PHILINFRANCE

So, as I mentioned earlier, here is hoping Jack can hold up his end while Ben Foakes scores a few runs.

Well, of course. Just because he slogs, doesn't mean he hits the ball every time.... I rest my case ?.

When the next wicket falls, I would be tempted to bring in Jack Leach ahead of Archer and ask him to hang around while Pope or Foakes try and score some runs, Archer being more of a 'slogger'.

My thoughts exactly, especially with such a (relatively) good partnership developing. I shall be very interested to see the ball tracking replay - just seen it, clipping and umpire's call.

I think Joe Root is a very lucky boy. It looked pad, bat, pad to me. You can imagine the thoughts in India should he go on to score a Century - unlikely, I know, but....

I was intending to post that Bairstow's shot was both pathetic and irresponsible, given the context of the match (the second session of the second day!), and that his review was selfish. Luckily, I was too slow to post, although I maintain my view on the shot itself.

I only saw The Police once - in concert at Bristol Students Union in the late 1970s, way before they became famous. I recall they performed Roxanne, but the overall reception they received would best be described as 'warm'.

Probably over aggressive, if I may say so, and certainly no way to speak to a lady.

Just under two overs before the new ball is due (80 overs) and not a single extra given away. Pretty impressive, when you consider how many no balls were conceded in the last Test.

Apparently, Swindon's goalkeeper (on loan from Bournemouth) has been recalled and they need an urgent replacement for Saturday for their match against Rovers. The word on one of their (Rovers) forums is that we are going to loan them JoJo W - I can't really see it, but just imagine if he plays a blinder and keeps a clean sheet.

Totally different characters. Can you imagine Warnock on the touchline wearing A cravat with a Peaky Blinders cap?

On the assumption that we are thinking of the same poster, you may well be right, although my limited tactical knowledge precludes me from offering any sensible comment. From my (again limited) football experience, RG just seems to explain things as I see them.

A fair comment. There is a world of difference (and commentary/punditry requirements) in watching a live football match and listening to a cricket Test Match - Brian Johnston and/or John Arlott would be wasted on Robins Live ?.

A genuine question, but how do you rate René Gilmartin as a pundit? For the record, I enjoy listening to him, but I am aware there are others on this forum who can't stand him.

This is a good one. 'All fart and nee shite.'

Of course, but I am sure you will agree that there are different levels of sledging. To my mind, there is a world of difference between telling a bowler ‘You know what it looks like, go fetch it’ (Viv Richards?) or, even better, in response to being asked why he was so fat, ‘because every time I **** your wife she gives me a biscuit’ than simply saying ‘Move, Kn*bhead’. Anyway, a great win and roll on Saturday.

Well, Well. Thanks for that, I never realised that Joe B was so aggressive - it was, of course, against South Africa and not Pakistan, and the slur used was kn*bhead, not d*ckhead.

I wasn't aware of this; my impression was that he is always smiling, both with his own team and the opposition. Indeed, the only time I can recall when he looked angry was when, following some homophobic 'banter', he told one of the West Indies team that there was nothing wrong with being gay. Interestingly, I have always consideredJos Buttler to be polite and mild-mannered, so was quite unpleasantly surprised during the recent series to hear him call one of the Pakistani players a d*ckhead.

I read earlier that, had Jack got his five-for, he would have been only the second English player to have taken five fourth innings wickets in India, the only previous one dating back to 1936! One other aspect of this enthralling match that I noticed, was the warm sporting spirit in which it was played. Joe Root never seemed to stop smiling, engaging frequently with both his own teammates and the Indian players, and even Virat Kohli, who sometimes appears quite brash, was very quick to congratulate Joe Root, both when he reached 200 and when he was finally dismissed. It must have been quite a pleasant relief for the Indian team after their experience in the recent series in Australia.

There's one of the two.

I am relieved that Jimmy A has got these two wickets. Unfortunately, whilst Jack Leach is bowling particularly well, Dom Bess was quite loose and posing little threat and, with Gill looking well set and the huge talent that is Kohli batting alongside him, I feared that India were going to put on quite a stand. One of these two together quickly with Pant and it might be over before lunch.

This Ollie Pope looks pretty good - hoping not to jinx him. Wow! I thought that I might have jinxed him.

Just reading a quite interesting piece from George Dobell https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/india-vs-england-1st-test-chennai-3rd-day-dom-bess-and-jack-leach-a-tale-of-two-spinners-1250692 I am not really sure why I have repeated MR's earlier post - probably due to the early hour. As I watch (and type) Dom Bess is, frankly, bowling quite poorly - he has already conceded a six. What is the betting that he will now pick up a wicket (or, hopefully, two) from a rank poor ball, as his has been his wont since Sri Lanka.

I hear the same sound as you (eating crisps) when the batsmen scrape their crease, although I don't suffer from your disorder (misophonia) - I sort of guessed what it meant, but had to look it up, so Thanks for teaching me a new word. Incidentally, I was interested to read that you took cooking lessons when in India. I spent a few weeks in Sri Lanka back in the early 1980s; loved the food but never thought to learn how to actually cook it. And, in answer to @Alex_BCFC, I have no interest whatsoever in Superbowl, but set my alarm for 04H30.

He also used to write very interesting and detailed match reports/articles - Telegraph if I recall correctly.