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...

alfie wrote:And another ! Oh dear ...

Think WINVIZ can correct that "England favourites " nonsense they've had up despite the collapse .

Looking like a substantial deficit now

Tell 'em they're dreaming...

Yeah, looks like one of KP Fan's many scenarios is playing out here, the one that isn't good for England. 2-0 is starting to look pretty likely. Lyon or not, England aren't coming back to win the series 3-2

Pal Joey wrote:So that last 100 runs was 10 overs slower than the 2nd 100 from England.
Putting the brakes on with the bouncer barrage seems to be working for now.

Has worked brilliantly . Bit of help from England's bats

I reckon they were a bit lucky yesterday , to be honest; but this morning they have bowled really well - and earned the rewards.

Now Head gets Robinson . Talk about momentum swings...

This has been pathetic from England, there's playing aggressively and then there's playing brain-dead cricket.

VTR wrote:Yeah, looks like one of KP Fan's many scenarios is playing out here, the one that isn't good for England. 2-0 is starting to look pretty likely. Lyon or not, England aren't coming back to win the series 3-2

Yeah total nightmare morning for England has them needing a bit of a miracle : poor bowlers back in the field again after just one day.

Not over yet because they have shown they can chase totals well ; but really does look like they've dug a hole for themselves here.

Shouldn't be letting Head clean them up either , really.

Last six gone for just 47.

Even my worst fears didn't go that low. Great work by Australia ; but have to say that is a dismal effort from England. After 188/1 , you cannot be getting dismissed for 325.

Might be tough to get the morale up for bowling now ?

Yeah that was a dreadful morning from England and it's probably cost them the test, barring an inspired comeback from somewhere.

England didn't make best use of the best bowling conditions of the test; now they've failed to make full use of the best batting conditions. Just unforgivable and, once again, too many batsmen making starts and not pushing on.

Australia didn't have to work too hard, as England lined up to gift their wickets due to the non-thinking style of play called Bazball, where there is little ability to adapt. Safe to say that we'll see the short barrage all series, unless England show some signs they can handle it.

Now up to Australia to push this lead beyond 400, grind England down and give their bowlers a chance to recharge.

Duty281 wrote:Great chance for England this morning. They have to take full advantage of Lyon's absence. England haven't had much luck recently with injuries outside of games, but in-game they've had plenty of fortune, with de Grandhomme and Jamieson injuring themselves mid-test last year, and now Lyon. Lyon, as well, previously a phenomenal record of fitness, bringing up 100 tests in a row, yet now breaking down.

Lyon is on crutches, which does look bad, but must be remembered Robinson was on crutches a couple of weeks out from the start of the series, and he's played a full part so far.

However, it must also be remembered, in terms of the game, that England still trail by 138 and Australia are only two wickets away from exposing the tail, so an inspired spell this morning could see England floored pretty quickly.  England have a proper chance in this test because of Lyon's injury, they mustn't let it go to waste.

Lyon will be missed  
Since Lyon was injured and went off the field  137-9
This morning Eng 47-6
Travis Head
(ob)  7 1 17 2 2.42

I feared last evening that  Eng could slip at the hurdle of bouncer barrage this morning....but am still surprised how easily it happened.
They were caught this morning in a classic two minds....
"Do I continue to bazball"  or "do I play safe & normal" ..........and ended up doing neither properly.

The wickets to Head were out of psychological fear...." Lets get some easy runs before the fast bowlers start their bouncers with new ball"

Today ( in continuation from yesterday) for the first time I can decisively see that an antidote to Bazballing has been found.....and that's fast-short-with-leg-trap-catchers

Taking all that apart :

Firstly , Australia bowled really well. No easy runs offered ; the initial wicket of Stokes was just good ball , great catch. Happens at start of day.
But Brook - who never looked settled today - played a daft shot. Call it pressure...
Bairstow had played well - and patiently. Should have trusted Broad and co more I think - first ball after drinks possibly too early to try and force it...miscued.
The tail - is a real tail. Which is the risk in playing super aggressive style because you just don't have enough insurance.

