The Ashes: 4th Test; Boxing Day Test, Melbourne

First topic message reminder :

4th Test; Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground; Dates: 26-30 December (23:30 GMT, 25 December)

Expected XIs:

Australia:
Bancroft, Warner, Khawaja, Smith *, S Marsh, M Marsh, Paine †, Bird, Cummins, Lyon, Hazelwood

England:
Cook, Stoneman, Vince, Root *, Malan, Bairstow †, Ali, Woakes, Curran, Broad, Anderson

Jackson Bird exits trapped lbw by Broad. Australia 325 for 8.

The Loaded Dog wrote:

guildfordbat wrote:

jimbohammers wrote:Now woakes gets Mitch marsh , same sort of dismissal.

On a separate note, really liking Mike Hussey on comms

The best thing being he's not Graeme Swann   ... but yeah, I heard him at the end of day one and thought he was good when dealing with questions from BT's resident clown Smith.

Luck going England's way in the first hour but some was definitely due to us this series. Excluding Australians, you would be a hard man to begrudge Curran his wicket.

298/5. A couple more wickets in the 45 minutes before lunch would certainly make it interesting although it already points to another game of catch up for England.

I'm thrilled for the lad, guildford.
He really was unlucky yesterday... probably the adrenaline carried him over the line for that particular delivery. He's bowling well.
Good to see Broad get a touch of his rhythm and mojo back too.

Hi LD - in an ideal world, Curran's debut would probably have been a bit later down the line but I never had any doubts about his temperament here. I noticed that in the pre-Test press conference, Root said they had all been impressed by Curran's attitude and the skipper was sure that whatever happened Curran ''wouldn't hide''. That's been my line on here for a while.

Yeah, Broad's bowled well in this match. Economical and 3 wickets now as Bird goes lbw. 1 more wicket and lunch gets put back up to 30 minutes - is that right?

England's morning. Australia go to lunch on 326 for 8. Well as Boycott says what a difference a day makes. Yesterday at lunch Australua were 102 for 0 and lookingvset for a score of 500+. Now they may struggle to make 350.

guildfordbat wrote:

The Loaded Dog wrote:

guildfordbat wrote:

jimbohammers wrote:Now woakes gets Mitch marsh , same sort of dismissal.

On a separate note, really liking Mike Hussey on comms

The best thing being he's not Graeme Swann   ... but yeah, I heard him at the end of day one and thought he was good when dealing with questions from BT's resident clown Smith.

Luck going England's way in the first hour but some was definitely due to us this series. Excluding Australians, you would be a hard man to begrudge Curran his wicket.

298/5. A couple more wickets in the 45 minutes before lunch would certainly make it interesting although it already points to another game of catch up for England.

I'm thrilled for the lad, guildford.
He really was unlucky yesterday... probably the adrenaline carried him over the line for that particular delivery. He's bowling well.
Good to see Broad get a touch of his rhythm and mojo back too.

Hi LD - in an ideal world, Curran's debut would probably have been a bit later down the line but I never had any doubts about his temperament here. I noticed that in the pre-Test press conference, Root said they had all been impressed by Curran's attitude and the skipper was sure that whatever happened Curran ''wouldn't hide''. That's been my line on here for a while.  

Yeah, Broad's bowled well in this match. Economical and 3 wickets now as Bird goes lbw. 1 more wicket and lunch gets put back up to 30 minutes - is that right?

Yes, play would have extended half an hour with 9 wickets down.

So lunch it is. Australia 326/8... a good fight back from England with 5 wickets in the session.

Cummins sees out the last over and that's lunch. 326/8. Broad and Anderson suggesting that some have been hasty in penning their obituaries. Particularly impressed by Broad - sharp and economical, going at just under 2 an over in bagging his 3 wickets.

Clearly England's session but the fear remains that Australia are still nicely ahead through their efforts yesterday. I went for Mitch Marsh as my replacement bowler for Starc on LD's competition thread. That was mainly a gamble and a bit of fun but his medium pace filth may prove tricky on this track which is attracting drag-ons and keeping low at times.

Bed now. Hopefully back before the close.

Second ball after lunch and Broad has Cummins caught at first slip. Australia 326 for 9. Broad 4 for 51

And Australia are bowled out for 327 . Anderson traps Lyon lbw. Match evenly poised now but England yet to bat so don't rule out another collapse.

Good session and a bit from England but I do wonder what the philosophy behind bowling Ali so early was and why Curren did not get a more extended run of overs, he looked threatening.

The pitch seems to have slown down greatly so not sure if that helps the Aussie quick's so much, will certainly help Hazelwood though.

England 15 for 0. No dramas as yet.

England 23 for 0 and you feel Lyon will be on soon. Aussie pace bowlers finding, as England did, that there is no real movement off the pitch.

