Eng v Pakistan

[Andy]

Due to family bereavement Dan Lawrence has left the England bubble .

Sad to hear the news today. Seems like the batting won't change much. Maybe Crawley in, but unless Jimmy or Jofra are in a sulk expect an unchanged seam attack.

[Bath Hammer]

Do you really think he is one of the best 6 batters England have available??

On his day - yes - and judging by yesterday he has the temperament. He also has the ability to take games away from the opposition, though I agree it doesn’t happen often enough. Most of his challengers for a batting position, with the possible exception of Lawrence, are also one day specialists with similar baggage.

[honkytonk]

Do you really think he is one of the best 6 batters England have available??

On his day - yes - and judging by yesterday he has the temperament. He also has the ability to take games away from the opposition, though I agree it doesn’t happen often enough. Most of his challengers for a batting position, with the possible exception of Lawrence, are also one day specialists with similar baggage.

Buttler has 1 Test hundred in 80 innings, and 6 FC hundreds in 179 innings. He averages around 30 in FC cricket.  No doubt he can pop up with the odd decent score, but you cant have a top 6 batter who may come off every now and then. How often is Buttlers day??

[squarelegumpire]

Due to family bereavement Dan Lawrence has left the England bubble .

Very sad for him, and sounds as though he'll need time to grieve, but at least it might change the cycle.

[oldhasbeen]

Due to family bereavement Dan Lawrence has left the England bubble .

Sad to hear the news today. Seems like the batting won't change much. Maybe Crawley in, but unless Jimmy or Jofra are in a sulk expect an unchanged seam attack.

Crawley in is a no-brainer now Stokes & Lawrence are unavailable.  But I expect changes in the attack, I'll be surprised if Anderson plays, and unless the pitch looks very helpful to spinners, I suspect  Bess will miss out. Ollie Robinson's in the squad but I can't see him playing ahead of  Wood & Curran.

[honkytonk]

I cant see us playing 5 seamers though. My guess

Sibley
Burns
Crawley
Root
Pope
Buttler
Woakes
Bess
Broad
Archer
Wood

[Bath Hammer]

Another good innings by Butler. Certainly justifying his selection. Also really pleased to see Crawley come of age.

[IlfordEagle]

Crawley doing so well, which incidentally I am really pleased with as he looks a good player, doesn't bode well for Lawrence's Eng chances in the short term unless one of the top 3 falls badly out of form (Burns is having a bit of a 'mare at present though) in which case Lawrence may get a chance although James Bracey may also be in the frame.
Lawrence must therefore keep scoring big runs & up his consistency levels.

[bwildered]

Unbeaten two hundred run partnership between Crawley and Buttler should result in at least a draw, which would therefore seal the series .
Congratulations Zak Crawley on his maiden test ton, and surprisingly only had three centuries previously. England have missed a decent reliable No3 since Trott, so let's hope he can fill this key position for the future.

[mawallace]

Due to family bereavement Dan Lawrence has left the England bubble .

Very sad for him, and sounds as though he'll need time to grieve, but at least it might change the cycle.

The Emgland players were wearing black armbands today,  as a mark of respect to Dan Lawrence,  as it was his mother who died.

I thought that this was a lovely touch as Dan has not featured in the England team

[squarelegumpire]

Due to family bereavement Dan Lawrence has left the England bubble .

Very sad for him, and sounds as though he'll need time to grieve, but at least it might change the cycle.

The Emgland players were wearing black armbands today,  as a mark of respect to Dan Lawrence,  as it was his mother who died.

I thought that this was a lovely touch as Dan has not featured in the England team

Seconded.

[bwildered]

Crawley & Buttler , gone past previous highest fifth wicket stand of 255 held by T Greig and KWR Fletcher .

Crawley now passed double hundred , wonder how many players have a highest score set in test cricket ( apart from Goochie ).

[essexfan548]

Isn't Chef's highest score in a Test match too?

[Slogger]

Hussain too, I think?

[Andy]

Due to family bereavement Dan Lawrence has left the England bubble .

Very sad for him, and sounds as though he'll need time to grieve, but at least it might change the cycle.

The Emgland players were wearing black armbands today,  as a mark of respect to Dan Lawrence,  as it was his mother who died.

I thought that this was a lovely touch as Dan has not featured in the England team

Yes. Sad to hear that it was Dan’s mum.