Wicket! Root 91.

The problem with Bazball, and I've said it before, is that when it works out as it did today it hands the initiative to the other side in two ways. 1) we score very quickly but but taking risks means losing wickets regularly so we didn't get a big score. 2) the other side then have as much time as they could possibly wish for to make a big score for themselves taking no risks, and plenty of time to get us out a second time and bat again. If we are losing wickets we should consolidate, not take any risks and try patiently to build a score we can defend, not be all back in the pavilion well before close of play on the first day. Chaddy says the crowd wouldn't like this approach but surely, above all else, the crowd wants us to win?

Hope you are right. Total is under par as I think the Aussies will show. In that sense it was a tentative recovery.

We'd have to be disappointed with that total wouldn't we?

Yes---could save us from relegation!

Thought we lost! 😂

Think so. Bloody cold anyway!

Saw him playing for Birmingham at Ewood when he was only16 years old---the best player on the field and won it for them. Clear then he would be a real star. Anyone else on here see that game?

South Africa, New Zealand and, above all India still have enthusiasm for the long form of the game. West Indies cricket is dying if its not dead already. Tragic when you roll off the list of truly great West Indian cricketers (starting with Learie Constantine). Incredible that we saw so many playing in the Lancashire League. Great days.

Then declare!

Close to 100000 at the MCG on Boxing day Chaddy! All delighted with a score of 230 for 2 at the end of the day!

True, need to find some speedsters quickly to have any chance in Australia. Batting won't change as much ,though Stokes will probably have gone.

The mistakes of the first 2 tests coming back to haunt us. We should have won this.

We have one day's play (hopefully) to finish the job and go to The Oval level. Can't see any chance of play today at all.

If he has gone so have our hopes for the near future and maybe beyond. Don't see how we can come back from this easily. Will take years. Good to see someone standing up to the joke that is Venkys rather than collect a pay cheque for years knowing the job is impossible.

Deserved a double century Crawley. And to think me and a few others were calling for his head a while back!

I thought it was forecast for tomorrow as well.

You'd think only rain could save the Aussies now?

Match is delicately poised in my view. Don't let the last 2 Aussie wickets get 50. Remember its a 5 day game!

We haven't got a decent No 3.Root and Brooke both failed at 3 but are succeededing at 4 and 5. The only reason Ali is batting at 3 is that no-one else wants the job.

Ali is batting at No 3 because no-one else will step up and take the responsibility. Root and Brooke have both run away.

That response is not particularly convincing is it? "We expect him to turn up for work" Is all Rovers can say? Have they actually discussed these reports with him? Seems ominous to me.

You're missing Dack from that list as well.

That's OK then.

but can he bat??