England's Summer of Cricket 2023, Featuring The Ashes

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Well done to Scott Boland, a very tidy job and added precious runs.

Another fantastic day in a fantastic test in a fantastic rivalry in a fantastic sport. Fantastic.

And just as the pattern has been throughout, when one team looked to be taking control, it just got yanked back. And it was Broad yanking it back with a brilliant spell. Labuschagne is the new Warner, as far as Broad's concerned.

174 to get. Seven wickets left. Still favouring Australia, but it'll be interesting to see how the bowling conditions are after the expected rain tomorrow. If they're anything close to what England's top order had to face yesterday, it could be curtains for Australia, but I'm not anticipating it to be that bad.

Will almost certainly be a delayed start. Hopefully the BBC's more pessimistic forecast doesn't come to fruition.

It'll probably go to the wire, that's the way the whole test has been shaping up. Might even be a tied test...

Robinson is so frustrating. When he's on it, there's few better. But his fitness has always been sub-standard, and I've no idea how England monitored Wood so carefully and judged him unfit to play, but completely missed Robinson's evident issues where he can't even average 80mph on the opening day of a test.

And the selection has been so mangled and poorly managed because both Anderson and Robinson will be unavailable for Headingley, and if they pick Broad it'll be four tests in a row and he might not be 100%. Could be wholesale changes.

Stokes getting a couple to beat Smith's bat now. Smith was 25 off 19, now 28 off 43.

Not sure if Wood/Tongue for Robinson was the plan but he looks well short of match fitness at the moment

umpiring has been shoddy....no shot played was OK
but it clearly was higher and missing off inspite of the inseam

Much better from Stokes. Frustrating that once again we see good balls completely beating well set bats but just not finding that edge...considering so much of the batting has been really sound and confident , I reckon there have been rather a lot of those near edges. On another day they might have brought several wickets...

But we are where we are... In fairly desperate need of a wicket or two. Not sure whence it is coming...

And still. Lbw given but drs saves Marnus again.

When it's not your day...

Aussie batters approaching the borders of Leather hunt, carnage, mayhem territory for Eng if these two are batting half an hour after tea also

The caught behind that wasn't was a fair call from the umpire based on the noise, but that was a very poor LBW decision by Raza. Raza's last test of this series, incidentally.

This partnership rocketing at 6 an over. And 9,000 runs for Smith at an average close to 60.

No spinner in the England team....Should have given that young kid a game.

Literally doesn't matter if it hit the pad first as it would have been outside the line anyway. 173/2, nearly tea.

It could have been pad first but
"not enuf evidence to over-rule the on-field umpire" principle applies here
Broad's gestures deliberately into the camera will invoke a severe fine...maybe even suspension

KP_fan wrote:Broad's gestures deliberately into the camera will invoke a severe fine...maybe even suspension

Nonsense.

Deleting double post

Two quality bats and England being put to the sword now sadly

Good job from Australia. Again, as I said pre-series, as long as the openers get through the new ball, whatever runs they get are a bonus. Khawaja didn't score many, but he ensured Labuschagne didn't have to come out until after lunch. Warner, he'll be disappointed he missed out on three figures, but he still provided a strong platform. Smith and Labuschagne failed at Edgbaston, but they're quality players and unlikely to be kept down for too long as they're showing here.

England...just not good enough overall. Great toss to win, but the bowling hasn't been consistently good (far too many boundary balls), the field placings have been poor - we saw how Australia choked England in the 2nd innings at Edgbaston, England can't do the same - and the catching and general fielding has been a let down. 23 extras from England in 50 overs, including 8 no-balls. I think that sums it up. None of the senior bowlers are standing up. Robinson is a disgrace, and Stokes' lack of rhythm is an embarrassment.

England are guilty of believing their own hype. Beat some weak nations and have deluded themselves that they're the greatest. Sounding off a load of nonsense about entertainment is better than winning, or players claiming England will win by 150 runs etc. Just shut it and focus on playing well. England have lost two of their last three tests, and by the end of February that record could easily be lost eight or nine out of the last 12. But I'd rather England got their focus and energy back now, rather than waiting until the end of that run before realising they're not something special.

Joe Root bowls a 74mph bouncer. Or to put it another way. Joe Root is clocked at only a few mph slower than Robinson for most of the day.

190/2 . Not the tea score you want after sending them in !

Fifty overs down and really hasn't looked to be that much in this pitch , for all the pre-game thoughts it would be a bowler's dream. Two bats who love to book in for bed and breakfast...this could get very ugly for the home team ...

It looked a bowl first day but the pitch has actually been pretty slow and low. There's definitely more seam movement than T1 and Anderson was getting swing early but it is by no means a bad batting track. In fact, I'd expect this to be very good for batting on D2 and D3.

I thought the seamers actually bowled well without much reward in the first session. That does happen. Sometimes bowlers beat the bat without taking the edge, nicks don't carry, reviews break one way, etc. Anderson in particular I thought was the case there but also Broad.

