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

[KipperJohn]

Good to see the Ealhams get an honourable mention. Saw grandad Alan play for Kent a few times - terrific fielder who could throw on the full to the wicket keeper from long on/off. They were saying that the Oval playing area - like many others - was considerably bigger in those days.

[Durhamfootman]

I watched Mark Ealham hit Neil Killeen for 34 in an over in one of the very early T20 matches. Had he not hit the first ball in the over for 4 it could have been a maximum. This was so early in T20 history that it hadn't yet occurred to anyone to make the boundaries tiny to jazz up the six count for the telly. These sixes sailed over the stands

[Durhamfootman]

Can I assume that the Ealham's got an honourable mention because of boy George, as opposed to Boy George?

[Durhamfootman]

Ah.........

the Smith non-run out

certainly a close one..... Gary Pratt would have got him

[Arthur Crabtree]

It was out!

[Arthur Crabtree]

David Constant would have given it anyway.

[Durhamfootman]

It was out!

Nah...... Jonny Blameless *modded* it up

[Arthur Crabtree]

Had a poor day with the gloves. Great catch by Root, but he seemed surprised JB didn't go for it.

[GarlicJam]

Had a poor day with the gloves. Great catch by Root, but he seemed surprised JB didn't go for it.

that catch was the only highlight of the first session.

One of the very best I have seen. I had actually had the thought go through my head "that has gone between them", then Root just launches backwards to take a stunner.

I can't recall yelling in delight at someone catching an Australian out before.


Root more than saved Bairstow embarrassment.

[bigfluffylemon]

Well, another fluctuating day, another test with next to nothing in it after the first innings and a one innings shoot out for the final series narrative. Seems fitting, somehow.

Interesting that apart from England's effort at Old Trafford, there hasn't been a notably dominant or weak innings - lowest completed score is 224, second highest 416. Neither side has been able to bowl the other out cheaply or bat them out of the game. Suggests it'll be a tight one for the final reckoning.

England may be advantaged by bowling last, although without a spinner that advantage may be muted.

[alfie]

Nicely poised , again, eh ?

Thought England's bowlers did really well to work their way through the very patient Aussie batting on a pitch that was really pretty decent for batting though not the sort of road we saw at Lord's - thankfully ! If not for the Murphy cameo (where I think they did make a mistake in going to the short ball for that brief period instead of staying "orthodox") they'd have had a small lead. As it is , all just about square.

You'd normally fancy England from here with Australia batting last. But with Moeen injured and all the quicks with a lot of miles in their legs , I reckon they will need to not only make a solid second innings score but also try to bat a full day for once - to give those bowlers a bit of time with their feet up.

I'll call it still 50/50. Microcosm of the whole series ?

[bigfluffylemon]

Lead erased in one over.

[Arthur Crabtree]

40 in 5 overs. Slow over rate though.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Bit of a mixed series for Duckett. Ends it averaging 36. No hundreds, but had a few ok opening stands with Crawley.

Presume Mo can't bat higher than seven, given how long he was off the field.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Lunch, and another great session for England.