The Cricket Thread

[igor_balis]

drop bairstow

[Ian]

Look at his stats on Cricinfo it seems like he hasn't really been especially consisnt in the test side since about 2017. Some big scores but a lot of rubbish ones.

Is Foakes out of the reckoning at the moment?

[Gray Fox]

Good to see all of that great work by Burns has been undone in about half an hour. :moop:

[Max Power]

I mean there really is a lack of English keeper batsmen isn’t there?

[niko_cee]

Sadly only 1 of our much vaunted middle order ever plays well in a given innings.

[niko_cee]

Also, what's going on with Mo? Sad times.

Going to need to bowl well in the second innings.

[Ian]

Sadly only 1 of our much vaunted middle order ever plays well in a given innings.

I was trying to think yesterday when Buttler was out for bugger all if we've had a match where they've all done really well.

[niko_cee]

If it does happen, it's only ever in a losing cause.

[Ian]

These old clips of Bob Willis are great. He's just taken a wicket in one of them and he still looks ready to commit an act of violence.

[Max Power]

Invaluable partnership this. Almost want to get bowling now, the atmosphere is rowdy, seems like we could potentially run through them.

[igor_balis]

I'm going tomorrow, pretty pleased with how the game has gone- England on top but plenty of cricket left. Before aus and England's lower order recoveries I was starting to wonder if there would even be a 4th day.

[Gray Fox]

A few wickets after tea will go down a treat. A bit disappointing to not have a 3 figure lead after we drew level for 5.

[Max Power]

See ya Davey.

Jo-El goes from bad to atrocious though. How did he miss that edge?

[niko_cee]

Feels like we've made this a lot harder than it ought to be, let them get a hundred too many, then probably came up fifty to a hundred short from where we were.

[Max Power]

The field placings were insanely negative. 40/2 and the ball turning and Moeen had a t20 field. And the constant cycling between bizarre “plans” for Smith ain’t too flash.

Would fancy us to chase 250ish but who knows. It’s well poised.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I note that Davey Warner doesn't seem to field mid on so much these days.

[Ian]

I don't get it.

[Danny]

He isn’t there ‘taking care of the ball’

[Ian]

Ah. :D

Yeah, bit slow there.

[Max Power]

But they only tried ball tampering that one time and unfortunately it was the time they got caught!!!!

[Mellberg]

Shame. Shame. Shame. Shame. Shame.

[Ian]

Any chance Smith gets bored today and just.... lets us get him out?

[Jimmy Floyd]

My mind goes back to the story of Jardine poring over the (presumably very grainy) film footage of Bradman deep inside Lord's and suddenly exclaiming: 'I've got it! He's yellow!', and hence Bodyline was born.

I reckon beamer-beamer-yorker the way to go.

[Queenslander]

That would be rude.

[Jimmy Floyd]

You see? Mo knows.

[Ian]

Any chance this cunt could just fuck off now?

[Kikó]

Hard to see what breaks these two other than boredom or a new ball. 200 run+ lead and collapse tonight/tomorrow morning.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Bat out for the draw with a knackered Anderson having to survive 10 overs and playing another stupid waft.

This is far from our biggest issue in this game, but Bairstow's keeping is so untidy.

[Gray Fox]

This is far from our biggest issue in this game, but Bairstow's keeping is so untidy.

Tough chance, but a top keeper gets the wicket there methinks.

[Kikó]

Well done Stokesy.

[Max Power]

Rain about tomorrow. Do they put the foot down now and look for a declaration shortly after tea?

[igor_balis]

Considering me and my mate were discussing whether 150 or 175ish would be too much to chase at 8am in Rugby wetherspoons, the day didn't exactly go to plan. Just had to admire the Aussies though, was absolutely ruthless stuff, even though our bowling attack was injured and shit.

A bunch of 15 or so Aussies in their 40s/50s were sat right next to us, and I have to admit that they were a very funny bunch. When Mo had conceeded his 100th run, one shouted "GREAT CENTURY MO, DOUBLE IT NOW MATE DON'T THROW IT AWAY". Hardly the most original material I know, but execution ya know. Got a lot of begrudging laughs from other England fans. They probably seemed especially funny just in comparison to the bantersauruses in the Hollies.

