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

[sussexpob]

Good test wicket this. Pace, bounce, shots get value, wickets are there.

Another gripping day. Sod the spirit of cricket discussions, this series has been providing top entertainment.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Stunning, spectacular bowling from Wood today. That first spell took me back to the horror of Mitch Johnson.

Often a problem for Wood is his spells get slower. Well, they did, but he was still hostile. Well done to him.

And Marsh, for pushing back with such assertiveness.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Dreadful shot by Head to get out.

And poor from Root in the slips.

[bigfluffylemon]

FFS.

STOP DROPPING CATCHES.

[bigfluffylemon]

I mean, really, when England lose this series (and let's face it, they will, maybe not this match, but they're not taking three in a row the way they're currently playing), for all the column inches that will be written about disputed dismissals and bazball tactics, had England simply held every chance that had come their way rather than dropped a bunch of sitters, there's a pretty high likelihood they'd be 2-0 up rather than 2-0 down right now.

These are supposed to be professional cricketers.

[bigfluffylemon]

Also, what is it about Mitch3 and England? He's a complete waste of space in the test side against every other team, hasn't played a test for years, and walks in and makes a hundred. His batting average v England is 52 with 3 hundreds in 12 innings, and his bowling average is 25 with an SR 40 v England.

Take out England, and his overall batting average against other teams is 20 and his bowling average 46.

Some players just live for beating England, it seems.

[Gingerfinch]

I mean, really, when England lose this series (and let's face it, they will, maybe not this match, but they're not taking three in a row the way they're currently playing), for all the column inches that will be written about disputed dismissals and bazball tactics, had England simply held every chance that had come their way rather than dropped a bunch of sitters, there's a pretty high likelihood they'd be 2-0 up rather than 2-0 down right now.

These are supposed to be professional cricketers.

I still reckon we can at least draw the series. Like you say, dropped catches have been the difference.

[Arthur Crabtree]

I got to accept England being steamrollered in the Ashes. That hasn't happened. Aussies haven't really been in control. England have the huge advantage of playing at home of course.

[sussexpob]

Great start...Root out straight away

[sussexpob]

England in a similar position to the Aussies. Need someone to step up like Marsh

[sussexpob]

Bairstow snicks off to second slip.... lead of 180 suddenly looks like an unpassable mountain. England's Ashes are hanging by a thread...

[Arthur Crabtree]

My expectation is that Mo will get 25 off 20 balls. Maybe he'll shock me by playing an innings like Marsh yesterday.

[Arthur Crabtree]

England playing post-bazball cricket is no guarantee they will put runs on the board.

[Durhamfootman]

I see the Aussies are at it again.... pushing the boundaries of the spirit of cricket

taking all their catches..... practically cheating.

maybe they've been sandpapering their hands to garner an unfair gripping advantage

[sussexpob]

Decent partnership brought to an end. Woakes comes out and is hitnin the head....concussion check needed