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

[Arthur Crabtree]

Aussie tail not too hot v the short ball.

[Arthur Crabtree]

just looking at a ball-by-ball of the England interrupted second innings so far, it looks like Bazball has been put on the backburner for a moment.

Couldn't hit the ball.

[bigfluffylemon]

England in 'going in to ashes underprepared carrying injured/out of form players' shocker.

They never learn.

[alfie]

Sudden weather interventions really changed the odds around there...

England's much maligned group of "ageing medium pacers" managed to make short work of the Australian tail and secure a nominal lead . As DFM says , but for a couple of WK errors and a careless overstep they probably would have led by 100. So much for the theory on day one that this was really a "500 pitch" !

But it was/is still a good one for batting and the way Crawley and Duckett started again (with that peculiarly defensive Aussie field setting) it was looking like a strong advantage for the home side ... until that confounded rain break. Really bad luck for the batsmen to have to go out again for one of those awful mini-sessions in which you have no chance of scoring anything useful but can only get out. And get out they did. Terrific bowling from the Australian pair - and a wonderful catch by Green. Root will be happy to have survived in those conditions.

So I have Australia just ahead in the game : if they can break through early on resumption things might get ugly for England. If Root and his pals can settle in and score at their usual clip though that lead could build quickly - and possibly have everyone once again indulging in that popular exercise for keyboard experts : When to Declare

More bad weather due Tuesday I understand so any potential declaration choice might indeed be tricky. But that's getting ahead of myself. Three days have been up and down so Monday could bring anything ...

[alfie]

England in 'going in to ashes underprepared carrying injured/out of form players' shocker.

They never learn.

Referring to Moeen , BFL ?

To be honest I thought he bowled reasonably well before that finger problem messed him up. Two big wickets , could /should have had a third. Went for runs of course but so did Lyon. I wasn't in favour of his call up but considering he had to bowl a huge % of the overs I reckon he did better than expected.

Problem is going to be the second innings. Assuming England can set some sort of serious target , you'd think fifth day play would call for a fair bit of work from the spinners - and not sure you'd want to put too much of that on Root. That finger is surely going to make Moeen's work painful and likely less than truly effective . Which is one of the reasons why I have Australia ahead on points.

Why don't England players learn to get concussed instead of these other afflictions ? I'm sure Rehan Ahmed would be happy to sub himself in

[sussexpob]

England's much maligned group of "ageing medium pacers" managed to make short work of the Australian tail and secure a nominal lead . As DFM says , but for a couple of WK errors and a careless overstep they probably would have led by 100. So much for the theory on day one that this was really a "500 pitch" !

There was probably too much for the spinners to call it 500 pitch, I said on day 1 it looked a 400 all out type wicket, and that has proven to be fairly accurate. But I do ask myself, how many batters left runs out in the middle and got out to balls they shouldnt have? By memory, I will give Crawley his first innings nick, because that lifted off the deck a little more than other balls and was in the channel. I would give Carey his ball from Anderson. The rest of the full time batsman will be disappointed how they got out.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Why not start at 10.30?

Close of play 30m later today.

With heavy rain forecast all day tomorrow, hard to see a result unless England collapse.

[sussexpob]

Well, 5 balls in and the intention from Root is clear... not going to be blocking.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Presume England aim to be bowling today.

If it doesn't rain all day tomorrow, should at least be overcast, so a bowling day.

[sussexpob]

Cummins bowls a cracker to Pope...inswinger knocks out Pope

[bigfluffylemon]

Aussies have the ball moving this morning. Cummins got quite a big in shape against Pope, who never quite looked comfortable.

Tricky period here. The Aussie commentators are doing their best to put the mockers on Joe.

[bigfluffylemon]

How many will be enough? Mo went for a hatfull even before injury, I wouldn't have much confidence in him even on a deteriorating wicket.

Have a feeling Stokes will look at the rain and declare too early. England will have a lead of 300 by tea if they keep scoring at the current rate and don't collapse, but batting doesn't look too easy at the moment. Can see a few more wickets being gifted through over attacking here.

[sussexpob]

Aussies have the ball moving this morning. Cummins got quite a big in shape against Pope, who never quite looked comfortable

Cummins just got one to seam a good way back into Brook then too.... Cummins bowling well

[sussexpob]

Root tries to hit Lyon to another county... misses the ball, stumped.

[bigfluffylemon]

Again.

Why do they keep gifting wickets to Lyon by trying to get after him? It doesn't often work.