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That was some ball to McCullum there.

This knock from Alistair Cook deserves praise. He's in the best touch he's been in for some time. He's eliminated the cover drive and is playing properly straight, rather than towards slip. The last time he was set up like this, he scored mountains of runs. If Cook bats well, England tend to...

This has been a great Test Match so far. Stokes is complete box office on his day.

If only we had an experienced, world class, in form, middle order batsman waiting in the wings.

Well left Ben.

And to think we didn't take this guy to the World Cup.

Where was Stokes born?

Looks like we need to keep up this slating. Entertaining finish to the session there.

Didn't do Ian Bell any harm. Or Justin Langer.

I was going to mention exactly the same thing about Rogers.

I think in retrospect we underrated the New Zealand bowling attack he was undone by, though having said that he looked hopelessly out of form when he was dropped.

What an absolutely terrible shot from Root there. Unbelievably lucky to still be there, I would have given him for the shot.

I thought he was VERY unlucky to be dropped. His age clearly counted against him. That dolly he dropped was funny though.

I think it is A problem. An equally sized, if not bigger problem is a seam bowling attack that is one paced and not skillful enough, with the exception of Anderson (but only then when the ball is swinging) and the complete lack of a test standard spinner.

No.

Lies, damned lies and statisitics! I'd just about take that, for an opener who bats regularly in English conditions. I'd prefer it to be 40. What's the average of his partner in that time, around 20 I reckon? Career average 46.22 and he's in decent touch. Cook the player is not the problem...

No. That openers who bat regularly in English conditions and average over 45 in Test cricket are extremely rare. Strauss couldn't manage it.

The ECB are desperately trying to find a way to blame KP for this, I expect.

Come off it, he was an integral part of the team that got to no.1 in the world. Cook the player is not the problem. Cook the captain might be. Look at the way McCullum has a decent but not world beating New Zealand side playing, they exude confidence.

Cook's last 11 test innings - 16,4,105,59*,76,13,11,79,17,70*,95 - Average 60.55 I don't disagree about his suitability to be captain but he's in this team on merit. We've spent 3 years trying to find a partner for him, that should tell you something.