The Ashes 2019

Richard Hillman · 15-08-2019 10:31am

Always bowl first at Lords, always

Conchir · 15-08-2019 11:09am

Roy looked mighty uncomfortable there.

Hodors Appletart · 15-08-2019 11:10am

england none for one

great start for australia

Adamcp898 · 15-08-2019 11:15am

Had a post written saying I wasn't sure about bowling first on this to be honest but then that happened. Joe Root may as well start opening the batting and be done with it, then find a more capable option at 3/4/5. They couldn't find a capable partner for Alistair Cook all those years so whatever makes them think they're going to suddenly find two opening batsmen.

Anyway, will see after a few overs how the ball is moving but not sure there's going to be much in this pitch until it deteriorates.

Could be another one of these.......... :pac:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osp4Ty9t7mg

Hodors Appletart · 15-08-2019 11:46am

root gone now england in real trouble

Conchir · 15-08-2019 1:26pm

Well stabilised by Burns and Denly, I don't think England can be too disappointed at the moment, given how the day started.

15-08-2019 2:36pm

Great catch. Bit disrespectful for Burns not to walk there?

namloc1980 · 15-08-2019 2:38pm

Ward J. Littell wrote: »

Great catch. Bit disrespectful for Burns not to walk there?

At full speed it probably looked like it was dropped at the first attempt.

Great bowling by Cummins in the lead up to that.

liamoreilly · 15-08-2019 2:38pm

Ward J. Littell wrote: »

Great catch. Bit disrespectful for Burns not to walk there?

...Think it was because he had dropped then re caught it...In fairness , I've absolutely no idea how he managed to catch it a 2nd time like that, unreal...

15-08-2019 2:41pm

namloc1980 wrote: »

At full speed it probably looked like it was dropped at the first attempt.

Great bowling by Cummins in the lead up to that.

The catcher had no doubt. Thought the batsmen usually took the fielders at their word in these situations. Or maybe that era is gone!

Adamcp898 · 15-08-2019 2:43pm

Ward J. Littell wrote: »

Great catch. Bit disrespectful for Burns not to walk there?

Was a cracking catch but reviews and the use of technology has hastened the exit of "walking" from the game. Even when batsmen do decide to walk nowadays the TV camera will pan around and you'll often see them standing inside the edge of the boundary next to a match official who has asked them to wait while the TV umpire makes certain with his own check i.e. the decision hasn't even been reviewed by the either team on the field but they're still told to hang around.

Adamcp898 · 15-08-2019 2:54pm

Buttler gone now 136/5

Royale with Cheese · 15-08-2019 2:56pm

5-0 anyone?

namloc1980 · 15-08-2019 3:08pm

English batsmen seem to be very mentally weak. Aussie bowlers easily can get into their heads. 6 down now.

Adamcp898 · 15-08-2019 3:15pm

namloc1980 wrote: »

English batsmen seem to be very mentally weak. Aussie bowlers easily can get into their heads. 6 down now.

There are more than a few batsmen in the top order who have been picked on their "shot making" ability. Not something that will always result in good test cricket.

Strumms · 15-08-2019 3:45pm

namloc1980 wrote: »

English batsmen seem to be very mentally weak. Aussie bowlers easily can get into their heads. 6 down now.

Totally, a serious amount of talent in that batting lineup but to put together partnerships and have a bit of toughness when there is pressure and accurate and fast bowling coming down that’s the challenge but the shot selection isn’t all that.

namloc1980 · 15-08-2019 4:53pm

In fairness to Woakes, about the only one along with Burns who can hold their heads up in this series.

Adamcp898 · 15-08-2019 5:57pm

England all out for 258. Now let's all sit back and watch Steve Smith stroll to another century on this pitch.

Strumms · 15-08-2019 6:07pm

Plenty of starts for England but it just seems like enough quality in the Aussie bowling department to prevent partnerships of note from taking hold..it didnt help the number of ' give away ' wickets

Richard Hillman · 15-08-2019 10:21pm

Aussies did well to be only 1 down before close. The conditions were perfect for bowling. The new ball is worn and Steve Smith is yet to bat. Looks like Rain at around lunch time though and it will be there for the day.

This match will be a draw.

Beasty · 15-08-2019 10:34pm

It probably is going to be a draw, particularly with more bad weather forecast for Saturday. However being all-out on day 1 is probably England's best chance of a victory. The pitch is already taking spin, and England have a few options on that front.

The team batting second, all other things being equal, usually get the best of the wicket, but the team batting 3rd should also still be in with a good chance of making a decent score.

I think the Aussies have made it clear they don't want tom be batting 4th on this wicket, and even a target of 150 may be a challenge on day 5.

Strumms · 16-08-2019 12:24am

Forecast as it stands intimates that there ‘should’ be a full first session of play tomorrow. After lunch any play looks extremely unlikely.

Saturday is set quite fair maybe a couple of showers but Sunday looking good at this point for a full day uninterrupted.

SharpshooterTom · 16-08-2019 3:22am

namloc1980 wrote: »

English batsmen seem to be very mentally weak. Aussie bowlers easily can get into their heads. 6 down now.

They're not mentally weak, they're just not very good.

Joe Root is the only one who average's over 40 in the side. Buttler, Bairstow and Stokes average mid-30s which is sub standard for test cricket.

Denly not good enough, questionable whether Roy has the capability to be a test match player.

Too many ODI specialists who don't have the temperament nor the skill to play test cricket, simple as that really.

People call Usman Khawaja a journeyman but with an average of 42 he'd walk into that England side right now.

