the majority of them aren't good enough to do that, as Roy is proving, the new ball with this calibre of bowling attack when you're first at the crease is a minefield, you just have to find a way to survive then you can score. The benefit for the middle order is if they get in they have their eye in by the time the 2nd new ball comes around, unfortunately they keep playing wafty shots apart from Stokes on Sunday and getting themselves out.
yes your right about self control and being good enough in the first place ?? but the new modern day bowlers are so much better at what they do plus add the duke ball and its a different game to what we call test cricket, just staying in and blocking or leaving is a minefield, batting for a hour and getting a couple of runs and then getting out does not help both your confidence in your technique or your team
you might as well play some shots and score a quick 20 or 30 and maybe get some luck and go on to 50 or 100 ?? it changes the game in a instant and from 70/4 it could be 170/4 and back in the game, i feel test cricket is changing because of ODI cricket with the bowlers and not just the big hitters, and they are learning better lines and length because of the rules with wide's and no balls and discipline, and add the needing to have a little bit of magic with a knuckle ball or out of the back of the hand and slower balls
look we will never really know why test cricket is the game everybody talks about what changes are needed, but maybe the truth is just leave it alone and let the game develop into the entertainment we seen on sunday and how can you not love watch something like that over slow runs scoring boring test