England's Summer of Cricket 2023, Featuring The Ashes

First topic message reminder :

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.

guildfordbat wrote:That was very canny bowling from Root. Having been tonked for 6 by Carey, he sends down a slower and wider one which the batsman can only drive into Stokes' hands.

I did mention during the Ireland Test and even before Leach got crocked for the latest time that Root's bowling in this series could be significant.

Root is a perfect example of a part time spinner being utilised well. England are really good at bowling him in favourable conditions or to lefties. Given the odd low arm action and revs he puts on the ball he can be very useful in those circumstances. But they don't usually fall into the trap of seeing his success in the right circumstances and using it as a misguided rational to over utilise him in the wrong circumstance. Which often happens with many 'useful' part timers.

This is a much better looking scorecard to come in from a busy afternoons work to see! The last time I looked it was 2 down at lunch after Marnus dug his hole.

Smith could rapidly get them up near parity if he stays in though. He's done it before to England!

Not much after Cummins and a new ball due. Smith probably has to go big now

5/71 in this session. Wonder why they keep trying to change the ball ?

By the way , guildford, I agree with you about Root. (Who apparently has a better average against Australia than any other England spinner this Millennium, bar Jack Leach.) and Scott Borthwick but he doesn't count because only one match

We probably shouldn't make too much of it though for fear of setting Duty off on another Moeen Roast...

186/7. Time for tea.

Harry Brook maiden over to Steve Smith, it's all happening

A top afternoon from England. Broad with the first brilliant spell to dent the Australians, then Anderson, Root and Wood have all followed up.

Should be looking for a lead of at least fifty from here. New ball just around the corner, Broad prepared for another burst, and Murphy and Hazlewood being genuine tailenders. But I do remember Edgbaston 2019, with Smith carrying Australia from 122/8 to 284ao.

alfie wrote:We probably shouldn't make too much of it though for fear of setting Duty off on another Moeen Roast...

This test, and the first one, just showing how much of a waste the Moeen selection is. Could get another specialist batsman in, rely on the four seamers + a little bit of Root. It's all you need. England playing with ten men the whole series.

That was out.

Smith got out of Jail on what looked out in real time
But frame-by-frame was brilliantly done by 3rd umpire and got to the right decision
Wow Bairstow ...so slow that he could not dislodge bails in 4-frames worth of movement

Hasn't YJB just taken the stumps early?

So close to being yet another Ashes wicket for the Ealham family

king_carlos wrote:Hasn't YJB just taken the stumps early?

Yes but if one bail remains on the stumps, you can still be run out if out of your crease when the remaining bail comes off the stumps (I believe).

guildfordbat wrote:

king_carlos wrote:Hasn't YJB just taken the stumps early?

Yes but if one bail remains on the stumps, you can still be run out if out of your crease when the remaining bail comes off the stumps (I believe).

You're correct there I believe. The other bail was fairly removed.

guildfordbat wrote:

king_carlos wrote:Hasn't YJB just taken the stumps early?

Yes but if one bail remains on the stumps, you can still be run out if out of your crease when the remaining bail comes off the stumps (I believe).

2 morals from 2 Surrey men and both are right.

''Don't dislodge the bails early'' - Butcher.

''Don't take on the sub fielder'' - Ponting.

Broad/Jimmy time with the new ball? Smith almost gave a bonus

201/7. New ball time. Hopefully Broad can clear this up quickly.

The question was : was the bail out of the groove from the "early" contact before the ball arrived - or was it moved with ball in hand ? Smith was still short , just , with the bail clearly off : but if it had already moved out he's not out ...
Incredibly hard to be sure...all so close and fractional movement. Could have been given either way I think. But I haven't got a microscope...

Could be a big moment : Smith now fifty and while he's there , new ball or no , runs will flow.

Soul Requiem wrote:

guildfordbat wrote:

king_carlos wrote:Hasn't YJB just taken the stumps early?

Yes but if one bail remains on the stumps, you can still be run out if out of your crease when the remaining bail comes off the stumps (I believe).

You're correct there I believe. The other bail was fairly removed.

Cheers, Soul.

Yes to the now highlighted sentence but could the third umpire tell where the bat was when that happened? Bairstow's cackhandedness certainly confused the issue and helped no one bar Smith and Australia.

VTR will probably be relieved anyway that George Ealham isn't the new Gary Pratt and won't be seen on an open top bus anytime soon.

