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

England's top order really hasn't been firing, but the way they've come back to win from poor positions more than once rather justifies the hype. Good series.

Let's hope the top order finally gets going for the finale.

Remarkable match. In truth it was a seriously tricky pitch to bat on : in retrospect it is apparent that the Finch/Labuschagne stand was something of an aberration - partly due to Rashid choosing the night to have a rare off day with the ball. And on this occasion it paid England to bat first : their ninth wicket pair were able to add the vital runs that completely eluded the Australian tail under the pressure of a chase.
Morgan once again handled the situation with his usual coolness ; and his four seamers repaid his faith. Australians will be shattered to have lost in that manner (much like the t20 collapse) but I've no doubt they'll be back up to fight on Wednesday.

Highly entertaining stuff - and one more to enjoy

I rather got the impression from the Morgan interview that England have identified coping with tricky pitches as a weakness and have specifically requested them for this series. Something only a captain thoroughly certain about his position would have the luxury of doing

I enjoyed the highlights of this match. Tbh, I tend to prefer the low scoring matches to the high scoring affairs

Durhamfootman wrote:I rather got the impression from the Morgan interview that England have identified coping with tricky pitches as a weakness and have specifically requested them for this series. Something only a captain thoroughly certain about his position would have the luxury of doing

I enjoyed the highlights of this match. Tbh, I tend to prefer the low scoring matches to the high scoring affairs

Not only sure of his captaincy should be guaranteed head white ball coach when he retires from playing.

I noticed that someone on the crapinfo live commentary was suggesting that Morgan should have got POM for his captaincy in that match. Hard to argue against really

Wood comes in for Sam. Still no Mo.

Aussies look unchanged.

England bat and Roy out off the first ball from Mitch2!

Great start for Aus in number three. I turn it on to see the first ball.

One delivery later, and Starc is sitting on a hattrick...

Root off the next!

Hat-trick...

I think a platinum duck if you're out off the first ball of the innings? Or match. Either way looks like Roy got one.

Arthur Crabtree wrote:Root off the next!

Hat-trick...

Not today.

According to TMS, Vaas took one on the first three balls of an ODI v BD in the 2013 WC.

Not sure what Root was thinking of playing a booming drive first ball

Jason Roy looked rather stodgy when he played that square cut, he often seems rather vulnerable on the 1st ball. Either he is not sighting the ball or is feeling rather jaded.

Great recovery from Morgs and JB1.

Morgs goes. JB2 could do with a few runs.

Apparently England have lost two for none at the start of an innings 13 times in various types of Internationals. But today was the first case ever of them doing so to the first two balls.

Bit of a recovery since ; but losing Morgan and Buttler to rather careless shots has put them in a rather precarious spot - though the run rate isn't bad. 148/4 after 28...

Hundred partnership for Johnny and Posh Sam. Off 18 overs, so quite sedate, but they were batting after a couple of wickets.