Still not sure why the fuck Woakes only had 7 today. Thorpe claiming he's fine, which means it was some bizarre captaincy or he's lying and we're gonna be lining up with Stokes, Broad, Archer and Stone as our pace attack or something next game.

[Luke Emia]

Surely we just get Rashid in for Mo at this point. Also what’s happened to Curran.

In positive news I have tickets for day 2 at Old Trafford, could be a right laugh at this rate.

[niko_cee]

Steve Smith's kryptonite is left arm filth, so expect Leach to open at Lords.

[Max Power]

Jofra has been known to dabble in slow left arm. Can’t wait to see him in action at Lord’s. Let’s hope it’s at 0-0 when we get there.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Tough chance, but a top keeper gets the wicket there methinks.

I said that before the missed stumping, but another problem with him is he is a TERRIBLE reviewer. He really needs to be batting 3/4/5 and fielding if he is in the team at all.

[Mellberg]

Getting ready for Edgbaston. 13/0 at the close will do me.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Distinct lack of rain on the radar, typical lazy Brummies.

[niko_cee]

:D

Was thinking the same.

Roy will just have to win it with a big double hundred.

[Max Power]

Not ideal losing a wicket before Lyon has even come on ffs

[Max Power]

Joel Wilson has truly lost the plot here. Thank god for DRS.

[Jimmy Floyd]

He has just been promoted to the Elite Panel after they booted out S Ravi. A cracking start for him.

[Max Power]

Oh my god he’s straight up guessing now. Actually feel sorry for him.

[Jimmy Floyd]

His problem is he appears to give things out if he isn't sure. You need to be the opposite.

[Max Power]

That’s the dismissal everyone who didn’t fancy Roy being picked for Tests probably saw in their mind. Horrible.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Root will need to face 320 balls for us to survive this.

[Max Power]

Well this is typically pathetic.

[Jimmy Floyd]

There is never any fight in this side and they are so unapologetic about it.

[niko_cee]

Woakes outbatting much of the middle order (all?) is both lol and so predictable.

You'd be looked at like a madman to suggest he should at 4, but, without looking, I'd wager his averages in test and 1st class are probably better than Joe Denly. What's the deal with him? Is it a Kent thing? You can't have a middling batsman who has reinvented himself as a limited overs filth merchant lining up as a test 4, it's beyond mental, without even getting into the idea of having 3 'wicketkeepers' playing in the next match. They'll obviously say this was a game they could have won (probably should have had Anderson been in any way fit) and so there's no need to tear anything down, but they'll still sack Mo off (and fair enough, he's not been great) without batting an eye at some of the real problem areas in the team (4,5,7). How's Gary Ballance going these days? Any Middlesex Lords' specialists who aren't called Dawid? An actual opener and Roy to 4 would be my preference, but we've been sort of scratching around in that area for a while.

Good result for the series and a good game though. So much for the rain and no day 5s.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I would do this:

Burns
Sibley
Root
Roy
Buttler
Stokes
Foakes
Woakes
Archer
Broad
Leach/Moeen

I am torn between Leach and Mo, everyone says Smith is supposedly vulnerable to SLA but a) I bet he isn't, and b) they have five left handers.

They will get nowhere near the side above - a side that still isn't that great - because they have anchored themselves to Bairstow and Denly for reasons that elude me.

[niko_cee]

Oh yeah, Vince back in at 4, that'll be what they do if Denly bites the dust.

Flowing.

[Max Power]

Oh yeah nailed on they go back to Vince at some point. Can’t wait.

They won’t change top seven it’ll be Leach and Archer for Mo and Anderson.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Bairstow Test average is down to 35.7, what would it take for them to replace him with a better keeper?

[Ian]

I saw a load of cunts on the live-text suggesting Vince.

Be assured, lads, that I felt all the rage on your behalf. All of the rage.

[ItalAussie]

Nathan Lyon quietly reaching 350 wickets. What a champion. He and Smith are the first two names on a combined Aus-Eng XI. Then it's Cummins and probably like seven English players, so swings and roundabouts.

That said, I'm not getting cocky yet. It's a long series, and you'll have eleven fit players for the rest of the matches.

