England's Summer of Cricket 2023, Featuring The Ashes

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50 up for Mo at an absolutely vital moment.   

A fortuitous way to get there with Cummins not picking it up. It frankly looked like he wasn't moving well chasing back for it either.

Starc back on which I think slows how key a period the Aussies know this is. He's looked their best bowler today.

Anderson off after just that opening over and Woakes on. Right call from Ben I think.

Marsh not interested in blocking this out then

Bold from Marsh!

Visibility won't be great out there hence Mo picking it up a bit late.

Woakes finding that bit of shape and carry that he has tended to since coming back in.

Marsh is not playing the Survival game. Couple of boundaries in that over from Woakes. How on earth does he keep doing this against England? The bloke has an absolutely mediocre record with bat and ball, , and yet...

Marsh is going to play his shots...interesting. Guess he's just happier playing positively rather than trying to defend.

The Wood and Woakes show , eh ? Fair enough. Though I have a feeling Broad might play a part here...

Fifty for Marnus . He's had an ordinary series ; but could be vital for Australia today.

50 up for Marnus. His second of the innings. He has had a few starts, but just hasn't gone on at all. Australia would desperately want him to do so today.

I believe that is Marnus' first fifty of the series presuming that's what you mean there msp?

He's the key though. Australia's best remaining batter suited to this scenario by a distance.

Got one in the first innings too

Yep, my bad sorry!! For some reason I thought he fell just short.

Marnus looks settled for as long as this takes, ball not doing too much atm. Need a moment of inspiration from somewhere. Broad?

Think Wood should cut down on the short ball to Marnus and instead focus on exploding his stumps. The short ball can be there as bit more of a surprise. Getting through Marnus is absolutely key for England.

Aye, not really a fan of the short ball theory to Marnus

I would bring on Broad now for a couple.

It is still a good batting track to be fair. Marnus has largely looked very solid when it's been pitched up.

Batsmen have looked quite composed so far. Working the ball to leg easily enough ; and no real alarms yet. Will be interesting to see how Stokes handles his bowling resources today...he has generally found a way to nibble out wickets even when there hasn't been much in the pitch for the bowlers. Expect we will see a fair bit of shuffling them around rather than asking anyone for a long spell.
Lot of short stuff from Wood. Remembering that ball that kept low to get Root , I'd rather fancy a few more at the stumps ; though Marsh has been pretty solid in defence.

Full ball then and nearly through him...promising.

I'd be tempted to give Mo an over just to see if it grips.

Woakes off the field again. Hopefully nothing serious he's struggling with there.

Wouldn't want to go off without Broad having a look

Here comes Stuart...

Both batters are looking very composed thus far it must be said.

As said earlier, I would like to see Ali given a go. Maybe in tandem with Anderson.

Time for spin at one end for me. It looks very settled. Just a different form of attack and a means of sneaking an extra over or two in whilst they're out there.

Bowling not looking very menacing at present I'm afraid. No funny bounce observed yet and apart from a couple that tailed in a bit there hasn't been much in the way of lateral movement. Lot of balls finding the middle of the bat. Keeping them honest ; but that's all so far.

Wonder if they'll try Moeen for some variety? And to have Duty switching off in disgust, of course

Hmm. It's feeling rather medium-fast right-arm seam again right now.

Time to try something a little different from one end.

Not unhappy, by the way , with Broad and Anderson mainly targeting the stumps. Only takes one to scoot through low ; and I still fancy one might bring two or more...but having been gifted this unexpected window of playing time it's a bit of a concern that we've made it to a drink break without any inroads. Credit to Marnus and Marsh , they've not put a foot wrong today.

Jimmy bowling short stuff ? That's an odd choice of tactics ... Suppose it's a case of mixing things up ; but not sure it's a likely winner. Reckon it might be time for Moeen...

One clear positive (other than play at all of course!) is that they're working closer to that second new ball if/when they get play tomorrow. The afternoon and evening look OK on the forecast currently.

Change of ball. Dreaded by 606 when England are batting!

That ball looks significantly newer than the one it replaced.

Few more Wood overs? All looks very flat

Jimmy visibly slowing a bit now. 17 overs in the innings.

They've got to look at Mo surely? Ball nearly 60 overs old. Nothing happening. Likely a limited window.

Here come the light meters

No more Wood unless the light improves then

Have to bowl Moeen because the umpires are up with their light meters... Might be a good thing ? At least something different. Very frustrating this : plenty of cricket but can't buy a wicket !

Decision to bat on to a big lead looking better by the minute , just saying...

Might be the end of the fun if it's Mo and Root until whenever rain hits. England really needed to breakthrough today

Yep, the lead was needed. Let's not beat up the bowlers too much either, this pitch is obviously a pancake, England scored almost 600 in 108 overs!

Root getting targeted now.

Fabulous hundred for Marnus when his team needed it badly

Well we did realise the pitch was fine for batting : were never going to skittle the Aussies for 150 . Marnus is happily cruising towards his hundred , and cutting into that deficit pretty quickly too.

Weather might be giving England more time than expected ; but I'm afraid my confidence in their chances of forcing a win is fading ...

That one from Root did something though ! No chance for Crawley to catch it , of course. But the first " false shot" I can remember.

Hundred for Marnus

Timely for his team.

Need a magic ball from somewhere I think

We sure Stokes can't bowl some medium pace?

I see the idiots on the BBC match cover are texting in with their stupid comments : calling the England bowlers "pathetic " and their cricket over the series "dull and lifeless "...honestly , I would have thought evolution would have seen that sort of moron bred out by now

Suppose some people just live to serve up vitriol...

Root going for runs but looks more likely to take a wicket than Moeen...always think he's underrated as a bowler. Not that you'd say either batsman looks exactly threatened ... Is it too much to hope for one magic ball before the light takes us off ? Just to keep hopes flickering for tomorrow...

Could it be ? Review for a catch ? Yessssss!,,

Utterly clueless umpires.

No surprise to see Root looking a bigger threat than Moeen. Root should always be the spinner you turn to first, if the choice is between him and Moeen.

Get in there; Marnus knew straight away.

That is a truly terrible original decision.

Roooooooooootttttt

Door opens a crack

Boy did England need that!!

Root does the business ! Excellent catch by Jonny and a great review... England buzzing now...

Top innings by Marnus , that was

Pressure back on - especially the new batsman .

If England do get on tomorrow this has helped burn a lot of overs to the new ball

Damn, Pope takes that.

Nearly two in the over !

The umpires really haven't shone in this game , have they ? Probably shouldn't be wearing sunglasses in this light

Soul Requiem wrote:Get in there; Marnus knew straight away.

That is a truly terrible original decision.

England look confused they had to review it

This is a very different test match without drs

Suddenly batting looks a bit tricky. Green might actually not be overjoyed to be facing spin to start his innings. 214/5.

Come on lads , grab anoth one , eh ?