so far from bands I knew nothing about.

England have been outstanding beating the press.