Both teams have issues. Hoping that two of our young guns, namely Hameed and Pope, will step up for us. The toss could also have a big influence on things
It doesn't get any more dramatic than that. It all felt wrong from the start. Team selection, conditions, the pitch, winning the toss and batting. It felt a bit confused.
Miracle we made it to lunch with 50 runs scored and no more wickets. These two have done well to take the sting out of it however; particularly Hameed.
I do wonder whether Pope and Stokes shouldn't swap in the batting order. The latter seems to have two speeds - dead slow and 90mph - and he is at his best taking the game to the opposition whereas Pope is an accumulator. Stokes being forced into 19 dots from 21 balls offered nothing and had Pope come in above him we might "only" be 3 down with the prospect of Stokes and Buttler still to come and the potential for the two of them to bat together with a bit of freedom.
Well this is one way to go about correcting a mistake to bat first, get out as quickly as possible so you can have a bowl while the wicket is still fresh.
Comments
"These commentators talk too much"
Anyone still think, having won the toss, we should have batted in these conditions?
Night all.
Hameed 25 n/o
Pope 17 n/o
Hameed 25* (73)
Pope 17* (43)
Well done to Hameed and Pope especially the former who has been there since the start - offered a sensible game plan without ever looking in trouble
Hameed edges Cummins to second slip.
100-5 through 37 overs.
Pope 27 (61)
Buttler 31 (46)
Buttler edges Starc behind for 39.
Pope gone for 35. Top edge and a good catch in the deep.
Robinson out for a duck. Caught behind off Cummins.
Wood bounced out by Cummins. Caught at short leg.
Woakes top edges Cummins and caught well in the deep by Hazlewood.
Cummins finishes with 5-38.
And that's an early tea break.
Hameed 25 (75) c Smith b Cummins
Malan 6 (9) c Carey b Hazlewood
Root 0 (9) c Warner b Hazlewood
Stokes 5 (21) c Labuschagne b Cummins
Pope 35 (79) c Hazlewood b Green
Buttler 39 (58) c Carey b Starc
Woakes 21 (24) c Hazlewood b Cummins
Robinson 0 (3) c Carey b Cummins
Wood 8 (15) c Harris b Cummins
Leach 2 (7) n/o
Extras (lb 5, w 1)
147 all out from 50.1 overs.