[ItalAussie]

I have to assume that Starc will come in at Lords for one of Siddle or Pattinson. Not immediately obvious which one though. They were both... fine.

I'm still not anywhere near sold on Bancroft when two better openers are sitting on the sidelines. Wade I'm begrudgingly happy to continue with, as long as he never gets within a mile of the keeping gloves.

[Queenslander]

I have to assume that Starc will come in at Lords for one of Siddle or Pattinson. Not immediately obvious which one though. They were both... fine.

I'm still not anywhere near sold on Bancroft when two better openers are sitting on the sidelines. Wade I'm begrudgingly happy to continue with, as long as he never gets within a mile of the keeping gloves.

Yeah we all need to keep quiet on any celebrations. Bancroft wont be getting dropped in a winning team but bloody hell he is one lucky prick.

Edit: Every cricket ground in Australia must have a Nathan Lyon statue as an apology due to the gross amount of disrespect he has copped through out his career.

[niko_cee]

Was just trawling back to read some of the sandpaper stuff (all very funny, particularly Ital's involvement) to try and track down predictions of Smith's triumphant return (agreed by me and Jimmy on page 90 or 91) when I came upon this comment in the midst of the scandal (whilst we were presumably fucking up in New Zealand or the West Indies):


James Vince recalled for the second Test, all our problems are solved.

plus ca change and all that.

[niko_cee]

Also, a particular highlight for me yesterday, not to bang on about the same guy ad infinitum, was Denly's little tickle to short leg and review combo. I'm not sure even Watto would have had the brass neck to do that. Bairstow was probably a bit unlucky, and it was a lost cause by that point, but he still needs to think about where the ball hits him when reviewing, which I'm not sure he does.

[Ian]

Bairstow just seems perplexed by the idea that he could be out without having put on a big score. Which frankly you'd think he'd be used to by now.

[Mellberg]

Enjoyed that despite the result. Nobody loses like the English. Take it all in good humour and get on with your day.

[Ian]

Having Australia 112-8 on the first day, following up with a 90 run lead and still finding a way to lose is pretty good even for us.

[Mellberg]

I remember saying with absolute certainty to a mate on Friday that we were in control and going to win. Impressive stuff.

[Ian]

Our swashbuckling middle order managing 76 runs across 6 attempts between the three of them was particularly tasty.

Anderson confirmed as missing the second test. This is where we put Archer in before he's ready and he gets another injury as well.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The whole team is 'swashbuckling' which is the problem really. For a couple of years now the rule has been one grinder allowed, previously Cook and now Burns. Not enough. Our side that reached number one had Cook, Trott AND Collingwood grinding, which got the best out of Strauss, Pietersen, Bell and Prior.

[Ian]

We're a proper glass cannon. Basically by design as well with all the focus on the shorter forms.

That Roy wicket was great stuff.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I don't mind the focus on limited overs, the question is why they are playing all the same players in this and not red ball specialists.

[Ian]

Found a thing on the ECB site from last year that says:

"This season will see the introduction of a scouting system with designated discipline-specific scouts, including the current ECB national lead coaches, providing information to a three-strong selection panel, made up of a new National Selector, a full-time independent England Selector and the England Head Coach."

"Right, that's the one day side sorted."
*looks at watch*
"Now we can either discuss the merits of our best red-ball cricketers and pick a team geared towards the unique demands of test cricket or we can just do a copy-paste and go to the bar."

[ItalAussie]

Was just trawling back to read some of the sandpaper stuff (all very funny, particularly Ital's involvement) to try and track down predictions of Smith's triumphant return (agreed by me and Jimmy on page 90 or 91) when I came upon this comment in the midst of the scandal (whilst we were presumably fucking up in New Zealand or the West Indies):
I can't remember my stance. It's still utter nonsense that they got 18-month bans for an offence that the ICC gave them zero/one match bans for. And for which other players get smirky finger wags from their home boards (England).

Still, what can you do when the moral campaigners come out. Of which I may have been one? I can't remember.

[Ian]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/49255871

All-rounder. :drool:

[igor_balis]

Ackermann :chortle::chortle::chortle::chortle:

I think England's test team are ready for another Saffa, give that man a passport.

[Jimmy Floyd]

When did we last not have a Saffa? There's a fairly steady stream of them going back to Tony Greig. In fact, Basil d'Oliveira.

