The Ashes: Australia in England 16th Jun - 31 July

[captaincolly]

Heavy rain overnight and showers during the day. So maybe on and off. Seems to clear up for a bit around tea time.

Of course, it might not actually rain at all.

Yes!
That little spell yesterday when they got 20 minutes or so between the rain suggests that any cloud cover will make batting tricky. But I suppose the inevitably attacking fields open up the possibility of quick scoring and the target could come down quickly.
I'm not sure how much use the Sky win predictor is, but after the third wicket, it was something like 56% in favour of England.
TMS commentators responsibile for Warner's wicket, they were saying how good he looked and a big score would be so important in terms of his own career and the series....out next ball!

[captaincolly]

Atherton got Warner out in the first innings saying he looked solid against India and again today- out immediately...then as Marnus was coming in he was talking about the number one ranking...
So between them Sky and the BBC have had at least 3 wickets.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Probably England not quite going to get to the new ball, which may be a factor. Another 50 runs would have been crucial for that reason.

[captaincolly]

Probably England not quite going to get to the new ball, which may be a factor. Another 50 runs would have been crucial for that reason.

Yes. Vaughan was saying if England shade it the Australian tactics this morning of keeping the field back and allowing singles will come under scrutiny. Or if Australian win questions will be asked about the declaration. Probably right although I thought it was a fair enough decision to sacrifice what probably wouldn't have been many more runs in order to get a few overs at the openers. Although he surely wouldn't have done it if England had been 5 or 6 down.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Good stuff- thanks! I'll watch the highlights later, though I FF through the between sessions analysis.

[Durhamfootman]

Atherton got Warner out in the first innings saying he looked solid against India and again today- out immediately...then as Marnus was coming in he was talking about the number one ranking...
So between them Sky and the BBC have had at least 3 wickets.

still doesn't compensate for all YJB's blunders

[captaincolly]

Atherton got Warner out in the first innings saying he looked solid against India and again today- out immediately...then as Marnus was coming in he was talking about the number one ranking...
So between them Sky and the BBC have had at least 3 wickets.

still doesn't compensate for all YJB's blunders

No. Very ropey performance behind the stumps. Wonder if it's rustiness or if the injury is hampering him.

[Durhamfootman]

or if he just isn't anything more than a very basic keeper on a very good day

[bigfluffylemon]

Well, for whatever the flaws of the two sides' tactics, this has certainly not been a dull or one-sided encounter. One day left and it's still pretty close - neither side has managed to gain a decisive hold on this game at any point. Arguably England should be further ahead with all the wickets they've gifted and chances gone begging.

I have Australia ahead here - 270 doesn't feel like that much on a pitch that's still fine and with England having a dodgy spin option. But the cloud has made a massive difference - when it's murky, the ball has moved, so the forecast for tomorrow can only favour England - good bowling conditions, the possibility of being on again, off again, and Australia may have to take risks if they want to beat the weather.

Feels like this is the case every morning of every test match, but a couple of quick wickets early doors and it throws the game wide open.

[alfie]

Atherton got Warner out in the first innings saying he looked solid against India and again today- out immediately...then as Marnus was coming in he was talking about the number one ranking...
So between them Sky and the BBC have had at least 3 wickets.

still doesn't compensate for all YJB's blunders

No. Very ropey performance behind the stumps. Wonder if it's rustiness or if the injury is hampering him.

Suspect the rustiness the main culprit. But a bit odd in that he kept very tidily against Ireland and started this one well (Labuschagne catch was a ripper !) I fancy that missed stumping spooked him more than it ought (any keeper can miss the odd one) ; because I thought his usually exuberant body language went down - and surely that loss of confidence contributed to the later errors.

Better hope he gets his mojo back quickly because I don't see them making any kneejerk changes overnight.

By the way forget about BBC and Sky curses getting wickets . I claim credit for the late England batting revival , having posted in another place that all was lost when Stokes departed

[Arthur Crabtree]

Forecast has cleared a little overnight. A period without rain after lunch, though still cloudy.

[alfie]

Really hard to call this last day's prospects. How much play will actually be possible , for a start ? If it is , say , just 45 overs ; do Australia make a dash for it and not worry if they lose some quick wickets ?

Assuming reasonable time for completion , we have a very gettable but by no means easy chase of 174 with still 4 proper batsman left : and a somewhat weakened bowling attack against them - all suggesting a likely Australian win. But since it is still a fifth day pitch and conditions should be overcast and presumably better for bowling - plus a noisy home crowd - I reckon this is pretty much an even contest. Couple of early wickets (and there is a night watchman at the crease) might send jitters through the batting team's dressing room ; and we all know how tricky these chases can get even when the target gets quite close...

It's been a terrific Test Match anyway. I fear whoever ends up losing will generate a lot of criticism for selections/tactics/unforced errors , etc ; but I hope it is seen overall as primarily another advertisement for the best form of cricket...however it ends up.

Glad my whisky supply is ready to hand...

[Arthur Crabtree]

Maybe the sort of viewing that goes better with valium!

[alfie]

Maybe the sort of viewing that goes better with valium!

[Gingerfinch]

England will fancy getting a few if the clouds stay around and I think that is almost certain.