It's a dilemma because their style gets lots of runs , at speed , much of the time . But they too often don't seem to have the game awareness to moderate their approach when they need to. And my main fear is that there is a hint of stubbornness in the way they just kept going and going , last night and even this morning.

Tortoise back in front , eh , PJ ?

England weren't really bounced out today, and Head took the wickets of a couple of tailenders. Not really fear that got them out, more lack of ability

KP_fan wrote:

Duty281 wrote:Great chance for England this morning. They have to take full advantage of Lyon's absence. England haven't had much luck recently with injuries outside of games, but in-game they've had plenty of fortune, with de Grandhomme and Jamieson injuring themselves mid-test last year, and now Lyon. Lyon, as well, previously a phenomenal record of fitness, bringing up 100 tests in a row, yet now breaking down.

Lyon is on crutches, which does look bad, but must be remembered Robinson was on crutches a couple of weeks out from the start of the series, and he's played a full part so far.

However, it must also be remembered, in terms of the game, that England still trail by 138 and Australia are only two wickets away from exposing the tail, so an inspired spell this morning could see England floored pretty quickly.  England have a proper chance in this test because of Lyon's injury, they mustn't let it go to waste.

Lyon will be missed  
Since Lyon was injured and went off the field  137-9
This morning Eng 47-6
Travis Head
(ob)  7 1 17 2 2.42

I feared last evening that  Eng could slip at the hurdle of bouncer barrage this morning....but am still surprised how easily it happened.
They were caught this morning in a classic two minds....
"Do I continue to bazball"  or "do I play safe & normal" ..........and ended up doing neither properly.

The wickets to Head were out of psychological fear...." Lets get some easy runs before the fast bowlers start their bouncers with new ball"

Today ( in continuation from yesterday) for the first time I can decisively see that an antidote to Bazballing has been found.....and that's fast-short-with-leg-trap-catchers

Yes, Lyon will be missed. There's a reason he's played 100 consecutive tests. Head getting a couple of tailend wickets doesn't alter that. I think you covered every plausible scenario last night, so no surprise your fears have come true.

So called "Bazball" is great entertainment and is a winning formula BUT unquestionably England thrown away wickets.

Why they cannot react to situation and just build an innings then go for it only they know.

Duckett saying he doesn't regret shot is BS, getting on Lords honour board has to be on bucket list for a pro, plus of course him getting out doesn't help England.
Add in Root, Crawley, Brooks, Bairstow wickets and it's bordering on criminally stupid.

KP_fan largely correct I think.

Not totally sure short stuff will work every time though. We will see. May have been a lot of bad shots and won't necessarily be repeated. If Pope had got his shot out of the middle and it goes for six everything might have been different...

mountain man wrote:So called "Bazball" is great entertainment and is a winning formula BUT unquestionably England thrown away wickets.

Why they cannot react to situation and just build an innings then go for it only they know.

Duckett saying he doesn't regret shot is BS, getting on Lords honour board has to be on bucket list for a pro, plus of course him getting out doesn't help England.
Add in Root, Crawley, Brooks, Bairstow wickets and it's bordering on criminally stupid.

Because that's not Bazball. Bazball is 'see ball, hit ball'. Nothing more, nothing less.

It worked when England were playing poor Pakistani and Kiwi bowling attacks (minus the last test v NZ), but unsurprisingly it's struggled when coming up against the better attacks of South Africa and Australia.

Frustrating morning as a follower, but I guess the basic concept of Bazball is that you win the match in the second innings so this'll be an interesting test of how much the team really has bought in to the idea that they can chase anything down.

Well exactly and it's not worked yesterday or this morning.

Hence need to adapt to situation but they seem determined not to.

Ball seems to be doing more this morning , doesn't it ?

