The Ashes 2023

MFPM

Green gone, hasn't been an easy innings for him.

Carey being booed onto the pitch by idiots who weeks on still don't know or don't want to know the rules of the game.

Marsh playing a valuable innings here.

Strumms

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120871564#Comment_120871564

Kiss of death, seconds after you post…😂

brilliant delivery by Woakes and what a catch.

Burkie1203

Marsh gone. Great catch bairstow

MFPM

Jinxed Marsh, Bairstow finally holds a catch and another Australian gets a decent start and rather throws away his wicket.

Strumms

Could Crawley have dived forward there ? He didn’t make much forward motion to take the catch… only looked like it bounced 6 or 7 inches short…..

VillaMad

Wouldn't surprise me if Jimmy Anderson announced his retirement at the end of this game, particularly with it being at Old Trafford.

Hasn't been his series at all. Hasn't bowled terribly but just doesn't look like taking wickets.

VillaMad

Australia finish the day on 299-8. They could have done better considering that a lot of their players got starts but all in all considering the overall context of the Ashes, a decent day for them especially with the incoming weather.

Should get a full days play tomorrow, and then it seems to turn on Friday.

Lionel Fusco

A funny day really both sides will be pleased with some aspects.

Furze99

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120871578#Comment_120871578

Aussies weren't looking too bad at 250/5 with two decent batsmen settled in, then boom, boom. Green was unlucky and in a line of lbw decisions today, some certainly out but his looked dubious.

They'll push on as far past 300 as they can get quickly I'd say and get England in while the day is still fresh. But what will be the Eng gameplan - if they want to win, they'll have to pile on the runs as quickly as possible, aim to pass the Aussie total and another 200 maybe? Then try and bowl Aussies out before weather hinders play. Seems a big ask and could just as easily collapse doing that and be put in again themselves. But sense prevailing a draw seems most likely.

MFPM

Day 2, England are probably in the better place, they will hope to wrap up the Aussies quickly this morning.

I'd expect England to go hard and try to get runs as quickly as possible, hard to see this being a three innings match so quick runs for England then put Australia in and try bowl them out quickly and then knock off the runs. Time is England's biggest obstacle, the pressure is all on them, they need the win.

I wonder if we're seeing Anderdon's last test appearance for England, he hasn't bowled badly but he's been very ineffective in the series.

cosatron

Johnny Bairstow is Jack Russell reincarnated. don't worry lads the wicket keeping is in safe hand😀.

MFPM

Australia all out for 317. Interesting too see how England go now..

Furze99

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120874323#Comment_120874323

Yeah, we'll have a good idea by lunch.

MFPM

Early breakthrough, Duckett out for 1.

Strumms

A poor shot to a good delivery in fairness.

ball is swinging around corners….

Furze99

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120874452#Comment_120874452

A taste in return of the advantages they had! Early wicket will have softened Stokes cough.

MFPM

This partnership is looking good, scoring at a decent rate! Australia need quick wickets after lunch.

Furze99

England going well here at the moment. Aussies look like needing a bit of luck to go their way - haven't had an over abundance of luck this series. Shouldn't need it but a catch carrying here & there or a marginal lbw going their way would change things up.

MFPM

This is looking ominous for Australia, runs flowing for England two batters set. Australia are a bowler short and look it, Green just isn't delivering with bat or ball. Head has conceded 19 off 2...Cummins going at more than 5 an over. Starc ironically has been the most economical...

Ali and Crawley playing well.

Strumms

Thing is looking at the forecast. I can’t see after today there being enough cricket to enable a result either way.

the catch by Khawaja 😵‍💫

should really have been hit into the deck

MFPM

Cummins will be relieved! That should be an end to Head bowling in this match!!

Strumms

Impressive run rate… 5.2. England obviously mindful that time and weather is an enemy.

KevIRL

England should follow Irelands example and declare when behind https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/icc-intercontinental-cup-2005-2005-06-143791/ireland-vs-kenya-final-223252/match-report

Furze99

England flying it here - making a mockery of the Aussie batting and bowling. Still most likely a draw and Ashes retained, but Cummins, Smith et al need a good kick up the backside.

MFPM

There is some brilliant batting here, England are flying but the drop off by Australia is terrible. There is no leadership, there's no plan, they are three of the world's best bowlers are they are just not at it. England will surpass Australia's score by close, if they could race to a 100+ lead, put Australia in tomorrow at lunch they'd have two sessions at Australia if they took 5 wickets even with Saturday as a write off they may get enough play on Sunday to win it. The only thing saving Australia at this stage is the weather.

dohboy

England will be aiming for 500 at this rate by early tommorrow and then aim to skittle the Aussies. Real shame the weather is likely to ruin this Test though. Saturday is a washout. They might sneak some play on Sunday and if so it could be crucial...

Strumms

A valid point by the lads, the ultra slow over rate… so many conversations, field adjustments and pissing about,

not accidentally done… Neither is the Aussie bowlers getting very close to the England batsmen when the batsmen are taking a run… blocking and borderline interfering.

Furze99

Getting embarrassing now for the Aussies - being taken apart and destroyed. When I mentioned the possibility of this last night, I really didn't think it would work out like this!

Strumms

The annoying thing is this is mesmerising from Crawley, unreal innings. But might be in vain.

this 184* is from only 174 deliveries.

another meeting, umpires doing SFA as usual.

Sultan of Bling

2 quick wickets for Australia.

Root very unlucky there