Ashes 2015

[JJH]

Stokes and Buttler both out in quick succession. Could be a blessing in disguise that, as I believe we have a big enough total already, and Cook is known to cock around and take too long to declare.

I know it's the 3rd day, but the weather for Sunday isn't looking great, so we need to get at them first thing tomorrow morning.

 

[JJH]

Swinging back to the Aussies. No rain Sunday and we are in shit.

No chance. I usually agree with everything you say, but you can't see the Aussie's batting out a total of nearly 400 on this pitch with it misbehaving as it has been today?

The only potential results now in this game are an England win or a draw.

 

[silvergull]

Stokes and Buttler both out in quick succession. Could be a blessing in disguise that, as I believe we have a big enough total already, and Cook is known to cock around and take too long to declare.

I know it's the 3rd day, but the weather for Sunday isn't looking great, so we need to get at them first thing tomorrow morning.

Excellent post and fully agree. Quick fire 40 from the tail and we're in a great place

 

[TheArtfulDodger]

Best thing for the game! Gives Australia a sniff, which is best for England to win.

 

[spireite]

Again we really aren't. the pitch is misbehaving like anything. times not a consideration as we'll take wickets at very regular intervals. I'm unsure what anyone's seen in the first 3 days to believe Australia can chase this

I really like your optimism, but I think a good few of the Aussie lads (Smith, Clarke, Voges to name) basically played bad shots and gave away their wickets. I can't see them making the same mistakes again. If the rain holds off I don't think it's beyond the realms that Aus win this with a few wickets in hand. We're in a good position but I can see it being close

 

[TheArtfulDodger]

Best thing for the game! Gives Australia a sniff, which is best for England to win.

 

[Saddlerrad]

As the commentators are saying, this is extremely careless and we are batting like it's done and dusted. Very much not. I wanted us to get 350 in this innings. You may be absolutely, 100% correct. However, the mindset has gone from 'England can't lose' to 'Not sure if England are going to win' - which makes me hugely nervous. It's 367 with 2 days left on a wicket that's not an absolute minefield against number one in the world.

We are one solid batting session, say 140-1 away from being on the ropes.

 

[spireite]

As the commentators are saying, this is extremely careless and we are batting like it's done and dusted. Very much not. I wanted us to get 350 in this innings. You may be absolutely, 100% correct. However, the mindset has gone from 'England can't lose' to 'Not sure if England are going to win' - which makes me hugely nervous. It's 367 with 2 days left on a wicket that's not an absolute minefield against number one in the world.

We are one solid batting session, say 140-1 away from being on the ropes.

at work so can't hear the commo, but Rogers, Smith, Clark could knock off 350 on their own if they've the time, which they might.. playing a dangerous game. If we make early inroads with Anderson swing then it's our test. It's gone from 'weeee piss easy' to being pretty balanced IMO

 

[JJH]

I think getting above 400 would be good for the mindset, but I honestly believe we've got more than enough already.

 

[silvergull]

at work so can't hear the commo, but Rogers, Smith, Clark could knock off 350 on their own if they've the time, which they might.. playing a dangerous game. If we make early inroads with Anderson swing then it's our test. It's gone from 'weeee piss easy' to being pretty balanced IMO

Ah! If you were able to watch (or even listen) at wouldn't be a concern. We're now in record chase territory. On a pitch that is turning for the spinner, has dramatic variable bounce for e seamers and explodes off the surface for the cutter. The Dukes ball has swung throughout, and I also expect to see a lot of reverse swing from England. The Ball is roughing up massively

It's a sluggish pitch that Australia can not score quickly off.

 

[silvergull]

I love a 'run 4' great stuff. Also highlights a slow outfield. Very slow outfield.

 

[Saddlerrad]

Ah! If you were able to watch (or even listen) at wouldn't be a concern. We're now in record chase territory. On a pitch that is turning for the spinner, has dramatic variable bounce for e seamers and explodes off the surface for the cutter. The Dukes ball has swung throughout, and I also expect to see a lot of reverse swing from England. The Ball is roughing up massively

It's a sluggish pitch that Australia can not score quickly off.

