The Ashes 2019

SharpshooterTom

This is what Australia feared with Starc, might go on a tear and clean up the tail but you can see why they were so hesistant playing up till now.

Might revert back to Pattinson for the Oval. Not much swing this series compared to 2015 which also nullifies Starc a bit.

Strumms

ThomasFlynn wrote: »

Burns has played well. Has the look of a quality test opener.

He’s actually barring one dodgy shot that I can recall, looking seriously comfortable out there. Game has ‘draw’ written all over it. English batsmen looking comfortable all be it very defensive, the run rate is 2.67 last time it flashed up, seriously conservative even for test cricket.. though England were somewhat behind the 8 ball in term of affordable aggression given the huge Australia first innings score.

Strumms

Well Thomas we gave him the kiss of death, one of the few bad shots he’s played but played it to a good delivery and he’s on his way. Shame not to see him complete the century and see out the day too.

SharpshooterTom

81 is still a good score, occupied the crease and took time out of the game, the middle order need to stand up now.

Hazlewood is a class act.

Happy4all

Strumms wrote: »

He’s actually barring one dodgy shot that I can recall, looking seriously comfortable out there. Game has ‘draw’ written all over it. English batsmen looking comfortable all be it very defensive, the run rate is 2.67 last time it flashed up, seriously conservative even for test cricket.. though England were somewhat behind the 8 ball in term of affordable aggression given the huge Australia first innings score.

Very optimistic of you expecting a draw

Mysterypunter

4 down now, collapse on

Strumms

Happy4all wrote: »

Very optimistic of you expecting a draw

Possibly, I was basing my thinking on England getting to close loosing maybe only the one more wicket but its probably another quick wicket away from an actual collapse now. Hazlewood has been super and Lyon ok wicketless has been super accurate and economical adding to the pressure.

Strumms

Paine acting like a complete unsporting prîck here. Umpires offer the light after taking another reading, batsmen walk and umpires who follow get an earful from him... fine the fûcker... imagine if it was Dickie Bird standing, there would be no rhetorical back and forth that’s for sure.

Mysterypunter

Strumms wrote: »

Paine acting like a complete unsporting pr here. Umpires offer the light after taking another reading, batsmen walk and umpires who follow get an earful from him... fine the fûcker... imagine if it was Dickie Bird standing, there would be no rhetorical back and forth that’s for sure.

Aussies are always at it. McGrath and Sarwan was the funniest, couldn't handle that at all. I know his wife was sick and all, but Sarwan didn't know that, McGrath absolutely cracked up, but he started the whole thing.

Strumms

Mysterypunter wrote: »

Aussies are always at it. McGrath and Sarwan was the funniest, couldn't handle that at all. I know his wife was sick and all, but Sarwan didn't know that, McGrath absolutely cracked up, but he started the whole thing.

They are unfortunately. What’s annoys me about some of their players now again it seems and certainly historically is they can give it but not quite fond of it when they are on the receiving end, either umpiring decisions which they don’t like or a bit of chat/sledging. I’d enjoy seeing Smith / Paine sanctioned after that...

WishUWereHere

Mysterypunter wrote: »

Aussies are always at it. McGrath and Sarwan was the funniest, couldn't handle that at all. I know his wife was sick and all, but Sarwan didn't know that, McGrath absolutely cracked up, but he started the whole thing.

And it isn’t just today. I was at St. George’s Park in PE about 25 years ago. The Springboks had just given Test status to Paul Adams. He had a very odd way of batting. At one stage, I think it was Warnie who bowled. Adams made a complete balls in his attempt to hit the ball. Ian Healy lay down and nearly had a seizure with his laughing.

So insulting to SA’s first non white player.

MrKingsley

Not sure what skin colour has to do with it. I would put the Likes of Flintoff, Swann and abroad up there with the worst of the Aussies in that regard. It’s not nice to watch but if they thinks it gives them an edge then they’ll keep going.

As for this match if Australia can get England out by 3/3.30 then they still have a chance of getting a win. From England’s point of view an 86 ball score of 2 from stokes would do very nicely again

jobeenfitz

If England don't reach 297 will the Aussies force follow on or bat, prob be to hard on bowlers to continue bowling?

Mysterypunter

WishUWereHere wrote: »

And it isn’t just today. I was at St. George’s Park in PE about 25 years ago. The Springboks had just given Test status to Paul Adams. He had a very odd way of batting. At one stage, I think it was Warnie who bowled. Adams made a complete balls in his attempt to hit the ball. Ian Healy lay down and nearly had a seizure with his laughing.

So insulting to SA’s first non white player.

Healy was a complete rabbit, on his first ashes tour to England he got about 10 runs, then got 40 in the last test, I could insult him a lot, but I'm not into that, except to say that him laughing at anyone else's batting is ridiculous.

Mysterypunter

jobeenfitz wrote: »

If England don't reach 297 will the Aussies force follow on or bat, prob be to hard on bowlers to continue bowling?

Pushed for time, so might enforce it, or else score a quick 120-140, and set England 330-350, bowling on the last day could be beneficial.

decies

Come on Aussies hopefully get the win and retain ashes , i still see draw though .

Strumms

Draw is the likely scenario, going into day four, England five wickets in hand but shîtloads still behind as long as they don’t collapse before lunch it’s unlikely they loose. It’s unlikely too they will put the foot to the gas as if they end up all out mid way in the afternoon it’s advantage Australia, in a big way.

WishUWereHere

MrKingsley wrote: »

Not sure what skin colour has to do with it. I would put the Likes of Flintoff, Swann and abroad up there with the worst of the Aussies in that regard. It’s not nice to watch but if they thinks it gives them an edge then they’ll keep going.

