And Its Smith

Another signing from Bristol Inner City Academy I believe

Stokes is the only other player who is an automatic pick so I think it’s only natural that he is the favourite From all accounts I’ve read and heard, Bairstow isn’t captain material

Picking a player who can’t get in the team seems mental to me. It’s got to be someone who is an auto pick

Stokes has always said he doesn’t want it but now I guess we will find out if he was just saying that at the time. If not him then Broad. There’s nobody else. Seen some people talking about Abell, who is in incredibly bad form for Somerset so an appointment like that would be truly baffling

The best looking wicket isn’t even being used. Green top was not the way to go, I agree

Good toss to win on this pitch. Seaming all over the place

If cricket was played on paper that team would be right near the top of the league come the end of the summer!

I think you will barely notice it

It’s fine to say batsman about a male batter I reckon. Just scoreboards are changing to say batter to be more inclusive when women play I don’t really understand the second question. As far as I know, nobody has an issue with those names. I see that @slartibartfast and @Super aren’t fans of this. I really don’t know why anyone cares about females feeling more included in the game. The female involvement rate is sky high nowadays which I personally think is amazing. That’s at all ages. The club I coach at now also has a female team which started last year and they have now entered a league as there are enough teams to make one. The juniors have girls in the squad and all of the leagues in Bristol have both mixed teams and all female teams competing in them against all boys teams. All in the same league. A bowler used to be called a bowlsman and I’m not sure there was any furore when that changed! Cricket is the best sport in the world and should be enjoyed by all

Oops. Compared! A lot of commentators just call it ‘third’ now.

Well done to Glos CCC for changing BATSMEN on their scoreboard to BATTER. I know from personal experience the amount of females now in the game impaired to previous generations and it is great to see. Any inclusive amendment like this is incredibly welcome

I hope and assume you aren’t involved in any youth coaching whatsoever

Come on Madrid. Modric still world class at 47

Did you hit your head on a redrock?

That’s the beauty of kids, they improve a lot. Lloyd Kelly, Semenyo, Reid and Bryan are just some of the players in the past who some said wouldn’t make it at this level

Think of me as a public service

So many fans misunderstand their roles

Typical Rory. With no pressure he’s amazing. Can’t do it in an opening round

Hard, but not impossible to control the game with 45% possession. I don’t think either team controlled it. Man City better first half, Liverpool better second. Both teams struggled against the breakaway, which suggests neither team controlled it

Give it till 75 mins and it will be £20-30 min

Shocking from walker 2-2

Sure he could tailor his demands to his squads limits

If we had Pep, how good would our players perform? I’d love to know but it’s one question that can only ever be debated

Trent is having a mare 2-1

These two are playing like we used to under LJ