I agree completely, however, I don't think it's quite cut and dry like that. England scored 400 in an ODI game recently, who'd have thought it?

 

[spireite]

Ah! If you were able to watch (or even listen) at wouldn't be a concern. We're now in record chase territory. On a pitch that is turning for the spinner, has dramatic variable bounce for e seamers and explodes off the surface for the cutter. The Dukes ball has swung throughout, and I also expect to see a lot of reverse swing from England. The Ball is roughing up massively

It's a sluggish pitch that Australia can not score quickly off.

Fingers crossed then! These are very useful runs from Wood and Ali here. Should clear the lead over 400

 

[silvergull]

I agree completely, however, I don't think it's quite cut and dry like that. England scored 400 in an ODI game recently, who'd have thought it?

Not on a day 4 pitch they didn't. I get your point, it's a changing game. But there's nothing about this Australian side that makes me believe they can chase it on this pitch.

I may look foolish this time tomorrow, but expect us to win by tea tomorrow

 

[Hooray]

Edging towards that 400 lead now. 400 is psychologically such a daunting task as a batting team going into a fourth innings. I think it'll be enough. Plenty enough.

Massive six from Wood. Good lad

 

[spireite]

you can say that again

 

[silvergull]

Wood brings up the 400 lead with a reverse sweep. I love that so much

 

[JJH]

Huge 6, huge!!!

 

[Saddlerrad]

Number 10 pings the Aussie front line spinner for 6 over his head down the ground. We may have enough now, or in a few runs. But we've done well to try and hand the initiative back to the Aussies in this session.

GET WOOD UP THE ORDER! Haha.

 

[Saddlerrad]

Johnson, 1-177 and 4 with the bat so far.

 

[silvergull]

My prediction of 425 lead by end of play is looking close. I love a tailender smashing e ball around. Per than a run 4 there's little I enjoy more. Poor bowling from Johnson though. Awful length for short pitch bowling

 

[silvergull]

Ali goes so we'll be bowling very early tomorrow. Happy with that. The ideal is to bat out tonight and go out for 2-3 overs tomorrow

 

[spireite]

Anyone know why Wood hasn't played much cricket to say he's 25 and half? 26 first class matches doesn't sound a lot, I assumed he was 21/22. He's remarkably well matured to say he's not played much

 

[Saddlerrad]

412 to win for the Aussies.

 

[silvergull]

I think we batted well but only got 289. Says a lot about the conditions.
Very happy with the lead. Have to bowl well. Good leng deliveries, nothing short. Reckon Root will get a few overs too

 

[Saddlerrad]

Anyone know why Wood hasn't played much cricket to say he's 25 and half? 26 first class matches doesn't sound a lot, I assumed he was 21/22. He's remarkably well matured to say he's not played much

Struggles with injury quite often. Was wearing ankle strapping in an interview before play this morning.

 

[JJH]

They haven't a hope in hell of getting that, and as Michael Vaughan said, rain will be Australia's only saviour.

 

[Saddlerrad]

Ward and Bell get shat on in the interviews after..haha! They say it's good luck.

 

[JJH]

What's up with the seagulls in Cardiff? Blowers got shit on coming out of the stadium last night, and now Sky's piece of technology gets shit on whilst interviewing Ian Bell

 

[silvergull]

Before the invariable egg on face moment of me being horribly wrong, the below for me says a lot

Highest chases in Test history
If Australia win this game they will go third on this illustrious list...

• 418-7: West Indies v Australia, Antigua, 2003 (below)
• 414-4: South Africa v Australia, Perth, 2008
• 406-4: India v West Indies, Trinidad, 1976
• 404-3: Australia v England, Headingley, 1948
• 387-4: India v England, Chennai, 2008