Jennings
Pietersen
Trott
Smith
Lamb
Greig

That's just the proper ones, loads of sort-of-saffas down the years as well.

A few bonus Zimbos too: Hick, Ballance and Curran (x2).

[niko_cee]

Roy's a sort-of-saffa isn't he?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Came over at 11 or something, hard for they of the elephant rifles to claim.

Same for evil establishment posho Andrew Strauss.

[igor_balis]

apparently jim maxwell asked boycott on tms "are you a believer", and boycott proceeded to explain he was an atheist because of the problem of evil. kind of wish i'd heard that just because it sounds so surreal.

[Ian]

Jim Maxwell sitting there thinking "Strewth, Geoff, I only meant do you think England can win the match."

[Jimmy Floyd]

I do love an occasional pang of surreal cricket commentary. The best time to find it is when we tour Pakistan, it's 5am, you're barely awake and Ramiz Raja is suddenly giving his opinion on seals, or the Church of England.

[Ian]

Blowers waffling on about a sumptuous (or possibly luscious) London bus is a highlight of mine.

And his pigeon updates.

[Ian]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-49241368

Monty's such an odd character. If you're going to lie why choose sodding Bedford?

[Jimmy Floyd]

His twitter is a deranged and often disturbing thing. I think he has the dual jeopardy of mental issues and a hugely exploitative agent.

He needs to settle down and become a spin bowling coach.

[niko_cee]

At Bedford School, if that's one of the suitably posho ones.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Posh enough for Sir Alastair 'right sort of family' Cook to have emerged from it, though the accent reduces his posh credentials a fair bit.

[Ian]

Leach in for Mo, then, as expected. Other than that and Archer just taking Jimmy's spot are we expecting any other changes? I'd like to see us find room for Curran but I've no idea where.

Not that it matters given that Smith is definitely going to be out before he hits 50 by the hand of Jack Leach, 100% guaranteed, and we'll romp to victory from there.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I would have kept Moeen. Aus are packed with left handers. You can't pick a team because you're scared of one bloke.

I would borderline pick Curran instead of a useless batsman.

[Ian]

I can't remember if it was somebody on The Spin when I gave that a bash the other day or somebody on Sky but I some some journo going (I'm paraphrasing) "Fuck it, just put Woakes in Denly's spot and pick another bowler."

[thommo]

I love Mo but I do think it is the right decision to drop him - he looked completely out of form with the ball and Stuart Broad looked comfortably more in control with the bat which tells you everything.

I probably would go for the following:
Burns
Roy
Root
Denly
Stokes
Buttler
Woakes
Curran
Broad
Archer
Leach

It’ll never happen as YJB is apparently completely untouchable.

[Danny]

I would ditch Denly before YJB. There has to be someone in county cricket batting well enough to replace either of those. Sibley to open and Roy moving down?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Curran for Denly. Woakes to 6. Players in this team seem to get massively hung up on what their 'role' is though, so I don't know. Moeen as guilty of that as anyone, he goes into meltdown every two years when there isn't a lead spinner in the side.

[igor_balis]

I would have kept Moeen. Aus are packed with left handers. You can't pick a team because you're scared of one bloke.

I would borderline pick Curran instead of a useless batsman.

Mo looks absolutely shot. He's such a weird, mercurial player. For the last 5 years or so I must have flip-flopped between thinking he's such an absolute must-pick game winner and thinking he's absolutely village about 10 times. I'd perhaps bow to your superior knowledge Jim, but my gut instinct is that I can't see Mo playing his way back into form against the Aussies. Let him have a giggle in the VITALITY BLAST with Worcestershire and bring him back if Leach has a mare in the next couple of tests.

Who's 3rd in line?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Rashid has fucked his shoulder, so you're probably looking at Bess or Virdi, both of whom are miles away.

I like Leach but think all those lefties will get after him and negate the 'hold up an end' quality that he brings. Mo doesn't have that but he can get people out. The selection does however allow the convenient myth to build up that we are getting beaten because Smith is really good, rather than because our batting is really shite.

[Jimmy Floyd]

In happier, non-Ashes news, Rahkeem 'the Dream' Cornwall has made the West Indies Test squad for the first time.

