2nd Test England v Pakistan, Old Trafford, 22-26 July

[yuppie]

Chris Woakes: best ever night watchman?

might have to score 201 to get the claim.

Bit of a difference between best and best score...

Didn't Gangualy once come out to bat to protect Sachin in Australia? Not sure there are many better NW than that.

That would definitely top CW. How on earth did that happen though? Was it just an over left of something, and why wouldn't they have sent in 9 or 10 instead?

From memory it was when he was out of form, and a wicket fell with a few overs to go. Was tough batting so Gangualy went out to make sure Sachin did not have to bat that night, and thus not ruin his confidence any further. It must have worked as in the next test Sachin got his usual 100 at the SCG

Here is the card at Melbourne
http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/64061.html

[Dr Cricket]

Tendulkar always wanted a nightwatchmen very fussy and nervous person in the dressing room.

[yuppie]

found it Ganguly did do it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUwn2D55EiE
tendulkar always wanted nightwatchmen maybe ganguly wanted to bat since india didn't have much of a tail in that series.

Thats the one

[Making_Splinters]

Tad silly of Ballance to put in the hard work then get himself out, the worry has to remain that he gets too bogged down especially given he's batting lower in the order now. Vince is surely done regardless of the result of the Test unless he pulls out a ton in the second innings. Shame really as I've rated him for a while but he simply doesn't seem to have the mentality required to survive in Test cricket.

Need to push on tomorrow and not lose early wickets.

[st_brendy]

Vince is performing exactly how I said he would. Anyone who is surprised should be criticising the selectors for picking him, not criticising him. If you give him enough chances, he will score a brilliant 140. But 9 times out of 10 it'll be a quick fire score of 45 or less, before nicking off or driving aerially etc attempting another boundary.

[Making_Splinters]

Which is a method that worked in Division 2, not so much in Division 1 and definitely not in Test cricket. Vince is more than good enough to adapt, he just doesn't seem to be willing to.

[hopeforthebest]

Which is a method that worked in Division 2, not so much in Division 1 and definitely not in Test cricket. Vince is more than good enough to adapt, he just doesn't seem to be willing to.

Yes he seems to be set in his ways, which is not a good sign.

[braveneutral]

England's day I suppose looking at the scorecard but interestingly selection problems the same with Root and Cook scoring and the other 3 not.

[KipperJohn]

England's day I suppose looking at the scorecard but interestingly selection problems the same with Root and Cook scoring and the other 3 not.

Spot on as ever bn.

[braveneutral]

England's day I suppose looking at the scorecard but interestingly selection problems the same with Root and Cook scoring and the other 3 not.

Spot on as ever bn.

KJ only you are always spot on!

I am prone to massive errors of judgement - such as a fondness for Northants!

[hopeforthebest]

England's day I suppose looking at the scorecard but interestingly selection problems the same with Root and Cook scoring and the other 3 not.

Spot on as ever bn.

KJ only you are always spot on!

I am prone to massive errors of judgement - such as a fondness for Northants!

Any place that isn't London deserves to be loved bn.

[braveneutral]

England's day I suppose looking at the scorecard but interestingly selection problems the same with Root and Cook scoring and the other 3 not.

Spot on as ever bn.

KJ only you are always spot on!

I am prone to massive errors of judgement - such as a fondness for Northants!

Any place that isn't London deserves to be loved bn.

I am a lover of all places I would say. Or almost all places. Everything has something to offer!

[braveneutral]

Although perhaps on recent performances from a cricketing perspective some have more than others.

[bigfluffylemon]

Well, I commented that Root's had a lean summer, and he goes and does that, proving the old adage about form and class. Top class players have dips in form, but they never last that long. Well played that man , and his captain.

Surely Vince has to go? If England win the test he might get a lifeline, but he doesn't look cut out for this level.

England are in a good position to bat Pakistan out of the game, but knowing their propensity to collapse, nothing is ever certain. Who remembers that Riaz spell in Dubai? England were well placed on 203-3, which became 242 all out

[hopeforthebest]

A lot of the talk from the media is that Root and Cook have shown how the team should play especially against Yasir Shah but wouldn't it be true that Bairstow and Woakes showed all the others including Root and Cook how to play at Lords.