Bowlers should not dive and kill themselves to try and save a run like Anderson attempted.
The risk reward associated makes it Not-Worth-It all the time

Broady!

h.t.f did onfield ump give it out
and how did the commentator get so excited

Too much from Broad. Wilson's error probably saving England from a review burned.

king_carlos wrote:

guildfordbat wrote:That was very canny bowling from Root. Having been tonked for 6 by Carey, he sends down a slower and wider one which the batsman can only drive into Stokes' hands.

I did mention during the Ireland Test and even before Leach got crocked for the latest time that Root's bowling in this series could be significant.

Root is a perfect example of a part time spinner being utilised well. England are really good at bowling him in favourable conditions or to lefties. Given the odd low arm action and revs he puts on the ball he can be very useful in those circumstances. But they don't usually fall into the trap of seeing his success in the right circumstances and using it as a misguided rational to over utilise him in the wrong circumstance. Which often happens with many 'useful' part timers.

This is a much better looking scorecard to come in from a busy afternoons work to see! The last time I looked it was 2 down at lunch after Marnus dug his hole.

Smith could rapidly get them up near parity if he stays in though. He's done it before to England!

Hi Carlos - agree with all that. With regard to the bit I've highligted, someone of course has to stay with Smith and that hasn't seemed too likely since Khawaja got out.

Anyway, a reprieve for Cummins just now and a fair one too. Maybe he can ride shotgun?

Soul Requiem wrote:

guildfordbat wrote:

king_carlos wrote:Hasn't YJB just taken the stumps early?

Yes but if one bail remains on the stumps, you can still be run out if out of your crease when the remaining bail comes off the stumps (I believe).

You're correct there I believe. The other bail was fairly removed.

Wasn't Smith home when that second bail was removed though?

I thought he was short when the first bail came off (which was dislodged early) but not the second.

Characteristically, Smith has just kept scoring vital runs since.

Has Broad got Cummins ? No...missing to leg ! Thought he was out , live . But the slo mo revealed it was another Wilson error

England just can't get the marginals at the moment ...

New ball doing a bit. Smith has actually been beaten once or twice . But he just never fails at this ground. Have to get the others out or he will yet get Australia into a lead.

alfie wrote:Has Broad got Cummins ? No...missing to leg !  Thought he was out , live . But the slo mo revealed it was another Wilson error

England just can't get the marginals at the moment ...

New ball doing a bit. Smith has actually been beaten once or twice . But he just never fails at this ground. Have to get the others out or he will yet get Australia into a lead.

Well he did fail - but the third umpire has either been paid off or is ridiculously incompetent to let him off.

king_carlos wrote:

Soul Requiem wrote:

guildfordbat wrote:

king_carlos wrote:Hasn't YJB just taken the stumps early?

Yes but if one bail remains on the stumps, you can still be run out if out of your crease when the remaining bail comes off the stumps (I believe).

You're correct there I believe. The other bail was fairly removed.

Wasn't Smith home when that second bail was removed though?

I thought he was short when the first bail came off (which was dislodged early) but not the second.

Characteristically, Smith has just kept scoring vital runs since.

I thought his bat was on the line so still out.

Olly ? You reckon the third umpire got it wrong then ? I still couldn't be quite certain. Wish we had Zing Bails...

Soul Requiem wrote:

king_carlos wrote:

Soul Requiem wrote:

guildfordbat wrote:

king_carlos wrote:Hasn't YJB just taken the stumps early?

Yes but if one bail remains on the stumps, you can still be run out if out of your crease when the remaining bail comes off the stumps (I believe).

You're correct there I believe. The other bail was fairly removed.

Wasn't Smith home when that second bail was removed though?

I thought he was short when the first bail came off (which was dislodged early) but not the second.

Characteristically, Smith has just kept scoring vital runs since.

I thought his bat was on the line so still out.

To my eye it looks like the second bail is definitely still in the leg stump groove when the bat is on the line. I think it's the right decision though a very tight one.

43 run stand , this. Second best of the innings , moving towards best. Vital runs for Australia. England in danger of having a lot of the previous session's work undone - at least partially.

Woakes to have a try now.

There's been a few instances of the last recognised batter putting on a good partnership with the tail in this series. This is a very frustrating one for England though.

That potential lead disappearing fast. First fifty stand of the innings and even with a new ball the overworked bowlers are struggling to make an impact in the pleasant evening...

Aha ! I have done it again ! Smith gone even as I type

Smith goes for 71, a bit later than he should have. A good knock, not a great one, England might still prise out a lead despite a frustrating evening session.

