England's Summer Test Series

[Neil Young]

I trust you are being sarcastic.

Me? Never.

Can't see any logic in the NWM. Need to knock up at least 600 by lunch tomorrow the go for taking 20 wickets without batting again. England can't afford to bat again before India's second innings.

I think it's designed to tell the opposition that, even in this position, "We will be relentless, serious and give you nothing." I can see it might slow them down a little but it surely could have a psychological effect on India (and future opponents too).

[Shaggy]

Can't see any logic in the NWM. Need to knock up at least 600 by lunch tomorrow the go for taking 20 wickets without batting again. England can't afford to bat again before India's second innings.

I was bemused by it too. The only way it becomes acceptable is if Jimmy Anderson throws the bat around this morning like in a T20 game. Otherwise it's a total waste of time - literally.

[Shaggy]

Wow

jonathanliew Jonathan Liew
by RichardRamsden
Century partnerships in the last year: Zimbabwe 3, Bangladesh 4, WI 5, Australia 6, NZ 7, Pakistan 9, South Africa 9, India 16. England? 31.

[Vermilion]

[Buzzo]

I must say, watching the highlights again from yesterday. The Bell - Pietersen partnership was sensational. Pietersen played some utterly outrageous shots. Switch hits, Baseball batting... the works. Great stuff. And Bell is the perfect foil to Pietersens fireworks, playing some superb shots.

[Shaggy]

Yep watched two hours highlights last night and thought the same. That topspin tennis shot Pietersen plays is outrageous. And Bell...wow. I never doubted his ability with the bat, just his mental fortitude...I thought he had none. None whatsoever. Always thought he was totally spineless but he's become a truly world class player.

[Buzzo]

Yep watched two hours highlights last night and thought the same. That topspin tennis shot Pietersen plays is outrageous. And Bell...wow. I never doubted his ability with the bat, just his mental fortitude...I thought he had none. None whatsoever. Always thought he was totally spineless but he's become a truly world class player.

Really it is the perfect top 4.

Cook and Strauss, will strangle the life out of any seam attack, not concerned about scoring quickly. The Bell (Trott) comes in piles some more on, then once the attack is tiring in come KP, Morgan and Prior to have a thrash.

I think Strauss scored 2 runs in the opening hour. Just when India must have felt they were getting on top of the situation in came Bell and Pietersen and that was them plundering 4's for the rest of the day.

I agree totally on Bell. He always seemed to have the talent but not the mental strength, he seemed set for a similar career as the likes of Hick and Ramprakash. Not anymore.

[Shaggy]

Yep.

And yeah Strauss scored two singles in an hour. Amazing really.

We have the perfect top/middle order, and IMO the best tail in the history of Test cricket. Seriously. 10 bats plus Anderson who is no rabbit. Wasn't long ago we had four no.11s and were five down and all out.

Even the best sides ever - 80s Windies and 90s/00s - Australia had rabbits such as McGrath, Walsh etc. I've certainly never seen such a strong batting line up/tail as ours.

And then there's the seam attack, which IMO is an even more potent weapon than our batting! Incredible.

And that still leaves Swann, which is ridiculous. The best spinner in the world and he's last to get a mention.

[Shaggy]

Morgan gone for 1 following Anderson, 487-5

[Reece]

Well done Bell

[Shaggy]

'Belly'

[Shaggy]

Bell out. Once again he fails to make 300.

[Buzzo]

Bell out. Once again he fails to make 300.

Biggest worry for England is the rain. Surely Strauss has got to declare.

[Buzzo]

Finally a wicket for Swann to work on.

India 95-5. Swann 3 wickets (1 stumping).

India are truly dire.

[Jayesh87]

What happened to Gambhir?