The openers never get us off to a good start. Instead of them pissing around before getting out cheaply, you might as well recall Alex Hales who'd also get out quickly but hopefully after a quickfire fifty.
So, we've picked a team with only 3 frontline bowlers and got bowled out for 200. And out of those 3 bowlers, only 1 seamer on a pitch that isn't the bunsen they were on in the last test. I know they have had to factor in times out of the bubble for some players, but the selectors have found themselves all over the place now.
Depends how many overs Stokes can get through. Stone in for Bairstow, Pope or Lawrence would've looked a better balanced team with Foakes at 7 and Bess at 8. Doesn't look like a bad pitch for the seamers. Not sure what Stone has to do to stay in the team. Took three wickets on an absolute road in the one test that he's played this winter
It reminds me of when I was younger, living on adrenaline between 1996-2000 watching the Reds. Lost count of the number of times getting home at 3 in the morning (living in Reading), only to be up at 6 for work. Happy days