The Ashes - official thread

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

First topic message reminder :

Seeing as this starts next week, I'll kick it off - the Aussies have selected their 17 man squad


Australia's Ashes squad: Tim Paine (c), Cameron Bancroft, Pat Cummins, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Michael Neser, James Pattinson, Peter Siddle, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner.

Main takeaway there is no specialist spinner selected behind Lyon, with Neser included suggests they don't anticipate many, if any, spinning wickets...

[Duty281]

If England bat one session today we'll be favourites. Two sessions and you can remove Australia win from the equation.

Pretty much. Australia need all five (or six) wickets in the morning and they need Cummins and Pattinson to do the bulk of the damage in their opening spells. A lead of 50 probably won't be enough for England to counteract the likely loss of Anderson and the fourth innings factor, but anything in three figures probably will.

You wouldn't hold much faith in Bairstow/Ali/Broad/Anderson batting for long, so it's vital Burns and Stokes re-establish themselves and get through the initial period.

[Duty281]

http://cricviz.com/2019/08/cricviz-analysis-rory-burns-century/

Good article here on Burns' century yesterday. A remarkable 24% of his shots were edges or misses, making it the 9th highest 'false shot' percentage innings for a test centurion in the last 13 years. Better lucky than good sometimes!

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Isn’t England’s ideal road-map batting out the whole day and getting a lead of like 250-300?

[CaledonianCraig]

Isn’t England’s ideal road-map batting out the whole day and getting a lead of like 250-300?

Yes it would be but also would be wholly unrealistic I would say. The road maps I do tend to be more realistic aims.

[VTR]

There's almost always an early wicket in this kind of scenario. So the onus will be on Woakes, Bairstow and Moeen to build an innings. This is not a shot a ball wicket. Surely they've observed that over two days? Even the usually brainless Moeen

[sirfredperry]

They say that Burns' effort was an ugly century. I tend to see only the Lord's Test each year and, boy, have I witnessed some ugly centuries, including one by Alastair Cook that was probably the worst 100 I've ever seen.

Only it wasn't. A certain Trevor Franklin made what was comfortably the direst ton witnessed by moi, at Lord's in 1990. This Franklin guy got his 100 in more than 300 balls. He was stuck on 98 for 50 minutes, which made Burns' journey thru the 90s seem positively skittish.

Reckon England need a lead of at least 100 and even that may not be enough. One advantage of the slow going is that it's given England's now-depleted bowling attack more time to put their feet up.

Imagine having tickets for the 4th day and hearing Aus were 122-8 in the first innings of the match. As it is, only six wickets have gone down since.

[CaledonianCraig]

http://cricviz.com/2019/08/cricviz-analysis-rory-burns-century/

Good article here on Burns' century yesterday. A remarkable 24% of his shots were edges or misses, making it the 9th highest 'false shot' percentage innings for a test centurion in the last 13 years. Better lucky than good sometimes!

There are reasons for this though. The way he addresses each ball saw his bat coming down at an angle on the ball inside the line of it. It meant often the ball went down quickly if edged hence no dropped catches off him or a play and miss. It was the technique he used and it worked for him. And one thing he showed was superb concentration to put those play and misses out of his mind, reset and play the next ball and he did that to survive the whole day. That alone deserves credit.

[alfie]

Well that's it , isn't it ? No one saying Burns' innings was a technical masterpiece...but it was a classic example of character and " finding a way".

[Duty281]

Wasted start from Australia. Pitch the thing up or say goodbye to the test.

[alfie]

Good fifty for Ben Stokes

Needed something solid after the two quick wickets ...has played very sensibly.

[CaledonianCraig]

The faintest of nicks and Stokes is caught behind. Stokes out for 50 and England are 282 for 5 trailing by 2 runs.

[Duty281]

Unexpected loss there, Stokes was looking good. Just as England were establishing control and the Aussies were beginning to be frustrated, too.

Big innings for YJB. Coming off a pair last week.

[alfie]

Ouch ! I've done for Stokes !

Out of the blue he edges one to the keeper ...gift to Australia just as it appeared they had failed to impact with the new ball...

Is this a turning point ?

[alfie]

A big blow to England as Stokes was the man who was most likely to really cash in on the tired bowling you'd expect later on. I honestly thought he was on for a big one.
Momentary loss of concentration undoes a lot of work.

Shows how Smith and Burns have stood out in this match : total concentration. A pitch that has always allowed the bowlers to keep them honest has meant batsmen have needed to keep their minds constantly alert. And made for very intense cricket.

