The Ashes - official thread

[Gooseberry]

First topic message reminder :

SR that's not how mental fatigue works.
Also Stokes had a long break last year ...which he came back from err ...mentaly fatigued. Buttler and Bairstow haven't had that luxury.

But anyway it's not a case of "attitude" , ask Trott and Trescothick.

[alfie]

Aussies burn their remaining review .

Probably wont need one - Wilson is in the TV box today : but that was a pretty poor bit of fishing . Smith somehow talked Paine into it I suppose...convinced him he had bowled a killer googly ?

[robbo277]

Steve Smith going for 1 in the 58th over shows the position of the game. We just can't take any risks. When really we should be smashing him out the attack and making the quicks run in again.

[Gooseberry]

Ideally we would be smashing the front line bowlers out of the attack.
Ideally we would have a player in the top 6 worth a test spot.
Ideally I'd have pizza for tea

None of these things reflect a realistic possibility Robbo

[Duty281]

Highly valuable partnership this, pushing England toward competitiveness. Bairstow's most confident knock in the test arena for a long time.

Another two and a half hours this evening, which will take us beyond 90 overs for the day. Australia will want to be batting for at least an hour tonight.

[eirebilly]

I have been very impressed with Bairstow's and Woakes's approach to this partnership. They have batted very controlled and are moving England towards a half decent total.

[alfie]

Steve Smith going for 1 in the 58th over shows the position of the game. We just can't take any risks. When really we should be smashing him out the attack and making the quicks run in again.

Got their eyes on the tea break , I guess. Don't want to make a daft error to the part timer...Time enough to attack later if they can get set again...

First mission accomplished as they raise the 200 and walk off for a cuppa

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Yep fair play to Woakes and Bairstow, have at least steady the ship to a point where we won't have a completely disasterous first innings total, albeit a long way to go to reach something approaching par/good you'd think.

[alfie]

I have been very impressed with Bairstow's and Woakes's approach to this partnership. They have batted very controlled and are moving England towards a half decent total.

This is Woakes' castle , isn't it ? On the honor board already with both bat and ball and he seems to just love it at Lord's.

They've both played well. Need to go on with it after the break now. So far in this series the Aussies have generally managed to get a break whenever England seemed to be settling ... Imagine we will see the big pace men back after tea.

[robbo277]

Important partnership for England. When one of these go I can see it ending fairly quickly.

Still, maybe England's plan was to get Jofra involved in the game early so he can fulfil the prophecy?

[robbo277]

Steve Smith going for 1 in the 58th over shows the position of the game. We just can't take any risks. When really we should be smashing him out the attack and making the quicks run in again.

Got their eyes on the tea break , I guess. Don't want to make a daft error to the part timer...Time enough to attack later if they can get set again...

First mission accomplished as they raise the 200 and walk off for a cuppa  

Long session threw me. Makes more sense I guess.

[alfie]

Important partnership for England. When one of these go I can see it ending fairly quickly.

Still, maybe England's plan was to get Jofra involved in the game early so he can fulfil the prophecy?

Well you could say that Archer is coming off a century (albeit in a second XI game ) and Leach a Test 90 (opening !)...plus a fifty for his club ...perhaps the form players are yet to come in

[robbo277]

Important partnership for England. When one of these go I can see it ending fairly quickly.

Still, maybe England's plan was to get Jofra involved in the game early so he can fulfil the prophecy?

Well you could say that Archer is coming off a century (albeit in a second XI game ) and Leach a Test 90 (opening !)...plus a fifty for his club ...perhaps the form players are yet to come in

500 is back on.

[eirebilly]

Woakes hit on the Helmut, that one stayed lower than expected.

[eirebilly]

Oh Bollix, Woakes gone.

[Duty281]

Crucial breakthrough via the medium of short-pitched bowling again.

Time for Jofra.

[compelling and rich]

not sure woakes will be adding any massive runs for the rest of this series if that spell is anything to go by. looked all at sea to the short ball

[compelling and rich]

id have taken anything near 270 with our batting line up. lets hope we can get there

[eirebilly]

I would say that Bairstow may keep an eye on Archer for a couple of overs. If Archer looks confident he will continue to build the runs but if Archer does not look confident, he may choose to attack.

