England v Ireland at Lord's, 24/7.

[backfootpunch]

Bairstow cops a tragic pair....

Form has disappeared over a massive long term for Bairstow....

Time for Foakes

Since he started opening in white ball cricket his test career has regressed massively

[sussexpob]

Since the start of 2018, hes averaging about 25.

Simply not acceptable really. Got a lot to say to his critics, but he should really concentrate on shutting up, and putting up. The competition for his place (keeper batsman) have the two best averages in the same time (41 both for Foakes/Buttler) and the most runs per innings played.

I think he has to go.

[Arthur Crabtree]

How did that happen. Isn't this a hot day on a shirt front wicket?

Shame for Jack.

I think Jonny got a ton in WI but in a dead rubber. Too hot to check.

[sussexpob]

Mo gloves one a fraction away from Short leg..... looks like it might be another classic from him

[sussexpob]

Mo gloves one a fraction away from Short leg..... looks like it might be another classic from him

Repeats it next ball.... Go Mo! Play that short ball like a pro...

[sussexpob]

How did that happen. Isn't this a hot day on a shirt front wicket?

Been a tiny bit our there, but nowt really you should be worried about.... England are just terrible, and havent picked a single player anywhere near form with the bat.

[sussexpob]

I think Jonny got a ton in WI but in a dead rubber. Too hot to check.

Which puts his useful contributions to near zero?

[Arthur Crabtree]

Just had a shower. JB1 got a ton in the last Test in SL after being injured which was dead because they won 3-0. He didn't do well in WI.

[Arthur Crabtree]

He was doing well at seven before moving up the order because the top order was poor. Maybe he should just move back to seven.

[sussexpob]

He was doing well at seven before moving up the order because the top order was poor. Maybe he should just move back to seven.

A case you could maybe make for 5 players though. Stokes test batting form is off the cliff too. Woakes is a 7, Ali is a 7, Curran is a 7..... We have 5, we need proper bats. None of these bats are top 6 ready.

I'd put foakes at 6, stokes at 7, pope at five, Ali at 8 as he's bowled very well, forget about his batting input, it's all but disappeared.

[bigfluffylemon]

Oh look, another effing collapse. I wish I could say I am surprised.

Bring back Foakes, surely?

Need at least another 100 to have even a chance, I would think.

[Arthur Crabtree]

I'd put foakes at 6, stokes at 7, pope at five, Ali at 8 as he's bowled very well, forget about his batting input, it's all but disappeared.

Mostly agree with that. Pope didn't look all that good I thought, but I agree with looking for five specialist top order bats. Might be a long search. When things aren't working, it's a reasonable plan to revert to the orthodox.

[sussexpob]

Probably curse the lad, but Root looks to be playing cautiously, which is always a good sign. He's at his worst when he's overly aggressive before set, he's looking to a see a lot of balls and attacking the bad ball so far, good signs at least.

[backfootpunch]

Moeen is becoming a frankly comical figure with bat in hand

[sussexpob]

Mo gloves one a fraction away from Short leg..... looks like it might be another classic from him

Repeats it next ball.... Go Mo! Play that short ball like a pro...

Third time lucky..... looked like a tailender playing for East Grinstead XI out there under the short ball. Nothing left to say really is there, Id have to go back to Gerhardus Liebenberg in the late 90 South Africa series to remember a batter who looks as bad, while maintaining his spot in the team.