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

[Gingerfinch]

What's the plan, declare tonight with a 100 run lead?

[sussexpob]

What's the plan, declare tonight with a 100 run lead?

Surely you don't want to bat again. You have put as many on the board as possible and try to win by an innings. Wouldn't consider a declaration unless I have a lead of 200-300

[Arthur Crabtree]

I think they'll declare tonight an hour before the close...

Last two days look like washouts, and tomorrow looks patchy. They need to get the Aussies in.

[Gingerfinch]

What's the plan, declare tonight with a 100 run lead?

Surely you don't want to bat again. You have put as many on the board as possible and try to win by an innings. Wouldn't consider a declaration unless I have a lead of 200-300

Rain due all day for the last two days though isn't it? if so, you can't waste that much time.

[Durhamfootman]

good session for England. 178 runs scored. I'd be more impressed if I hadn't watched Bedingham and Robinson score virtually the same number of runs in the afternoon session of day 2 against Glamorgan a month ago, but as test match sessions go, this was a good 'un. Of course Bedders and Robbo were playing county cricket so they had 32 overs of batting time, not 25 overs like you get with international sides when the fees to watch require punters to take out a second mortgage. The only redeeming factor for Australia's appalling over rate, is that if it had been England bowling, the session would probably only have seen 23 overs bowled

Still.... it will have been an entertaining 25 overs

[Durhamfootman]

Hard to see how England will get a 100 run declaration lead. Australia will surely slow the bowling down even further in the last session to try and get Stokes to throw the match away with a desperation declaration

[Durhamfootman]

as it happens, Durham have just scored 172 runs in the session this afternoon against Derbys. Of course this was a 35 over session to make up for the slower start this morning..... amateurs.... you won't find international cricket doing anything to make up lost overs from tardy over rates

[Gingerfinch]

Hard to see how England will get a 100 run declaration lead. Australia will surely slow the bowling down even further in the last session to try and get Stokes to throw the match away with a desperation declaration

30 overs left. Score 120 and it’s pretty close. Gives them 7-8 overs to hopefully pinch a wicket

[alfie]

Not going to bowl Australia out for 150 on this pitch. So make as many as you can tonight while their bowlers are out on their feet.

If it rains for two and half days nothing you can do anyway...just have to hope there is enough play to finish the job over the last three days. Put them under maximum scoreboard pressure, I reckon. Also gives England's bowlers a decent rest for once.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Wondering if Crawley might be close to a record fast double ton. For an England bat anyway.

[alfie]

And just in passing , probably time for us to admit that McCullum , in disagreeing with most of us about picking Crawley, is having the last laugh !

[alfie]

Wondering if Crawley might be close to a record fast double ton. For an England bat anyway.

Already the 4th best 150 for England , I understand.

[Durhamfootman]

And just in passing , probably time for us to admit that McCullum , in disagreeing with most of us about picking Crawley, is having the last laugh !

ah well... no complaints from me. Even before today he'd had a pretty good, if unspectacular series. Not aware that he's dropped many catches either

Even the Mo at 3 punt came off today, so they're doing everything they can to snatch the series back

[Durhamfootman]

oh dear.... I think we jinxed him

sorry Zak

[Arthur Crabtree]

Crawley throws it away....

I expect MPV is saying.