The Pope drop was a crucial opportunity to get the early breakthrough and once again England missed it. The fielding was poor in the last Ashes, poor in T1 and that drop showed no improvement.

Smith and Marnus have looked very good since getting in as we'd expect from two excellent players.

Think the decision to bowl first was pretty obvious, the seamers bowled pretty well bar Robinson. Fielding was poor again, it didn't really do as much as either team expected and Australia have batted pretty well. Probably gonna turn into a pretty brutal day by the end but it happens

Zaltz just came out with one of the most random stats and it strikes almost immediately. Robinson has the best average in test history bowling to set batsmen (25 runs or more).

Well Robinson with a response to all his critics

At last they find that elusive edge !

And fortunately it wasn’t a no ball. I always have heart in mouth when Robinson or Stokes take a wicket…

Maybe a few dot balls led to that.

Desperately needed ! Now can they get a couple more ?

Marnus joining Broad in the sin bin for that reaction

Duty281 wrote:

GSC wrote:Doesn't sound great for Pope's chances of coming back

Yeah, the ECB releasing a statement likely means England are going to be a batsman light for the test. Seems silly England can't replace him for that, but if he were concussed they could.

Pope has history with shoulder dislocation in both 2019 and 2020. I saw the first at the Oval when he tumbled on the thick rope trying to stop a four. Nasty. Then and the next year he was out for months. That was his left shoulder though and today it was right, correct? Probably good to be the other shoulder although I wonder if these injuries indicate a particular body weakness for him.

Anyway, there must be very serious doubts about him playing any further in this Test and perhaps the series.

Big, big blow for England. If I'm right about this Test, that of course means just 18 wickets for Australia to get ....

Yeah think you only get a replacement for a concussion sub

Might be something to look at, England clearly aren't gaming the system losing their #3 in the field on the morning of day 1

Soul Requiem wrote:Zaltz just came out with one of the most random stats and it strikes almost immediately. Robinson has the best average in test history bowling to set batsmen (25 runs or more).

I think it was one of the guys on the Wisden podcast after his figures from T1 that said, "Robinson seems to have knack of only averaging 20 even if he bowls poorly".

GSC wrote:Yeah think you only get a replacement for a concussion sub

Might be something to look at, England clearly aren't gaming the system losing their #3 in the field on the morning of day 1

someone punch pope in the head, can say he banged it hitting the floor

compelling and rich wrote:

GSC wrote:Yeah think you only get a replacement for a concussion sub

Might be something to look at, England clearly aren't gaming the system losing their #3 in the field on the morning of day 1

someone punch pope in the head, can say he banged it hitting the floor

Compelling - you also do the hospitality in your pub?

Trouble with Robinson is he’s just taken a wicket and beaten Head a couple of times…but then he serves up a couple of absolute pies to remove the pressure. Has done that too often today.

The good balls are very good !

Smith is being classic Smith today. Started like a rocket (25 at run a ball I think) ; since then what , 20 off 68 ? He doesn’t care. Plenty of time to cash in later…

And Head will score at a good rate . Especially if he keeps getting short rubbish balls once an over.

guildfordbat wrote:

compelling and rich wrote:

GSC wrote:Yeah think you only get a replacement for a concussion sub

Might be something to look at, England clearly aren't gaming the system losing their #3 in the field on the morning of day 1

someone punch pope in the head, can say he banged it hitting the floor

Compelling - you also do the hospitality in your pub?

hospitality as in shouting at them to behave and threating to chuck them out? then yes i do hospitality very well

deleting double post

Better spell from Robinson since the break, but as Alfie says he's serving up a fair few gifts which release the pressure. Another one there allows Smith to drive his way past 50. Smith has looked on it from ball one, fair to say.

Labuschagne's 47 was full of graft, a mark of being out of form. He did well to get 47.

230/3. 400+ looking very probable. Not sure how much play is left tonight with potential light issues.

Fortunately Anderson was keeping it tight at the other end. He can usually do this even if not taking wickets.

But time for Tongue now - and Broad to see if they can make some inroads...

compelling and rich wrote:

guildfordbat wrote:

compelling and rich wrote:

GSC wrote:Yeah think you only get a replacement for a concussion sub

Might be something to look at, England clearly aren't gaming the system losing their #3 in the field on the morning of day 1

someone punch pope in the head, can say he banged it hitting the floor

Compelling - you also do the hospitality in your pub?

hospitality as in shouting at them to behave and threating to chuck them out? then yes i do hospitality very well

Share Ponting's confusion about England's lack of short stuff to Head, having arguably over done it in the previous test. He's raced to 44, but seems Tongue is now putting in the barrage.

