Ashes 2015

[josephb88]

I've not heard that one here. All Australian cricketers are dicks, really. I've only ever had a natural liking of Doug Bollinger when he used to try and bat. The Watson story my maths teacher told me always seemed nice to me, but I really wouldn't be surprised if they were typical aggressive Australian cricketing arseholes that had no teeth and tried to bowl it at my pretty little English face when I used to play (I have a bit of an accent and they are absolutely horrible to you for that). You just need to get Watson lbw, though. I don't think he's worked out how to deal with that yet.

 

[josephb88]

I hate Australia as well, just to be clear. They are terrible sports overall. I only support them in football.

 

[JJH]

Ballance trapped LBW.

Very good innings in all fairness. In comes Stokes.

 

[josephb88]

That's a shame. It's not a terrible score so far, though.

 

[4froale]

that wicket evens it up a bit, big session this, if we could get up to 300 without losing more than six down id be fairly happy

 

[4froale]

century for Root, well done young man, you have dragged us out of the shit.

 

[Ciderhead]

that wicket evens it up a bit, big session this, if we could get up to 300 without losing more than six down id be fairly happy

If we don't lose wickets reckon we'll be closer to 400. In for an entertaining session here.

Fantastic innings from Root, up there with his best yet

 

[josephb88]

The sort of wicket they're playing on makes me wonder if this could be a very good score or just decent like it would be here. I suppose weather has something to do with it, but what would you all settle for as a dominant first innings total?

 

[4froale]

If we don't lose wickets reckon we'll be closer to 400. In for an entertaining session here.

Fantastic innings from Root, up there with his best yet

yes you are right, I meant 300 as a milestone more than what we need to be at by the end of the day, there are certainly runs to be had with the ball doing very little and the pitch not doing much more.

 

[4froale]

The sort of wicket they're playing on makes me wonder if this could be a very good score or just decent like it would be here. I suppose weather has something to do with it, but what would you all settle for as a dominant first innings total?

This morning I said 340ish but weve got to be looking at around 400 on current play.

 

[Ciderhead]

Yeah there's nothing at all in this pitch. Think par would be around 400-450 so still a bit of work to do. We'd need a really huge score, way in excess of 500 to be in a truly commanding position.

I'd say it's still pretty evenly poised at this stage. Couple of quick wickets and they're right on top, but with Stokes playing shots like that and Buttler and Ali to come we could really take it away from them over the next couple of hours

 

[JJH]

Stokes having some fun here and giving it a proper good whack.

Run rate up near 4 an over for the day, the positive Cricket has been resumed.

 

[josephb88]

That's sort of what I was thinking. 400 will set them a target they'll be surprised to fail to reach on an English pitch. England would have absolutely no hope in Perth, but players like Mitchell Johnson will have absolutely no effect at Lord's.

 

[josephb88]

I really have no confidence in any Australian batsmen other than Smith, Clarke and Watson. Warner is a one day player and they don't really have any other major test batsmen.

 

[josephb88]

Haddin, Marsh and all those aren't in the same league as Clarke, Ponting, Vaughan and those sorts.

 

[Skinner]

Warner is very good test player

 

[Ciderhead]

I'd love him in the Eng side, be a perfect partner for Cook

 

[JJH]

Root out for 134.

Fantastic innings.

 

[The Alex]

Stokes bowled clean. Can't see us adding many more runs.

 

[Ciderhead]

Stokes gets 50 and then goes.

Really good spell from Starc, just swinging it back in their favour

 

[Saddlerrad]

We need another 107 from this last 4 wickets if we possibly can. 400 is at least respectable when you opt to bat first. Mays well go gung ho as far as I'm concerned against this new ball. We will just lose wickets conitnually if plan on nudging around.

 

[Ciderhead]

Well Ali's not dying wondering!

 

[Bobbin']

I think we'll get close to 400.

When you consider we were 40 odd for 3, this has been a pretty even day, maybe just swung slightly in the Aussie's favour with the wicket of Stokes.

This is game on as far as I can see.

 

[Ciderhead]

Last half hour with the new ball will decide the day. These two make it through to the close I'd say we've shaded it

 

[silvergull]

This is the Mitchell Johnson we all know and love...

Cooks decision to Bat first now looking more logical. I think we'll struggle to take 20 wickets in here unless we get exceptionally lucky with cloud cover.

I think, guttingly, Bells eyes are gone. I expect a mid ashes retirement. Two choices. replace him with the inform Bairstow. Alternatively promote Ali and bring Rashid in

 

[silvergull]

Ah gifted. Such a soft soft dismissal. The tail will be mopped up here.

 

[Saddlerrad]

Damn.

What a soft way to get out from Buttler, just a few minutes before the close. We need 400 if possible, if not for mental reasons.

 

[Modernist]

It's something we have a tendancy to do, lose wickets at crucial times, still at 40-3 I was expecting less than 250, we still can...maybe get 400?

 

[AFCB_Mark]

Big picture, I'm pleased we've managed even this total we have now.

But please just hold the line and see out something near 400. If we collapse here then all the confidence built will be shattered.

 

[silvergull]

Mature cricket form Broad that. Out of nick, psychologically screwed. yet still willing to take the final delivery to protect Ali.

I'm happy with that. Showed some grit. Only seen the last hour but surprised to see a swinging ball. I'd love to have Rashid to throw the ball to, but happy. Great battle of bat and ball