England Continues to Surprise

I went to bed last night feeling pretty sick for the England Test team who are playing the 4th Test against Pakistan at Lords. At the end of 54 overs England were 7 for 150 (Amir 6-73)! The middle order had collapsed like a pack of cards - Pietersen, Collingwood, Morgan and Swann all out for ducks - and I'd be happy this morning to see England had managed 200 runs (although "happy" isn't really the correct word). 

Wickets begin to tumble

Imagine the smile on my face when I logged onto cricinfo.com this morning to discover that Trott had scored 149* and Broad had finished on 125* (11 fours and 1 six). It's Stuart Broad's maiden Test century - he's no Flintoff replacement, but his batting is improving hugely. At stumps: England 7 for 346. Brilliant!

Broad digs in and saves England

Questions still remain, about England's soft middle order, about whether Cook should be dropped and Trott pushed up to open with Strauss (who would occupy number 3 is anyone's guess), and whether England will mount a tough defence of the Ashes.

Only time will tell - STAY TUNED!