Cook played a "no shot" rather typical of his form, Vince went for a ball in the "corridor" yet again, Root was a bit unlucky to glove one down the leg side but not as unlucky as Stoneman who was originally given not out but then reversed by the 3rd Umpire - when it wasn't conclusive whether it hit the hand on or off the bat.
These two sessions have summed up us in this series - we work hard to get ourselves in a good position and then lose wickets at vital times.
Target for close of play should now be about 275-5 in my opinion and 420 all out tomorrow. That shouldn't be too much to ask on this wicket providing we survive that 2nd new ball.
Target for close of play should now be about 275-5 in my opinion and 420 all out tomorrow. That shouldn't be too much to ask on this wicket providing we survive that 2nd new ball.
Would happily take that. Said four or five wickets maximum at the beginning of the day...
Lyon getting no turn whatsoever but still bowling a superb line and length. Coaches want a repetitive action from bowlers and it is that that allows him to build pressure and to give the quickies a break - 10 overs for 22 so far.
Lyon getting no turn whatsoever but still bowling a superb line and length. Coaches want a repetitive action from bowlers and it is that that allows him to build pressure and to give the quickies a break - 10 overs for 22 so far.
England were playing him well early in the day. Running down the wicket at him etc trying to throw him off his lengths.
Since a couple of wickets fell we've lost all our attacking intent though.
Cool just doesn't look interested. Don't know why he bothered going out there.
I think Cook is that type of guy - he looked at the screen on the way out to see what went wrong. Shame because he was getting in good positions but had that "brain freeze" for one ball that was enough to get him trapped on the crease.
Don't like to say it but any chance of us getting something out of this game rests on these two. Malan has shown his grit and determination but has to convert it into big scores and Bairstow needs to prove what most people have been saying and that is that 7 is too low for him.
Think it really does help that at no stage have we had two left handers in together facing Lyon. Of course, fully expect him to be bowling once Moeen comes in - 4/4 so far in the series.
England manage to look comfortable without ever removing the doubt in your mind that a wicket will fall any moment...
That is what we have come to expect. And yet, if two Aussies were batting like this, we'd be saying that our bowling attack is so poor, time to replace Broad, Anderson, Ali etc etc.
Everything could, however, revert to type in 16 overs time when the new ball is due.
Comments
These two sessions have summed up us in this series - we work hard to get ourselves in a good position and then lose wickets at vital times.
165-4, 48 overs
Malan 36*
Bairstow 10*
Since a couple of wickets fell we've lost all our attacking intent though.
Big innings needed from Malan, Bairstow and Ali. One of them needs a hundred.
Keep going boys
Everything could, however, revert to type in 16 overs time when the new ball is due.
Malan 75* (125)
Bairstow 35* (84)
Undefeated 99 partnership for the 5th wicket. Not sure we would have been saying that if we hadn't changed the batting order.
Sometimes you need to re-arrange the deck chairs - even if it possibly only makes the inevitable seem less likely!
If we are scoring at over 3 an over, imagine what the Ozzies are going to rattle along at.