And Lyon into the attack.

England 27 for 0 and trail by 300. Cook 12 and Dtoneman 14.

Better footwork being shown by Cook and he looks like he is beginning to settle. England 35 for 0 with Cook 19 and Stoneman 15.

What a great catch from Lyon.

Cracking catch off his own bowling from Lyon. Stoneman goes and England 35 for 1. Not too sure about shot selection there.

Only just got in and seen the score!!

Broads back from no where so it seems

Swann still talking nonsense I see, that’s enough for me to send me to bed

Broad bowled well and very smart. Just bowled a good and tight line and used the reverse swing to good effect.

England need a 50+ partnership here. England 41 for 1. Another quick wicket here and Australia will feel they are on top.

Cook finding his rhythm and some form here. England 53 for 1 with Cook 31 and Vince 6.

As tea approaches England are 64 for 1. Cook 36 and Vince 10.

England go into tea on 72 for 1 and trail by 255. Cook 37 not out (his joint best score in this series) and Vince 17.

It is weird how things change. All of a sudden things going in England's favour. Reviews going their way, Broad finding right lines and length, Cook finding form, Australia's attack tested by Cummins being ill and no Starc.

Cracking delivery from Hazlewood inswing traps Vince lbw and England 80 for 2. Thought about a review but decided against it and hotspot shows there was an inside edge on his bat. Oh dear.

Reverse swing coming into play now. England 82 for 2. Cook 47 and Root 0.

And that is a very welcome 50 for Alastair Cook. England are 92 for 2. Cook 53 Root 4.

Hundred up for England. 102 for 2 and they trail by 225. This pair need to bat through to close. If not I would put Australia on top.

Wow. Cook dropped at first slip on 66 by Steve Smith.

England 117 for 2 with Cook 66 and Root 16. They trail by 210.

At drinks England are 127 for 2. Partnership moves on to 47. Cook 67 and Root 21. Australia lead now down to 200.

Lyon.comes back into the attack.

A much-needed 50 partnership up for England between Cook and Root. England 132 for 2.

England continue to build. 139 for 2. Cook 73 and Root 27 and they trail by 188. Still feel like Australia will feel they are on top with one more wicket today.

The 150 up for England. 151 for 2. Cook 78.Root 34. The lead now at 176 for Australia.

Root getting treatment from the physio for a neck/shoulder issue but continues. England 158 for 2. Cook 85 Root 34.

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:BT Coverage has lost Ponting and Gilchrist - just when you thought it couldn’t get worse, we get more Damien Fleming.

Michael Slater. It’s worse than first feared. Baton down the hatches, it’s going to be rough lads

Someone tell BT that the ENGLISH coverage doesn’t want what is essentially an Aussie cheerleader on comms. Slater is so bad

Possibilities in this last 20 minutes of play. Century partnership? Cook century? Half century for Root? A critical wicket for Australia? Which will it be?

CaledonianCraig wrote:Possibilities in this last 20 minutes of play. Century partnership? Cook century? Half century for Root? A critical wicket for Australia? Which will it be?

Yes, yes, yes and no.

100 partnership up between Root and Cook. England 180 for 2.

Cracking century from.Cook. From out of nick to a century. Kudos to him. England 191 for 2.

And that is stumps. England close on 192 for 2. Cook 104 and Root 49. Partnership of 112 and England trail by 135. Surely, that is England's best day of the series by far.

CaledonianCraig wrote:Cracking century from.Cook. From out of nick to a century. Kudos to him. England 191 for 2.

Strange that a senior player who’s proven they can do it multiple times before, got back into form, by playing, huh Craig?

Cracking day for England - but as with the other three tests they’ve only given themselves an opportunity. In the other three they squandered such positions, surely this time they will take advantage?

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:

CaledonianCraig wrote:Cracking century from.Cook. From out of nick to a century. Kudos to him. England 191 for 2.

Strange that a senior player who’s proven they can do it multiple times before, got back into form, by playing, huh Craig?

Your point? Ali flopped again bowling in the first innings and I wasn't calling for Cook to be dropped in any case. Sometimes you play yourself into form but you need the right mindset. Cook has been positive in the media that he has been hitting it well in the nets etc. I cannot say I have heard the same from Ali have you? He is exuding negative body language at present.

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:

CaledonianCraig wrote:Cracking century from.Cook. From out of nick to a century. Kudos to him. England 191 for 2.

Strange that a senior player who’s proven they can do it multiple times before, got back into form, by playing, huh Craig?

Cracking day for England - but as with the other three tests they’ve only given themselves an opportunity. In the other three they squandered such positions, surely this time they will take advantage?

