It's The Ashes (again)

[SuperBob2002]

Lots of talk of it being a close day yesterday, which I'd agree with if the weather forecast for the weekend wasn't what it was.

In taking a day out of what will more than likely be a three day game Australia will be pretty pleased I'd imagine. All of the pressure is now on England to take two quick wickets this morning and then score 400 or so, quickly against Starc, Cummins and Hazlewood. It will certainly be the biggest test Bazball has faced thus far.

It will be frustrating to see us bemoaning the English weather come Sunday when we played such sloppy cricket for two test matches out of five.

One of the few scenarios I'd agree with reckless cricket. We can't win the series with a draw so we have to do something to force a win. If we somehow score 400 today that'll be something special. Unfortunately it's tough to see anything other than 250 AO or less. That's just being realistic. We're more than capable of doing something special, but it'd be special for a reason - it's highly unlikely. 

But the reckless approach is logical. For once. It'd be so ironic if the ridiculous recklessness approach won us this Test against the weather, when it's arguably cost us at Edgbaston and Lords.

[AnelkasBeard]

No one has ever won a Test match bowling first here at Old Trafford - just seen this fact in the BBC. That can't be right, shirley?

'Teams batting first have won 32 Tests at the Emirates Old Trafford, chasing teams have won 16 games and 35 Test matches have been drawn.'



That's all tests though - maybe it's ashes tests they are referring to ?

Yet another example of poor reporting from the BBC.

Slightly wrong interpretation of the stat - no-one has ever won the toss, opted to bowl first, and then won the Test.

Was a good first day, excellent stuff from Woakes as usual. Think with Jimmy seeming to tail off, we'll be seeing more and more of him. Good stuff from Broady again as well, 600 wickets. Odds on him to overtake Jimmy when it's all said and done for him?

In fairness to Jimmy, he got a few nicks, bowled very economically as usual, just didn't get the luck. Like if a batsman is out of form, all the nicks seem to go to hand, but if they're in form, they always miss. Just going through an unlucky patch I think.

Hopefully get these last 2 wickets quick sharp, and get stuck in to batting quickly, and long. With the weather, really need to try and bat once here.

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And as if by magic, Jimmy gets a wicket first ball...

[Ted Maul]

Not a bad start. I'm trying to do the maths in my head here. We need these two wickets gone within 20 minutes and then need to have 70 overs at almost 6 an over before declaring and getting the Aussies back in before the close tonight. That's without any potential stoppages or disruptions throughout the day. Not much to ask is it?

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Erm, OK then England. Calm down. OH NO BALL FFS.

[SuperBob2002]

I absolutely detest the gentleman nature of applauding an opposition player when they get a century against your team. Probably tells you how much of a cunt I am.

I did clap Balderson's century v Bears to fit in, but it was half arsed and stroppy.

[Lurker#3]

Superb ball to get Duckett. He didn't do much wrong either.

[Cuzer]

Shame the weather is likely to intervene

Ultimately that loss at Edgbaston when the game was in the bag could be a deciding factor

This pitch is still doing plenty

I'd take us getting anywhere near the Aussie score and quickly, then we'll try and make it a one innings shoot out

They are the best side in the world, comfortably, so to run them so close when arguably catching has been the only difference between the teams, especially given our injuries will be a decent effort regardless IMO

Cuzer

[backsidebaggie]

Shame the weather is likely to intervene

Ultimately that loss at Edgbaston when the game was in the bag could be a deciding factor

This pitch is still doing plenty

I'd take us getting anywhere near the Aussie score and quickly, then we'll try and make it a one innings shoot out

They are the best side in the world, comfortably, so to run them so close when arguably catching has been the only difference between the teams, especially given our injuries will be a decent effort regardless IMO

Cuzer

I think the only way we win is getting 150 lead and bowling them out bloody quick (and hoping there’s a few hours play Sunday)

[Cuzer]

Wishful thinking Backside, I don't see this as a 450 pitch personally but be delighted if we get a lead of any sort personally

It's not a bad track but there is a bit of nibble in it for the bowlers and turned a lot for a day one pitch yesterday

Cuzer

[backsidebaggie]

Yeah I don’t see it either. I just can’t see any other way of winning with the time available.

The spin is a good point, as Aussies haven’t picked a spinner. But we need to go big to make this count…

It’s all very wishful thinking though!

[wba13]

What is it with these umpires, are they just getting lazy in their decisions. They are getting to many decisions wrong, I personally think think they believe if they get it wrong the 3 umpire will put it right. The decision to give Crawley out when it was missing by a mile and the couple of LBW ‘ s that were out that weren’t given by the on field umpire. In my view the umpires in this series have been poor.