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

[sussexpob]

England will want to nip out Marnus quickly, because after a dud test he might be under some pressure to perform here

[Arthur Crabtree]

Raining again. Should be a late finish.

[Arthur Crabtree]

I don't think Bairstow should be grappling with protesters. Though it may go down well in the long room.

[sussexpob]

Tongue does the job again... 96/2

[GarlicJam]

Tongue is proving his selection was warranted.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Hit the stumps twice too.

[sussexpob]

Tongue is proving his selection was warranted.

Dont well so far. Just getting the ball to nibble enough to cause problems.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Now dismiss Smith and Labuschagne...

[sussexpob]

I don't think Bairstow should be grappling with protesters. Though it may go down well in the long room.

It's easy from the armchair to see they were two kids looking to create a little bit of publicity in peaceful means, but if I were on the field of play and two lads jumped the barrier and started sprinting towards me like a madman, I would be inclined to think the worst case scenario is a possibility, and would be prepared to defend myself. Players have been attacked recently in a lot of sports, in similar situations. I don't have any problem with Bairstow physically restraining the man and removing him.... the guy didn't react violently, and Bairstow was not violent in the way he did it.

[sussexpob]

Smith has flew out the blocks....

Oh but wait, he's been given caught behind... reviews

[sussexpob]

Not out. Massive gap, but there was sound passed the bat. Very strange.... can see why it was given, but clearly not out.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Seems to have slowed Smith down.

[sussexpob]

Seems to have slowed Smith down.

Marnus has woken up though.

England really wouldn't have envisioned this when choosing to bowl first. About the worst you'd have hoped for would be Australia 160/2 in the second session, with Marnus and Smith both on a solid start. Marnus was really twitchy when he first came in, but the quality and confidence is starting to flow. England need to get a handful of wickets before the close, because this is a decent bowling pitch, anything over 300 is going to feel pretty big for England

[sussexpob]

Another review, this time for Marnus... big moment in the game. Another leave, another one that seams back. Been given out on field.....looked high.

Gets away with it.... then adds insult to Broads injury by slapping him to the boundary

[GarlicJam]

Interesting, that last review. It looked a very obvious bat then pad on first viewing, then each replay using ultra edge made it look more and more pad first.

I think the right decision was made.