Warner and Khawaja both getting beaten by excellent deliveries - but managing to not edge it. Fine margins...

Having a 90 run lead makes this pressure period a bit less taxing maybe. Think England need some serious early inroads or they are looking at a very hard road back into the match. As noted earlier , the bowlers haven't had much rest.

Their version of adaptation will be the same as v South Africa, which will mean being more aggressive. Anything less will be viewed as a betrayal of the new ethos.

Duty281 wrote:Their version of adaptation will be the same as v South Africa, which will mean being more aggressive. Anything less will be viewed as a betrayal of the new ethos.

I don't think that is altogether true. The "new ethos" is about playing with intent , not swinging at everything . It is a caricature of "Bazball" (wish we could scrap that annoying word) that you are determined to push. Even in this wretched innings we saw Stokes and Brook last night , and Bairstow before drinks ; play with sensible caution - so the notion that they have been instructed to attack blindly at all costs is really not valid. (we also saw sensible and more retrained batting last year against SA , if you cast your mind back)

They have been freed to play without fear : and I think that has led to far too many poor dismissals , certainly in this match. But it has also led to 188/1 before they lost their way (or their heads). It is as Morgan said on comms this morning , a case of calculating risk and reward. And executing your plays - which they failed to do rather dramatically here.

You can keep mocking "Bazball" if you like. But I would prefer to hope they keep the mindset but exercise much better judgement going forward.

were doomed, were doomed i tell ya!!

this isnt even a fast bouncy track and Australia have bounced us out very easily, we cant get a spinning track as we dont have one of them. there are no conditions that the Australia attack wont be better in. they also have batsman who are willing to bed in and make it difficult to get out, complete opposite of ours who will throw it away

compelling and rich wrote:were doomed, were doomed i tell ya!!

this isnt even a fast bouncy track and Australia have bounced us out very easily, we cant get a spinning track as we dont have one of them. there are no conditions that the Australia attack wont be better in. they also have batsman who are willing to bed in and make it difficult to get out, complete opposite of ours who will throw it away

Excellent 6000th post, compelling!

I think Australia are simply applying themselves to the match situation in their own way. When batting, it's caution first, try and build partnerships and then obviously look to put away the bad balls and keep the scoreboard moving reasonably well as the ball gets older and the bowling attack tires. No need to break records or set any benchmarks. Just play what's there and try to keep things cool... without panicking when under some pressure.

As for bowling - similarly they just chip away sticking to their game plan for each batter without losing too much shape reacting to boundaries. Persevere and the rewards will inevitably be there. Also, they have more discipline in the field generally - taking catches more cleanly when the opportunities arise. Some super fielders in this team.


How's the bub? Are you getting much rest?

broken pj is best way to describe it, nap every chance i get. doesn't help working till late and mrs still being laid up after the op. newborn is great to be honest, anyone want to borrow a 2 year old for a while though?

Mine is enough work on his own now he's discovered pens

Good post above , PJ. Australia indeed generally have played their normal game , confident it will work most of the time.

But it is perhaps worth noting , with all the (justified) criticism of England's careless loss of wickets , that Australia did exactly the same thing in their innings . At 316/3 with England "out on their feet" , two wickets were donated to Root's gentle off spin...and they lost 7/100.
In fact England's last 7 wickets added slightly more - 117

The difference being they were 108 runs better off when they decided to go kamikaze style...

I don't think they'll be slipping up in this innings though. They are usually pretty good at making the most of a stranglehold .

And this is very good from Warner and Khawaja. They've not been exactly comfortable ; and England have bowled rather well. But , just as in the first innings , they've managed to hang in there and eat up vital new ball overs . Setting it up for the strong 3-5 to come

Seen Anderson off. Oh...and now Jimmy has missed a chance to catch Khawaja at square : don't think he saw that at all ! England's luck not really there in this innings...

121/0 effectively.

