England v Pakistan 2020.

[Arthur Crabtree]

So Curran in for Archer.

[Arthur Crabtree]

And Crawley for Stokes. Pakistan bat.

Fawad Alam for Shadab. So only four bowlers.

[sussexpob]

England should really be forced to explain why they unnecessarily take players from county cricket, only for them to sit on the bench. There was Wood and Curran in reserve so why bother calling up Ollie Robinson if hes not going to play?

[Arthur Crabtree]

Fawad has played three Tests, the last in 2009.

[Arthur Crabtree]

England should really be forced to explain why they unnecessarily take players from county cricket, only for them to sit on the bench. There was Wood and Curran in reserve so why bother calling up Ollie Robinson if hes not going to play?

Six pace bowlers is more than you'd need in a touring party. I suppose they can't bring anyone in at the last minute.

So what would have happened if a batter had slipped on the soap. Buttler would have been at five. They had a greater need to replace Stokes the batter rather than bowler. Unless they've got a back up of quarantined players, in which case they are really in the squad.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Looks like storms are expected.

Good point on BBC live. In the last Test in Southampton England picked Wood and Archer because they were expecting a pacy wicket. This time they have left both out.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Early wicket for Anderson.

Surprising there was press talk about dropping him.

Resting him, perhaps.

[sussexpob]

Early wicket for Anderson.

Surprising there was press talk about dropping him.

Resting him, perhaps.

I think that comes from the man himself, AC.

He answered a question about possible retirement plans by saying atm if he keeps bowling like he is, he expects to get dropped rather than announce he is walking away.

Of course anyone who indulges in this sort of talk I find mad. Hes one of the few English cricketers in m lifetime who should be given a LOOOONNNGG time failing before anyone even dreams of dropping him. I think he deserves to set his own date.

[sussexpob]

Not watched this morning, but the commentary seems to indicate England have made chances. Two drops in a session though wont make the bowling look good. The chance Sibley put down at second slip, Cricinfo indicates was once again in the channel of probably third slip. Seems 3 or 4 edges have dropped short of the slips too, and all three edges that made a fielder came lowish ...

Dont want to hate on Buttler anymore than necessary, but the keeper should be responsible for setting the depth of the catchers behind the wicket, maybe they need to take a few steps forward.

Cricinfo also says the slips are too close to each other...... which youd think theyd have learned after the last few tests.

[Durhamfootman]

well they might be too close together because two slippers are going for the same ball and getting in each others way, but it could equally be a lack of understanding between team mates. Not the first time this has happened this summer.

Must be Abid's turn to score 156

I see that Azhar defended a ball which then rolled back onto the stumps without dislodging a bail, so it really hasn't been England's morning.

If balls are not carrying to the slips again (same at OT if memory serves) does it just mean that they are too far back? Does being too far back give more time for the wrong slipper to think about trying to take someone else's catch?

[sussexpob]

Ali just featheredged one but no appeal too.

[alfie]

Don't think they're too far back : has been good carry this morning. Catches came at perfectly good height , just fielding errors . First one probably the wrong player grabbing for it , second one regulation drop.

Agree they tend to stand too close to each other.

Good couple of hours for Pakistan after the early wicket. Had a deal of good luck but they've capitalised on it ; and actually played pretty well...

But now Jimmy strikes ...good catch Burns

[Arthur Crabtree]

Pakistan probably happy to have only lost two wickets and the ball 34 overs old. Looks like a lot of rain around.

[alfie]

So it doesn't just rain in Manchester ?

Ironically I understand the forecast up there is pretty good by comparison today.

Given both sides have the ability to collapse quickly , there would need to be a lot of rain to imperil the prospect of a result.

[Ali888]

England should really be forced to explain why they unnecessarily take players from county cricket, only for them to sit on the bench. There was Wood and Curran in reserve so why bother calling up Ollie Robinson if hes not going to play?

Six pace bowlers is more than you'd need in a touring party. I suppose they can't bring anyone in at the last minute.

So what would have happened if a batter had slipped on the soap. Buttler would have been at five. They had a greater need to replace Stokes the batter rather than bowler. Unless they've got a back up of quarantined players, in which case they are really in the squad.

Play. Buttler as a specialist batsman and bring in Foakes to keep.