* Updates from the second day of play at The Oval * Woakes admits England return ‘worth the wait’ * And you can contact Tim by email or on Twitter 3.44pm BST HANG ON, ONE MORE EMAIL HAS LANDED. “Had a lovely day at The Oval yesterday,” says Kim Thonger, “almost normal, whatever normal is. Pleased to find no music blaring or fireworks as events unfolded. If and when the ECB do ever feel the need to blast out a tune at the fall of a wicket, may I propose they use John Cage’s very moving 4’33”? 3.43pm BST 70TH OVER: ENGLAND 227-7 (POPE 74, WOAKES 4) Great player though he is, Virat Kohli can be a maddening captain. He changes the bowling yet again, possibly just to waste time before tea. Back comes Yadav, whose last spell only ended about half an hour ago. Woakes takes a few sighters and then gets off the mark with a very classy square drive. And that’s TEA, with England winning the session, thanks to easier conditions and a sparkling partnership between Pope and Moeen. They now lead by 36. Here’s Colum Fordham, writing 20 minutes ago. “Watching Moeen and Pope in full flow (as opposed to Burns and Sibley) is such an enjoyable experience,” he reckons, “that I’m beginning to wonder why on earth I signed up to go to see traditional Greek dancing this afternoon in the admittedly beautiful setting of the archaeological site of Cumae (near Naples). At least there will be a tasting of local wines afterwards to help reflect on my impetuousness. But thank God for the OBO to keep me posted while I rue my decision.” Ha. Mo has tactfully departed, although Woakes is good to watch too, in his quiet way. See you in a quarter of an hour. Continue reading...
 |
| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.theguardian.com |