Cricket-Match-Special ... A forum for discussion

Not sure the Aussies will be very happy seeing those pictures of comparing the ball England had last night, to the ball they received after asking to be changed.

It very much appears like they swapped a 40 over old ball for a virtually new one

Might explain why the conditions suddenly feel a lot more lively

Wood has Marnus....

Woody and Woakesy do it again. If they get Smith the pressure is dumped right into the Aussies' lap.

Crawley seems to be catching better in this series.

Arthur Crabtree wrote:Woody and Woakesy do it again. If they get Smith the pressure is dumped right into the Aussies' lap.

Wood nearly had him there. Again, its that one targeting his pads as he shuffles across... never used to miss those, and he (just) got a scrape of bat on that, but I say it again... is Smith just starting to show his age now? He has looked weaker on that angled in ball this series.

Another before lunch is a must.

Might be more rain on the way.

Lunch. Despite the early wickets, the Aussie will be quite happy.

Arthur Crabtree wrote:Lunch. Despite the early wickets, the Aussie will be quite happy.

Started to move the game on too.... 146 in 2 sessions allows for normal, even defensive, cricket to get there if they lose wickets.

Cant complain much... England threw everything at them this morning.

sussexpob wrote:Wood has Marnus....

Stokes has Smith........ oh wait!

Durhamfootman wrote:

sussexpob wrote:Wood has Marnus....

Stokes has Smith........ oh wait!

What a strange event. From go to whoa.

Reading that Stokes dropped Smith while celebrating the wicket (off Mo I think)!

Certainly shades of Herschelle Gibbs, crossed with Shane Watson.

Quite honestly, I really don't know what he did. He jumped up, caught it, and then sort of underarm throws it out his hand for literally no reason. The commentators seemed to think it brushed his thigh as he cycled the arm through, but I am not sure even if it did, its the reason. I don't think its a celebration either, I think his arm just has momentum as he lands, and maybe the ball was right in the tips of his fingers?

One of the most bizarre moments I have ever seen on a cricket field.

I haven't seen it yet

Going to be an unpopular opinion, but I thought the Starc one was out, and while this is less clear cut, I think I'd have given that one too....

The rule says you need to be in control of your movements, and I interpret that as only applying to the moment his feet hit the ground after jumping. If we are to say movement of the arm that the ball is caught by means no control, then literally any clean catch will be invalid, because the arm will always be moving.

The movement in catching the ball was terminated when he hit the ground, the ball was secure.... I think thats out