Google images, for the uninitiated.

[Ian]

He is immediately my favourite sportsman.

[Byron]

The spirit of Dwayne Leverock lives. What a man :cool:

[Disco]

I thought it was Keith Lee for a minute (Google image for anyone who isn't Ian).

[Ian]

Keith Lee. :drool:

[thommo]

When I searched for Rahkeem Cornwall on Google, the first photo that actually showed up was of Leverock. :D

[Max Power]

Tom Banton is the real deal isn’t he?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Yeah, we need to get him the T20 side in advance of next autumn or whenever it is. Other formats to follow as well.

[Max Power]

Think I might have a gigantic wedge on us for that tournament. Bigger than even the Champions Trophy. I can’t remember, that went well right?

Didn’t bet on the World Cup.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Yeah, I guess Australia will be strong at home but not sure who the other threats are. India are surprisingly shite at T20 really.

[Danny]

I watched the highlights of his century. He looks the mutts. How does he do in other formats?

[Clunge]

Tom Banton is the real deal isn’t he?
He is. I've been following Somerset all my life and he is the single most natural hitter I've seen, perhaps with the exception of Buttler. The thing about Banton though is that he's grown up solely in the modern era. Buttler and co pioneered what is natural to him. Banton has absolutely incredible wrist speed and poise. He gets into unorthodox positions extremely quickly while the bowler is in their action and can therefore play - confidently - almost 360-degrees. When he switch hits, he is in position twice as fast as any other player I've ever seen. His speed through the shot too via his wrists is absolutely remarkable. You can't set fields for him. He will play a slog sweep over mid-wicket from a foot outside off and he'll switch hit sweeps off middle stump yorkers, yet at the same time, watch his century and you'll see half his 'big' shots are absolutely classical cricket strokes. He really is truly breathtaking to watch.

He's excelled in T20 this year, but he was solid in the 50-over format too. I'm sure he'll develop in both to become an international player extremely soon. I don't think he's played any real championship cricket yet, but he might mellow into that in time.

Big shout out for Tom Abell too - 12 months ago, he was all at sea in the T20, picking up 8s and 9s off 16/17 balls. This year his strike rate is closer to 200 and he's the most deft manipulator of the ball and strike I've seen. He is ALWAYS looking for twos rather than singles, his running is exemplary and he's rightly being given an even bigger share of the T20 captaincy. We've got Gregory to come back in the T20 too and we're just hitting form so I'd absolutely bet on us getting to finals day again.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Last year's finals day I was sat up by where the teams hang out in between games, and walking past us Banton (although he was a reserve on the day) struck me as a proper unit of a young man. Big arms and legs almost like the Overtons. Reckon he will end up being a bit like Hayden or somebody of that ilk dominating attacks in all formats.

Phil Salt another one to look out for, for the white ball sides.

[Max Power]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EByJQmCXUAAETdp?format=jpg&name=medium

I so badly want him to go well. Such a top lad.

[Jimmy Floyd]

He is an absolute breath of fresh air in so many ways.

[Ian]

Honours even for the first day then.

Result.

[Max Power]

Steve Smith certainly struggled to get going. Progress.

[niko_cee]

At least this washout won't cripple a county, although Durham or someone will probably be on the hook for all the egg and bacon brigade's losses.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Sent in by the Aussies, this could get ugly.

[Max Power]

Shane Warne will never forgive Punter bowing first 2nd Test 2005. Even when he brings it up in a jokey way his pure anger comes through. Hilarious.

[Max Power]

Archer asked to review the first ball wide in the super over :D

[Dave.]

Archer asked to review the first ball wide in the super over :D

And he would have been entirely justified in doing so. Never a wide.

Obvious choice for the Aussies to bowl first. Don't understand people saying they should bat. I'd bowl first against our batting line up on any pitch as we are completely shit with the bat.

[Max Power]

He and Morgan were told by the umpire you can’t overturn a wide call.

[Pleb]

Rough start.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Just as well our middle order is tough as iron.

[Ian]

I do love how our openers don't so much try and "see off the new ball" so much as play at itand hope it goes away.


Just as well our middle order is tough as iron.

Aussies probably gutted they got him out tbf.