[eirebilly]

not sure woakes will be adding any massive runs for the rest of this series if that spell is anything to go by. looked all at sea to the short ball

If he gets about 30-40 runs each innings then I would be more than happy with that.

[compelling and rich]

not sure woakes will be adding any massive runs for the rest of this series if that spell is anything to go by. looked all at sea to the short ball

If he gets about 30-40 runs each innings then I would be more than happy with that.

yeah me too, but the short pitch plan will come in straight away from now on I would have thought. they bowled normal lengths early on to him

[alfie]

not sure woakes will be adding any massive runs for the rest of this series if that spell is anything to go by. looked all at sea to the short ball

Yeah he didn't look too good against it then...though I imagine getting hit on the head didn't help ! He will have to learn to duck...
Actual dismissal was a bit of luck for Cummins to be honest : he had set him up well ; but that ball was too leg side and really could well have been avoided ...by a less groggy Woakes perhaps.

Bouncing Archer straight away. Might get some back later

As I said earlier the Aussies always seem to get a break at the right time. Few more overs and they'd have had to rest the quicks for the new ball...Woakes would have been looking to cash in. The tourists are having a very good day.

[eirebilly]

Yeah fair dues C&R.

I agree that Archer does not have nearly enough protection on him...

[robbo277]

I would say that Bairstow may keep an eye on Archer for a couple of overs. If Archer looks confident he will continue to build the runs but if Archer does not look confident, he may choose to attack.

By all accounts he's not even doing that and already looking to get on with things. Australia bounced him last ball of Hazlewood's over to keep Archer on strike for Cummins over. They fancy getting him cheaply.

I think they tea'ed on 61 overs. They're now on 67 which is 3 each for the main quicks. Can only be one or two more each (unless England are 9 down) so again we're in a situation where we just need to ride it out for a bit.

[eirebilly]

If England can just get to 270, I will feel slightly confident given the expected bowling conditions tomorrow. Would be nice to get a few overs at them tonight though.

[alfie]

Joffra is away with a slashing cut for four ! That wasn't such a well directed short ball...

Not sure what to make of Archer the batsman yet. He was pretty non-existent at the crease in the WC. But he looks fairly relaxed here today so far.

Think he's probably pretty chilled all the time to be honest. Hopefully he can use that inner calm to add some useful runs !

[robbo277]

Joffra is away with a slashing cut for four !  That wasn't such a well directed short ball...

Not sure what to make of Archer the batsman yet. He was pretty non-existent at the crease in the WC. But he looks fairly relaxed here today so far.

Think he's probably pretty chilled all the time to be honest.  Hopefully he can use that inner calm to add some useful runs !

First class average of 31, apparently goes really well against spin and averages over 60 against spin. Lyon coming on, so we'll see how good he is!

[compelling and rich]

Joffra is away with a slashing cut for four !  That wasn't such a well directed short ball...

Not sure what to make of Archer the batsman yet. He was pretty non-existent at the crease in the WC. But he looks fairly relaxed here today so far.

Think he's probably pretty chilled all the time to be honest.  Hopefully he can use that inner calm to add some useful runs !

still early days but woakes could take a lesson of how to duck the bouncer from him

[eirebilly]

Archer falls. Looks like England's bowlers will get a shot at the Aussie batsmen tonight.

Really think that Bairstow should step on the gas a bit now.

[alfie]

Joffra is away with a slashing cut for four !  That wasn't such a well directed short ball...

Not sure what to make of Archer the batsman yet. He was pretty non-existent at the crease in the WC. But he looks fairly relaxed here today so far.

Think he's probably pretty chilled all the time to be honest.  Hopefully he can use that inner calm to add some useful runs !

First class average of 31, apparently goes really well against spin and averages over 60 against spin. Lyon coming on, so we'll see how good he is!

Not today , I'm afraid...bounced out now by Cummins. Imagine he will remember that if he gets to bowl at te Aussie pace man later in the match...

Broad in now so the bouncers will continue.

[king_carlos]

Surprised that Broad is batting above Leach.

If England can edge above 250 then it could be competitive with the pitch turning already. There is turn and bounce so you wouldn't want to bat last.

That could of course be quickly undone by a Smith double ton meaning Australia bat once or ran curtailing another days play...

