The Ashes; Melbourne

[yuppie]

England seem to have something about them in this test, with many players out to prove their critics wrong.

With strong batting to come, i think England should be confident about tomorrow. The question should be asked as to why they wasted the second new ball against M Marsh at the WACA last week. Bowled beautifully this morning to the Aussie tail on a slow pitch. If they had not bowled half volleys last week to M Marsh things might well be very different now in this series.

[Durhamfootman]

lose 2 early wickets, watch the last 6 wickets fall for their usual 35 runs... all out for 250. It's bound to happen

[Arthur Crabtree]

I've been predicting an England comeback at the MCG all week.

Maybe Mitch2's absence helped.

Can't really be too critical of what has been a competent performance so far.

[yuppie]

lose 2 early wickets, watch the last 6 wickets fall for their usual 35 runs... all out for 250. It's bound to happen

You have been pretty accurate so far DF, you're due a failure:)))

[GarlicJam]

lose 2 early wickets, watch the last 6 wickets fall for their usual 35 runs... all out for 250. It's bound to happen

Stop trying to jinx the expected.

[Durhamfootman]

I would like to think I'm trying to reverse jinx it, but really it just seems inevitable

[Durhamfootman]

as GJ has so correctly pointed out

[GarlicJam]

you all know you want that collapse. You are much happier when England is losing.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Especially with Stoneman in the team.

[Durhamfootman]

It would be worse if it was Durham doing the losing

[backfootpunch]

Joe root is wasting his talent

Getting very frustrating watching him cruise past 50 then get himself out

His record should be like Steve Smith's

But he gets himself out over and over again and it's been going on for pretty much 2 years

[Athertonian]

Joe root is wasting his talent

Getting very frustrating watching him cruise past 50 then get himself out

His record should be like Steve Smith's

But he gets himself out over and over again and it's been going on for pretty much 2 years

Totally agree.

I believe he’s put too much emphasis on the praise he used to get for keeping things moving, not wasting balls, and is reluctant or maybe now incapable of knuckling down and playing dot balls.

[GarlicJam]

Well, that was bizarre.

Malan gets given out lbw after he got a very healthy edge onto his pads. He discusses the review with Cook, and they decide not to - despite not having used the DRS this innings.

I can understand with Vince's edge yesterday being such a fine nick, but this was a visible reflection.

Talk about giving away your wicket.

[Athertonian]

Why didn't Cook take a lead in those two discussions and encourage the two batsmen to ask for reviews?

[alfie]

Why didn't Cook take a lead in those two discussions and encourage the two batsmen to ask for reviews?

Presumably , like the umpire , did not clock the edge...which is actually very easy at speed. Perhaps with two reviews left Malan could have tried anyway as the impact might have been in the umpires call area ...

I still find it extraordinary that a batsman can't feel that on his bat : not as if he hit the ground at the same time or anything...just weird.