Strumms · 16-08-2019 11:23am

England have a lot of decent players, are excellent in the field but at this point are lacking reliable match winners I think. Both with the ball and the bat. Averages back that up as Thomas above says. When you are finding wickets tough to get you need to be getting runs and visa versa.

y0ssar1an22 · 16-08-2019 11:47am

2 quick wickets

60/3. SS still in

kmart6 · 16-08-2019 11:54am

Haha "still in", he must have faced 1 ball at that stage!

SharpshooterTom · 16-08-2019 3:11pm

If this ends a draw Australia only need to win 1 of any of the next 3 tests to retain the Ashes.

kmart6 · 16-08-2019 4:28pm

Doesn't look good for further play today, and if there is I'd say it won't be significant enough, can't see any result other than a draw now.

Strumms · 16-08-2019 10:45pm

The forecast has improved markedly... a result very possible now, little or no rain now forecast for the remainder of the test.

SharpshooterTom · 17-08-2019 12:45am

Strumms wrote: »

The forecast has improved markedly... a result very possible now, little or no rain now forecast for the remainder of the test.

It's just two days though and we need 26 wickets to fall, 13 wickets per day. That's a lot.

Its not impossible but one of them will have to really collapse with a sub 150 score. Tomorrow's morning session will tell us a lot about where the game is heading.

Strumms · 17-08-2019 1:44am

ThomasFlynn wrote: »

It's just two days though and we need 26 wickets to fall, 13 wickets per day. That's a lot.

Its not impossible but one of them will have to really collapse with a sub 150 score. Tomorrow's morning session will tell us a lot about where the game is heading.

Yep, tomorrow morning is crucial in fact, first session, 80/4 Australia will have nerves a plenty, two quick wickets and English could skittle them for 180 worst case in fact I’m backing this... result still possible.

jobeenfitz · 17-08-2019 2:36am

Aussies would need to get close to England's score in first innings to win. That would take time, prob mid afternoon to tea. That would leave about four sessions, Aussies wouldn't have much time left to bowl England out and reply. I think the Aussies will go into survival mode, play for the draw and maintain lead.

If England can get Aussies out by lunch and with a hundred-ish lead, how long would it take to get a decent lead. Would they have enough time?

There is an extra hour available but it's still a big ask to have time to build lead and take 16 Aussie wickets I think? Smith has to be bowled twice.

The bookie knows what he's at pricing up the draw at approx 4/9.

Strumms · 17-08-2019 11:33am

102-5 now, Great catch by Burns and Broad has looked brilliant this morning... it’s still on... crucial period up to lunch now..

SharpshooterTom · 17-08-2019 12:56pm

Smith half century.

Batted like Boycott for the most of this innings but as the sun's out the batting's got easier he's beginning to purr now and he's scoring more freely. Suprised if he doesn't get a century from here.

y0ssar1an22 · 17-08-2019 2:12pm

lets hope this aint too serious

y0ssar1an22 · 17-08-2019 2:12pm

kmart6 wrote: »

Haha "still in", he must have faced 1 ball at that stage!

highlighting the fact he wasn't out.

and still in

Royale with Cheese · 17-08-2019 2:36pm

If you can't get Smith out just injure him seems to be the tactic here.

y0ssar1an22 · 17-08-2019 2:38pm

english doctors now attending him. hope hes alright

Beasty · 17-08-2019 2:38pm

The Aussies are sponsored by BUPA - may be a wise move the way Archer is bowling

y0ssar1an22 · 17-08-2019 2:40pm

seems the umpires ordered him off?

Royale with Cheese · 17-08-2019 2:42pm

Jesus, that looked a bad one.

namloc1980 · 17-08-2019 2:42pm

So if you can't beat him fairly, injure him.

17-08-2019 2:43pm

England must be slightly embarrassed that the only way to get Smith off the field is for him to retire hurt. ðŸ˜‰

Strumms · 17-08-2019 2:45pm

That looked a real bad blow to Smiths head, I would be amazed if he was able or permitted to take any further part in the test after that.

Beasty · 17-08-2019 2:45pm

Just seeing that replay now

That was one of the nastiest blows I've seen in sport. I don't think he can take the field again in this match after that. I cannot see how he would not be concussed

This is where they need to be able to bring a batting substitute in. No-one can get anywhere near Smith in terms of talent, but I hope he is not allowed to face Archer again this match as another blow like that could be incredibly dangerous for him

Conchir · 17-08-2019 2:46pm

Jesus, the replays showed it hit him on the neck. Not surprised he’s come off.

Beasty · 17-08-2019 2:47pm

Ward J. Littell wrote: »

England must be slightly embarrassed that the only way to get Smith off the field is for him to retire hurt. &#55357;&#56841;

It's part and parcel of the game. Archer has nothing to regret here. He was doing his job remarkably well, and cannot be expected to be less aggressive because he'd already hit Smith. If Smith was considered fit enough to continue after the arm injury, he, and the medics knew Archer had to target him with aggressive bowling

y0ssar1an22 · 17-08-2019 2:48pm

i'm surprised those new helmets with the extra padding aren't a requirement.

are there official concussion protocols in place by ICC?

edit: david gower just answered: yes there are

Happy4all · 17-08-2019 2:49pm

Beasty wrote: »

It's part and parcel of the game. Archer has nothing to regret here. He was doing his job remarkably well, and cannot be expected to be less aggressive because he'd already hit Smith. If Smith was considered fit enough to continue after the arm injury, he, and the medics knew Archer had to target him with aggressive bowling

Agree...but I didn't like the fact that he didn't go down and check how Smith was, just stood there laughing.

VillaMad · 17-08-2019 2:50pm

Mitchell Johnson did this to England back in 2013/14 and England turned into a mess. Awesome bowling by Archer and Smith was unfortunately eventually caught out by one.

The Ashes 2019

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