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

[Durhamfootman]

I see Stokes came in at 3. I'm guessing that's because Mo was off the field all day yesterday. It'll be interesting to see how he gets on

Crawley seems to have killed off the argument about his place.

[bigfluffylemon]

Crawley back to top run scorer in the series - will be between him and Usman for the honour I think, barring some ridiculous score from Smith, Brook or Root. And this is the most runs by an England opener in a home Ashes after 5 tests since Tim Robinson in 1985 - and if Crawley gets another 12, it will be the most for an England opener since John Edrich in the 1950s.

Who had money on Crawley being top run getter? Not me, that's for sure.

Couldn't be going much better for England this morning. Good batting conditions. How many do they need?

[Arthur Crabtree]

Depends on how much rain there is. The forecast is better than Manchester, but it still looks wet. I guess they'll look for 400. But a long way to go. Taking risks means they could collapse quickly.

Supposed to be sunny today, so maybe best batting conditions of the Test.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Oops. A little wobble there. I think I heard Anderson say they would look for a 350 lead, so he must feel there's something in the surface.

My quick glimpse on the highlights looked like there are islands of green grass all over the pitch. Which suggests bounce will become an issue.

Honest Joe needs to weigh in with a ton here.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Crawley finishes the series with 480 runs at 53. He's had a good share of luck, but he feels like one of the players who most turned the series around at 2-0 down, with Woakes and Wood.

OK, England could still easily lose 3-1, but to this point, there has been a sharp edge and optimism to England's cricket since Lord's.

Stokes...45.
Brook...40

[Arthur Crabtree]

Hundred partnership for the plucky Yorkshiremen.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Joe ends up averaging 52. Not bad but only one hundred makes it a slightly disappointing series for the smiling South Yorkshireman. But if you add his six wickets filling in for Moeen's absences, and usually reliable catching then he's an outside bet for player of the series.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Bairstow goes, another of many in the series to perish on the fringes of a hundred. 322 runs at 40.

Difficult to judge the two keepers in competition with each other. Bairstow has been very poor behind the stumps, and at his worst when the outcome of the Ashes was still alive. Though Carey has been better, he has still missed a few and looked sloppy. And his batting has been disappointing after a good start. Though he may still win the Test tomorrow.

They will be remembered in this series most for clashing over the run out/stumping at Lord's.

[sussexpob]

Australia will be doing the rain dance again, as 350-400 is a really tough ask

[Arthur Crabtree]

Woakes- 26 with the bat. Handy, but he's sold himself short at times by going down swinging, when he's a classy strokeplayer.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Dismal series for Mo. Unfortunate to be injured, but it has made him usually absent when needed most. More runs than expected, so he has made some contribution, but they always felt like an unreliable bonus. 180 runs at 25.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Woakes- 26 with the bat. Handy, but he's sold himself short at times by going down swinging, when he's a classy strokeplayer.

On the other hand, Wood has played to his strengths in throwing the bat. Average of 21 at SR of 130.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Breaking news... Broad to retire after this game.

[Arthur Crabtree]

At last, Notts will get the benefit of his signature.....

[bigfluffylemon]

377 ought to be enough. Right?

If Australia can chase it then they will have earned their victory.