Cricket

England just don't get their heads down anymore. Root is way out of touch. He's not a 'bazball' player. Best back foot player and in test cricket he needs time to build an innings. Every batter trying to hit the cover of it isn't always the right tactic and definitely doesn't suit Root.

As poor as England have played in the opening two Tests, there's also a huge amount of credit got to be given to India. And England have only won one series in India in over 30 years back in 2013.

It's not an easy place to go and win, maybe as difficult as anywhere in international cricket. And for years we've tried digging in, hoping to put away the bad ball only to find that we're going nowhere with the run rate and end up getting one with our batsman's name on it. At least this way we're trying to take the game to them like we did with Pakistan.

I get people saying that there's a time for digging in and I'm in complete agreement with that. But that's not gonna happen too often under the current structure.

Your next Test is in Rajkot.

That's my Mummas home town and all my relos live there.

Wish I was in town, would have gone to every day just for the atmosphere.

And also to walk over to that trumpet player and tell him to shut the F**k up!

And also to walk over to that trumpet player and tell him to shut the F**k up!

There's a chance that during the next Test, Jimmy picks up his 700th Test wicket. And that will be some achievement from the Burnley Lara.

England just don't get their heads down anymore. Root is way out of touch. He's not a 'bazball' player. Best back foot player and in test cricket he needs time to build an innings. Every batter trying to hit the cover of it isn't always the right tactic and definitely doesn't suit Root.

You are correct, nobody seems capable of playing the anchor role nowadays. I remember Boycott taking a lot of stick for scoring too slow. At least he tried to get the innings off to a decent start, however slow he scored.

You are correct, nobody seems capable of playing the anchor role nowadays. I remember Boycott taking a lot of stick for scoring too slow. At least he tried to get the innings off to a decent start, however slow he scored.

He also would run out his strike partner to ensure he wasn’t out. Very selfish person was Boycott.

Not to mention giving his missus a good hiding every now and then.

India have turned 33-3 into 300-4.

And this Sarfaraz lad on debut looks like yet another quality player they've unearthed. 50 off just 48 balls.

Duckett reaches 150. Hopefully he goes on well past 200 and Stokes can get a big one after root got out with a stupid shot. He's so much better than that. He's spoiling his own test game trying to be a T20 test batsman when he's so much better than that.

Another failure for bairstow ... I wonder who they will drop to keep him in when Brook is available. Foakes will no doubt be the fall guy to keep jonny in. Bairstow should have gone long ago. And to add insult he wasted a review today when it was absolutely dead in front.

Ahhh Ben Duckett ... gutted. Great innings and a soft way to get out. Could have put the worst long hop you will see anywhere and tamely just patted a catch to cover.

That stupid root shot was the catalyst for this ... shades of the ashes with England self destructing whilst in complete command and lyon out of the match. They're doing it again here against 10 players.

Well that was an absolute sh*t show, have to go into the office to work tomorrow as a result, selfish bas**rds

Wow, you guys got your arses kicked in my Mum's hometown Rajkot.

England playing a bit of test match cricket here with the 2 outliers to the baz ball style. Root and Folkes digging in and getting us towards some type of 1st innings score. Both scoring at strike rates below 50 per 100 balls.

England playing a bit of test match cricket here with the 2 outliers to the baz ball style. Root and Folkes digging in and getting us towards some type of 1st innings score. Both scoring at strike rates below 50 per 100 balls.

Joe Root playing as he should play. He's not a slow scoring player or a boring player. He's world class.

Foakes has batted properly as a test match wicketkeeper should and they've built a good partnership in the middle session.

Unlike bairstow who failed again playing a stupid shot and of course one brings 2 then and Stokes got an unplayable one. Bairstow should have been dropped lonnnnng ago yet he will be there in the summer waiting for the one innings that guarantees his place for another year.

No doubt England will be having a bowl later but at least with something to bowl at. If they could somehow push up toward 300 that would be great from where they were.

Batting first, 200-5 at tea. This is an absolutely huge chance to level the series now.

The pitch will only get worse you'd feel. Innings 3 and 4 could be really difficult. England should be looking to play as long as possible and wear the pitch down and build a proper score.

On a pitch like this it's better to make 300 in a full day rather than by tea anyway.

There's no rush. Eek as much time and runs out as they can. Bazball could come into it in the 3rd innings if its as hard to block as it is score then quick runs could be worth chasing.

Folkes out of his bunker to hit a 6 followed by a sweep for 4. Nice shots now back to the grind!

And another 4!!

Has Stokes been in his ear at tea?

Would actually hope not. 16 off the over.

Foakes dies by the sword trying to flick a shot for 4.

Not sure the reason for the increase in tempo but its cost him his wicket.

Hoping Hartley is ready to dig in with Root here.

Class from Root to bring up a much needed 100 for himself and the team.

Well recovered from Root Folkes and Robinson down the order to lead England to 302/7 at the end of day 1

Great knock

.... England on the brink of blowing it here.

F**ks Foakes farming the strike for here? Take the run lad you're not a boundary hitter.

All he did was turn 5 singles down and then leave the number 10 to face the full next over failing to find one on ball 6.

.... England on the brink of blowing it here.

200 will be a very tricky chase on this wicket.

Just need to hang in there and get a few more runs on the board.