Ashes 2015

[Ciderhead]

Frustrating for Buttler to throw away his wicket at the end but honours pretty even. Aussies maybe fractionally ahead but from 43-3 it's a good recovery.

Great day's cricket nonetheless. Hopefully we can push past 400 in the morning

 

[Bobbin']

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.

I personally think we've edged it mentally today.

After having us at 43-3 and dropping Root on 0, the Aussie's aren't going back to their hotel ecstatic this evening. Meanwhile England, will be pleased after a poor start that we are on our way to an at least competitive score if not remarkable.

 

[Saddlerrad]

I personally think we've edged it mentally today.

After having us at 43-3 and dropping Root on 0, the Aussie's aren't going back to their hotel ecstatic this evening. Meanwhile England, will be pleased after a poor start that we are on our way to an at least competitive score if not remarkable.

I'd agree with that.

I'm just talking that normally, on a relatively flat wicket when you opt to bat first, you really want to get 400 on the board to feel mentally satisfied with your original decision. Hopefully Broad smacks a quick 30 and Wood sticks around with Ali so that we get into 400. Scoreboard pressure if they lose a few wickets.

 

[silvergull]

It seems to have swung today. It'll be interesting to see if we can find seam. woods bowling full, Anderson swinging and broad line and length - we may get some joy. Ali is going to be vital. Australia will look to smack him around.

Going to be a great series. The highlights show Australia bowled some dross

 

[Saddlerrad]

It seems to have swung today. It'll be interesting to see if we can find seam. woods bowling full, Anderson swinging and broad line and length - we may get some joy. Ali is going to be vital. Australia will look to smack him around.

Going to be a great series. The highlights show Australia bowled some dross

They did, very erratic at times - Starc in particular. However, England generally don't hit the straps in the first match of any away from home test tour, so it would be fair to give them a chance to build a steam up before they are properly judged on the attack we remember/think them to be.

 

[Baz]

Not been in to any of this today gutted really as it seems like a day that both teams will be overall happy about. However Haddin dropping Root on 0 wow what a costly mistake that proved to be.

 

[Super_horns]

Shame to lose those wickets at the end but great innings from Root.

 

[Bobbin']

When you look at the overall score, it looks quite even.

When you break down the sessions:

Morning - 88/3
Afternoon - 102/0
Evening - 154/4

We won the final two sessions and probably the last 45 minutes of the morning session too.

 

[spireite]

We had a comparable score the last Ashes test at Cardiff on day 1 but when Australia came in they got about 650 declared. Hopefully a more devilment comes into this pitch

 

[4froale]

pitch still looking flat from all accounts, not what we want when are going to be bowling at some point today. Lets hope it livens up a bit.

 

[Saddlerrad]

Johnson gets Broad with a short one round the wicket. But it's reversed after some of the ball touched the floor.

362-8.

We need every single run humanly possible on here, it's very flat, very low, very slow. The sun is supposedly going to be out all day today. Can't help but feel we needed a huge opening innings, 450-550+.

 

[SeasideKurt]

Broad needs to stay in as long as he can really. If we're still batting after lunch we're massively in charge.

 

[SpireiteDan]

This is the Mitchell Johnson we all know and love.

 

[4froale]

Broad gone, just shy of 400 now, lets hope the final two can keep Ali on striker and we can add another 30/40.

 

[Saddlerrad]

430 all out then. 87 runs added overnight and a good recovery from 40-3.

Is it enough? Who knows. Very flat out there but I suspect it will turn for Mo later.

Starc's a strange bowler, a bit like Finn. Goes at over 4 an over and bowls some 4 ball turd, but bowls enough wicket taking balls to be effective.

Nice innings from Mo.

 

[JJH]

Productive morning. 87 runs added. A more than competitive score.

Noticed a fair bit of swing and spin this morning, especially on Starc's delivery that got Ali out. Jimmy will be licking his lips at that.

 

[AFCB_Mark]

Well, that's ok. Just have to find a way to get the ball moving now.

 

[SpireiteDan]

Decent score but hope it doesn't go a similar way to the 2009 test.

England 430 odd
Australia 600+

 

[Saddlerrad]

Catchers in close through the covers and square of gully, Warner will play straight through the line with power. If it holds up slow in this pitch they could come into play.

 

[AFCB_Mark]

50odd-0 isn't what we wanted to see...

 

[AFCB_Mark]

50odd-0 isn't what we wanted to see...

BOOM, hopefully the first of many

 

[4froale]

Decent start from the aussies unfortunately. Lets try and get the dangerman Smith out cheap.

 

[Modernist]

The aussies are such a strong side, can't help but think if we can get 400+ they can do it easily, especially on this pitch.

 

[TheArtfulDodger]

Good to see Johnson wicketless for over 100 (until Broad), even if he didn't bowl that poorly really.

Fancy the Aussies to get a big total though, it's such a slow pitch.

 

[Saddlerrad]

Awful wicket.

Huge score incoming. Aussies will bat until very late tommorrow.

 

[Ciderhead]

Yes Moeen!

 

[Skinner]

Good wicket

Root >

 

[4froale]

another before tea please

 

[4froale]

in the balance you would say atm

 

[JJH]

Clarke caught and bowled Ali! Get in!!!