England v Pakistan 2020.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Buttler averages 35.7 not as a keeper and 29.3 as keeper. He has one ton (not as keeper).

20 Tests as batter, 26 as keeper.

Neither really demand selection. If a specialist bat it means Stokes at four and Root at three. Unless JB2 bats at three. But he wouldn't. I'm not sure that it looks great hiding a specialist bat in the lower middle order (as happened when he was recalled as a specialist bat).

What about playing fc cricket and making a case for selection? He's not played much fc cricket, and only averages 32.4 at that level. He was a bit gamble when he was recalled. I'm not sure it's working.

[sussexpob]

Buttler averages 35.7 not as a keeper and 29.3 as keeper. He has one ton (not as keeper).

20 Tests as batter, 26 as keeper.

Neither really demand selection. If a specialist bat it means Stokes at four and Root at three. Unless JB2 bats at three. But he wouldn't. I'm not sure that it looks great hiding a specialist bat in the lower middle order (as happened when he was recalled as a specialist bat)

Stokes has an appalling record if exposed to the new ball. Aside from one innings where he opened to slog, and the fielding team went declaration bowling on him, hes done nothing in 9 tests hes played 1 to 4. If you expose him to the new ball his technique is not up to it. You want efficiency from him, you hide him at 5 or 6

[sussexpob]

The logical thing to do for me is put Pope at 3, Root at 4, Stokes at 5 and a batsman who isn't Crawley at 6, Buttler/Foakes/Bairstow at 7 based on who they pick. Woakes at 8, Bess 9, Broad 10 is about as good a tail you can get in test cricket.

Englands 8-11 means if all else is ok, they dont need a world class 6 or 7.... every team we seem to play have genuine tailenders coming in by 8. We have a guy with double figure FC hundreds coming in at 8.

[sussexpob]

Curran can also bat too at 8 if other bowling allrounders dont play. If Anderson is rested for the last test, its conceivable Englands tailender is the best batting unit to ever play in test cricket.

It might even been now tbf. Not sure any sides have ever had a 10 with a best score of 175 or whatever it was.

[alfie]

Curran can also bat too at 8 if other bowling allrounders dont play. If Anderson is rested for the last test, its conceivable Englands tailender is the best batting unit to ever play in test cricket.

It might even been now tbf. Not sure any sides have ever had a 10 with a best score of 175 or whatever it was.

Or even a number eleven with a best of 81...

[Arthur Crabtree]

Fawad has played three Tests, the last in 2009.

Thanks for coming.

[alfie]

Fawad has played three Tests, the last in 2009.

Thanks for coming.

Looked a bit rusty .

[Durhamfootman]

Fawad has played three Tests, the last in 2009.

Thanks for coming.

126-5. Does further play look likely?

[Arthur Crabtree]

Rain has stopped and they're mopping up, so yes.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Still dark clouds around though.

[Durhamfootman]

as black as a witches hat up here

[sussexpob]

The highlights of Anderson's second wicket look like England are getting back Pakistan for that Karachi test......looks like they are playing in the dark

[Durhamfootman]

I'm watching the highlights now..... England are standing too far back. Most of these takes by Buttler are inches off the floor

[Durhamfootman]

delayed start again, I see. Aiming for a 12.30 start, seemingly

[Arthur Crabtree]

Just 15 overs in the morning. Forecast for later iffy too.