England's Summer of Cricket against Sri Lanka and India

[Chazza]

Robson gone for 26.

[RichC]

Today might be the day Cook gets a bit lucky.

[Chazza]

This is his highest score in 28 innings

[RichC]

Looks a good batting track this.

[Chazza]

About the only thing the ECB have got right in the last year or so is to get Ballance in the side.

Proper test player that lad.

[RichC]

Cook gone for 95

[Chazza]

Silly shot

[Chazza]

Bell needs some runs

[RichC]

Aye he does, looks a good wicket for it

[Shaggy]

"Belly"

Well done Cook. About time.

Ballance - he's proper isn't he

[Buzzo]

Good innings from Cook yesterday.

What is interesting is that as I see it there are 2 issues with Cook. His batting and his captaincy. Thats why the pressure is so built up on him. A good innings begins to address the one thing that was never in doubt - his talent as an opening batmen.

His and the teams issue (main issue) is direction, and his captaincy is a key part in that. I suggest this is not such a quick fix. So whilst congratulations on his return to batting form are due, and he earnt his luck in being dropped on 16, the doubts about his ability as a captain surely remain.

2 issues, and success in one clouds judgement in the other. Tricky.

[RichC]

As a batsman the talent is clearly there but as a Captain there are huge question marks over his head IMO, in some ways batting first was a good thing for him as it left him with that to concentrate on not tactical decisions that come with being in the field and that so far has been a major weakness for him.

Winning (if he manages it) one test won't change opinions on his ability to lead and if he is to continue as England captain he needs to show the ability to do so over a period of time.

[Buzzo]

India clearly struggling without Ishan Sharma.

Even Bell is getting some runs.

[Alex]

Bell close to his 100. Not taken long for his class to shine though. Temporary dip in form

[Alex]

Bell in cracking form now. Nice one Belly