The Ashes. 1st Test

When In Rome

Banton just another Roy. Great prospect but all this ODI fever is impairing the vision of test selectors.

Great third test going on right now too at Heasingley.

Australia 179. England to bat today beneath cloud. Surely Roy's last chance saloon.

cR4cKF0x 5TevE

With the gap between the 3rd and 4th tests it gives a chance for some county players to stake a claim.  If Zac Crawley or Dom Sibley get runs they have a great chance of being selected, and Ollie Pope could come in as well.

Guess the questions will be to drop Roy or Denly or both?  If both, Sibley and Pope should come in.

faiz0

Unless they both score runs this game in their current positions I would drop Denly and have Roy in the middle order. The opening slot can then go to whoever is most in form in county cricket

cR4cKF0x 5TevE

Roy looks mentally shot; drop him.

clydebest

If there memory could be wiped clean and the England batsman were told on going out to bat it's a 50 over match.. would they get in such a rut  as they have in each innings of these ashes tests... i know test cricket is different in regarding run up's and field placing but i reckon when chasing 180 just go out and bat as if it were a 50 over match .. at present 40/4.

clydebest

45/6 time to chuck the baby out with the bathwater in regards  to the batting.. can not criticise individuals as all the top and middle order are as inept as one another.

Greg Hook

Bit embarrassing this. I thought we had a good chance after yesterday knocking the Aussies out for under 180. But that will likely be a good score compared to what we will get today. If we get passed 100 I will be very surprised.

richp007

Was watching on catch-up this morning.

Not much left to say that hasn't already been said. Stokes pretty much summed it up too with that wild swing. Steady the ship please Stokes - oh no okay then, don't bother

If we end up losing this one especially after they lost Smith as well, it'll be up there with the all time great Ashes calamities.

Theseus

Holy seamers! Surely that’s as bad as it gets when you simply must win.

gavinl1967

Hopeless, absolutely hopeless. ‘Not out’ appeals reviewed in desperation, our main strike bowler of the field & the Aussies looking at a huge total. 2-0 is looking very likely.