It's The Ashes (again)

[SuperBob2002]

The over rate penalties are not enough, this is a joke.

I agree. But Australia are abusing the laws as they currently stand. It's ultimately no different to time wasting when you're 1-0 up with 10 mins to go. 

I've no issue with teams, in any sport, taking the rules to their maximum in order to gain advantages. In fact, when the Throstles are 1-0 up I love watching us shithouse the opponents with petty time wasting. Not that that happens much. 

Anyway, 180 lead is enough, for me. I'd declare now and have a good go at bowling them out over the next two sessions. I'm not sure what an extra 50/80 runs achieves from this point other than taking time out the game now. We may not need those runs and if we do we'll get them when we bat again. Either we bowl Australia out cheaply or they bat out. I'm not so sure an hour or so worth of batting is going to impact the match one way or the other.

180 lead would be knocked off in 4-5 hours play, meaning England may need to bat again. Batting again takes time out the game.

We won't score any quicker in 4th innings than we are now, which is the key, so the best use of the time is to get the runs right now - fast - and get as big a lead as possible. Its the right call to make as many as possible as fast as possible right now.

Edit: Unless these two get a lead of 300 ish, then it might be time to declare!

I don't think Australia will get to 180. It is what it is. There should be plenty of time to knock over these 10 wickets. 

I'd have declared at 180, but I've no qualms with them carrying on like they did. Just a personal preference.