Pal Joey wrote:

compelling and rich wrote:were doomed, were doomed i tell ya!!

this isnt even a fast bouncy track and Australia have bounced us out very easily, we cant get a spinning track as we dont have one of them. there are no conditions that the Australia attack wont be better in. they also have batsman who are willing to bed in and make it difficult to get out, complete opposite of ours who will throw it away

Excellent 6000th post, compelling!

I think Australia are simply applying themselves to the match situation in their own way. When batting, it's caution first, try and build partnerships and then obviously look to put away the bad balls and keep the scoreboard moving reasonably well as the ball gets older and the bowling attack tires. No need to break records or set any benchmarks. Just play what's there and try to keep things cool... without panicking when under some pressure.

As for bowling - similarly they just chip away sticking to their game plan for each batter without losing too much shape reacting to boundaries. Persevere and the rewards will inevitably be there. Also, they have more discipline in the field generally - taking catches more cleanly when the opportunities arise. Some super fielders in this team.


How's the bub? Are you getting much rest?

definitely seeing this both in this innings and the first. both times they openers have seen off anderson and broad with the new ball when its doing abit.

Again, the openers getting through the new ball period and laying that platform for the middle order. Strike-rates for both openers look the wrong way round, has to be said!

Anderson did miss a very tough chance that went through his hands. Visibility doesn't seem to be great, very gloomy, but weather is good over the weekend.

The England seam attack look unavoidably slow. They just aren't getting the same out the pitch as the quicker and largely taller Australian pace attack.

The lead trio of course aren't bowlers who rely on pace but when at their best they aren't on the slower end of medium-fast either.

alfie wrote:Good post above , PJ. Australia indeed generally have played their normal game , confident it will work most of the time.

But it is perhaps worth noting , with all the (justified) criticism of England's careless loss of wickets ,  that Australia did exactly the same thing in their innings . At 316/3 with England "out on their feet" , two wickets were donated to Root's gentle off spin...and they lost 7/100.
In fact England's last 7 wickets added slightly more - 117  

The difference being they were 108 runs better off when they decided to go kamikaze style...

I don't think they'll be slipping up in this innings though. They are usually pretty good at making the most of a stranglehold .

Yeah, I was going to mention before when you made the comment about 'Head shouldn't have cleaned up the tail' but then realised Joe tore the guts out of the Australia middle order when they experienced a similar lack of concentration or brain fade, morelike. Credit to both Joe and Travis though.

The ol' golden arm and the platinum arm both contributed in their own way. Or Detective Chief Inspector and rookie undercover 70s cop if you like...

So far, I have been able to catch up with series in parts only. Been entertaining, but Australia has clearly been the better side. They have been more consistent, England getting carried away a bit with their new approach. England were absolutely pathetic in the months leading up to the new era, and the new approach has brought them unprecedented success. But this was always going to be the test, and England has to find a way to just bring in greater adaptation. It is the approach of getting as many as possible before you get out that enabled the 20Somethings like Oliver Pope and Zak Crawley to improve their overall numbers and make more meaningful contributions. But they can be a bit more judicious once they are in a good position. Bring some more ruthlessness and match awareness...
Warner and Khawaja haven't been finding it easy, and England have shown Bazball can be most dramatic in the 4th innings. Australia are without Lyon. So I won't rule England out yet, though Australia are pretty much in control at the moment.

Pope going off with his shoulder issue again. Looking like the worst possible day for England, at the moment.

Graphic earlier showed that only Tongue has been averaging 82mph+ out of England's attack. Very feeble.

Been out for a couple of hours. Sorry if it's already been covered on comms - although Morgan has just raised it, so probably not - but why was Pope fielding when he was clearly incapacitated?

Pal Joey wrote:

guildfordbat wrote:Joey - what's the reaction Down Under to Lyon and what happens next? Cheers.

Obviously a huge blow but no panic as yet.

Smith has said Murphy is bowling well in the nets but as Alfie says - it's a big step up. There's something about Murphy though. He seems an unflappable type and obviously has confidence in his own abilities and would be itching to get out there on the big stage.

