Well played England, that took bottle from a precarious position of being 6 down needing another 80, my glass half full self was thinking the Shackle Draggers would win from that position. Totally agree about the balance, gump. Foakes would certainly improve the side, but it will never happen with the type of cricket England are trying to promote. I don't like the way the art of wicket keeping has been tossed by the way side, in favour of hopeful quick runs.

Hopefully today's innings from Brook will have matured him a little. He doesn't appear to be short on confidence, but he will now feel he can perform at the top table.he can perform at the top table. However if we had lost, he would have been berated for the manner in which he got out.

Ashes game on.