Yea Cook did OK also - I also not that Andersons econ rate was far superior to that of Broad, who took no wickets.

I know it's early days yet - but worth a mention.

I see same as usual for the England middle order - they really are going to have to buck up.

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Ern

hey and how abt the guy luke wright....i think 42 off 15 balls is a terrific knock to finish off....he showed promise in the one ODI match against india last summer. is he a player who can play a controlled innings if required or is he in the afridi category??

I would say Wright is in the Afridi category to be honest, I've just had a quick look at some of his innings in the last few seasons and near enough all of them are from next to no balls faced. A controlled innings from him seems to be a collectors item.

As for the rest of the side, one just hopes that isn't Anderson's one good performance for the tour already gone, Sidebottom was economical as ever, yet Swann didn't make inroads into the Canterbury lineup at all. Hopefully not a sign of things to come, but there are promising signs.

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"Being second is to be the first of the ones who lose."
- Ayrton Senna

Wright is going to be very hit and miss,we must decide whether we take the chance on him over a long term basis with the understanding that he will win us a few games as well as getting out quickly in others when we would need him to get his head down.

Personally i would give him a go as he can't do any worse than the rest have done over the years.

u could say that abt sehwag at certain times as well...i mean u take a gamble with certain players. but sehwag does have that ability to put his head down and bat once in a while.....it is a rarity but produced wonderful innings like the 153 to save the adelaide test and the 300+ in pakistan, but very frustrating at times when he throws away his wicket after getting set... when u expect it the least. but if he's as bad as afridi then u might as well give another batsman a chance...afridi is the most inconsistent player ive seen, and the team at most times plays with 10 players except that one odd time he comes good, unless luke wright bowls well or is a brilliant fielder.

The key to this is going to be getting his bowling (which does have promise) up to a solid enough 5th/6th bowler level who can at least contribute 5-6 respectable overs an innings something that the afforementioned wild card Afridi does successfullly for Pakistan. With the added security of contributing with the other departments of his game it means he doesn't have to sacrifice any of the explosive in a bid to turn himself into a more consistant "proper" batsmen. Still a dreaded bits and pieces player but unlike the Dalrymples of this world one that actually can change the course of games.