[thommo]

One of the best things about changing jobs recently is the ability to now pop home and catch 40-45 minutes of cricket in my lunch break.

Burns does seem to be quite a jammy opener at Test level but if it works for us and he scores runs, I'm all for it.

[Max Power]

I like him. He knows his game and values his wicket. Given that no one in the batting line up apart from Root averages above 35 that seems a good start to me. He will score Test runs.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The rule is they only pick one grinder, which is Burns, everyone else has to be an attacking stroke player. Suspect that will change when the coach changes, unless we have another Aussie (Australians cannot deal with being defensive in the same way Saffas can't deal with being attacking).

[Dave.]

I like him. He knows his game and values his wicket. Given that no one in the batting line up apart from Root averages above 35 that seems a good start to me. He will score Test runs.

I agree.

He is the best available opener for us in Test cricket, its just a matter of who opens with him now.

[Ian]

Our amazing middle order strikes again.

[Max Power]

Well at least our second best batsman is in now.

[niko_cee]

A breezy century from Jofra and we'll be fine.

[niko_cee]

Weather forecast is looking a whole lot better now as well. Thought it was meant to rain all weekend?

:moop:

[Ian]

Bairstow's gonna get 300 so our middle order average a century between them.

It'd be nice if Vaughan could every so often just shout "YOU'RE FUCKING SHIT, JONNY" from the sidelines to keep him focussed.

[Ian]

Broady to slash his way to 100.

Or 10. One of the two.

[thommo]

Close enough.

[niko_cee]

Jack Leach to bat his Lords Test Average, happy days.

Well, he's improved it, I suppose.

[Ian]

Woof. :drool:

Not that it matters when Smith's going to come in and equal our score on his own but whatever.

[thommo]

What a beauty. Warner looked all at sea throughout that short stay. Another 2 before close please.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Watching the cricinfo feed on SL/NZ while waiting for our game, and I see Akila Dhananjaya is these days listed as 'ob/lb', and seems to be bowling the full variety. All subcontinental spinners terrify me, but that sounds like a full year's worth of night terrors.

[Ian]

Could these two have the decency to look a bit more frightened? Our batsmen coming into a new morning always look like the hood was only taken off as they were kicked onto the pitch out of the van.

[hfswjyr]

Watching the cricinfo feed on SL/NZ while waiting for our game, and I see Akila Dhananjaya is these days listed as 'ob/lb', and seems to be bowling the full variety. All subcontinental spinners terrify me, but that sounds like a full year's worth of night terrors.

They're doing the business. The amount of turn is incredible.

[Ian]

They're really not getting much change out of Archer.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Simply cannot wait for the England bowl-too-short factory to ruin Archer, they have made a good start. He'll be on Celebrity Masterchef before the 2020s are out.

[niko_cee]

Weather's fairly tragic here (Brighton) at the moment so I'd expect this to be washed out for the day quite soon, thankfully.

[Max Power]

Get Smith out in the next half hour: rain stay away.
Smith still in at Lunch: heavy rain, shake hands and on to the next Test.

[niko_cee]

If the rain today radar is anything to go by it'll be a bigger miracle than Steve Smith getting out if they're still playing in an hour or so.

[niko_cee]

Send them in for an hour and a half in the ultimate murky conditions.

:drool:

Although bowling them out only increases the likelihood of us losing this match as we'll doubtless get skittled for bugger all tomorrow.

[Jimmy Floyd]

In the murky conditions earlier we had Jofra Archer bowling short/short of a length to a leg slip, forward short leg, another short leg, and a short mid on. Absolutely ridiculous captaincy.

[Danny]

1162329998595907584

[Shindig]

You could put that on loop and keep babies entertained for hours.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Smith is completely off his trolley, although I suppose you would be if you were him.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Just to confirm that, apparently he slept in the bath tub yesterday.

[niko_cee]

Lost count of the number of false shots, edges dropping short or lbws that were going over by a micrometer, so I fully expect to comeback in this evening and see both of these mooks still there on 100s.

[Gray Fox]

I was about to say injuring Smith is about the only way to get him out before he reaches triple figures and then that ball hits.

[Max Power]

Serious heat from Jofra.

[Max Power]

Fuck me he’s trying to take him out for the series by the looks of it.

