The Ashes 2023

MFPM · 07-07-2023 06:01PM

Australia handing the initiative back to England, you couldn't say any of the deliveries they've got have been unplayable.

Furze99 · 07-07-2023 07:46PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120819501#Comment_120819501

If England go onto win this and they well might, Steven Smith will be more culpable than others from an Aussie perspective. At least Labushchange occupied the crease and blunted the bowling attack, whilst Warner went early days. Smith came to the wicket knowing the match situation, seeing that primarily they needed to stay at the crease and tip a few runs here & there, build a partnership. Instead he threw away his wicket to a nothing ball and put big pressure on the middle order to deliver again. Contrast that to Stokes role with the bat.

Strumms · 07-07-2023 08:01PM

Rather be sat in the England dressing room tonight… that said they could be mildly disappointed they’d not got one more wicket in the final overs, I think just over 11 overs bowled between Khawaja falling and stumps…. Mitch Marsh is a useful all rounder but he didn’t look in too much trouble…

dohboy · 07-07-2023 08:02PM

Another cracking day's play all told. It's been a fantastic series so far, nary a dull moment.

Trampas · 07-07-2023 08:28PM

Australia should have just ticked along. With Robinson gone. Woods couldn’t be able to cover some of them or he could be gone also. Like they’re not playing the situation

Burkie1203 · 07-07-2023 09:57PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120819885#Comment_120819885

Think Labuschange and Smith are equally culpable. Both shots were ridiculous and unnecessary.

dohboy · 07-07-2023 11:06PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120820371#Comment_120820371

Stems from unestimating Moeen imo. His avg is fairly poor (37) but he's still taken 200 Tests wickets, and his fair share of big ones due to the oppostion not rating him.

Burkie1203 · 08-07-2023 07:01AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120820618#Comment_120820618

I think scoreboard pressure when game smarts was required. It was session 6 of 15, like just no need for the shots when time isn't an issue

Stokes and Robinson can't bowl, Wood is being managed.

Furze99 · 08-07-2023 09:59AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120820371#Comment_120820371

In terms of poor shots yes but at least Labuschange had blunted the English bowling attack - they were starting to look jaded as that low scoring partnership between Labuschange and Khawaja went on. Labuschange played a poor shot and got out but Smith coming in then must have seen it was crucial that he build a partnership and shore things up. Instead he only faces 8 balls or so and pops one up. Lot of pressure on Head and Marsh now as a result. If either of them goes cheaply, they'll fancy their chances big time. And rightly so, as Aussie batting has been far too loose to date.

MFPM · 08-07-2023 10:11AM

Criticism of Smith is well warranted, terrible shot from someone so experienced and in the context of the game. His second innings record is surprisingly poor.

I think England might sneak this but such has been the to and fro it's tough to call. The weather may play a role but the game is so advanced the weather would need to be atrocious to have a decisive impact.

Australia need to at least double their lead, and if Marsh and Head stick around that's possible.

Dave0301 · 08-07-2023 10:12AM

Not sure that they will get much play in today. Covers are out and it is chucking it down.

Forecast is not good all day.

Xander10 · 08-07-2023 11:07AM

Some bright spells.

Going to be a start stop day.

Frustrating viewing

Strumms · 08-07-2023 12:01PM

Early lunch taken... 90 minutes of cleanup estimated...still some rain around.

Lionel Fusco · 08-07-2023 03:44PM

Not looking good for play.

Strumms · 08-07-2023 03:52PM

No,I’d gladly swap our weather, forecast is shîte for the remainder of the test, I’ll be surprised if we have much more play over the next few days. Forecast is very unfavourable

..

MFPM · 08-07-2023 03:58PM

Pitch inspection at 16.15 if the rain stays off might get play around 5 but probably max of 2 hours. England will be desperate to get on they need a positive result.

Strumms · 08-07-2023 04:02PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120822352#Comment_120822352

Bad thunderstorm over Leeds about 6 ish but 60 minutes play would be grand

Strumms · 08-07-2023 04:19PM

Ok 4.45 play recommences…

VillaMad · 08-07-2023 04:20PM

Play set to resume at 4.45pm. Looking at the forecasts, they may only get 20-30 minutes of play before another band of rain arrives.

MFPM · 08-07-2023 04:28PM

Play @ 16.45.

MFPM · 08-07-2023 04:38PM

God's smiling on England again with the conditions they need to make it count this time...

Burkie1203 · 08-07-2023 04:50PM

Ball turning around corners so bowl leg theory.

Odd

MFPM · 08-07-2023 04:55PM

One over and then rain! Swing conditions, bowl bouncers with men on boundary but not using your fastest bowler...a bit baffling!

MFPM · 08-07-2023 05:16PM

Marsh gone. Just what England needed, Australia guilty of throwing away a wicket again.

Furze99 · 08-07-2023 06:03PM

7 down now - I wonder if they polish off the last 3, will England come out to bat!!!

MFPM · 08-07-2023 06:05PM

Unless one of these batsmen hit a quick 40 or 50 England will definitely chasing a max of 250 and could be as low as 210...they'd be massive favourites then not withstanding the weather. Though the Aussies can get something out of the pitch too.