[eirebilly]

Well controlled 50 from Bairstow, lets hope this is a sign that he is returning to form.

[alfie]

Gutsy fifty for YJB

Probably inevitable given all the stick he's been getting on the Internet

He does seem to play better when roused.

And mixed results for Cummins bouncing Broad that over : made him look awkward - but conceded ten runs.

[compelling and rich]

be nice if we hit a quick 30 here. looks like weve had enough of defending anyway

[eirebilly]

Broad is not going to stick around.

[Gooseberry]

Carlos...I dont know whybfolk are surprised broad bats above leach. Leach averages 11 in first class cricket in spite of that 90 something against a sub d2 level bowling attack. That freak innings has given folk a completely false impression of him, even more so than when Agar convinced everyone he was the new Steve Smith.

[alfie]

Delicate fine sweep from Broad brings up the 250 !

Gone now though...

Not sure how many more they can get ; but I'd have bitten your hand off for this score at 138/6.

[Duty281]

Australia slightly overdoing the short stuff, I think, and they're leaking runs. England have crossed 250 which looked very improbable at 138/6.

Looking ahead, tomorrow's forecast looks miserable with only one full session looking likely, while Saturday and Sunday look clear. Could be about 210-230 overs left in the test after today, which is plenty to force a result.

Lyon gets Broad. Looks like Aussie will get their hour or so in the middle this evening.

[eirebilly]

Well it was entertaining while it lasted, Broad gone but the lower order have brought a bit of fight with them and giving England a slightly defendable total.

[Gooseberry]

Well that was a great way to kill broad off wasn't it.

I hate to say it but isn't this now why we argued bairstow was wasted at 7....stuck with a tail intent on committing suicide and either stranded on 50 something or pushed into playing rash shots.

Maybe leach can block out a while

[king_carlos]

Given Broad's batting style is to swing at everything regardless of the situation I'd certainly argue Leach is better suited to allow Bairstow to stay at the crease as long as possible.

Broad's career average is 19 with 1 century and 12 fifties. A respectable lower order record. His record in the last 5 years is 2 fifties at an average of 13. Hit and hope has become his style.

[alfie]

Will have to get some sleep so once this wicket falls I will leave you fellows to wreck the Australian innings.

Four down tonight (including Smith) if you can manage it

[king_carlos]

Time for Bairstow to step on the gas then. It's been an excellent innings from him. He looks a completely different red ball player when he lets the ball come to him.

[Gooseberry]

That's true Carlos but I doubt they will shuffle the border on that basis, he's still the more senior bat. And maybe the argument is with bairstow there you want he batting with sensible positivity whilst the 9 and 10 swing, now he may as well bat with abandon whilst the 11 blocks.

[eirebilly]

Will have to get some sleep so once this wicket falls I will leave you fellows to wreck the Australian innings.

Four down tonight (including Smith) if you can manage it

G'Luk Alfie, hope England do manage 4 wickets tonight

[Gooseberry]

Positive for England: the second new ball is no longer a concern.

[alfie]

Given Broad's batting style is to swing at everything regardless of the situation I'd certainly argue Leach is better suited to allow Bairstow to stay at the crease as long as possible.

Broad's career average is 19 with 1 century and 12 fifties. A respectable lower order record. His record in the last 5 years is 2 fifties at an average of 13. Hit and hope has become his style.

Some truth in that , re differing styles...but I'd argue Broad's little cameo helped add a useful few runs...no guarantee Leach would have survived a bouncer barrage from Cummins.

He seemed to play Lyon quite well that over...but I don't think Jonny will want to let him face too many from the pace men.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

258. Aussies made a good choice and did very well. Think that’s a win already for them

[alfie]

All done...Jonny holes out...had to go for it I guess. Three for Lyon

258 a lot better than it might have been...

[Duty281]

258 - decent from England, but short of the par score on this wicket. Well done to Bairstow for a fighting 50 which will hopefully be the catalyst for a brighter summer with the bat.

England will need to bowl well to limit the Aussies to below 300 on this.

[Gooseberry]

Going back tonbraods stats ...whilst he has declined those 3 50s in tests are as many as leach has managed in his entire first class career including his highest ever score against Ireland.

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