ralphindevon

Needed that but overall it’s not looking good. As predicted Moeen doesn’t look like he’ll bowl many now his finger has opened up, Root warming up needs one of his magic spell’s

Yeah at the end of the day we’re debating because that’s what the forum is for but none of us really know all the ins and outs. Plus we’re using hindsight, I’d have been quiet about Foakes if Bairstow had kept as well as he can admittedly. As for the test overall, I’m a fan of Bazball but there has to be a time when you look at the game and do what’s best to win the test at that moment and I don’t think we’ve executed those skills well enough in this test.

Should we be picking players that aren't ready for test cricket? We dont have time to play players into form. Same as Moeen, though replacements for him are slim admittedly. Could he have played in the last Yorkshire game maybe? Love Bairstow but asking him to keep in an Ashes test clearly under prepared seems odd to me

Jimmy’s got to strike early for me, usually I’m patient but we can’t be waiting as long as the first innings for him to strike. Or Broad to get Warner nice and early

Foakes has a a good test

This is the first time I've felt we're well behind. It feels to me our tale us way too long. So much resting on these 2

At some point in test matches even Bazball needs to realise this. Root could have comfortably built a big lead then.

Yes but I think Taunton Dean could beat poor old Middlesex at the moment.

Poor day for Surrey, that’s T20 for you. Gonna be tight at the top.

It was a bit better than the day before but wasn’t offering much I don’t think. Certainly nothing compared to having to bat in those rain effected dark spells. But you have to take what’s thrown your way, it looked like Crawley let it get the better of him, shaking his head as he walked off like he should never have been out there batting. We should have decent conditions when we bowl next just hope we’ve got enough runs to play with and the bowlers available to exploit it.

In a well matched series it may come down to who gets the rub of the green. We had it with the toss but having to go out and bat then was nightmarish for England

Always listen to Steve Smith……….and use up your appeals in no time

This weather isn’t doing us any favours. Horrible time to bat

Joe Root might be our most important player for the rest of this match. Forgetting his batting for a moment, with Moeen looking unlikely to bowl a shed load of overs Root might be asked to bowl more than he would have been expecting. He’s got wickets before for us.

Pitch looking dead, Cummings playing Broad’s short stuff with ease until he tried hitting every ball out the ground. Moeen did get one to turn big time early on so if his hand hasn’t fallen off by then, he’s been fined already for spraying something on it, it’ll be tough batting fourth Edit: it’s gone dark and thundery which might assist the Aussie bowlers

Well I’d have taken scores the same at the halfway stage, one to go! So pleased to see Robinson coming to the party, very important player in this series

Who would have thought it would be very tough on the body to go from full time white ball cricketer straight back into test cricket?

They’ll just have to pick two from Ducket, Crawley and Bairstow. Whichever two look in the best nick get the nod

Another Bairstow drop. What is Foakes thinking I wonder? Got to get him in the team, a class wickie is too important in test matches

Most of the players won't mind as it's for the 50 over cup and we usually lose 12 of our players to the 100 meaning they won't have to wear it. But I'm not sure what they were thinking there

I’ve not seen a single positive comment yet. Have they hired Jon as creative director?

Do Gloucestershire have a groundsman? Every time I see their ground it looks worse, it’s in a right state tonight

My other sporting team, Somerset CCC aren’t doing much better on the shirt front

Disappointing end to the day for our ageing bowling attack. Also, if only there was a way to keep Foakes and Bairstow in the side

Just watched a thing on French news about it, quite a few places damaged. Glad your place is ok.