Not much turn around with the next one starting on Thursday. England's bowlers are receiving precious little respite during the Tests, and with the matches coming thick and fast, the selectors will have to rotate. If Pope's shoulder is inhibiting how he can play, then maybe he will also be rested, though finding a 3 could be tricky.End of the day the Aussies are well in control and 221 ahead with 8 wickets in the shed, So as it stands England will need to bowl unbelievably well and knock them over for around 300 then bat for a day and a half, yeah not going to happen,
Sorry to say Anderson, Broad, Robinson, are not good enough or fast enough when facing the Aussies, Even Stokes is not bowling because of an injury. that leaves Tongue bowling at around 85mph to take the major wickets,
We have to make major changes in the 3rd test and Wood, Woakes, Broad, Rehan Ahmed, should all play and if Stokes can not bowl then drop somebody up the order and Stokes just bats at 4 or 5 and play Tongue who'd been the pick of the bowlers
Only way to keep us in the series is for more rain over the next couple days.
If Aussies set us something like 450/500 on day 5 we’d go for it and lose the test.
I thought they all bowled well.English bowlers didn't get the rewards their efforts deserved this afternoon.
....and luck.I wouldn't rank any of the top four Australian batsmen as classically elegant, but by heavens do they prize their wickets.
All top order batsmen ride their luck, I guess, but sometimes you do wonder how so many balls can miss the edge. Just like many of the English batsmen, Labuschagne threw his wicket away but unlike the English players his moment of rashness felt really odd. As a group the top four are quite similar, and I often wonder if the Australians select them not only because they score runs but because they know they are so darned difficult to winkle out.I thought they all bowled well.
....and luck.
The third sign is arguing with yourself, I do that all the time, and I am never rightThe first sign of madness is talking to yourself; the second one is when you answer back. Yes, it is.
Can't see them getting on any time soon sadly.Pity the Trafford weather isn't playing fair tonight.
Great point - they value their wickets we were shambolic with most dismissals either stumped or caught in the boundary in other words we gave our wickets away and that I’m afraid is the difference between us and themEnglish bowlers didn't get the rewards their efforts deserved this afternoon. I wouldn't rank any of the top four Australian batsmen as classically elegant, but by heavens do they prize their wickets.
Just got back from an hour sat in the rain at the real Old Trafford. The forecast is even worse later so gave up to it, can’t see any chance of cricket tonight. I imagine they’ll give it as long as possible before abandoning it to maximise bar and food takingsCan't see them getting on any time soon sadly.
Was listening to Justin Langer talking to Jonathan Agnew earlier. A very intelligent and straightforward man, said he couldn’t believe the mad hour from England yesterday, and also that he loves exciting cricket but winning cricket is usually exciting cricket, and also you absolutely have to adapt to changing conditions; they changed it yesterday by bowling short and we failed to adapt. He made a lot of senseGreat point - they value their wickets we were shambolic with most dismissals either stumped or caught in the boundary in other words we gave our wickets away and that I’m afraid is the difference between us and them
Playing aggressively has its place and moments, and if you can wrestle away momentum from your opponent and they fold, then you will more often than not win. However, if your opponent is made of sterner stuff and is prepared to suffocate you and adapt their tactics to the circumstances, then you need to show a little less brawn and a lot more brain.Great point - they value their wickets we were shambolic with most dismissals either stumped or caught in the boundary in other words we gave our wickets away and that I’m afraid is the difference between us and them
Abandoned.Here at old Trafford, the weather is dross. Last time for play is 9.29pm, for a 5 over game. Very unlikely.
Aye. Long way from morecambe to sit in the rain. I could have stayed at home for that :DAbandoned.
Nicely balanced - should be but it isn’t - unless the weather saves us. When Lyon got injured I thought right boys think about it, time is on our side let’s grasp the nettle …and what did we do , the exact opposite. I’m massively in to sporting intelligence, which we have in spades at City, unfortunately the England cricket team don’t and I fear the session yesterday has cost us the ashes.Playing aggressively has its place and moments, and if you can wrestle away momentum from your opponent and they fold, then you will more often than not win. However, if your opponent is made of sterner stuff and is prepared to suffocate you and adapt their tactics to the circumstances, then you need to show a little less brawn and a lot more brain.
Series is still nicely balanced, but for the first time it feels as if the scales are tilting to one side