As for this match if Australia can get England out by 3/3.30 then they still have a chance of getting a win. From England’s point of view an 86 ball score of 2 from stokes would do very nicely again

Believe me, skin colour and representing Your country was almost everything in South Africa in those days.

Portsalon

New ball working for Starc: Bairstow and Stokes gone early; 244/7.

Portsalon

WishUWereHere wrote: »

And it isn’t just today. I was at St. George’s Park in PE about 25 years ago. The Springboks had just given Test status to Paul Adams. He had a very odd way of batting.

He had a very odd way of bowling too. Really peculiar.

Happy4all

Poor Jofra doesn't look too good with bat in hand.

MrKingsley

WishUWereHere wrote: »

Believe me, skin colour and representing Your country was almost everything in South Africa in those days.

I understand the history of South African sport quite well from that period.

My point was that they treated him the same as anyone else. Poorly

MrKingsley

This could be a cracking day and a half of cricket now. If Australia can get these out for 20/30 then a win could very much be on the cards

WishUWereHere

Portsalon wrote: »

He had a very odd way of bowling too. Really peculiar.

I think he was credited with bowling googles.

WishUWereHere

MrKingsley wrote: »

I understand the history of South African sport quite well from that period.

My point was that they treated him the same as anyone else. Poorly

Sorry, I misunderstood you.

But also, PE was one of the most liberal cities in South Africa and it wasn’t appreciated one bit when Healy reacted.

But in the main, you are right, the wallabies treated everyone with disdain. Saying that, I met both Glenn McGrath & Steve Waugh & outside the ground, you couldn’t meet nicer blokes.

MrKingsley

This is a massive 3/4 overs here

Portsalon

MrKingsley wrote: »

This is a massive 3/4 overs here

Can Leach redeem himself for that crucial no ball?

MrKingsley

That is a shocking decision

MrKingsley

Follow on avoided now. Interesting to see if the aussies go hard when they do get in.

Could be set up perfectly for Warner to come out swinging. He’s not scoring any runs anyway

liamoreilly

...Some start to the 2nd innings...Australia will be fearful of what England did in the 3rd test, they won't declare until they get to at least 400 I reckon, if they get there...

kmart6

Warner has to be dropped for the 5th test.

y0ssar1an22

warner gone 1st over for a duck to broad again

y0ssar1an22

MrKingsley wrote: »

That is a shocking decision

dont know the stats but there was an awful decision at the end of the 3rd test as well. aus also pretty crap with the reviews

MrKingsley

y0ssar1an22 wrote: »

dont know the stats but there was an awful decision at the end of the 3rd test as well. aus also pretty crap with the reviews

Their reviews have been awful for the most part. Still a couple of rotten decisions.

This game is now set up beautifully

kmart6

kmart6 wrote: »

Warner has to be dropped for the 5th test.

You'd think he'd have to be dropped, even though none of his potential replacements are in great nick either.

Portsalon

MrKingsley wrote: »

That is a shocking decision

I luckily flicked over from the rugby in time to see it!

As Warne observed, if the umpire had given it, England had 2 reviews left. By turning it down, he screwed the Aussies!

But you've just gotta enjoy the Aussies' abysmal ongoing use of the reviews during this series!

Portsalon

Plumb - now back to the rugby!

kmart6

Another stupid review.

MrKingsley

This is so good to watch.

For the neutral Australia getting bowled out for 150 is the perfect innings. Give England 90-100 overs to chase 350 again

MrKingsley

MrKingsley wrote: »

This is so good to watch.

For the neutral Australia getting bowled out for 150 is the perfect innings. Give England 90-100 overs to chase 350 again

It's getting interesting now alright!

Adamcp898

Didn’t see the Aussies slipping like this. 44/4.

kmart6

kmart6 wrote: »

Ridiculous shot by Wade. Getting into the territory of Smith needing players to just stick in with him.

Here we go again....

As happy as the English must be with the way this is going at the moment I imagine that their batsmen will he having mixed feelings at the prospect of batting on that pitch on the 5th day.

MrKingsley

Ward J. Littell wrote: »

As happy as the English must be with the way this is going at the moment I imagine that their batsmen will he having mixed feelings at the prospect of batting on that pitch on the 5th day.

Exactly. Even though the momentum is with England they are still 250 behind. A few cracks appearing and some balls staying low. This is not Headingley.

Regardless this is as good a session of Test cricket I’ve seen in a while

SharpshooterTom

Australia just need another 100 here and make it pronto. England wont be chasing down 360 in one day. Their run rate in the first innings was barely 3 an over.

The reason why they had a chance at Headingly was the wicket was far better (in effect day 3) and they had loads of time. Both of which they don't have this time around.

jobeenfitz

It will prob be a draw imo cos Aussies will be ultra safe after Headingly.

If England bowl Aussies out quick it could work against them, giving Aussies more time to get them out.

It's entertaining no matter what happens.

A Draw and we have another test match to enjoy.

SharpshooterTom

jobeenfitz wrote: »

It will prob be a draw imo cos Aussies will be ultra safe after Headingly.

Nah I think that would be a massive mistake. England get out of this again and I think they'll win the 5th test. Australia can still retain the Ashes even if they lose this, so I would go for the victory here. Draws are not easy to get and early indications are the oval looks like we'll have 5 days of good weather.

Its starting to look like 2009, a series which should've been a draw and instead Australia cracked under pressure on the final day and blew it.

Adamcp898

Aaaaaand we’re back to talking about when do they declare. Steve Smith bats another tidy half century to make Australia safe once more.

Add another quick-fire 50/60 runs and then give England an awkward 45/60 minutes to bat tonight or do they give their quicks the full evening/night to rest up before tearing after 10 wickets in a day tomorrow?

SharpshooterTom

10 wickets in one day will be tricky. I think they'll need a wicket or two tonight. Lyon's not on great form either.