jim mk2

The Stokes declaration at Edgbaston did not make sense to anyone at the time and let them back in the game when they should have been shut out. Rule No 1 against the convicts is you don't give them a glimmer of hope because they'll usually take it Bairstow's nightmare at Lords with the gloves and the bat including the Carey controversy cost us the match there and England had 30 overs at them yesterday evening and only took 1 wicket - another opportunity missed when the forecast for today was a likely washout HMP will be loving this and the frustrating thing is they were there for the taking. This is not one of their strongest teams and England were capable of winning the series by playing sensible mistake-free cricket

No one says "well done" to the convicts unless they're a "Blackburn" supporter on a wind-up. Can you imagine them saying the same to us? They "proper hate us", as James Anderson said. This should hurt all England cricket fans because it should not have happened.

Yep, we should be 2-1 if not 3-0 ahead now. Reckless batting at the wrong time and Bairstow's dropped catches and dozy run-out to blame. The convicts won't have "won" this series, it will be England that will have lost it. I bet HMP XI can't believe their luck Have to say I'm really teed off. Weather's not bad to the north and south yet it chooses to rain across the north west

It’s surprising there was any play today after the forecast but it’s disappointing we didn’t take more wickets if not finish the match in the time available. We’re depending on the weather gods again tomorrow and we’ll have to bowl much better too.

Haiti should have scored near the end. England will struggle to make the semis on that showing

Baitstow is one of the main reasons we’re 2-1 down in this series when we should be ahead. If this Test is washed out and the Ashes gone his contribution today will be forgotten. Bairstow is still on the naughty step

Atherton said it's a hospitality venue with a cricket ground attached and he's not far wrong. Enjoying the day, can we knock another one over before stumps?

I thought he went back to HMP Aust? On the women’s game apart from some of the goalkeeping the standard now is excellent and the games very watchable - which you wouldn’t have said a few years ago. And one of the great things about it is the sports(wo)manship with none or very little of the playacting / conning referees / downright cheating you get in the men’s game. Looking forward to England’s first game on Saturday - I’m sure the friendly sporting natives will be behind us too

Looking forward to tomorrow. I was at OT on the last day to see us beat this lot in 1981 and hoping for a repeat tomorrow. We might have to do it in one day as the forecast for the weekend is not good. England deserve it.

It's a very good batting pitch but if it's starting to wear and showing signs of misbehaving that's a good sign for England. TMS reporting that the pitch is starting to do a bit.

The experts say it’s the best attack in the world. Extraordinary innings from Crawley showing what a good eye and heavy bat can do on a flat pitch

Moeen did well, exceeded expectations but he’s just as likely to get a 0 as a 50. England have to build on this Crawley ton, a tremendous effort. Now start again and make it 150

Except the No 3 is a No 8

Woakes no-ball not too costly. Now get their heads down and build a decent score before the weather goes off at the weekend if forecasts are right. I don't mind that if I see an England win tomorrow Edit: Duckett gone in 3rd over. Let's see how our No 3 goes against the new ball.

I’m not sure they’ve got too many already because I don’t trust this England team not to throw their wickets away at any point. And we don’t need a repeat of Edgbaston where their last 2 wickets put on 70 runs

England had them 255-7 and it's disappointing they're now at 299-8. It's imperative we knock the last 2 over quickly. Anderson hasn't had much luck but you get the feeling he's coming to an end. Agree with the above that Woakes should have played throughout the series. Root is the key - get the head down, play proper cricket shots, and make a big score.

As usual I was ahead of the game. I was looking at Friday's weather when I'll be at Old Trafford Apologies for treading on your toes. Making stuff up is your area of expertise

Manchester weather forecast for dull and cool with showers tomorrow ........ theoretically not good for batting and ought to favour the bowlers And England need to knock those last 2 wickets over cheaply. 300 may already be too many

Bairstow takes brilliant catch shocker.

Mmmm.... not sure about that. I'd keep them in their best positions, No 4 and No 5. Ali's promotion reflects the dearth of Test class batsmen in the domestic game. We haven't had a good No 3 since Trott was in his pomp

Bairstow has to produce in the next Test. No more dropped catches, no more missed stumpings, and meaningful runs on the board. He’s a liability at present and one reason England aren’t ahead in the series.

Ali at No 3 is Bazball thinking in extremis and just entrenches the team's T20 mindset. He hits the ball in the air too much, he struggles with the basic defensive skills even at No 8 so it's highly unlikely it will work at No 3. They tried him there a few years ago and the experiment was quickly dropped. Having said all that I'd be delighted if he scores a hundred at Old Trafford.

Last Train to London - ELO

The thought did occur....... still better than any

No.