England v Pakistan, 1st Test, Old Trafford, 5-9 August, 2020

At least we don't have to wait long for the next Test matches.

You'd expect England to go nearly unchanged. Perhaps a batsman for Archer??

I expect they will continue to rotate the pacemen. Just because they’ve proved they still have it doesn’t mean Jimmy and Sturat will now play every match.

If Stokes is fit to bowl I expect Crawley will come back in (I wonder if he will be dropped and recalled as many times as his seemingly unrelated namesake John was?)

beamer wrote:I expect they will continue to rotate the pacemen. Just because they’ve proved they still have it doesn’t mean Jimmy and Sturat will now play every match.

If Stokes is fit to bowl I expect Crawley will come back in (I wonder if he will be dropped and recalled as many times as his seemingly unrelated namesake John was?)

Have the Stans had any practice matches?

Inter-squad games I think, certainly nothing against counties. That will count against them in the first match.

May balance out against England’s customary First Test crapularity. Can we just hypnotise our players and tell them it’s the fourth Test against the West Indies?

Stokes has been bowling in the nets, so a recall for Crawley looks nailed on.

Looks like Anderson v Woakes as the main decision for the selectors then.

Whats the weather looking like. Any danger of some play today?

Crystal ball says 23C, scattered showers - 60% chance of rain.

So this is a day after a JAMODI involving England!

Yeah, shirley pretty uncommon?

Anywho, Wackies win the toss and bat.

Good move by England to stick with 4 quicks + spinner. Looks a dry pitch.

I assume Stokes is still under a "no bowling" instruction?

I see the 3rd ump will call no balls in this series.

Goodish start by the Wackie openers.

Sturat and Jimmeh getting it to dart around a bit, but fruitlessly so far.

skully wrote:Yeah, shirley pretty uncommon?

I wonder if any nation has played a Test and ODI on consecutive days before (whether or not it was completely different teams)?

Yeah, interesting Q. Might have to have a dig around.

Well bugger the rain.

Is it just me, or does Archer look way faster than the speed camera suggests?

Poms hit back with a wicket either side of the rain break. 2-44.

ugh, no good at all, Poms on top

Hmm, pretty even session.

Ball looking a bit haggard already. Babar will look to make strides after lunch.

Good application from the batsmen.

That's a quality 50 from Babar.

Good partnership between Babar and Shan puts the Wackies in a solid position.

2-121 as the covers come on again.

Bar bar bar, Babar Azam.

Excellent effort from the Stans on a rain interrupted day.

Babar is clearly a touch of class.

Definitely no elephant.

(Jean de Brunhoff allusion)


Mind you - he could be another Rum character ...