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

[DiligentDefence]

Don't know why they don't just let Green wear himself out.

[sussexpob]

Ah bloody hell..... Duckett throws away his wicket on 98...

[sussexpob]

No word on Lyon yet, but it didn't look good. Could be the biggest point of the series if he's injured

[Arthur Crabtree]

So, Joe had a bit of luck. Out off a no ball.

Two out caught in the deep

[Arthur Crabtree]

England getting a kicking on BBC text commentary for their new method.

People want the positives without the negatives it seems.

[Arthur Crabtree]

No word on Lyon yet, but it didn't look good. Could be the biggest point of the series if he's injured

Todd Murphy. Another offie. Four Tests against India, 14 wickets at 25. Can't bat.

[sussexpob]

Roots gone now... this is Kamazake stuff this. Banging it short, England flaying at everything..... very very stupid.

If England think they can baseball hit Australia's short ball every single delivery, then they are dumb. There is positive, and there is idoiocy. England have blown the advantage with pathetic tactics.

[sussexpob]

Brooks dropped.... could be a big mistake

[Arthur Crabtree]

Aussies making a few mistakes.

That would have been a huge wicket. England only got JB1 then a big tail.

Another short ball.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Not a bad day for England. But with them batting last, the Aussies just ahead.

[sussexpob]

Not a bad day for England. But with them batting last, the Aussies just ahead.

Australia are likely a bowler down though, so will the day 4 advantage pay?

Happened to NZ twice last year....and England chased big

[Arthur Crabtree]

OK, if Lyon is out, that's a huge blow for the tourists.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Overcast all afternoon tomorrow, so maybe the weather will land right for England again.

[Arthur Crabtree]

I hope Vaughan is getting all his moaning out of the way early in the series because I'm close to going mute.

Like Geoff Boycott, but with 30 years left in the tank.

[bigfluffylemon]

Well, the first two sessions were exactly what England, and the series as a whole, needed. I'd have taken 416 all out if offered before the start of play given the overnight scoreline, and then England batted pretty well, and for once it was Australia's turn to make the errors.

The late wickets obviously have put things more in the balance. England still have the disadvantage of batting last, although if Lyon really is out of commission that disadvantage will be curtailed. Nonetheless, England are still 140 behind and really need a first innings lead of 50+ IMO to offset that 4th innings. Still a long way to go.

Were those last three wickets a case of taking the bazball rough with the smooth, or were they really as brain-farty as the press are making out? I didn't see the last session (3am here), so interested in the verdict of those who did. There's a huge difference between riding your luck with a bunch of chances and near misses going begging then the luck finally running out (which I'd argue is the bazball way), and being totally on top of the bowling and taking unnecessary risks (which is stupid however you cut it).