[Danny]

Smith just cant have seen that one. Christ.

[Max Power]

Jesus it hit him in the throat basically.

Really needs to sit the next Test out, for safety reasons of course.

[Danny]

While I dont want to see someone get hurt (not even Warner) its great to see us having a bowler that can have them hopping around for once.

[Gray Fox]

Genuinely scary bowling for the Batsman there. Great stuff.

[Ian]

Jesus it hit him in the throat basically.

Really needs to sit the next Test out, for safety reasons of course.

The series. Can't be too careful with them tricky throat injuries.

[Ian]

While I dont want to see someone get hurt (not even Warner) its great to see us having a bowler that can have them hopping around for once.

basically doing what they tried to get Broad doing ages ago with zero success.

[Ian]

Oh God he's coming back. :uhoh:

[Ian]

Well that was odd all round.

[thommo]

He didn't seem all there when he came back out to bat. A wild hoik over mid-wicket, a couple of edges, and a huge error of judgement on line for his dismissal. Definitely felt as if he wasn't fit to be out there with regards to concussion.

It's pretty ridiculous the amount of abuse being chucked Archer's way for that ball and his reaction after. Aussies (and Indians) outraged that he wasn't immediately by his side after the delivery, and that he had a chuckle with Buttler some minutes later.

[Luke Emia]

Jason Roy. That’s a problem...

[Luke Emia]

Jesus Christ we could play a 3.5 day test and still have it lost by tomorrow lunch at this rate.

[Ian]

As if we're gonna fucking lose from second innings starting on the evening of day 4.

Jesus Christ.

[Gray Fox]

Start as you mean to go on and all that.

[niko_cee]

Sounds like this Archer spell is worth trying to see.

I eagerly anticipate the crying if Archer trying to kill them turns into a thing.

[Byron]

'AW BUT MATE IT'S COMPLETELY DIFFERENT WHEN STARC DOES IT'

caps.

[Ian]

We are absolute bollocks.

But it's fine, into our superstar 5/6/7 combo now.

[niko_cee]

Punchy counter-attack time.

:cool:

[Gray Fox]

All out before 7pm at this rate.

[thommo]

I didn't see that hitting leg whatsoever, strange from the ball tracking.

[niko_cee]

Jesus, that Archer ball that hit Smith on the neck wasn't a million miles away from where Phil Hughes got hit.

Does he not have those little extra flap bits on his helmet I thought they brought in after that?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Jofra is our king.

[Byron]

If nothing else, we could do with a good bit of Jimrage when we lose 5-0

[Clunge]

Jesus, that Archer ball that hit Smith on the neck wasn't a million miles away from where Phil Hughes got hit.

Does he not have those little extra flap bits on his helmet I thought they brought in after that?
Was pretty astonished to hear Cricket Australia hadn't made them mandatory.

[Queenslander]

Great spell by Archer absolutely no.complaints or double standards from me but I hope he realises that he is fair game for the rest of the series now...

[thommo]

He already received a bit of chin music in the first innings from Cummins so I'm sure he's ready for it.

[Ian]

That was what surprised me when I saw some grumblings about that because... Well, not to go all playground but in terms of Archer himself he didn't start it.

Maybe it was a "get your retaliation in first."

[Jimmy Floyd]

When they bounced him first ball I did get a whiff of 'you guys are history' about the whole thing.

It was great fast bowling, just as it was when Mitchell Johnson did it to us.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I see Aussie twitter has actually lost its shit, mainly because they were all asleep and didn't watch a single second of it. Jog on, cobbers.

[Queenslander]

Plenty of mongs in both countries that prefer the whinge over anything else.

[Ian]

That is most sports fans on the internet to be fair.

....

Other than us, obviously.

[Gray Fox]

Declaration is in. Pitch didn't seem to offer much though.

[thommo]

I think a fair declaration there. 48 overs is just enough to potentially induce a collapse. Can't see it happening but was nice to watch Stokes really move through the gears today, class century.

[Gray Fox]

Warner offers nothing much again.

A couple more quickly and this could be on.

[Gray Fox]

Fuck me, welcome to the crease.

[Luke Emia]

Even if we don’t win this test Archer could well have changed the momentum of the whole series over the past 2 days.