Can't understand why Smith suddenly strared throwing his bat around
Eng should be disappointed if they don't take a 20 run lead from here

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:

alfie wrote:Has Broad got Cummins ? No...missing to leg !  Thought he was out , live . But the slo mo revealed it was another Wilson error

England just can't get the marginals at the moment ...

New ball doing a bit. Smith has actually been beaten once or twice . But he just never fails at this ground. Have to get the others out or he will yet get Australia into a lead.

Well he did fail - but the third umpire has either been paid off or is ridiculously incompetent to let him off.

If i was being kind I'd suggest the dislodging of the first bail has confused matters and become too focal. In reality though it should have been given out, the level of umpiring in this series isn't good enough.

Even if England do get a lead it won't be a significant one. And their bowlers have done a lot of work to even reach this point. Going to need a seriously good second innings - and hopefully sufficient time at the crease that those bowlers get some sort of rest for once !

Still got to get rid of Cummins and his associates. He's had some luck but he's in the twenties now so can cause further damage yet...

Wood and Woakes have to summon their remaining energy to wrap this up. A ton of good work today ; have to complete the job.

Blimey : Murphy off the mark with a six off Wood ! Nothing comes easily in this game...

Yes , Olly , I think you are right. The bail was not completely removed by the "first touch" : but by gloves and ball subsequently- with Smith still not over the line. So should have been given out.

Hard to prove without a lot of split screens but it was my initial impression and I think now demonstrated. But done is done. Was tough for third umpire; but agree the umpiring has been poor.

Murphy getting Australia closer and closer...

Making the guy who averages 12 in FC cricket look like Bradman

What on earth are they doing? Why the hell are we bowling exclusively short at Murphy???

This has gone full Bumrah now, all that hard work being chucked away

Ball is 15 overs old and we’ve got no slips in and are gifting sixes to a number 10. Pathetic captaincy

Murphy must think he's Stokes - or Marsh : .another six ! And another ! Australia heading for a lead now...

Short ball tactic going awry

alfie wrote:Murphy must think he's Stokes - or Marsh : .another six !  And another !   Australia heading for a lead now...

Short ball tactic going awry

Yep, Alfie.

I'm sure that on your side of the world there's an Aussie Olly laughing his head off at the Harry Potteresque Murphy biffing speedster Wood into the Oval seats!

VTR wrote:Making the guy who averages 12 in FC cricket look like Bradman

Spud Murphy has hit 3 sixes in this innings. That's exactly half as many as Bradman managed in his entire Test career.

England desperate for these last 2 wickets although Crawley and Duckett will be happy if the last one doesn't fall until 6:20.

I know why they resort to this stuff with the bowlers all just about out of petrol and nothing much in the way of movement off pitch or in air. But they've battled away all day with basically orthodox methods - to good effect. That burst of short stuff just enabled Murphy to bring his team quickly up to the target. Maintaining the more normal approach surely would have been worth it - at least for longer than they did. Think I'd sooner have had Root try his luck ! Another fifty partnership isn't what the doctor ordered.
Problem now to try and stop these chaps from taking Australia into a serious kind of lead. Not sure how they're taking a wicket as both bats look comfortable and not making too many mistakes...

Job isn't over until you've taken all ten. Sometimes think they unconsciously take their foot off the pedal when the eighth goes down ?

Now : is this out ? Going down perhaps ? Oh thank heavens ...umpires call and Murphy falls to Woakes. Good effort from him

Pitching up to a number ten : who knew that would work

Same old England, they never, ever learn. But they've got Todd Murphy now.

Nitin Menon, an umpire even worse than Joel Wilson, needs removing from the elite panel. His error has kept Australia well in this game.

Disappointing that another poor decision involving Steve Smith has turned the game.

Would be quite the irony if the only one-sided game in the series ends up being the only draw.

Openers may be glad they don't have to bat tonight. But the bowlers won't be happy if they have to come back tomorrow...

Aha ! Root might have done the trick... Yes , excellent from Stokes on the boundary

295. Twelve run lead , ie , nothing much.

I know a lot on here are unhappy that those two late partnerships added a hundred after going seven down : but given most thought England were under par yesterday I think they've done very well to basically turn it into a one innings shoot out. Generally all bowled rather well today.

Problem may arise that the bowlers are all cooked and if they Bazball themselves to a quick 300 or so it won't even give them a full day's rest: but that's for another day.

Goodnight all

Soul Requiem wrote:Disappointing that another poor decision involving Steve Smith has turned the game.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/cricket/66342091

I've watched this so many times now because I feel like I'm going insane given others here feel this is out.

The bat the second bail just looks clearly in the leg stump groove when Smith gets home to me.