An interesting day, left intriguingly poised. England only need two meaningful late-order partnerships to achieve a lead. Prior is due runs, and there is still Stokes to come. But India, who won’t bat last, require just two quick wickets to invert the equation. Is Alastair Cook too easy a target for opprobrium after failing again this morning? For all the talk of “fringe idiots” with an “agenda”, let’s consider today’s thoughts from that...
Everything’s Gone Green – Day One at Lord’s
It’s the second test of a five match series, and it’s already a game too far for England’s bowlers. It doesn’t bode well. Despite being presented with a perfect pitch for seam bowling – ‘swamp green’ would be my description – our jaded pacemen laboured like lumbering lamas and totally fluffed their lines. Broad and Plunkett were particularly woeful. The fact that Moeen Ali was the most reliable bowler (a spinner, on a green-top) says it all. When we arrived at Lord’s it was tricky...
