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

[sussexpob]

Australia survive....82 behind.

Two very enjoyable days cricket

[Durhamfootman]

I'm cross with England today.

They could have had Green for 0, but Bairstow missed a regulation stumping; they could have had Carey on 26, but Bairstow dropped him; the new ball comes around and Broad bowls Khawaja with a no ball. They could have been firing a new ball at the tail, maybe grab a 100 run first innings lead in preparation for a 3rd innings assault tomorrow, instead they might not even end up with a lead at all. By the time the Aussie tail comes in, they'll be facing a flat old ball instead of a shiny new one.

Australia have had some extraordinary luck in this first test match. All these lives, plus the flukish wicket of Brook as he was winding up. First tests can often dictate the pattern for the rest of the series and it feels to me as though England are gifting series control to an Australia side that looks a bit 'undercooked'. Instead of taking early control, it feels as though England are setting themselves up for the hard yards of trying to force wins later in the series when the Aussies are much more 'cooked'. Now was the time to stamp some authority on the series... test Australia's 'bottom' and it's been thrown away

I'm so cross I haven't even watched the highlights. I've seen clips of all the *modded* ups, and have no desire to watch them again

[alfie]

I can see why you are "cross" , DFM

I was quite depressed at 3.30am - the hour may have had something to do with that of course !

More soberly now : as Sussex says - two great days cricket. Is Australia on top ? They are if this pair and the tail can contrive to get a decent lead against an England team with some miles in their legs and a ball that is going to get older : but if England can close the innings out for around parity or even maintain a small lead then the disadvantage of batting last could tell against the visitors. Or it could rain a lot and mess everything up...

What's done is done of course ; but I agree England should be gutted at having squandered a potentially match winning lead with missed chances. Don't know about dictating patterns though : if anything the pattern being set was England pressing while Australia reacted - and uncharacteristically defensively for much of the time. Much depends on how both side play it from here - whether the deflating of morale in that wretched late session undermines England's resolve , or whether they shrug it off as just a bad patch , as they have generally done under Stokes/McCullum so far. Day three should tell us a lot.

Getting Warner Smith and Marnus for peanuts really should have set England up for a solid lead. Even the Head cameo , and Green's somewhat fortunate innings , left England still well on top. But the events of overs 80 and 81 sucked the air out of them and emboldened the Aussie bats. All of which is both concerning for this game - and paradoxically encouraging for the future as it shows Australia are as vulnerable as anyone - as long as you take your chances.

Which brings me to one serious concern : Bairstow has been out for ages with a bad injury. Doesn't seem to have hurt his batting at all ; but we saw as the day went on that not having much recent experience of lengthy spells behind the stumps (particularly standing up) has left him prone to concentration errors. A huge pity as he'd been keeping really well early on (top catch to bag Marnus) and those late mistakes may impact his confidence. Hope he can put it behind him because his lively enthusiasm behind the stumps is an important part of the jigsaw.

The bowling indeed battled to create chances on a placid track - as expected. But so did Australia's so I'm not going overboard on the "oh we haven't got any fast bowlers or mystery spinners" lament. They did create enough to restrain the Aussies despite missed chances , on a pitch which many thought would produce an easy 500 plus. If they have to bowl too long Sunday , and/or get called back out too soon second time around - trouble ! But waiting and watching for now.

Less confident than Friday night ; but still have a feeling there is a bit of 2005 about this : and that time the early blows were weathered in the end by Australia for a comfortable opening win. But we all remember how it turned out in the end...

[Arthur Crabtree]

if England can close the innings out for around parity or even maintain a small lead then the disadvantage of batting last could tell against the visitors. .

Maybe Aussies will be favourites even with parity as they have the better spinner.

Unexpected pressure on Mo to lead the attack, in the circumstances.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Game still nicely poised though.

[sussexpob]

I don't put no ball wickets down as lost chances, but Khawaja was just starting to look a little tired, and for a few overs had started to lazily prod at a few balls...Broad clanking his stumps was a slap in his face to wake him up, and did him a favour. The Baristow mistakes are about even for Aussie drops, the difference is Australia have cashed in slightly more, with Carey having potentially more to come. If Carry takes this score into a lead, Baristow might have played his last game this series.

[sussexpob]

The main point of criticism for me, rather than the drops, was Englands tactics. I thought the first session, England just looked to contain, and forced errors. Then as the morning wore on, they put Ali on with the field up to encourage strokes, and Australia have punished Mo. I'd have liked to see Mo have some more protection, he's got 2 wickets but they were bought really. Travis Head particularly will be upset with his wicket, he looked like he was just starting to tee up for a big one.

Like to see England go back to what they did early day 2. Cut the singles, bowl tight lines, stop Australia scoring.

[sussexpob]

Rain forecast after tea. And now day 5 looks a potential washout ... Wonder how aggressive Stokes and McCullum will be to win this game on day 3/4 if that forecast stays the same.

[Gingerfinch]

Why do we still have to wait till 11.00 to start a Cricket match? The sun is shining and rain due later!

To say who's going to win this game is like tossing a coin. As mentioned, Lyon could and probably will have a massive say.

[sussexpob]

Baristow drops another...

[Gingerfinch]

Baristow drops another...

I like Bairstow but have always been a 'play your best keeper' guy. Bairstow could perhaps open.

[sussexpob]

Carey edges wide of slip.... Couple of mistakes early doors, England need to make the pressure pay

[bigfluffylemon]

If England lose this they'll have themselves to blame. Missed chances, overly attacking declaration - they should be well on top but have gifted Australia too many runs.

[bigfluffylemon]

That's more like it. Cracking ball from Jimmy.

[sussexpob]

Andersonakes the breakthrough. Carey smacks him for a couple of boundaries, Anderson responds by clearing him up