The Ashes - official thread

[Gooseberry]

First topic message reminder :

SR that's not how mental fatigue works.
Also Stokes had a long break last year ...which he came back from err ...mentaly fatigued. Buttler and Bairstow haven't had that luxury.

But anyway it's not a case of "attitude" , ask Trott and Trescothick.

[alfie]

Fifty for Ben

Ugly runs , but important. He's a bit less flamboyant these days ; but his batting is becoming more solid. Five might be OK for him . Though he may bowl less as his career goes on.

He has had some luck , of course. I think Paine has erred by being not sufficiently attacking in his field placings for Lyon. Perhaps a sign he didn't fancy having to bat later if England were to score rapidly ? Always a trade off ; but I think more faith in Lyon was called for.

[Duty281]

Perfect session for England. The score is shunted along, any edges found the grass and they remained undefeated. Lyon, again, bowling well without reward.

67 overs left. Australia have about 15-20 overs left to try and force a win.

[alfie]

Looks as though this match is dribbling to a safe conclusion, hopefully Buttler and Stokes finding some form out in the middle. Suppose Paine really regrets not reviewing the one against Stokes last night!

Some talk of England declaring, but I'm afraid I don't see the point. Bowling Australia out in 40-50 overs is a dream. Like Trent Bridge 2015 or that bizarre final day against Sri Lanka in Cardiff in 2011.

Well played today by these two

Game not over yet ; but moving towards the draw. If runs come easily after lunch I guess they might consider having a go at Australia late in the day...more to just pressure them than with any real hope of winning. But first they will still want to make sure of putting this lead out of reach...we have seen how quickly they can collapse once they lose a wicket !

[VTR]

I think England should just bat and bat if they can. I think the batsmen need time in the middle more than the bowlers need more overs in their legs. Happy with a draw from here, as there was no realistic chance of an England win at the start of the day

[GSC]

thing england will have in their mind is theres a quick turnaround after this test and their bowlers havent done much work here. Keep Australia out there for a while yet

[GSC]

I do find it slightly bizarre that England can lose Anderson after 4 overs on the first morning and play down a bowler but concussion allows a replacement

[alfie]

Meanwhile the candidates to replace mis-firing bats in the England team haven't been filling their boots today : a duck for Sibley , just five for Crawley...in fact bowlers generally on top in the CC.

Moeen did get 42 out of 96/7

[alfie]

thing england will have in their mind is theres a quick turnaround after this test and their bowlers havent done much work here. Keep Australia out there for a while yet

Fair point. Take it as it comes...wickets may well fall anyway.

[VTR]

It's alright, Sam Curran made some runs in a few T20s so should bat 5 at the lowest. TMS logic

[GSC]

isnt Curran out for the rest of the season or is that the other one

[Nathaniel Jacobs]

If Buttler and Stokes can welly another 100 odd in 15-17 overs, we could realistically set Australia 250 in around 50 overs. Bancroft, Warner out of form. Labuschagne Ashes debut. We could easily have them 15-4.

Also factoring in Smith has scored 37% of Australia’s runs thus far

[Nathaniel Jacobs]

isnt Curran out for the rest of the season or is that the other one

Tom has the side injury

[GSC]

think I'd just keep going as long as possible bearing in mind the short turnaround

[LondonTiger]

I do find it slightly bizarre that England can lose Anderson after 4 overs on the first morning and play down a bowler but concussion allows a replacement

All sports are now starting to take concussion seriously. Because it is a "hidden" issue previously players would have gone back out and put there long term health at risk.

Not sure what the return to play rules are in cricket, but in rugby Smith would not be allowed to even start mild aerobic activity for several days (6days full rest plus 24 hours symptom free for amateurs, slightly shorter for pros if scans OK).

In general cricket does not do subs, but I am really pleased an exception is made for concussion.

[LondonTiger]

Next test:

Burns, Woakes, Curran, Root, Stokes as the top 5 

[alfie]

Buttler falls to a skied hook...

A determined 31 ...still not exactly the score you want from a top six bat but hopefully a sign he is getting back to some sort of form.

Will keep the Aussies interested...

[No name Bertie]

Buttler out - he lasted 108 balls and scored 31 runs. Not bad - but still looking uncomfortable.

[GSC]

Bairstow acting like england fancy a spell at australia before tea

[Duty281]

Yep, England swinging like there's a declaration coming.

[JDizzle]

Do think England have to try and set up a win at the very least. Just settling for a draw and leaving it at 1-0 with 3 to play doesn’t leave much room for error, with the Aussies only needing one win to retain the Ashes.

[GSC]

maybe, I wouldnt offer them any kind of chance to seal it here tho

[JDizzle]

You are probably going to have to win the last three Tests anyway, given we aren’t likely to see a draw with both teams batting. Not that I am expecting too generous a declaration.

[alfie]

Yep, England swinging like there's a declaration coming.

Maybe. Also could be Jonny just fancies attack better than trying to just defend against Lyon on a fifth day pitch ? Might even be a thought about how to play him later in the series...

Lead closing on 200. Could have been very different if Aussies had caught - or reviewed - better.

[alfie]

OK , Stokes is cutting loose...two big sixes off Lyon

Does suggest they might fancy a dash at them ...

[alfie]

You are probably going to have to win the last three Tests anyway, given we aren’t likely to see a draw with both teams batting. Not that I am expecting too generous a declaration.

Won't be "generous". Given scoring rates in this match have been fairly modest , anything much over four per over on the last day will be challenging...

Suspect they'll want a 250 lead.

[Duty281]

Could have been very different if Aussies had caught - or reviewed - better.

Yes, they should have dismissed Stokes last night and that may have won them the test. As it is, looks like Australia will need to bat out 45/50 overs to get to the safety of a draw.