No follow up wicket so these two are off and away. 400 is a minimum from here. Only comfort for England is that you'd think this pitch will be reasonable to bat on for the next few days - especially if we get a bit more sunshine (haven't seen the weather forecast) But they'll need to bat very well...and going to miss Pope.

New ball tomorrow morning I guess but the horse is off down the road I'm afraid...

Not going to be much sunshine over the next few days, I'm afraid.

Smith now into the 60s with a powerful straight drive. Aussies might be looking at 500 if these two get to stumps.

And 50 for Head in 48 balls. Classic innings from him. England have fed him the stuff he's liked so far.

alfie wrote:No follow up wicket so these two are off and away. 400 is a minimum from here. Only comfort for England is that you'd think this pitch will be reasonable to bat on for the next few days - especially if we get a bit more sunshine (haven't seen the weather forecast) But they'll need to bat very well...and going to miss Pope.

New ball tomorrow morning I guess but the horse is off down the road I'm afraid...

tomorrow seems ropey, fair bit of rain knocking around. draw looking like our only positive option from here

Australia could do a stokes here kick on and a declare so england have to bat tomorrow under very difficult conditions

This series is done already.

And another fifty for Head... Couple of shaky moments early but he's settled in and not missed out when served anything loose. Ideal foil for Smith in "careful" mode...

Agree they should have attacked him with some short stuff early. Aggressive short stuff , I mean , not just loose ones outside off.

Thought this might get ugly this evening. Wasn't wrong. Bit surprised Broad has been so expensive after bowling rather well early on. But he's really suffering now.

Thinking this might well be 500 before it's done.

Only watched some here and there....But England do seem very friendly with the Australian batsmen....It's all laughs and smiles.

I remembered watching Warne and McGrath some years ago and it was a distinctly unpleasant environment for the English..

What is the point of home advantage if you are going to ar*e lick the opposition ???

There's just been no intelligence or intensity in the field from ball one. They've given Head exactly what he wants and fields have been too aggressive throughout. Very little pressure built. The whole day has had the feel of England thinking 'we've stuck them in in difficult conditions and it'll be easy from here. All out for 200.'

And with the run rate 4.10, Australia are in danger of leveling it up at 1-1 in the all-important entertainment stakes.

Going to fall about 8/9 overs short as well, unless Root comes on for a few.

Duty281 wrote:There's just been no intelligence or intensity in the field from ball one. They've given Head exactly what he wants and fields have been too aggressive throughout. Very little pressure built. The whole day has had the feel of England thinking 'we've stuck them in in difficult conditions and it'll be easy from here. All out for 200.'

And with the run rate 4.10, Australia are in danger of leveling it up at 1-1 in the all-important entertainment stakes.

Going to fall about 8/9 overs short as well, unless Root comes on for a few.

What's the latest finish time tonight? Is it 6:30 as usually the case or does it go back more due to the stoppages? Cheers.

guildfordbat wrote:

Duty281 wrote:There's just been no intelligence or intensity in the field from ball one. They've given Head exactly what he wants and fields have been too aggressive throughout. Very little pressure built. The whole day has had the feel of England thinking 'we've stuck them in in difficult conditions and it'll be easy from here. All out for 200.'

And with the run rate 4.10, Australia are in danger of leveling it up at 1-1 in the all-important entertainment stakes.

Going to fall about 8/9 overs short as well, unless Root comes on for a few.

What's the latest finish time tonight? Is it 6:30 as usually the case or does it go back more due to the stoppages? Cheers.

I'm not really sure, I think it's around 18:45, but can't swear to it.

Interesting to note that England have bowled some 15 maidens - reasonable, I think : but on the other hand have conceded 37 boundaries . A rather untidy mix of statistics.

That's been the main problem , I think : have been plenty of good balls - arguably unlucky not to have had wickets from some of them ; but they just haven't been able to put together a sustained period of pressure.

Got to give the Australian batsmen full credit, of course. And unlike England last week they've not thrown any wickets away...just kept scoring off the loose balls.

That was close ! Would have been umpire's call even if they had reviewed. Another "nearly" moment. No luck with the marginals today...but on balance they've not done enough to deserve it.

Doubt Cummins will be declaring tonight

Shocking day for England, any chance of winning The Ashes as good as gone on day 6 of the series

So, Australia are going to declare soon, right? Get those all-important four overs at England tonight...

Joe Root! Two out of nowhere. Bairstow will be delighted with the stumping, then Green with the worst shot you'll see.

The game has changed a little.

Sir Geoffrey does it again! It was hard, if not impossible, to see 2 more wickets coming from anywhere.

Green was extremely lucky in the first test to not be punished in his first over, no such luck this time

And just like that…

Joe Root the wrecker , eh

What was I saying about not throwing wickets away ?

But you can bet Smith won’t be throwing his away…

VTR wrote:Shocking day for England, any chance of winning The Ashes as good as gone on day 6 of the series

Should probably give you a lot of credit for those two wickets !

Need a few more though…