England in the lead ...

[CaledonianCraig]

A boundary from Bairstow and England have a lead. 287 for 5. They lead by 3.

[alfie]

Lyon on ...and turning it. One reason why England need a decent lead is that Lyon is a rather better spinner than Moeen...and the second innings may have a premium on spin.
Root and Denly are probably better assists than Smith and Head though. But also England bat last.

Wide open still at the moment.

[Duty281]

Warne was saying earlier how 250 would be tough to chase on this...I'm thinking 150 could be difficult! Sharp turn, uneven bounce and it's only going to get worse.

Just 26 runs in the opening hour. Stokes' wicket was costly in more ways than one.

Crikey, Aussies already trying to get the ball changed. I suppose if it's worked once...

[Soul Requiem]

Warne was saying earlier how 250 would be tough to chase on this...I'm thinking 150 could be difficult! Sharp turn, uneven bounce and it's only going to get worse.

Just 26 runs in the opening hour. Stokes' wicket was costly in more ways than one.

Scoring slowly in itself is not a problem, this is test cricket.

[CaledonianCraig]

And lest we forget the Australian bowlers being forced to rack up the overs here so that will benefit England later in this test. England 296 for 5. They lead by 12.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Well, I suppose if anyone deserved to get Burns then it was probably Lyon. Great knock, still a lot of work to do here and I’m worried

[Duty281]

Burns' luck eventually expires and Lyon gets the wicket he richly deserves. Wow, nearly a no-ball. Very rare for a spinner.

Australia now favourites...

[CaledonianCraig]

Rory Burns nicks a turning delivery from Nathan Lyon. He exits for a great knock of 133. England 296 for 6. The lead is 12. England will be hoping for one of the all-rounders to support Bairstow and push the lead up to 50 and beyond.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Frak hell Mo

[alfie]

Burns falls at last ...though only just ! That was a borderline no ball ! Benefit of the doubt to Lyon...

Fine innings.

England being pegged back. Only a dozen runs on and two new(ish) bats in... At least they've not folded up this morning; but they'll want some tail wagging to get that lead up...

...tail it is as Moeen has a brain fade !

[Duty281]

Oh dear, Moeen. His 4th duck in his last 8 innings.

It's probably down to Woakes if England are going to get this lead beyond 50. Bairstow looking a little lost and you can't expect much from Broad these days.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Aussies are 2/1, Duty. If they’re favourites for you, I hope you’ve steamrollered into it

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Bairstow gone for 8

[Duty281]

Lyon's got Ali 8 times in 10 innings.

Bairstow gone now. All gone wrong for England. Bairstow's averaging about 15 in his last 16 innings. Droppable stuff.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

6/4 now, definitely should have nailed that 2/1!

[Duty281]

Aussies are 2/1, Duty. If they’re favourites for you, I hope you’ve steamrollered into it

Got on at 6/1 at stumps last night. Absolutely silly odds. Australia now strong favourites...unless England can add as much from these final two wickets as Australia did!

[alfie]

Alas YJB goes next... England collapse (as feared) nearly complete

Batting today has been difficult. Won't be easier for Australia either ; but they'll be lifted by this fight back and if they can get a start they'll fancy setting England a stiff fourth innings chase.

Would England have been better to go on the attack this morning ? Who can say ? Though you'd think a few boundaries would have had then further ahead... The Stokes dismissal really did change everything.

[Nathaniel Jacobs]

I'd much rather have Foakes than Bairstow in the playing XI...

[Dolphin Ziggler]

It’s gone as feared with these things; one brings two etc. Burns would have always been looking to anchor, and Stokes would have been hoping to keep in and build slowly. Really, it would have been better for Burns to go first so Stokes could change tact and have a go.

Mo, well, I dunno. But he looks like he should be lower than Woakes and should be regarded as a bowler only

[Soul Requiem]

Time to jettison Bairstow for either Foakes or Sibley and shift the rest of the order down one.

[alfie]

Not calling Australia massive favorites yet. England lead won't be much...but their batting will be under pressure too ...and if Smith were to get out early...

Half expected this morning to go like this. England ploughing on to a 120 lead would have been out of character

Though until Stokes got out it was looking highly likely. Trouble with slow scoring is one error punishes you heavily : but in fairness I think scoring has been anything but easy throughout.

[Duty281]

Apparently Jennings is averaging more in test cricket than Bairstow in the last 12 months. Come back, Keaton, all is forgiven!

