Second Ashes Test, Lord's, 14-18 August.

[alfie]

Reckon that spell from Archer showcased the best way to use him. He has pace and stamina ...but right now probably less effective with the new ball as his length and general movement in to the right hander are better suited to the bouncier tracks (will be interesting to see him in Australia next tour !).
More sense to use Woakes at the start and save Archer for the follow up spell.

Mind you he doesn't seem to have been too fatigued by all the donkey work

[sussexpob]

Having watched the replay, I'm surprised he still has a head

[mikesiva]

Thats what i thought, i could not hear booing. But there is some messages that there was.

I heard a few boos. Very few. A small minority. But the vast majority applauded.

[alfie]

Cummins and Siddle resisting the new ball well...

Well they were

Fine away movement from Woakes snares Siddle

And...here comes Smith again !

Quick recovery .

[alfie]

...and immediately going after Woakes ! Dramatic re-entry.

I think there is method in that. He wants to get Woakes off - or at least off his game. Knows he is the danger man with this new ball.

[sussexpob]

I'd get archer back on and instruct him everything goes to the body. Let's see if Smith fancies it

[alfie]

I'd get archer back on and instruct him everything goes to the body. Let's see if Smith fancies it

No need . Woakes did the job

Glad Root held his nerve.

[alfie]

In any case Smith has seen his team to within 24 runs of England - and two men left. Game remains well open still though you'd fancy the draw from here as the pitch isn't playing too many tricks yet.

Warne being unduly harsh on Roy then...he was at full stretch and just got a hand on it. Saved a four I reckon...

[mikesiva]

I'd get archer back on and instruct him everything goes to the body. Let's see if Smith fancies it

No need . Woakes did the job

Glad Root held his nerve.

Archer arguably had an assist with that wicket.

I wonder if Smith will be the same batsman in the second innings.

[alfie]

I'd get archer back on and instruct him everything goes to the body. Let's see if Smith fancies it

No need . Woakes did the job

Glad Root held his nerve.

Archer arguably had an assist with that wicket.

I wonder if Smith will be the same batsman in the second innings.

Oh indeed. Not surprised he was a bit less assured after that knock on the head !

But my primary point there is that Root really needs to use Woakes at the optimum time : ie when the ball is new. He has rather failed to do so too often in both these Tests . Not sure why ?

[sussexpob]

Have England found a chink in Smith? Is it going to be fast and short from archer the moment he arrives now?

[alfie]

The second innings will indeed be interesting . I imagine Archer will be unleashed with the short stuff pretty early when Smith comes in...and how he handles it may be significant for the rest of the series.

Leach on now...

And an lbw ? Pending review...that's out ! Just a "hopeful" review from Lyon ...'cos they had one.

Fair reward for some decent bowling from Leach today.

[sussexpob]

I'll review the highlights later, but it sounds like a hell of a vicious spell from archer. Touching 97mph. Didn't think he was capable of that speed, it's only in recent times he's been upgraded to fast rather than fast medium..when he first arrived at Sussex he wasn't express pace

[alfie]

I'll review the highlights later, but it sounds like a hell of a vicious spell from archer. Touching 97mph. Didn't think he was capable of that speed, it's only in recent times he's been upgraded to fast rather than fast medium..when he first arrived at Sussex he wasn't express pace

He was really cranking it up ! Seemed to be a lot faster than yesterday : slightly surprising after all the work he'd done. Whether he can back that up second innings we will have to wait and see ...but whatever the speed gun says that was seriously consistent heat today.


Broad finishes the job...narrow lead to England. Nothing really..but better than being fifty runs behind as many were fearing...

Whatever happens from here , this series still looks very much Smith v England (I know the Aussie bowling is good , yes of course. But you know what I mean)

[sussexpob]

Finely poised test match this. Shame the time is running out for a result