[No name Bertie]

Confident that they have at least guaranteed a draw our remaining middle order batsmen (Stokes, Bairstow) appear to be batting more freely and confidently. But it is when they are under pressure that their frailty appears - and it is those conditions that are needed to toughen them. Anyway Stokes has come through the tough period.

[jimbohammers]

Hurry up and declare

[GSC]

shaping up as 250-260 in 50 overs

[alfie]

Stokes to 98...

Turned into quite an innings after that very scratchy start !

Deserves a hundred...now on 99...

[No name Bertie]

Old ball and the match safe - these are perfect conditions for batting for Stokes & Bairstow.

[alfie]

Old ball and the match safe - these are perfect conditions for batting for Stokes & Bairstow.

Yes I'm sure they're enjoying them

Hundred for Ben

[GSC]

excellent hundred, ground it out when the match was in the balance and now accelerating when england need a total.

wont be long now youd think

[alfie]

Declaration very close I think.  Jonny launches Lyon again...

And Stokes going for Siddle...brutal !

[GSC]

yep, has the feeling of you've got a few overs or until a wicket falls

[Duty281]

Pointless, silly declaration. Good batting track and conditions and very little chance of forcing a win. Fair enough if the wicket was a bowler's dream, or if England desperately needed the win, but neither of these counts are true.

Would have been more worthwhile to score some cheap runs and make the Aussies do some more chasing in the field.

[alfie]

Yes. That's it .Set them 266...

Not going to bowl them out in 48 overs , you'd think. But might give them a scare ?

Top innings from Stokes

[GSC]

think if you get a couple early they might start shaking without Smith. Get Jofra pumped up

[JDizzle]

Pointless, silly declaration. Good batting track and conditions and very little chance of forcing a win. Fair enough if the wicket was a bowler's dream, or if England desperately needed the win, but neither of these counts are true.

Would have been more worthwhile to score some cheap runs and make the Aussies do some more chasing in the field.

Not sure, given that at least one (possibly two) of the Aussie seamers won’t even play the next game that it will make any difference batting on. Don’t think you can just turn down a chance to try and force something, however unlikely, when you are 1-0 down.

[alfie]

Pointless, silly declaration. Good batting track and conditions and very little chance of forcing a win. Fair enough if the wicket was a bowler's dream, or if England desperately needed the win, but neither of these counts are true.

Would have been more worthwhile to score some cheap runs and make the Aussies do some more chasing in the field.

Oh come on , Duty...think of the crowd ! Nothing more boring than a fizzled out last day...at least they are going to have a go.

Might be lively for a hour or so...

[alfie]

think if you get a couple early they might start shaking without Smith. Get Jofra pumped up

Yes ; but open with Woakes please ...he is the danger man with a new ball at Lord's.

[GSC]

I'm fine if they want to have a go with a score that seems pretty safe.

probably would've just left australia out there for the afternoon though

[Duty281]

Pointless, silly declaration. Good batting track and conditions and very little chance of forcing a win. Fair enough if the wicket was a bowler's dream, or if England desperately needed the win, but neither of these counts are true.

Would have been more worthwhile to score some cheap runs and make the Aussies do some more chasing in the field.

Oh come on , Duty...think of the crowd !  Nothing more boring than a fizzled out last day...at least they are going to have a go.

Might be lively for a hour or so...

Might end up with Australia having a go at victory if Warner and Bancroft get set! It's under run-a-ball pace after all...

[No name Bertie]

So no Woakes - we have Broad and Archer as opening bowling pair.

[alfie]

Pointless, silly declaration. Good batting track and conditions and very little chance of forcing a win. Fair enough if the wicket was a bowler's dream, or if England desperately needed the win, but neither of these counts are true.

Would have been more worthwhile to score some cheap runs and make the Aussies do some more chasing in the field.

Oh come on , Duty...think of the crowd !  Nothing more boring than a fizzled out last day...at least they are going to have a go.

Might be lively for a hour or so...

Might end up with Australia having a go at victory if Warner and Bancroft get set! It's under run-a-ball pace after all...

It's not white ball stuff ! No silly leg side wides and fielding restrictions...they aren't going to chase this.

Root won't use Woakes , will he ? Rumors he's not quite 100% ...suppose we could see Curran instead next game ?

[sirfredperry]

Hate the idea of even giving Australia a sniff. But it's a tall order to make the runs and if it got hairy England can just bowl wide and put all their men on the boundary.

I still haven't forgiven Root for declaring, and losing, to the Windies a couple of summers ago and particularly after battling so hard and long to, seemingly, save the match.

[Duty281]

Archer keeps the dream alive. Warner's miserable series continues.

Australia have got serious problems in the next test if Smith can't play.

[Pr4wn]

Anyone else listening on TMS? Mitchell Johnson is absolutely woeful.

[alfie]

Hate the idea of even giving Australia a sniff. But it's a tall order to make the runs and if it got hairy England can just bowl wide and put all their men on the boundary.

I still haven't forgiven Root for declaring, and losing, to the Windies  a couple of summers ago and particularly after battling so hard and long to, seemingly, save the match.

Totally different today though , Sir Fred... Fairly short sessions and a Smith-less Australia will only be thinking about survival.
One down already as Warner's horror match continues...

I will be interested to see how Leach bowls later. Bit of a trial for him , with some rough to bowl into. Not quite Taunton though

[alfie]

Anyone else listening on TMS? Mitchell Johnson is absolutely woeful.

Really ? He's talked good sense in the times I've heard him...not listening today so can't really comment but I'm surprised to hear that. Thought he might turn out a reasonable comments man...

Two down ! Khawaja gone...two for Archer and the crowd is alive...

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