4th Test England v Pakistan, The Oval, Aug 11-15

[Arthur Crabtree]

Things aren't ideal, and it's rare they ever are. But Cook and Root are at least functional, and the lower middle order is a potential powerhouse. It'll probably be different in very unfamiliar conditions, but after the recent contests, winning the Ashes and in SA, losing with occasional credit in UAE, thrashing SL, that's where they are now. In the short term, they need a 4+5. Being greedy, they need a spinner.

Woakes emerging has been a massive plus. While Anderson keeps going, they have a settled pace attack.

Just because it occurred to me, such a shame Taylor didn't get to build on a useful start to his career.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Worth having a glance at YK's record.

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine ... pe=batting

[Dr Cricket]

If stokes and Ali get in as a number 4 and 5 then England lower order won't actually be great and will probably have a decent sized tail.
At the moment England a tough side to call since like you say they got decent results with loads of issues/ problems and like cook/farbrace said the side got a long way to go.

[Dr Cricket]

Worth having a glance at YK's record.

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine ... pe=batting

Very underrated player, quite happy he got a century in this innings especially at the moment teams outside the top 3 don't get recognised unless their score runs against the big 3.
He essentially saved his reputation if he failed here he will probably be remembered for the failings and the dancing than his career.

[Arthur Crabtree]

All sides are quite flawed at the moment. England are just an ok side playing above themselves. Arguably the biggest change they need to make is to field better (and for their keeper to improve with the gloves). But to identify anything other than getting 4+5 better as the big problem just feels a bit fancy to me.

Pakistan have done well to be competitive on a rare tour outside Asia, though their second half display at Edgbaston was a little supine. Over the two series, they have probably been the better side.

[ianp1970]

Outlook for today seems very similar to Friday at Edgbaston...

[ianp1970]

...although overcoming a hundred lead twice in succession seems unlikely, so hopefully we will make full use of the new ball this morning.

[hopeforthebest]

It will be interesting to see who opens the bowling this morning, Cook does seem to stick pretty rigidly to his senior pair Anderson and Broad.

[hopeforthebest]

Watching Wahab Riaz working with some Asian children was lovely, he's a really pleasant fellow, good on him.

[backfootpunch]

Very cloudy today and swing on offer

We really should have bowled first in hindsight

[backfootpunch]

Bowling far too wide

Lead 40

Game drifting away

[hopeforthebest]

Again rather easy for the Pakistan batsmen.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Can't see any drops on a quick scan of cricinfo commentary. Slow going from Younis.

[Arthur Crabtree]

moved to another thread

[sussexpob]

Woakes again