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

[Aidan11]

Good ball got Hales, but he was looking very uncomfortable in a situation he should relish. Cook going at twice the rate. Hales, like Vince is not cut out for test cricket.

He should be picked for the third test though. We don't seem to give openers too much of a run now.

[Aidan11]

Wonder if Woakes has got his pads on just in case....

[budgetmeansbudget]

If they're 500+ ahead at stumps, they surely won't bat on tomorrow.

[budgetmeansbudget]

Good ball got Hales, but he was looking very uncomfortable in a situation he should relish. Cook going at twice the rate. Hales, like Vince is not cut out for test cricket.

He should be picked for the third test though. We don't seem to give openers too much of a run now.

Plus there are few obvious alternatives, which may allow Vince to get the remainder of the series as well, especially if England win.

[Aidan11]

Root has obviously been told to give it the heave-ho.

[budgetmeansbudget]

I thought they were playing until 7.30, seems not.

[hopeforthebest]

If they're 500+ ahead at stumps, they surely won't bat on tomorrow.

I wouldn't think so budget, Warne and Botham would be apoplectic.

[Aidan11]

I thought they were playing until 7.30, seems not.

Only one over left now.

[budgetmeansbudget]

I thought they were playing until 7.30, seems not.

Only one over left now.

I haven't got a clue how they work it out these days.

[braveneutral]

Abacus.

[greyblazer]

I am still struggling to come up with one valid reason why Cook didn't enforce the follow-on. Baffling really.

[Dr Cricket]

When Cook decided to bat again it was after seeing that batting was looking very comfortable and Woakes and Stokes were being played with ease. Until this innings Wahab had an average of 7 and a high score of 27, he made 39 runs. With 48 overs still to go in the day, he judged it better to rest the bowlers and bat. The decision was never about runs despite what Warne, Botham and Holding keep going on about.

yep never really about the runs.
mostly about rest and the weather.
What was illogical is that they didn't take into account the weather, believe this is the 2nd test in 3-4 year where England have done odd decision around weather, the Compton last innings against nz was the last time I remember the odd decision.

this time the rain fell about 10-15 mins later so surely ECB got the best available software that gives the rain radar, even the free ones would have been accurate enough to predict the rain today in manchester.
the one in 2013 their kind of had an excuse by saying they don't trust tomorrow forecast but weather forecast for one hour in the future is 100% accurate.

In terms of the games, with a lead of 390 their is really only thing you can do in my opinion and that is to bowl first, really don't see the point of batting for 20 overs.
if I was Captain I would bat again anything below 300 and probably bowl again anything over 350, with the middle depending on the game and forecast.

don't really like batting again when you have a big lead since you have to set 500+ otherwise you will always get that nagging doubt in your mind if the opposition can chase 400-450 and what if you declared too early.

[DiligentDefence]

If they're 500+ ahead at stumps, they surely won't bat on tomorrow.

I wouldn't think so budget, Warne and Botham would be apoplectic.

Fatally so? Or is that wishful thinking?

[Dr Cricket]

If they're 500+ ahead at stumps, they surely won't bat on tomorrow.

this is cook he might bat till they get 600 ahead.

[Aidan11]

Wonder if Cook is eyeing up another century tomorrow.