Fourth Ashes Test: Old Trafford, 4-8 September.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Big day today. I don't suppose England can win so can they bat three sessions with eight wickets in credit? Probably not, but it is possible if they go about it sensibly and sell every wicket dearly. But you can't keep on making the same heavy demands at the end of games, the pressure becomes too much. I'm expecting England to lose in the middle session.

[yuppie]

Today will certainly test my destiny theory.....

[Arthur Crabtree]

Good start for England.

Omens are good for them Given that most England bats will make a score of 40-60 when absolutely on the point of being dropped after a long period of low scores, there should be plenty of resistance from the top seven.

[Durhamfootman]

not going so well, then

With Stokes out cheaply, Aussies will be feeling very confident. Denly hanging in there, but the rest will crumple like a paper bag.

With no runs in 9, 10, 11, and a newbie at 8 it's up to Denly, YJB and Jos to bat for 2 sessions, which won't happen.

Arthur's mid afternoon prediction is looking very astute, atm

[Durhamfootman]

I wouldn't be surprised to see Gentle Ben missing the Oval. I reckon his shoulder means that with the ashes gone his series is now over. He's had to work himself into the ground in the last 3 tests on top of a gruelling WC and I think it's finally caught up with him. Well done Stokesy, but the rest let you down

[westoelad]

I wouldn't be surprised to see Gentle Ben missing the Oval. I reckon his shoulder means that with the ashes gone his series is now over. He's had to work himself into the ground in the last 3 tests on top of a gruelling WC and I think it's finally caught up with him. Well done Stokesy, but the rest let you down

Totally agree but perhaps a run out with his home county for the last 3 games just to keep him ticking over.

[Durhamfootman]

yeah, right. The only time FTECB ever send any Durham players back is when they're injured

it would be good if Australia sent Bangers back, though. Handscomb could easily carry drinks at the Oval

Denly gone

the two JB's appear to be playing sensibly, for once

although that's bound to change now that I've mentioned it

[Durhamfootman]

not that it matters, of course

England's goose is cooked

[Arthur Crabtree]

JB1 goes. Not a lot left now.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Four wickets for Starc, so he's played a part even if looking sub-par.

[Durhamfootman]

as soon as I saw you posted, I knew YJB had perished

I don't know how I knew, but I did

England won't make it to the new ball, just for a change.

it was suggested that the pitch was still okay to bat on (I don't know if that's true), but England simply don't have it in them to bat all day to save a test. Some don't have the technique to do it and others, the mental capacity

different at Headingley......... they felt they were in a position to win that (even if they were probably a bit optimistic in that), but they knew this match could only be saved or lost and that makes a huge difference to this team

[westoelad]

What further evidence is required that Bairstow is not a test match batsman?

[Durhamfootman]

Buttler at least seems to be trying (in both innings) in this test, but then he is playing for his test career, of course, in the build up to contract renewals

[Durhamfootman]

What further evidence is required that Bairstow is not a test match batsman?

a little unfair.... not many of this team are

and they are now being asked to bat differently from every other match they've played in the last 4 years, so nobody should be surprised

[westoelad]

What further evidence is required that Bairstow is not a test match batsman?

a little unfair.... not many of this team are

and they are now being asked to bat differently from every other match they've played in the last 4 years, so nobody should be surprised

Burns and Denly are showing evidence of listening, learning and adapting and improving. Butler is hinting likewise. Bairstow clearly isn't and he's had a lot more opportunities to do it.