Absolute Master Class in how to throw away a Test Match. England should have been batting before lunch with less than 200 to chase but instead they decided to stop trying to take wickets and allowed two complete rabbits to put on 89. The initiative switched to India and the rest is history.

I have a lot of sympathy with Dom Sibley. He has the temperament for Test cricket but needs a lucky break or two to get his career flowing. As it is, all his false shots seem to find fielders and today he got a peach. Not to mention having Vaughan on his back all the time because he doesn't play trick shots. It might not be the worst thing in the world if he missed out on the winter tour. Going to Australia when you are short of confidence and in a team that lacks direction could finish off his Test career. Maybe sit this one out then come again.

I wonder if Woakesy will miss out on the Test squad this winter. They'll take 6 seam bowlers: Anderson and Broad are certainties; Robinson looks like he's grabbed the third line and length slot; and the other spaces will go to whichever 90mph bowlers can be stuck back together. A complication would be if Stokes is still out and they want a bowler who can bat at seven. Even then, I think they'd opt for Sam Curran.

I can't see Chris making the starting XI unless a lot of people are injured. Frankly, he can probably do without another winter carrying drinks.

paulbear wrote:

The last person I can remember bowling 'Chinamen' as they used to call them, was Paul Adams of South Africa 'Frog In A Blender' as he was known although everybody used to mistakenly call him a leg-spinner. I remember Michael Bevan bowling them for Australia and did see him bowl them v Warwickshire in a 40 over game in 1995.

Didn't Brad Hogg bowl left arm funnies? He also got a significant career boost from limited overs cricket.