It's The Ashes (again)

[MancBaggie]

How many opportunities have England thrown away in this series? We had the opportunity to take more than one wicket in very favourable bowling conditions but failed to do so. It's incredibly frustrating. Should this Test go on to be a draw we've only ourselves to blame. Ditto not winning the series as a whole. Australia have been bang average throughout, and have had the misfortune of losing a key player in Lyon. We haven't been ruthless enough to take advantage. Very, very frustrating.

Let's hope for an improved bowling performance if play gets underway today.

The ball hasn’t moved less than in this series since ball tracking stats started, in fairness. Having Anderson bowl bouncers seems a bit of a waste of time to me, though. 

Currently sat in the bar staring out the window and there’s no sign of this letting up. Looking at the forecasts, there’s an outside chance we could get on around 4/4.30 and the umpires shouldn’t be calling this until at least 6pm given the situation. You can knock 5 over in 90 minutes.

Which juicer you in mon?  That Sawyers Arms is like Buck Rogers starship these days

[hudds]

How many opportunities have England thrown away in this series? We had the opportunity to take more than one wicket in very favourable bowling conditions but failed to do so. It's incredibly frustrating. Should this Test go on to be a draw we've only ourselves to blame. Ditto not winning the series as a whole. Australia have been bang average throughout, and have had the misfortune of losing a key player in Lyon. We haven't been ruthless enough to take advantage. Very, very frustrating.

Let's hope for an improved bowling performance if play gets underway today.

The ball hasn’t moved less than in this series since ball tracking stats started, in fairness. Having Anderson bowl bouncers seems a bit of a waste of time to me, though. 

Currently sat in the bar staring out the window and there’s no sign of this letting up. Looking at the forecasts, there’s an outside chance we could get on around 4/4.30 and the umpires shouldn’t be calling this until at least 6pm given the situation. You can knock 5 over in 90 minutes.

Which juicer you in mon?  That Sawyers Arms is like Buck Rogers starship these days

On Deansgate?  Never went in.

[Duffers]

How many opportunities have England thrown away in this series? We had the opportunity to take more than one wicket in very favourable bowling conditions but failed to do so. It's incredibly frustrating. Should this Test go on to be a draw we've only ourselves to blame. Ditto not winning the series as a whole. Australia have been bang average throughout, and have had the misfortune of losing a key player in Lyon. We haven't been ruthless enough to take advantage. Very, very frustrating.

Let's hope for an improved bowling performance if play gets underway today.

The ball hasn’t moved less than in this series since ball tracking stats started, in fairness. Having Anderson bowl bouncers seems a bit of a waste of time to me, though. 

Currently sat in the bar staring out the window and there’s no sign of this letting up. Looking at the forecasts, there’s an outside chance we could get on around 4/4.30 and the umpires shouldn’t be calling this until at least 6pm given the situation. You can knock 5 over in 90 minutes.

Which juicer you in mon?  That Sawyers Arms is like Buck Rogers starship these days

On Deansgate?  Never went in.

Some great pubs in that part of Manchester - The Knot, Briton’s Protection, Rain Bar, Peverell of the Peak….

[Tom Joad]

I listened to Andy Burnham talking on TMS, friday. He was, justifiably IMO, bemoaning no Ashes tests north of Trent Bridge next time around. It all made sense TBF. Then you get a fuckin' weekend like this!

[Borin' Baggie]

I listened to Andy Burnham talking on TMS, friday. He was, justifiably IMO, bemoaning no Ashes tests north of Trent Bridge next time around. It all made sense TBF.    Then you get a fuckin' weekend like this!

Manchester is in a problem area owing to its geography, Leeds isn't as bad. Also, Old Trafford is a shit ground.

Personally, I think Lords and the Oval should rotate as it's kind of unfair to have 2 of the 5 in London then 3 covering Edgbaston, Trent Bridge, Old Trafford, Headingley as well as grounds like the Rose Bowl and Sophia Gardens. That coupled with Lords always being used for another test tour in the same summer, it always has two tests. And we have a shit record against the Aussies at Lords.

[greetsgreenbaggie]

Well that’s that!

Aussies retain the ern!

[rsbaggy2]

I listened to Andy Burnham talking on TMS, friday. He was, justifiably IMO, bemoaning no Ashes tests north of Trent Bridge next time around. It all made sense TBF.    Then you get a fuckin' weekend like this!

The only northern grounds that should be considered are Old Trafford and Durham. Headingley should be nowhere near a test match till Yorkshire CC put their house in order. How they were awarded the 3rd test is beyond belief. Trent Bridge or Durham should have got it.

[Tom Joad]

I listened to Andy Burnham talking on TMS, friday. He was, justifiably IMO, bemoaning no Ashes tests north of Trent Bridge next time around. It all made sense TBF.    Then you get a fuckin' weekend like this!

The only northern grounds that should be considered are Old Trafford and Durham. Headingley should be nowhere near a test match till Yorkshire CC put there house in order. How they were awarded the 3rd test is beyond belief. Trent Bridge or Durham should have got it.

I sort of agree on the principle. The admittedly weak argument would be the huge investment put into Headingley. Old Trafford with it's 8500 temporary seats is the very opposite of encouraging investment.

---

I listened to Andy Burnham talking on TMS, friday. He was, justifiably IMO, bemoaning no Ashes tests north of Trent Bridge next time around. It all made sense TBF.    Then you get a fuckin' weekend like this!

Manchester is in a problem area owing to its geography, Leeds isn't as bad. Also, Old Trafford is a shit ground.

Personally, I think Lords and the Oval should rotate as it's kind of unfair to have 2 of the 5 in London then 3 covering Edgbaston, Trent Bridge, Old Trafford, Headingley as well as grounds like the Rose Bowl and Sophia Gardens. That coupled with Lords always being used for another test tour in the same summer, it always has two tests. And we have a shit record against the Aussies at Lords.

This, massively. With 8500 temporary seats, OT just should not be allowed to hold a test in the best series in cricket. Also, I've ranted for years about London ALWAYS getting 2 tests. I'm not sure I like the other grounds either though, on the basis of the temporary seat business. Weather happens-  is all you can say, but whether the ground is up to it is different question that needs to be answered.

[pindgill]

England did not win the Ashes because of their performance in the first two tests period!!!.
Stokes has the potential to be the greatest test captain ever he’s like a massive gemstone that needs buffing
If England beat India in the 5 test tour this winter it will be a much greater achievement than winning the ashes!!.

[Malcolm Tucker]

How many opportunities have England thrown away in this series? We had the opportunity to take more than one wicket in very favourable bowling conditions but failed to do so. It's incredibly frustrating. Should this Test go on to be a draw we've only ourselves to blame. Ditto not winning the series as a whole. Australia have been bang average throughout, and have had the misfortune of losing a key player in Lyon. We haven't been ruthless enough to take advantage. Very, very frustrating.

Let's hope for an improved bowling performance if play gets underway today.

The ball hasn’t moved less than in this series since ball tracking stats started, in fairness. Having Anderson bowl bouncers seems a bit of a waste of time to me, though. 

Currently sat in the bar staring out the window and there’s no sign of this letting up. Looking at the forecasts, there’s an outside chance we could get on around 4/4.30 and the umpires shouldn’t be calling this until at least 6pm given the situation. You can knock 5 over in 90 minutes.

Which juicer you in mon?  That Sawyers Arms is like Buck Rogers starship these days

Bagged some hospitality and sat looking out the window all day. Had a couple in the Quadrant before heading in. Fucking gutted.