Second Test. England v Sri Lanka at Riverside. 27/5/16.

[Aidan11]

Why do we pick Compton?

[hopeforthebest]

Joe gets a nice juicy long hop to set him on his way.

[Dr Cricket]

Compton a very odd cricketer tries to be like cook stay in, has really limited stroke options and generally looks to stay in and play is own way yet is quite mentally weak, always giving his wicket away after staying in for quite some time.

Can't see Compton being picked for the Pakistan series wonder which batsman will replace him limited options after bell and balance.

Huge opportunity for county players to get in.

[sussexpob]

Well cook not a top player.
He an average good batsman.
Not world class or great batsman.

How many other openers have played that many tests and have records that are superior? There arent that many, an average of 46 for an opener in any era is very good. And Cook plays most of his cricket in England where the ball swings, seams and is generally the toughest pitches to open on. Put him on the majority of away wickets, and Cook is pretty immense.... I think he averages 50 in Australia, and over 60 in Asia. Had he been born India, Sehwag might not have even got in the India side. Its forgotten a lot about how opening in England must remove a lot of runs from your average. The only person in recent memory to have scored big runs was G.Smith, and that was only because England refused to catch him out in 2003 (the infamous 7 drop double centuries, or the drop at the Oval in 2013 on the way to another).

Take for instance the other guys and their records in England. Sehwag was rubbish in England, Hayden never did well here either.

[yuppie]

Why do we pick Compton?

So Root dose not have to bat at 3

[sussexpob]

Why do we pick Compton?

So Root dose not have to bat at 3

Indeed. We covered this last test. England pick their number three just to shield Root

[hopeforthebest]

Why do we pick Compton?

So Root dose not have to bat at 3

[Aidan11]

Managed to see the last over before lunch where Sky Seemed more interested in a cookie monster than the cricket.

[yuppie]

Hows the pitch playing? Is it easier to bat on then at Headingley?

[alfie]

Hows the pitch playing? Is it easier to bat on then at Headingley?

Slow. Reckon there are runs in it for someone who gets set.

[sussexpob]

Hows the pitch playing? Is it easier to bat on then at Headingley?

Slow. Reckon there are runs in it for someone who gets set.

Already evidence of turn there though, Herath got one last over to really grip and rip. Herath could be the key this afternoon if he continues to generate that much spin

[sussexpob]

50 for Hales again. Nice to see him starting to solidify his place

[Gingerfinch]

50 for Hales again. Nice to see him starting to solidify his place

Yep, his average is crawling up towards Stokes'

[sussexpob]

Hows the pitch playing? Is it easier to bat on then at Headingley?

Slow. Reckon there are runs in it for someone who gets set.

Already evidence of turn there though, Herath got one last over to really grip and rip. Herath could be the key this afternoon if he continues to generate that much spin

More turn from Herath, this time he beats Root.

[alfie]

Hows the pitch playing? Is it easier to bat on then at Headingley?

Slow. Reckon there are runs in it for someone who gets set.

Already evidence of turn there though, Herath got one last over to really grip and rip. Herath could be the key this afternoon if he continues to generate that much spin

Yes . I think Herath will be doing a lot of work in this innings. If Sri Lanka's bats handle the seam bowlers a bit better (IF !) , Moeen might get a look in later...

Hales has started to look as if he may yet manage the transition to Test Cricket ; though he will need to do it against tougher opposition to convince his doubters. Hope he can convert this start into a big one.