Thanks, Joey.

By chance, I noticed earler this week that Mitchell Swepson (the Aussie leggie who has been in their recent squads but not the current one) has been signed by Glamorgan and played in their last Championship match against Sussex. He picked up 7 match wickets but couldn't break Sussex's last wicket stand which successfully played out 21+ overs for the draw. Apparently, Swepson has replaced Nesser who is staying with the Test squad for the timebeing at least.

I suspect Swepson is too far down the pecking order to become involved in this series but he is here and it would seem in reasonable to good form.

guildfordbat wrote:

Pal Joey wrote:

guildfordbat wrote:Joey - what's the reaction Down Under to Lyon and what happens next? Cheers.

Obviously a huge blow but no panic as yet.

Smith has said Murphy is bowling well in the nets but as Alfie says - it's a big step up. There's something about Murphy though. He seems an unflappable type and obviously has confidence in his own abilities and would be itching to get out there on the big stage.

Thanks, Joey.

By chance, I noticed earler this week that Mitchell Swepson (the Aussie leggie who has been in their recent squads but not the current one) has been signed by Glamorgan and played in their last Championship match against Sussex. He picked up 7 match wickets but couldn't break Sussex's last wicket stand which successfully played out 21+ overs for the draw. Apparently, Swepson has replaced Nesser who is staying with the Test squad for the timebeing at least.

I suspect Swepson is too far down the pecking order to become involved in this series but he is here and it would seem in reasonable to good form.

Yes, I saw that scorecard on cricinfo. I remember Warne was one of the first people to sing his praises... that must have been about 8 years ago?
There was some talk on Ch 9 here a few hours ago about Neser - a viewer's question about whether he might get a chance later on. Depends on how many left standing, doesn't it? At the moment he's around the squad with Inglis and a couple of others. Abbott is just a short drive away too.

alfie wrote:And another ! Oh dear ...

Think WINVIZ can correct that "England favourites " nonsense they've had up despite the collapse .

Looking like a substantial deficit now

WINVIZ is no better than being forced to listen to the ramblings of the drunken oaf in the local who bases all his soundings on the last ball he saw on the pub telly.

Duty281 wrote:Pope going off with his shoulder issue again. Looking like the worst possible day for England, at the moment.

Graphic earlier showed that only Tongue has been averaging 82mph+ out of England's attack. Very feeble.

Before the Test I did express concern over whether Tongue would maintain those speeds in the high 80s across a Test. He's been the pick though in fairness.

It's all the bowlers though. Anderson and Broad have dipped from fast-medium into low end medium-fast. I don't enjoy criticising those two after all they've achieved, but, realistically, it's the speeds Sam Curran used to get flack for bowling when he was barely out of his teens. Robinson has looked even slower. Stokes, when hobbling in, has been around 80mph.

I was giving Robinson all the praise as England's attack leader before T1. I was honestly expecting him to build on the improved performances after his fitness got better, just go from strength to strength. Either he's carrying an injury or his fitness has regressed woefully.

I'm watching this thinking, "Chris Woakes might get some more zip off this surface from being fast-medium". Woakes is a marvellous cricketer, especially at home. But when I'm watching a bowling attack and thinking the reason Woakes might add to it is his 'pace' then something is going very wrong.

The batters threw away a prime opportunity to make a big first innings total after their great start, I'm not trying to distract from that. This bowling attack really isn't looking great though.

Really frustrating for England as they've beaten the bat repeatedly and frankly both batsmen have been a bit lucky not to have nicked one on several occasions. But they've not gone silly and thrown it away with wild shots...just got on with facing the next ball as it comes.

