THE ASHES

[lordofthepies]

I think the lead they have now is probably about 80 runs higher than any realistic target for us.

 

[Super_horns]

Maybe given ourselves a chance getting the Aussies out for 138.

Mind you 350 won't be easy to get with 2 night sessions to come.

 

[RavenBish]

Cook out to a half volley pitching on leg. He's having a stinker.

 

[Ciderhead]

Oh Joe you lucky lucky boy...

 

[Krazy8]

Oh Joe you lucky lucky boy...

Nah just a good leave that’s all that is.

 

[Skinner]

Superb counter attacking by these two. I know I shouldn' but I'm starting to get my hopes up here

 

[blademan89]

Sensational performance so far from England today come on lads hold out till tommorrow.

 

[SeasideKurt]

They will be 300-3 and then 330 all out. Bastards getting our hopes up.

 

[Aber gas]

This is on.

 

[Aber gas]

Ffs

 

[lordofthepies]

This is on.

Oh, well done mate.

 

[blademan89]

Well played boys showing some heart and talent at last, we can do this

 

[SeasideKurt]

Root is the key, simple as that. The other batsmen have to play supporting roles. Stick around till tea. Stick around till dinner. And see what the score is at.

If you need 100 with 4/5 wickets remaining you've got a massive chance. Ignore the history books.

 

[Luke_1884]

Was over the moon when I woke up at 5 and saw the Aussie's skittled. Buzzing when I got to work at 7:15 at 53/0, gutted 10 minutes later at 54/2. To close on 176/3 would have been a great achievement after our first innings. Shame to lose Malan but we're still in this.

A Root tonne and along with Woakes putting in a similar sort of shift to his first innings and then expect Bairstow, Ali and Overton to add respectable scores.. surely this isn't too much to ask?!

This is the worst, hope. Come on boys.

 

[.V.]

He always seemed to turn up against us didn't he. What I would give to have been over there for that tour...my uncle was at the MCG on Boxing Day, probably the best single day of cricket in my lifetime

I was at every day of the Melbourne and Sydney test matches that series. The most unbelievable sporting experience.

 

[Ciderhead]

Whatever happens this is an outstanding effort. If Root can get 150 then we do it.

Tomorrow's going to be horrible, just hope it's done one way or the other before I have to go to work, not sure I could take that

 

[spireite]

Whatever happens this is an outstanding effort. If Root can get 150 then we do it.

Tomorrow's going to be horrible, just hope it's done one way or the other before I have to go to work, not sure I could take that

150 will be tough, but if we can just get through the first 15 overs tomorrow for no loss, it'll look interesting! What a test

 

[lordofthepies]

this has not started well

 

[Ciderhead]

Bollocks

 

[Luke_1884]

Need a miracle.

 

[lordofthepies]

oh fuck it

 

[blademan89]

Back to bed it is then, fucking useless again after all that good work

 

[Luke_1884]

Don't know why I hung around in the end, all very predictable.

 

[Super_horns]

Be all over by sun rise.

 

[blademan89]

Pretty poor effort today from us. Just a small thing but surely to god Jonny Barstow has to bat higher up the order for England, he's our 2nd best batter after root with cook not looking too clever, Jonny gets out through his own fault 90% of the time due to playing shots he wouldn't be playing higher up the order. I'd have butler in for Vince, root up to 3 malan 4 Jonny 5 butler 6 moeen 7. Other than that keep it as it is, Overton Deffo deserves another shot.

 

[spireite]

how fucking shite was that...

cook looks totally shot
stoneman takes silly shots on
vince doesnt have the mental stuff, never a 3
root can't convert a fart into a poo
ali is just a bunny for lyon
bairstow seems ok... but he's a destructive guy, not to be coming in when your 80 for 5

wha ta mess the batting is, no quick fix there

 

[Soup Ladle]

Bairstow should be much higher in the order, as said, he's probably our second best bat at the moment. He's a lot better than his average and is someone I rate highly. I'd have him in at 4 and move Root to 3 with Malan at 5, Vince at 6 and Moeen at 7. I'd rather not have Vince in the side at all, but we can't just keep chopping and changing all the time. I'd have Hales in above him any day of the week.

Stoneman is a curious one. He looks seriously good at times but then gets out. He definitely deserves a longer chance, looks the best opening option we've had for a while. Just needs scores on the board. As for Root, you might as well write 50 on his shirt, add 50 to the scorecard and just not come out to bat at all.

 

[Leewilson]

We all knew that was coming today.

 

[SMH]

If the solution is to move Vince down to six then I’d rather him not play at all, play Hales or Foakes instead. We’ve got no chance anyway whilst two of our key players are totally out of form, our top batter can’t turn 50s into hundreds and our biggest gun player isn’t even in the bloody squad. This will be 5-0 mark my words.

 

[blademan89]

If the solution is to move Vince down to six then I’d rather him not play at all, play Hales or Foakes instead. We’ve got no chance anyway whilst two of our key players are totally out of form, our top batter can’t turn 50s into hundreds and our biggest gun player isn’t even in the bloody squad. This will be 5-0 mark my words.

Mark you're words, it's hardly like you're on your own in thinking it is it, 95% of people are expecting it. Who are the two top players out of form, cook and ? . Roots always been the same he's always got himself out between 50 and 100, he hasn't changed he's playing as he always does and will probably get a ton and a couple more 50s in the series. He's got 13 centuries I believe and something like 35 50s, if he converted just 25% more he would be the world's number one by a distance.