Key events
Preamble
Daniel Gallan
Ready or not, here comes another one! England were rubbish two days ago. After getting bowled out for 131, they got tonked by Aiden Markram in a seven-wicket rout.
The good news is that there’s little time to contemplate that result as the boys are back. It’s a mad schedule, one that flogs players, tests journalists and asks so much from the paying public. But that’s the modern game and on we go.
England need to improve in just about every department at the Home of Cricket today but its their batting that needs a serious rethink. As Mark Butcher said at Headingley on Tuesday, they fail to recognise that putting the brakes on for a little bit in the innings isn’t a sign of weakness but is often the sensible thing to do. When they’re rolling they look unstoppable. But when they need to take stock and consolidate they’re a shambles.
Can they rectify their mistakes today? If not they’ll lose the series with a game to spare.
There’s a bit of mizzle in the air around west London but we should get a full game on.
I’m excited to kick things off today. If you’d like to get in touch please drop me a mail. Reckon this England team can show a bit of humility and common sense? Or is that just woke nonsense in the age of Baz? Let me know.
Play gets underway at 1pm BST.
Toss, team news and other bits to come.
