The Ashes 2017-18

[Casual Observer]

Scrap that last comment. That appeal was for caught behind when it came off the thigh. Was getting confused with Root's successful review from earlier.

 

[Mumbles274]

These 2 have to survive, wickets could tumble if one goes now I feel

 

[redsquirrel]

Yeah England go in tonight 3 or 4 down they can be very very happy.

 

[Mumbles274]

Ha ha the barmy army calling for reviews

Malan has looked OK against Lyon so far... Don't fuck it up now!

 

[redsquirrel]

Yeah. Make it through to the close.

 

[redsquirrel]

Fucking hell Root, don't muck it up now

 

[Mumbles274]

squeaky bum time!!!

 

[redsquirrel]

Bugger.

 

[Spymaster]

Ffs

 

[Athos]

How brilliant is test cricket? A game that lasts five days, but can have you on the edge of your seat at any moment.

Just see out the day, please!

Still think Aus are strong favourites. But, the draw isn't really a possibility now, and England are in with a shout of winning.

If that happens, Smith will get some stick for some of his decisions.

 

[Athos]

Shit.

 

[Athos]

Overton as night watchman?

 

[Mumbles274]

Well bowled, bit of reverse , did they check for the no ball? Ball before looked close to one

 

[JimW]

Arse

 

[redsquirrel]

Lat ball of the day. Come on Woakes - yes. 176/4

 

[Spymaster]

Fantastic last couple of hours of cricket.

 

[Mumbles274]

Great days play. Game on tomorrow!

 

[Casual Observer]

Two good night sessions for England. The only minor gripe is that my two streams keep packing up so I have to TMS it. Malan played well for his 29 - might be wrong but don't think he gave a chance until he was out as all the review action was at Root's end. Liking the 2000 barmies rising in unison giving it the T-sign for every unsuccessful Aussie appeal.

 

[redsquirrel]

Yeah credit to Malan, 29 runs but a good performance. But Vince, FFS, he has to be considered for the drop.

 

[Athos]

At the risk of hyperbole, this next session could decide the series!

Can't see anything but Aus winning the series of they go 2-0 up, but, at 1-1 with England only needing the series drawn to retain the Ashes, we're in with a great shout.

'Just' see off the early onslaught, then the second new ball. Then think about making runs. And don't throw wickets away cheaply (like Vince).

An England win would really put pressure on Smith.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

It's just possible. Kinell. No reviews for Aus could still be a crucial factor given the standard of umpiring in this match. Good start tomorrow, and who knows? One good partnership...

Disappointed by Vince falling like that yet again, but well done Malan, good effort under the lights. Both Stoneman and Malan seem to have decent fight in them.

 

[Pink Panther]

I haven't seen any of it on television, and it's still relatively rare for anyone to chase down 350 to win a Test in any circumstances. My gut feeling is that we'll lose by 70-80 runs, but a good first session tomorrow and we'll at least have a fighting chance. I always feel confidence and belief play a big part in these situations, and the balance on that count must have swung towards England after today.

 

[SpookyFrank]

Yeah credit to Malan, 29 runs but a good performance. But Vince, FFS, he has to be considered for the drop.

He's played one very good innings, and nobody is banging on the door to replace him. He won't be dropped.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

He's played one very good innings, and nobody is banging on the door to replace him. He won't be dropped.

I agree that he won't be dropped. England could do worse than playing Foakes, though.

tbh I think England's bowling has let them down more than the batting so far this series.

 

[Ted Striker]

Obviously I don't think we'll win this one, but today has done wonders for the teams scarcest quality - confidence.

Aussies are very mortal.

 

[Athos]

Obviously I don't think we'll win this one, but today has done wonders for the teams scarcest quality - confidence.

Aussies are very mortal.

Excepting maybe four players, the Aussies have a pretty average team.

 

[redsquirrel]

He's played one very good innings, and nobody is banging on the door to replace him. He won't be dropped.

I think you're right in that he won't be dropped, but he should be. He played two bad shots this match and this latest one was exactly the way he got out repeatedly in his first run.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

Obviously I don't think we'll win this one, but today has done wonders for the teams scarcest quality - confidence.

Aussies are very mortal.

That just makes it more annoying for me. Australia are not all that. This is not like the teams of the McGrath/Warne era, where they had 11 top players on the park. But they're still winning.

 

[SpookyFrank]

Obviously I don't think we'll win this one, but today has done wonders for the teams scarcest quality - confidence.

Aussies are very mortal.

I've never understood this idea of Steve Smith as an unstoppable force. He may be the world's best batsman on paper, but that's just a reflection of the sorry state of test cricket at present. Five years ago pretty much every test side had players better than Smith.

And there's just no way the name 'Steve Smith' is going to go down in history as one of the great cricket players of all time. It's just too much of a boring name. It makes 'Micheal Clarke' seem like a rollercoaster ride by comparison.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

I've never understood this idea of Steve Smith as an unstoppable force. He may be the world's best batsman on paper, but that's just a reflection of the sorry state of test cricket at present. Five years ago pretty much every test side had players better than Smith.

The stats suggest otherwise tbf. An average over 60 with more than 5000 runs puts him right at the top of everyone bar Bradman in the history of the game. He showed mental strength and discipline in the first test of a level that no other player on either side has shown. That's his greatest asset. He's a bit like Steve Waugh for me - less raw talent than his brother perhaps, but a test average nearly 10 points higher.