Cricket

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Marnus Labuschagne & Steve (the cheat) Smith will just drop anchor and score about a 1000 on this pitch. Neither will try a reverse sweep off their first ball! Somehow we have to get them out twice on this pitch.

Well, that script did not go to plan with Labushagne out first ball and Smith not even managing to last as long as lunch on the second day.

 

[Peregrine 4903]

We've done very well today, some superb bowling by Broad and what a delivery to get Smith out.

Hats off to Khawaja though, what an innings. Feel like we England could really do with one player like Khawaja who plays sensibly and anchors down and then allows everyone else to go full bazball. I know Root is like that as well.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

We've done very well today, some superb bowling by Broad and what a delivery to get Smith out.

Hats off to Khawaja though, what an innings. Feel like we England could really do with one player like Khawaja who plays sensibly and anchors down and then allows everyone else to go full bazball. I know Root is like that as well.

Would Bill Lawry be a good example of an Australian anchor batsman....and does anyone remember Trevor Bailey for England?

 

[75A]

Is Jonny Bairstow the best Wicky that England have got?
Missed stumping, dropped catch, could be costly.

 

[Harvester]

Is Jonny Bairstow the best Wicky that England have got?
Missed stumping, dropped catch, could be costly.

No Ben Foakes is a better keeper, but Bairstow is deemed to be, and probably is, the better batsman!

 

[SuspectUsual]

Is Jonny Bairstow the best Wicky that England have got?
Missed stumping, dropped catch, could be costly.

He's the best one who is big mates with Ben Stokes

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Years ago, what I think was the saying "Hold your catches, win your matches" is as apt today as was in those days of yore.

 

[Pakenhamtrain]

So at half time it's basically 0-0.
I do expect England to try to pile on the runs 2nd innings.

 

[75A]

See Mr Bairstow dropped another 'dolly' in the first over of the day. at this rate he'll be Australia's man of the Match.

 

[Busaholic]

See Mr Bairstow dropped another 'dolly' in the first over of the day. at this rate he'll be Australia's man of the Match.

Carey is proving a bit of a revelation, a much better player than Paine was. If England aren't careful Green and Carey will be as troublesome to them as Mitchell and Blundell were last summer. Khawaja too now he's shown he can bat in English conditions. Sibley would have been my choice as opener here in place of Duckett whom I don't believe will be able to get even a fifty against this opposition in view of his being allergic to leaving balls. Hope I'm proved wrong.

 

[Mikey C]

No Ben Foakes is a better keeper, but Bairstow is deemed to be, and probably is, the better batsman!

Great stat on TMS about when he plays for England as a keeper, Bairstow scores really drop off after he's kept wicket. A massive decline from when he bats 1st, to his scores in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th innings of a match.

Foakes' don't.

 

[SuspectUsual]

Carey is proving a bit of a revelation, a much better player than Paine was

Paine's case was a strange one. He was keeper during the "sandpaper" series, despite never having had a prolonged run in the side, and when Smith and Warner were suspended they didn't really have an obvious candidate to take over the captaincy, so Paine got it almost by default. Once he was captain, he obviously became harder to drop, despite Carey and others starting to do well in their domestic cricket

 

[DarloRich]

England all out for 273. Australia require 281 to win.

I don't think England have enough runs in the bank.

 

[Purple Train]

England all out for 273. Australia require 281 to win.

They had 282 to chase in 2005...

 

[duncanp]

They had 282 to chase in 2005...

Australia are 89-3 at close of play.

It will certainly be an interesting final days play, and the pubs and bars of Birmingham will be busy if England win.

 

[Jimini]

Australia are 89-3 at close of play.

It will certainly be an interesting final days play, and the pubs and bars of Birmingham will be busy if England win.

107-3, chap.

 

[duncanp]

107-3, chap.

I stand corrected then.

One has to hope that England can get a few quick wickets tomorrow, as there is rain forecast for Edgbaston.

 

[Busaholic]

I stand corrected then.

One has to hope that England can get a few quick wickets tomorrow, as there is rain forecast for Edgbaston.

Nothing more annoying to an opposing side than a nightwatchman hanging around. Boland doesn't have much of a batting record, so another 5 runs in 35 minutes, say, mightn't be too bad, whereas another 25 runs in the same time could be telling. Mooen's going to have to give it his all, in the almost certain knowledge he's not going to play at Lords. Shane Warne's off spin buddy Tim May often bowled with blood on his hands.

Incidentally, England's two innings totalled 666 runs, for those interested in such things.

I'll say one thing about Ollie Robinson - a very good bowler but an obnoxious individual, which I believe is common knowledge on the 'circuit.' So that's two in the current England team!

 

[JD2168]

Could be a rather interesting final day. Australia trying to get to 281, England requiring 7 wickets & the prospect of rain. If the rain delay is too long then the draw comes more into contention.

 

[SuspectUsual]

I'll say one thing about Ollie Robinson - a very good bowler but an obnoxious individual, which I believe is common knowledge on the 'circuit.'

I think so. I’ve heard it first hand from two current county professionals, who both said that his elevation to the England team made an already unlikeable person ten times worse

 

[75A]

See Jonny Bairstow's being consistent. In the first over of the Australian second innings he just stood looking at Joe Root who was first slip as thr ball went between another missed catch. What is wrong with him?

 

[Busaholic]

I think so. I’ve heard it first hand from two current county professionals, who both said that his elevation to the England team made an already unlikeable person ten times worse

'Tommy' Robinson was a nickname in Yorkshire days.

 

[geoffk]

Could be a rather interesting final day. Australia trying to get to 281, England requiring 7 wickets & the prospect of rain. If the rain delay is too long then the draw comes more into contention.

Yep, many of us all round the country are crying out for rain but it all falls on Edgbaston

 

[Bald Rick]

Drying up now. Perfect bowling conditions.

 

[Peregrine 4903]

Drying up now. Perfect bowling conditions.

Time for some Anderson swing.

 

[Pakenhamtrain]

Drying up now. Perfect bowling conditions.

You forget this is cricket. It will be bright and sunny yet it will take about 5 hours to get the covers off and to make the outfield respectable.

I'll say one thing about Ollie Robinson - a very good bowler but an obnoxious individual, which I believe is common knowledge on the 'circuit.' So that's two in the current England team!

He is what we would call in Australia. A flog.

 

[Purple Train]

I hate cricket. I love cricket.

 

[ainsworth74]

Where's @Pakenhamtrain got to? I figure they'd be here by now gloating telling us how it was inevitable that Australia would win and England are rubbish

 

[Tetchytyke]

I love cricket, I’m very very happy after that ending.

But not sure how England managed to throw that one away.

Can’t wait for the next four!

 

[SuspectUsual]

Pick a proper wicketkeeper and this doesn’t happen