The Ashes 2019

[Teaboy]

Important hour coming up here. If they can get into that soft middle before lunch then this could be an interesting day.

 

[SpookyFrank]

I see Warner's returned to form.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

Warner is horribly out of nick. In form, he wouldn't have been anywhere near playing that. Good good.

Good recovery from Aus though, with the two Smiths at the crease. This is Aus's batting right here.

 

[Teaboy]

Could do with the weather breaking for a really tricky 30 minutes in low light with it nipping around.

 

[fucthest8]

Instead, we're playing with no bails. This series continues to deliver.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

Turning into a very useful half-day for Australia, this. If I were picking a combined team from this series, these two at the crease now would be my first two picks as batsmen.

 

[SpookyFrank]

Into the tail now.

 

[Teaboy]

Yeah good day for that Oz. If England could have nicked out Smith and Labuschagne than they were onto something. Leat they have an end to bowl at though it still feels like a good toss to win.

Cracking ball by Overton for his wicket. Get one to seam away and then on the same length cut back.

 

[mhendo]

Cracking ball by Overton for his wicket. Get one to seam away and then on the same length cut back.

Yeah, that was a beauty.

I was a little worried this morning when the two openers went cheaply. Warner's waving at everything these days; he and Jason Roy should start a club. But Smith and Labuschagne looked pretty damn good during their partnership. I'm perhaps most happy that Smith doesn't look at all nervous or twitchy after his injury. He never really looked troubled during his whole stint at the crease.

I was surprised that Archer didn't bowl with a bit more speed and ferocity this morning.

 

[OzT]

An interesting day's play, punctured as it was by weather and the wind. Disadvantages to both sides, can't think it helps much with the batsmen's concentration.

Can't work out who has the worst opening pair, I do have to go with the aussies having the more useless two.

If Smith could kick on, and the middle order batsmen find some form then I think Oz has done well to repel the first day. A dream day will be for Oz to bat all day and an hour tomorrow morning before unleashing the bowlers, who should be fired up to atone for the last match.

But, if we are all after lunch, I think advantage will go to England. Be interesting to see how their new batting order goes.

Fingers crossed not too much play lost to rain.

 

[Teaboy]

If I had a ticket for today I'd be settling in for a long day of watching Smith bat. The forecast for tomorrow has improved a lot and only looks like the one session will be lost.

You'd fancy a result from here and I'd much rather be in Oz's situation at the moment.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

Yep. 170-3 is a decent start in any situation. In the context of these two teams, it's worth a bit more than that.

The shot that took Smith to his 50 was extraordinary yesterday. No way he should have been chasing that. But he absolutely middled it, and if he has to fall over to ensure he middles it, he'll fall over. Fair amount of filth from England, mind. I'm hoping for a strong first session today. If they can't get Smith early, do the usual and just get everyone else instead.

 

[Monkeygrinder's Organ]

Cricinfo currently going with the headline 'England start well as Broad gets Head'.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

Sadly I think we've found Archer's weakness. He grew up in Barbados and doesn't function all that well on a cold early autumn day in Manchester.

Hard chance, but dropping Smith early.

 

[butchersapron]

Leach gets smith - no ball

 

[MrSki]

Leach gets smith - no ball

Unbelievable for a slow bowler too.

 

[Athos]

You probably already know this, but, in case you don't, you can watch it for free on Channel9 (an Australian channel), through a VPN (ExpressVPN offering a free 30 day trial).

 

[Mr.Bishie]

Leach gets smith - no ball

Now on 166 the cheating bastard!

 

[Pink Panther]

Leach gets smith - no ball

Only 4 no balls bowled out of 600+ so far in the innings and that has to be one of them.

 

[SpookyFrank]

You probably already know this, but, in case you don't, you can watch it for free on Channel9 (an Australian channel), through a VPN (ExpressVPN offering a free 30 day trial).

I did not know that. Many thanks.

 

[Argonia]

A draw would be a good result here. What's the weather going to be like?

 

[SpookyFrank]

A draw would be a good result here. What's the weather going to be like?

Looks like half a day minimum lost tomorrow.

 

[planetgeli]

Brilliant from Smith. The man's a batting genius. Kept the Ashes all on his own virtually. Because I can't see any England batsman doing even half what he's doing.

 

[SpookyFrank]

Af ye gan, Cheaty McCuntface.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

That's how you get him. Give him 200 then bring on the part-time spinner.

 

[steveo87]

Leave it to Cricket to make me come back down to Earth.....

 

[Pink Panther]

Well, there's certainly plenty of scope for some of England's failing batsmen to repay the selectors' faith in them here.

 

[Teaboy]

Christ Denly plays at everything. You're opening in a really tricky short spell, just leave as much as you can.

 

[friedaweed]

Been listening to it on me 5 hour trip back north from Essex. All the way I was hoping to get in to watch England bat for 40 minutes

 

[friedaweed]

Christ Denly plays at everything. You're opening in a really tricky short spell, just leave as much as you can.

Yup bit daft innit?