[alfie]

Time to jettison Bairstow for either Foakes or Sibley and shift the rest of the order down one.

Bit knee jerk , I think. Couple of weeks ago he was scoring back to back hundreds in pressure games , albeit in white ball cricket.

Obviously needs to get some runs soon. But he's keeping well enough and I think he's got a bit of credit left in he bank.

[CaledonianCraig]

Hmm so Australia win the toss and choose to bat first and after the first innings they are behind yet are favourites? How bizaare.

If you go through the test and award teams sessions then by my estimate England have won four sessions so far and Australia have won two with one shared. Yet Australia are favourites?

[guildfordbat]

Time to jettison Bairstow for either Foakes or Sibley and shift the rest of the order down one.

Patience, Soul. More than half of this match is still left to go. Let's wait for it to be done before picking the side for the next one.

[guildfordbat]

Ok, Olly - you know this one. These two need to see it out the session as it's important not to allow Warner and Bancroft 40 minutes over lunch to prepare for their knock.

[CaledonianCraig]

England go into lunch on 328 for 8 leading by 44 runs. Australia's morning and a chance missed by England to stamp their authority on the match but I'd much sooner be in their position than Australia's. Woakes 13 not out. Broad 11 not out.

[Duty281]

Valuable stuff this. 28 runs added. Shifting the balance back towards England.

The hosts have batted the session, but not scored as swiftly as anticipated, so the game's in Australia's favour for now. Another 30 minutes of Woakes + Broad could well change that.

Great test match.

[alfie]

Sensible batting by Woakes and Broad...lead at 44 at lunch. Not what they'd have wanted at the start - Australia have fought back well - but already could be handy in a low scoring game.
If England can get Australia out quickly second time around , the Aussie bowlers might feel the effects of a longish time in the field.

Close at present. I'd have England still edging it .

[VTR]

Time for Moeen to bat below Woakes. And Broad actually. And Anderson thinking about it. And Phil Tufnell if he somehow comes out of retirement and gets picked

[alfie]

Time for Moeen to bat below Woakes. And Broad actually. And Anderson thinking about it. And Phil Tufnell if he somehow comes out of retirement and gets picked

Poor old Mo !

Amazing really how his batting has gone ...you wouldn't think a man with several Test centuries could lose the plot so completely. Has lost all confidence and judgement. Can he ever get it back ?

I do think the way he's been moved around the batting order in recent times has harmed him (as it has Bairstow) ; but doesn't seem adequate explanation for his total loss of form.

Let us hope he now turns up with the ball !

[Soul Requiem]

Time to jettison Bairstow for either Foakes or Sibley and shift the rest of the order down one.

Bit knee jerk , I think.  Couple of weeks ago he was scoring back to back hundreds in pressure games , albeit in white ball cricket.

Obviously needs to get some runs soon. But he's keeping well enough and I think he's got a bit of credit left in he bank.

Knee jerk? He's averaging less than 18 in the past year, his ODI exploits mean nothing compared to that.

[guildfordbat]

Sensible batting by Woakes and Broad...lead at 44 at lunch. Not what they'd have wanted at the start  - Australia have fought back well - but already could be handy in a low scoring game.
If England can get Australia out quickly second time around , the Aussie bowlers might feel the effects of a longish time in the field.

Close at present. I'd have England still edging it .

Yeah, not often you would turn down a minimum 44 run lead on first dig even if batting last. However, still mighty tight. As Atherton said at the end of the session - ''all options still on the table.''

[CaledonianCraig]

The England lead reaches the milestone of 50 as Broad hits a boundary with a slog sweep.

[alfie]

Time to jettison Bairstow for either Foakes or Sibley and shift the rest of the order down one.

Bit knee jerk , I think.  Couple of weeks ago he was scoring back to back hundreds in pressure games , albeit in white ball cricket.

Obviously needs to get some runs soon. But he's keeping well enough and I think he's got a bit of credit left in he bank.

Knee jerk? He's averaging less than 18 in the past year, his ODI exploits mean nothing compared to that.

If ODI meant nothing , neither Roy nor Buttler would have got into the team...

But as I say , Bairstow needs some runs. I just disagree with you about the need to give him the chop overnight. I would also point out that this last few months includes two injuries - causing two moves in and out of the keeping spot ; and batting in every spot from three to seven. Did have a century at three in there too

No matter. We are all entitled to our opinions.

[CaledonianCraig]

This partnership is gold dust for England. Woakes and Broad have put on 43 runs for the 9th wicket. The lead is 59 and counting.

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