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

[bigfluffylemon]

And There goes the series.

[sussexpob]

Doubt Australia will mind seeing the ball booming around. Broad and Anderson have the ball on a rope here, 3 overs in and we have seen 3-4 totally unplayable balls. Tough period for Australia to survive.

[Arthur Crabtree]

208-2---->325ao.

[alfie]

208-2---->325ao.

Interestingly , Australia went 316/3 ....>416ao.

So not dissimilar. And they donated a couple to Root to start the rot. But really , England were horribly wasteful last night. At 188/1 there was really no need to go after all the short balls as it was almost a last resort plan for Australia- with the spinner off and the pace men not threatening. Maybe I can excuse Pope for trying to impose himself ...but after Root got away with one immediately he came in it was surely wiser to back off for a few overs.

Frustrating because it looks now as if this is heading for 2-0 and the series virtually done , despite England having got themselves into strong positions in both matches , even against this tough opponent.

You have to make the most of your chances , I guess ...

[sussexpob]

Maybe I can excuse Pope for trying to impose himself ...

And then you see that shot, and forgiveness is impossible... I chuckled when it was shown again today.... one of the most audacious shots I can remember

[alfie]

Doubt Australia will mind seeing the ball booming around. Broad and Anderson have the ball on a rope here, 3 overs in and we have seen 3-4 totally unplayable balls. Tough period for Australia to survive.

One thing Warner and Khawaja have done well both innings : they have somehow managed to avoid edging the unplayable balls and give their team a start . Not dominating, as Crawley and Duckett rather did : but just as effective for the rest of the innings.

England needed something early today and they've not got it. As Pope injures that shoulder again this is all going awry...

[alfie]

Maybe I can excuse Pope for trying to impose himself ...

And then you see that shot, and forgiveness is impossible... I chuckled when it was shown again today.... one of the most audacious shots I can remember

KP loved it ! Guess if it had gone for six we all would have...

He didn't hit it quite as he wanted , in truth. But I won't shoot him because I think the fail was more in execution than intent . I suppose at 188/1 you have some kind of licence to attack. Wonder if that dodgy shoulder impacted his movement at all ?

[sussexpob]

Doubt Australia will mind seeing the ball booming around. Broad and Anderson have the ball on a rope here, 3 overs in and we have seen 3-4 totally unplayable balls. Tough period for Australia to survive.

One thing Warner and Khawaja have done well both innings : they have somehow managed to avoid edging the unplayable balls and give their team a start . Not dominating, as Crawley and Duckett rather did : but just as effective for the rest of the innings.

England needed something early today and they've not got it. As Pope injures that shoulder again this is all going awry...

I'd like to credit the approach, but I think it's wholly luck..A few of those balls directly before lunch you just do your best and pray it misses everything

[alfie]

Yes true. Lot of luck involved. I actually did intend to hint at that with the "managed to avoid " bit

But I suppose they deserve credit for not resorting to wild shots while under that pressure.

Ball still beating the bat since the change of bowlers. But England just can't take a trick today...the overcast skies are useful but the wickets just won't come...

[sussexpob]

He didn't hit it quite as he wanted , in truth. But I won't shoot him because I think the fail was more in execution than intent . I suppose at 188/1 you have some kind of licence to attack. Wonder if that dodgy shoulder impacted his movement at all ?

I am not sure Ollie Pope knew what he was doing, his left leg was outside the line of leg stump, his right outside off stump, he had all of his body facing the bowler, and was wielding the bat like a maniac.... As I said, in hindsight it was/is genuinely funny. It was like Ollie Pope adopted the spirit of William Wallace for a few seconds

At the time England were cruising, so yes... maybe we can cut Pope some more slack for the intent than the others. It was Brook trying to flat bat everything as England rapidly lost three wickets that was the most annoying.

[Arthur Crabtree]

This is where Stokes comes on and takes a rapid 5-fer and turns the series around....

[Arthur Crabtree]

Tongue breaks through. This isn't going to end well, but hopefully it won't be any more painful than it has to be.

[sussexpob]

Tongue breaks through. This isn't going to end well, but hopefully it won't be any more painful than it has to be.

Tongue and Broad might have to have a fight about whose bunny Warner is now, because he's really struggled to get bat on Tongue's in-ducker.....

[alfie]

Tongue breaks through. This isn't going to end well, but hopefully it won't be any more painful than it has to be.

Indeed hard to see a way for it to "end well" - for England anyway ! But what is more painful : a long drawn out torture ; a quick despatch- or having victory snatched away by the ninth wicket pair right at the death ?

Australia long odds on right now. But the way this has bobbled about I won't totally rule out England chasing down 370 on day five

[alfie]

England are certainly trying things. Bairstow up to the stumps to Anderson...nearly induced a chance then as Marnus hit that one in he air - but just out of reach.

You'd think they really have to bag a bunch of wickets over the next hour or two if they're to keep in the game at all. Khawaja just seems to be getting into gear so the window might be closing fairly soon.

Given the number of play and misses and near lbw calls they may be due a couple of lucky breaks ? One can hope...