It's The Ashes (again)

[SuperBob2002]

Loving this brand of Cricket. We will no doubt come unstuck at times but fuck me it's refreshing and a good watch.

Got one hell of a viral respiratory infection, you know the old fashioned flu's from before Covid? So will be in bed watching it all weekend.

All the best and get well soon chap, but that's not a bad way to spend the weekend!

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100% England's morning. Australia have been poor.

[CA Baggie]

Australia’s afternoon and evening session.

Close now, maybe Australia marginally ahead. If the weather holds (typical - I’ll be there) we’ll know by lunch tomorrow who has the upper hand.

[MancBaggie]

Australia’s afternoon and evening session.

Close now, maybe Australia marginally ahead.  If the weather holds (typical - I’ll be there) we’ll know by lunch tomorrow who has the upper hand.

The Aus are certainly favourites now. 6/5 to Englands 2/1

Really bold declaration. Not paying off atm

[Shabby Russian]

This test is still very close...but it shouldn't be.

England have been given two massive opportunities and only partially taken them.

1..winning toss on good pitch, should and could have scored more and made Australia bowl more overs.

2 removing Warner, Lauberchange(sp) and Smith with less than 100 on the board, I don't think will happen very often.

This test could go either way, the series? I'd be very confident if I was an aussie.

[DemonicBaggie]

Declaring when runs are flowing is not a tactic to win Ashes series. Ruthlessness required over philosophies.

[SuperBob2002]

The two previous posts have nailed it.

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Australia’s afternoon and evening session.

Close now, maybe Australia marginally ahead.  If the weather holds (typical - I’ll be there) we’ll know by lunch tomorrow who has the upper hand.

Yep. We were well on top at lunch, but we haven't been ruthless enough to really take the game and have let numerous chances go. It's disappointing. It's very much in the balance, but it shouldn't be.

[Malcolm Tucker]

Australia’s afternoon and evening session.

Close now, maybe Australia marginally ahead.  If the weather holds (typical - I’ll be there) we’ll know by lunch tomorrow who has the upper hand.

The Aus are certainly favourites now. 6/5 to Englands 2/1

Really bold declaration. Not paying off atm

That declaration was nothing short of idiotic. If they’d done it at 9 down with 10 overs to bowl at them, then fair enough. To sacrifice two wickets, with your best batsman still at the crease, for 4 overs at them is utter insanity.

[Ted Maul]

Ben Foakes will be sat at home watching Jonny Bairstow keep wicket wondering what the hell he has to do to keep a spot in the team.

Crawley out, Bairstow to open with Duckett and Foakes back asap please.

[Pragmatist]

Ben Foakes will be sat at home watching Jonny Bairstow keep wicket wondering what the hell he has to do to keep a spot in the team.

Crawley out, Bairstow to open with Duckett and Foakes back asap please.

That’s what I’d have done in the first place although I fear Crawley’s first innings knock here might now prevent it

[SuperBob2002]

Ben Foakes will be sat at home watching Jonny Bairstow keep wicket wondering what the hell he has to do to keep a spot in the team.

Crawley out, Bairstow to open with Duckett and Foakes back asap please.

Bairstow did take a wonderful catch for Broad's second wicket, and has kept well for 90% of the innings so far. But that missed stumping and a couple of dropped catches have cost us dearly. 

Can he open the batting? I believe he's done so in ODI's, but it's a different game. 

I think you have to select a specialist wicket keeper. They're vital and get you wickets when you need them most.