The Ashes Thread - Cricket

[DavidM]

Funny how often Bancroft finds himself on fielding short leg as someone mysteriously has to go off ? I know we do it as well but I wish they’d stop this players going on and off regularly . It’s a two hour or so session if you’re meant to be out there you should be out there all the time . Bowlers bowl a spell and next thing they’re sitting on the balcony having a drink . Way to much of that , umpires should stop guys going off unless there’s bad injury ( which it isn’t most times )  . Always a sub on nowadays for someone 

[DavidM]

And in shock other news ... Root gets another 50 . Whereas Smith sees it as just getting his eye in 

[ckn]

A few short overs and the game changes entirely. 

Roy starts by batting like he’s in the last 5 overs of a one day match with 6 wickets to spare. 

[DavidM]

Not only is their bowling threatening , they rarely give you anything . One after another backing each other up . Just feels a squeeze . Even when you’re not losing wickets you feel a threat and you’re not really going anywhere . We’ve been 300 and odd behind for ages . Fine bowling unit ... Cummins and Lyon as change when ours were Overton and Stokes

[DavidM]

Well Jason , you’ve been an asset son. Shut the door on your way out 

[Denton Rovers RLFC]

looks like the weather is going to save England.

[Trevorkfevfan]

Bit of a test for the Kiwi "Englands best batsman" credentials on Saturday!

[phiggins]

10 hours ago, Denton Rovers RLFC said:

looks like the weather is going to save England.

Forecast to be dry for next two days

[phiggins]

14 hours ago, DavidM said:

Well Jason , you’ve been an asset son. Shut the door on your way out 

When the opposition get 500, it just highlights even more how you can’t have Roy, Bairstow and Buttler in the team. Two wickets and you’re into the one day specialists.

Need genuine batsmen in the top 5 that can set a game up for 6,7,8 to play with some freedom. Likes of sibley and pope must wonder what they have to do to get in the team 

[DavidM]

England onto 217 and go past Steve Smith 

[DavidM]

This was very good I thought

 

[DavidM]

Starc could write you a note saying he was gonna bowl that and you’d still have no chance . This is some serious bowling line up

[ckn]

1 hour ago, DavidM said:

Starc could write you a note saying he was gonna bowl that and you’d still have no chance . This is some serious bowling line up

You’d have to be a far better batsman than our tail enders to get out to some of the balls he’s been putting down since that wicket! Almost untouchable 

[17 stone giant]

How's the weather looking in Manchester for later and tomorrow?

This is going to be a slow and lingering sporting death, isn't it?

Or maybe not that slow, if we collapse in our second innings.

[DavidM]

Crowds gave been great this series , and you can tell by their cheering of any little thing they’re desperate to get into it , but bar a couple of hours at Leeds we haven’t  given them any reason to really get going . 

By the way , I’m not his biggest fan but the jeering of Lyon every ball is getting tedious 

[17 stone giant]

15 minutes ago, DavidM said:

Crowds gave been great this series , and you can tell by their cheering of any little thing they’re desperate to get into it , but bar a couple of hours at Leeds we haven’t  given them any reason to really get going . 

By the way , I’m not his biggest fan but the jeering of Lyon every ball is getting tedious 

Hopefully it will end after this innings and not re-emerge for the 2nd innings. I guess it was a bit of fun to begin with, but it's probably run its course now.

Not that I would imagine Lyon cares too much, given that he's probably going to be an Ashes winner by the end of tomorrow.

And, yes, you're right about the crowds and just the general wider interest too. People love the Ashes and it's been a great summer overall for cricket in England. It's just a shame that we haven't been quite good enough as yet - or maybe it's just that Steve Smith is an absolute freak.

[DavidM]

2 minutes ago, 17 stone giant said:

Steve Smith is an absolute freak.

Indeed , I don’t think there’s any other description . You here all kinds of endless analysis about the importance of technique , but you could argue he turns all that on  its head . Just him . He barely has a recognisable technique . There was one shot in his knock when he had both legs apart square on , toes pointing down the pitch and he flayed it through cover . Barely believable . Must be just immense natural talent , desire to bat and hand eye coordination . Must say I’ve seen nothing like him . Kohli is brilliant and orthodox , Smith is just brilliant 

[DavidM]

Opening partnership of 200 though ! That’s the crying shame . 

[Futtocks]

Warner has become Broad's bunny. And sometimes we have to take what consolation we can, under the circumstances.

In conclusion: ho ho ho.

[DavidM]

Fair send off there for Labuschagne . I don’t think they like him to much with his swaggering around gum chewing style .... which he always spits on to the field when he’s out

[DavidM]

1 minute ago, 17 stone giant said:

Talking of Jack Leach, Australia must be growing increasingly concerned by their inability to get him out. I make that three times in four innings that they've failed to dislodge him.

He's rapidly turning into our version of Smith, give or take a few runs.

He should be above broad for starters

[DavidM]

13 minutes ago, Futtocks said:

Well, you know the saying about getting all your ducks in a row?

Basically, Broad is Gorden Tallis and Warner is Brett Hodgson.

He’s looked a happy soul in this series anyway . All smiley and jovial playing along with the crowd .Maybe being too nice ?? The old Warner flayed the bowling 

[Futtocks]

7 minutes ago, DavidM said:

He’s looked a happy soul in this series anyway . All smiley and jovial playing along with the crowd .Maybe being too nice ?? The old Warner flayed the bowling 

Smiling on the outside dot dot dot

[Trevorkfevfan]

Smith seems to be having a go. They don't have to score many more to put this out of Englands reach!

 

[DavidM]

3 minutes ago, Trevorkfevfan said:

Smith seems to be having a go. They don't have to score many more to put this out of Englands reach!

 

Which makes Roots captaincy even stranger . Leach comes on and we’ve men everywhere . So what role are you asking him to play ? You’re not containing them now . I just don’t rate Root as a captain tbh