Oh for a few, ok one, boycott out there who realises that someone needs to bat for more than a few overs in a test match.
Cook, Bell (in the past) and Trott are all more than capable, yesterday will reset expectations and I’m confident they’ll knuckle down to build innings that last sessions and days rather than minutes and hours in future. Root, maybe as well but hasn’t proved it yet.
Bairstow will always look to get on with it and therefore could be susceptible but that’s the way he plays, same with Prior; but if they come off they’ll score heavily, quickly. And Pietersen is Pietersen, for good and bad.
If the 4 names up top do their job of seeing off the new ball and building a foundation, you want the middle order to be able to accelerate. I think the balance of the side is good, just need to perform now.