Hi Olly - bang on the money about the day. Opportunity is absolutely right whereas that clown Matt Smith on BT Sport was calling it a ''celebratory day''.

Pleasing to see so many of the senior players - Cook, Root, Broad, Anderson - who were getting flak here and on BT's woeful coverage producing meaningful contributions, albeit frustrating that they're too late to influence the result of the series. I'm still waiting to hear who Vaughan had lined up as replacements!

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:BT Coverage has lost Ponting and Gilchrist - just when you thought it couldn’t get worse, we get more Damien Fleming.

Michael Slater. It’s worse than first feared. Baton down the hatches, it’s going to be rough lads

Someone tell BT that the ENGLISH coverage doesn’t want what is essentially an Aussie cheerleader on comms. Slater is so bad

I do agree Slater is the worst - used to be Healy. To be fair the rest of the Australian commentators are OK - even Warne , who can drive you up the wall at times but is still basically a commentator rather than a fan . You always accept that everyone wants their own side to do well ; but if they're going to go on air they should at least pretend to be impartial

Rather a good day today to be at the G ...for an England supporter. Although I did get a bit cooked when the sun hit my row mid afternoon...

Not going to get carried away yet (four years ago I went home from day two feeling confident with Australia still ninety adrift and down to the last couple of bats : didn't take long for all that to go pear shaped !)

Must confess I was surprised Australia folded up so meekly this morning...bit like the usual England day two collapse Bit of luck having Smith play on like that but I guess young Curran was due a break.
Did think Root worked his bowlers well : was a bit aghast when Moeen came on after the first break ; but he didn't actually cause any harm this time and enabled Broad to have a breather. And spelling Curran quickly despite the wicket saw Woakes also strike...after which he got Anderson back at the right time. Maybe some luck in the changes all bringing wickets but no one says unlucky when changes don't help...

Really good to see Broad looking more like his old self. That last few overs he was excellent : OK bowling to rabbits ; but there was something in his bowling that just hasn't been there lately. We know he had been carrying a niggle...bowlers often do. Easy to condemn from the grandstand but perhaps we shouldn't be too quick to call someone past it on the evidence of a couple of poor matches...

Which brings me to...Cook. Was absolutely delighted to see him come back with an excellent hundred today - even if he owes Steve Smith a beer for first missing him at slip and then donating a couple of pies so he wouldn't have to sleep on ninety something

He played with great concentration ; and clocking the way he reacted to reaching the ton I get the feeling he isn't planning on calling it quits anytime soon. You could say it's a bit late ; but I prefer to look at the form temporary class permanent view , as I think England need him for a year or two yet.

In the short term , they need him to go on tomorrow . Same for the skipper , who has been less than fluent but has looked pretty determined. Starting again in the morning hasn't always been easy for England this series - to their cost. I hope this time they can do it...

Its a welcome turnaround for sure ....and im genuinely pleased for Broad and Cook being able to vindicate themselves.
But ....Australia did get lazy and sloppy and not show the steel they have at other times in the series.
They are missing their best bowler and cummins is also hampered. The pitch isnt favouring them in the same way it has before.
Also both Stoneman and Vince are continuing to struggle at the top of the order. Stoneman looks determined but lacks quality....Vince almost the opposite. I noticed someone taking a pop at Cook for not supporting Stoneman in this series ...well one of them has another century, the other averages under 30. The difference between a confident Cook at his best and Stoneman battling his way to a 50 is enormous. I know which Id be happier to see gone in the summer.
Moeens form with the ball ....jeez. He needs that magic confidence and swagger back. At least Malans shown he can do a job to fill in overs...so please no Dawson again.

The rest of the series is a side-show now. Ashes gone. Flat pitch. No Starc. Then Cook turns up for a cheap century. Not surprised the Aussies are now on holiday.

Aussies want to win the Boxing Day test. And they want to win this test. They’ve lost their best bowler and England found some reverse, that’s the story.

In regard to Broad the change seems to have been sparked by him actually bowling at the stumps and reaching for pace.
I dont who it was (presumably a collective decision) that had come up with the slow wide round the wicket theory that had largely been Broads approach till this test but its maybe that as much as any magic form thats changed.
Perhaps with Cook its a confidence switch, but also his approach has felt more aggressive and assertive. Is it a concious decision that these guys have adjusted their approach or just that australia letting their guard down (and the attack being blunted) thats allowed it?

I guess what im driving at is that Broad and Cook in particular have ability...we just havent seen it till too late. To me theres been mistakes in the way they have gone about tackling australia as well as a problem of pressure and confidence.

What could have been....beyond two batsmen and the front 4 bowlers this is very mediocre opposition.
If theyd had the right plans and confidence from the start England could have been in the series. They just arent good enough in depth to carry things when the senior guys arent delivering though.