England v Pakistan, 3rd Test, Edgbaston, 3-7 August, 2016

So does "you just don't change a winning side" save Hales, Vince and Moeen?

I think Moeen deserves his spot, didnt get chance to bat but picked important wickets in both innings...

Yeah, I'd rather have Rashid but he's not going to get picked and Ali did okay in the last match.

Hales, Vince and Ballance are all on thin ice but I think they'll all get until at least the end of the series.

I think if Stokes wasn't injured, Vince might have been vulnerable if Cook and Bayliss were minded to play two spinners.

As it is, with Stokes likely to be missing, it'll be a straight swap for another seamer. Wood is playing again, so I wouldn't be surprised if he got the nod ahead of Ball.

Well I know they like giving players as many opportunities as possible etc (unless they are bowlers) but I think in Vince's case his attitude has to be questioned. Not just with his batting, where he seems to be incapable or unwilling to learn from his past mistakes, but also with his fielding in the slips, where quite frankly he looks lazy and half-hearted.

Henry wrote:Well I know they like giving players as many opportunities as possible etc (unless they are bowlers) but I think in Vince's case his attitude has to be questioned. Not just with his batting, where he seems to be incapable or unwilling to learn from his past mistakes, but also with his fielding in the slips, where quite frankly he looks lazy and half-hearted.

I don't know if it's just nerves but he does have a very irritating blank and gormless look about his face in the slips.

Word is that Finn has rediscovered his pace in the last week, so he may get the nod over Ball.

Henry wrote:Word is that Finn has rediscovered his pace in the last week, so he may get the nod over Ball.

How many times has he done that now?

taipan wrote:

Henry wrote:Word is that Finn has rediscovered his pace in the last week, so he may get the nod over Ball.

How many times has he done that now?

He was bowling late 80s early 90s MPH in the T20 game the other night.

Henry wrote:

taipan wrote:

Henry wrote:Word is that Finn has rediscovered his pace in the last week, so he may get the nod over Ball.

How many times has he done that now?

He was bowling late 80s early 90s MPH in the T20 game the other night.

Great, let's pick him on T20 form.

Fickle Finn?

I think the penny's finally dropped and he's just been told/decided to run in and bowl flat out.

Ball deserves another go, but Finn close to his best is better than Ball.

Henry wrote:Word is that Finn has rediscovered his pace in the last week, so he may get the nod over Ball.

And Finn it is.

A reasonably clear day with a balmy top of 19C forecast for the start tonight (Aus time).

skully wrote:A reasonably clear day with a balmy top of 19C forecast for the start tonight (Aus time).

Yep, the forecast looks set fair. Will have to make tracks soon, I'm off up there with some chums.

Cool Bas - enjoy!!

No posts from our English comrades??? Whaaaaaat???

Decent session. Surprising decision by the Wackies to insert England. They'd be happy with 3 wickets (particularly Chef and Nef). Pretyy good scoring rate by England but.

Sohail, Hail the Great Man, is having a decent day.

And I see Richie Richardson is the match referee.

Pretty even I will say after tea. Sohail khan proving worth of having variety in the attack and has been good. Rahat Ali bowled well with little luck. Amir and Yasir have proved worthless so far and that is a big worry.

Ballance playing really well so far. Vince again chased a wide one and Bairstow will not like to see the replay of his waft.....

This is shaping up nicely, obviously you can't really tell how good a score England have got until Pakistan have batted but it could well be a case of 300 odd plays 300 odd. Could be a cracker.

Well done to Sohail (Hail the Great Man!!) on his michelle. Nice even start to the match.

Indeed skulls. I fancy us to knock them over for 200-250 but if Younis finds some form then it's not inconceivable that they could get 350-400. Good first day but it really depends on the pitch as to who is on top as apparently the bowling conditions look to be the same tomorrow so if it's a good batting pitch and Pakistan capitalise then they will be in the driving seat whereas if it's a good pitch for the bowlers and we knock them over for 175 then that 300 odd looks more like 400.

As always, can never truly tell until both sides have batted.

Well, that was a cracking day, great bowling from Sohail. I think we're 60-70 runs light on what looks a fair enough pitch, but not as much carry as Old Trafford. If it stays overcast, my money is on England to bowl Pakistan out today. The crowd was disappointing - 2/3 full at best.

Weather forecast is for possible showers this afternoon. That'll be why it's pissing down outside my window as I type this then!