Probably helps having that first innings lead as a cushion. Rare to see Warner so "cautious " : but in overcast conditions he's doing a vital job for Australia

VTR wrote:England weren't really bounced out today, and Head took the wickets of a couple of tailenders. Not really fear that got them out, more lack of ability

And application.

alfie wrote:Really frustrating for England as they've beaten the bat repeatedly and frankly both batsmen have been a bit lucky not to have nicked one on several occasions. But they've not gone silly and thrown it away with wild shots...just got on with facing the next ball as it comes.

Probably helps having that first innings lead as a cushion. Rare to see Warner so "cautious " : but in overcast conditions he's doing a vital job for Australia

Yep and tweaking the words of the great Gary Player, ''The less daft shots I play, the luckier I get.''

With respect , KC , I think you are being a bit harsh on the bowlers. Pace may be down but they've been beating the bat rather a lot and I do think they might reasonably claim to be a bit unlucky.

The Australian seamers not only failed to strike early on but went round the park (a brighter day , to be sure. But still)

Robinson has disappointed me . Like you , I thought he could be a real weapon here but it hasn't happened. Never mind the pace so much , just too much poor stuff in with the good balls.

Now . Has Tongue got one ? Yes ! At last...

That was a good bit of bowling. Nice double bluff too , putting the catchers back to suggest a short ball tactic and instead bowling full

Tongue has been quite impressive here for a new man. With Anderson and Broad getting closer to the end each year he just might be one to take up the mantle , if he can keep on improving.

compelling and rich wrote:broken pj is best way to describe it, nap every chance i get. doesn't help working till late and mrs still being laid up after the op. newborn is great to be honest, anyone want to borrow a 2 year old for a while though?

I have granddaughters aged just 4 and almost 2. I am never happier than when I see them for a few hours each week. I am never more tired than when I leave them after a few hours each week.

Tongue, who has looked the best of England bowlers, gets the breakthrough. Warner getting a start, but not building on to a big one. Did a good job though, of seeing the new ball off. Poor review from him, it has to be said...
Marnus hasn't had the best of times of late, can he change it here?

Nearly another one...Marnus saved himself with a review - don't think he was too confident he was going to be reprieved then ! Very close.

Tongue continues to threaten.

alfie wrote:Nearly another one...Marnus saved himself with a review - don't think he was too confident he was going to be reprieved then ! Very close.

Tongue continues to threaten.

Yep, paving the way for Robinson to get 3 fairly meaningless tail end wickets.

guildfordbat wrote:

compelling and rich wrote:broken pj is best way to describe it, nap every chance i get. doesn't help working till late and mrs still being laid up after the op. newborn is great to be honest, anyone want to borrow a 2 year old for a while though?

I have granddaughters aged just 4 and almost 2. I am never happier than when I see them for a few hours each week. I am never more tired than when I leave them after a few hours each week.

The big advantage of grand children, you get to give them back

Don't know how Marnus survived that session. But he did ...

England - with the aid of the overcast skies- bowled really well then . But not much reward. And I fear their chances are slipping away : hanging by a thread , perhaps.

Time for tea. Or scotch , perhaps

compelling and rich wrote:

guildfordbat wrote:

compelling and rich wrote:broken pj is best way to describe it, nap every chance i get. doesn't help working till late and mrs still being laid up after the op. newborn is great to be honest, anyone want to borrow a 2 year old for a while though?

I have granddaughters aged just 4 and almost 2. I am never happier than when I see them for a few hours each week. I am never more tired than when I leave them after a few hours each week.

The big advantage of grand children, you get to give them back

Unless you're Josef Frtizl.

alfie wrote:Nearly another one...Marnus saved himself with a review - don't think he was too confident he was going to be reprieved then ! Very close.

Tongue continues to threaten.

BBC have the point of impact as a still - was outside the line by about 1 coat of lacquer. Sometimes the luck isn't on your side.

Really does look like we're seeing the end of Anderson's career.

Oh dear, Broad pins Labuschagne LBW, but not out from the umpire and no review on field. One of those days.

Still two hours left, so that lead will be close to 300 if they play to stumps.