Jonathan Agnew
BBC Test Match Special

"Taylor is such a good player of spin. It's all about speed of footwork."

Eng 130-3 (Morgan 69, Taylor 45)published at 27 overs

27 overs

Eoin Morgan almost got sconned by Mohammad Irfan from the third ball he faced, but since then has been imperious. He's driven well and pounced on anything short, just like here when Bilal drags one down. James Taylor is on the party too, dancing to loft straight and all the way for the first six of the match. 13 from the set.

Vic Marks
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

"There is a lull in run-rate. Even though they have played well, you can sense these two batsmen are getting a bit anxious."

Image source, Getty Images

Thanks, Higgo. I'll try for some dynamism, but don't hold your breath. Still Yasir Shah, whirring away in Pakistan's Plymouth Argyle green. Both of these England batsmen use their feet, then Taylor is almost foxed by one that skoots on. Only two singles from it.

Nick Hall: 250? Behave! 300 there for the taking. Morgan 120.

David Hanley: Looks like Hales set the foundations nicely for the middle order to kick on. What's the fuss?

Forgive me for banging on... but James Taylor is very impressive. He marches down the wicket to 7ft 1in fast bowler Mohammad Irfan and then hooks a ball above his eyeline and keeps it down for a single to fine leg.

The big fast bowler is keeping Eoin Morgan in check, mind. A couple of plays and misses.

You know what this match needs? An injection of dynamism from Stephan Shemilt.

Image source, Getty Images

Rob Ward: Would Morgan be as good a player now if he'd stayed? Not as much exposure to top players, fewer IPL opportunities etc.

Matt Ryan: Get Morgan in the Test side. That man can't stop scoring runs!

Eoin Morgan takes a couple off Yasir Shah. Steady stuff at the moment.

Charles Dagnall
BBC Test Match Special

"If you offered Eoin Morgan 250, I think he'd snap your hand off."

Mohammad Irfan has delivered a few borderline beamers today. Luckily none have caused the batsmen problems. It's all gone a little sedate out there - four singles from the over.  

Vic Marks
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

"The question mark over the likes of Willey and Woakes is that they have to justify their position in this team as front-line bowlers. It won't be easy in these conditions."  

The baseball-style hitting which Eoin Morgan is trying to tap into is evident at times. He stands with his bat raised and muscles bulging waiting to seemingly waiting to smash the bowler back over his head. He's struggling to put Wahab away though, one from the over. Morgan has two runs in 14 balls against Wahab and 57 off 53 against everyone else.

Paul Baldwin: Has Ireland got any decent openers we can pinch please?

Tony: Imagine how much stronger Ireland would be if England hadn't pinched Eoin Morgan & the raised interest in cricket this would bring.

Ed Joyce (below) is still playing for Ireland after playing for England at the 2007 World Cup.

Image source, Getty Images

We've gone down this route before... but is there an argument to revisit Eoin Morgan in the Test team? He seems to have improved since 2012. He's rescued England here, but it's important he kicks on now.

The same applies to James Taylor, who plays another beautiful cover drive to the boundary. Why were England so reluctant to select this clearly talented batsman?

Image source, Getty Images

Francis Edwards: Everyone who people seem to want in the Test side are sloggers, there are just no good Test players coming through.

Stephen Kiley: How about giving that Boycott fella a go at the top of the order...

That's one for the snappers. Wahab Riaz over-pitches and James Taylor crouches before middling four through extra cover. 

What would be a good score today? The average on this ground is around 250. Would England be happy defending that under lights? Eoin Morgan has three figures in his sights here, playing a delightful late cut for four to leave the slow bowler grimacing.

Image source, Getty Images

Jonathan Agnew
BBC Test Match Special

Any reason why England won't host Bangladesh any time soon?

On Twitter:, external "The reason, not that I agree, is ££. Their series run at a loss. We will go there. Same too for Zim I assume." 

Harry Cunningham: Appreciate the sarcasm, Andy Carmichael [16th over], but Root has previous scores to back him up and TWICE Hales' ODI batting average.  

Alan Vaughan: You can not compare Hales and Root. One is a class batsman, one is a Twenty20 beach cricket player.