Aubrey Maturin

I think it will have to be Root opening, after all it is his regular position. I would keep Trott where he is at present. Even a KP with little cricket will be better than Compton who is quite frankly dreadful. Trott yesterday reminded me of Chris Tavare. Bell has slipped under the radar regarding his piss poor performances, though he always seems to come up with a score when the threat of the axe is hanging over him. Work to be done with the England top six

Just seems a tad negative. It should be about winning test matches putting a marker down, getting a run of momentum going and having teams fearing England.

Excellent bowling performance again, however really can't understand the rational in not enforcing the follow-on.

This should be a 450 wicket. The England bowlers will have to be on song.

I think you're spot on with your assessment. Get him opening where he belongs, and drop the pedestrian Compton for a hopefully soon to be fit KP and that's a good top six.

The first time he really did it was when he ripped through the middle order of the Aussies in a test match many years ago. Prior to this match changing spell he was tipped to get the boot. There is a good article on the enigma that is Stuart Broad on Cricinfo at the moment.

How many times in his career has that happened with Broad? He is either brilliant or honking.

This England performance has reminded me of some of the displays of the mid nineties. Maybe the kick up the arse the squad needs ahead of a big summer.

Who could have predicted it, Bell makes a nice 17 and is gone. Good luck the young lads.

Irony overload.

This is the best two performances I have seen from England in the sub continent. Absolutely tremendous, and delighted to see Finn in the wickets

Bairstow a better fielder, and I think offers more with bat. My thoughts on Finn are that it's a fairly flat track at Eden Gardens and maybe his extra pace and bounce might just get a bit more than Broad. I am a fan of Broad but he is really off colour at the moment, though as you say everytime it looks like he will be binned he pulls an astonishing performance from somewhere. As long as the England performance is comparable with what we have just seen then I will be delighted regardless of who is playing.

What about Bell for Patel with KP and Trott filling in for a few overs for all the contribution that Patel actually makes. Also Finn for Broad

Absolutely brilliant two days test cricket by England. Need to round it off and level this series Stuart Broad has been voted as one of India's most valuable players this test.

Yes I agree with that. Bell is a rime example - always looks great when coming in at 280-3 but when you need him when the chips are down he seldom delivers the goods. Hopefully Bairstow gets a shot next test Trott was fairly poor in the last 12months of test match cricket, so hopefully he knuckles down and gets back to his previous form as England need Trott to be at his best. eta - excellent session from the openers. More of the same tomorrow morning please

The ICC unfortunately do not have the backbone to stand up to the Indian board who now carry far too much power and verge on the edge of bullying with some of their posturing and input to the world game. It also isn't being used in the Sri Lanka series which started today. Have to agree with other posters, the 3 seamers idea was completely and utterly shambolic decision and you really have to wonder what their logic was. The batting again pitiful in the sub continent with the same old rabbit in headlights look about certain so called experienced batsmen. A better effort all round this innings please

That much is true as Henman was the chosen one, however following his golden summer Murray's popularity has rocketed.

The boos he receives every year at Wimbledon are deafening.

So much for learning from History.

Not really. The damage he has caused to morale and team cohesion is much more than he has contributed to the team in recent seasons. Other than one big innings per series and a couple of reasonable ones the contribution that KP has made to the england side over the last few years has diminished. In fact in recent seasons there have been regular calls to bin him from test and odi side due to poor runs of form. Fair enough he has great ability, however how many times does he get into position to score a huge tonne only for his massive ego to get in the way and he holes out to a left arm crap spinner - paul harris anyone. The clown thinks he is bigger than the team - nobody is. He either shapes up, begs for forgiveness and learns a bit of humility or he pisses off into the sunset and plays IPL, and never leaves the legacy in international cricket that his ability and ego wants

He was texting at the time.

It's just a shame it's not a five match series.

jonah

Headingly is no longer a seam bowlers wet dream. The wicket has completely changed in recent years. Swann adds balance to the attack and even when not taking wickets ties up an end, plus a good fielder and decent batsman. Matt Prior should be batting six

Heckle from the back pew and you won't have to return