3rd Test England v SL Lord's 9-13 June

[Arthur Crabtree]

Wonder if Cook doesn't open if Compo or Joe will step up.

[hopeforthebest]

Cook is having an X-ray on his knee - got hit by the ball just before lunch.

It seems he was fielding at short leg without shin pads. Not the cleverest thing to do.

A daft thing to do. If I was captain the last place I'd be fielding is at short leg!

He wasn't at short leg, he was at silly mid off.

[captaincolly]

Cook is having an X-ray on his knee - got hit by the ball just before lunch.

It seems he was fielding at short leg without shin pads. Not the cleverest thing to do.

A daft thing to do. If I was captain the last place I'd be fielding is at short leg!

He wasn't at short leg, he was at silly mid off.

Ah right. Let's hope it's not too serious although it's a while before the next test so he's got some time to recover.

[alfie]

Wicket for Jimmy at last as Perera tries one swipe too many ...he did a fine job for Sri Lanka , with some luck.

But it was a travesty to see Anderson without a wicket in the innings. England should be batting soon now...

[Arthur Crabtree]

Anderson's average has dipped below Broad's, by 0.04.

[Aidan11]

Anderson finally in the wickets.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Last night, the oleaginous Mark Nicholas said England had two all time greats, settling the argument on another thread. And he said 'Anderson and...' and before he said it I knew he had to say Cook, even though he's hardly been great since 2012 (or before 2011...) and I wondered for the hundredth time how it is Broad can have exactly the same record as Anderson, but be regarded so differently.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Cook average before 2010-11 Ashes, 41.
Since India 2012, 42 (five tons in 3.5 years).

Yet Broad (even taking on board a lull around 2012 when his heel was hampering him), has been consistently good.

[alfie]

Last night, the oleaginous Mark Nicholas said England had two all time greats, settling the argument on another thread. And he said 'Anderson and...' and before he said it I knew he had to say Cook, even though he's hardly been great since 2012 (or before 2011...) and I wondered for the hundredth time how it is Broad can have exactly the same record as Anderson, but be regarded so differently.

Fair point , Arthur ; but I suppose at this stage Jimmy is a hundred wickets ahead - albeit at similar cost.

Meanwhile Woakes gets a deserved third wicket and England lead by 128...pretty good turnaround after the overnight situation.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Last night, the oleaginous Mark Nicholas said England had two all time greats, settling the argument on another thread. And he said 'Anderson and...' and before he said it I knew he had to say Cook, even though he's hardly been great since 2012 (or before 2011...) and I wondered for the hundredth time how it is Broad can have exactly the same record as Anderson, but be regarded so differently.

Fair point , Arthur ; but I suppose at this stage Jimmy is a hundred wickets ahead - albeit at similar cost.

And the same wickets per game.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Still a game on here. The wicket has been criticised, but 20 wickets are down at about the half way point.

[hopeforthebest]

I think Compton will enjoy opening as you don't get that nervous wait in the dressing room.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Compo is going to open.

Hope he makes a few.

[alfie]

Compton up to open. Might actually be better for him - no time to get nervous ?

Bright start for Hales

[hopeforthebest]

In a commentary stint this morning the SKY cameras showed a view of a group of spectators siting with a champagne bottle in front of them, Botham remarked "very civilized" , so we now know that to be civilized you must be a champagne drinker and of course a supporter of Brexit.