[Byron]

All Hail Jofra Archer.

[Ian]

Archer is a monster.

[Ian]

They've got that Romanian guy on TMS. :cool:

[Max Power]

I feel we’ve landed some telling blows in this draw. Like Brisbane 2010 but different.

Cue a revitalised smith double ton at headingley ofc

[Gray Fox]

If a couple fall soon can we ask for added time?

[Shindig]

I thought it was 48 overs minimum. Then light decides it.

[Queenslander]

Warner offers nothing much again.

A couple more quickly and this could be on.

He is one of the most protected Sydney sportmen of my lifetime.

Even if he nevers scores a ton outside of Australia for the rest of his career he wont ever be dropped.

[Queenslander]

Scummo with his daily does of being the head victim.


http://i68.tinypic.com/9zvfq9.jpg

Edit: This sums us up as a country.

https://m.betootaadvocate.com/sports/victorian-who-helped-boo-australian-of-year-into-retirement-disgusted-by-english-cricket-fans/

[niko_cee]

Of course that guy would be from Collingwood.

[Queenslander]

Of course that guy would be from Collingwood.

Im not sure if you have followed what happened to Goodes but they could have used any of the Melbourne clubs. AFL in Victoria is the Eastern Europe of Australia.

[Ian]

Okay so as an England fan it's easy to be a bit giddy about Archer's performance in this test but where is all the "changing fast bowling / cricket / life as we know it forever" chat coming from? Just English over excitement or is he doing anything different to when we were getting terrorised by Johnson, say?

[Jimmy Floyd]

We haven't had anyone as exhilarating to watch as him in fast bowling terms since, well, you can go back as far as you like really.

[Queenslander]

He is a genuine threat. His type of pace is as exciting as any of our blokes that I have watched over the years.

[Ian]

Yeah but I mean I'm seeing that he's going to change fast bowling, change test cricket, etc. Which is a bit of a step beyond 'Bloody hell this boy's a bit good."

I was killing time in the pub waiting for a friend yesterday and listening to TMS for the first bit of the evening session was great because every ball felt like it could bring a wicket with it. Of course in typical Australian fashion they had to go and ruin by not collapsing in a heap but you can't have everything.

[Queenslander]

Managing his workload will be the key. I can see him being the most feared bloke for as long as his body holds together.

I love genuine fast bowling so Im rooting for him.

Are there any other blokes like him in County cricket?

[Ian]

Unrelated but there was a bit of quality Bob Willis during the lunch break piece on the '83-'83 Ashes.

Talking about Botham and how he felt he was riding the high of the '81 series and not preparing properly, etc. So he said he and the manager (or whatever) tried to have a word with Botham in the treatment room one day but we told not to worry and that "You could turn the tap on and the water would be boiling hot. Of course as it turns out for the rest of that series the water was.... pretty tepid."

Love a bit of Bob.

[Jimmy Floyd]

It's not going to change Test cricket, if anyone is saying that. There have been many such fast bowlers over the years: Johnson, Donald, Shoaib, Marshall, Thomson, Holding and others.

They are pretty rare beasts though and even rarer in England where lateral movement is usually the key weapon.

[Queenslander]

It's not going to change Test cricket, if anyone is saying that. There have been many such fast bowlers over the years: Johnson, Donald, Shoaib, Marshall, Thomson, Holding and others.

They are pretty rare beasts though and even rarer in England where lateral movement is usually the key weapon.

In your opinion will the higher ups manage him properly?

[Jimmy Floyd]

All previous experience with English cricket suggests that they will not.

[Ian]

They'll have him bowling leg spin by the fifth test.

[thommo]

A lot was being said on the radio and especially in the messages and comments regarding Archer’s workload in the test and whether Root was overusing him. To me it looked like Archer just wanted to bowl and bowl, surely indicating he was fine with it. Even when he had to be taken off for the light, he had his jumper off ready to go. With his short run up too, he does strike me as someone who will just want to keep bowling if he’s in a rhythm.

[Queenslander]

I think what has happened down here is that the injuries our blokes have had in their feet, shins and lower back are due too many overs in a year, both in matches and in training, while also not having an off season, not really a particular match or session.

Your bloke will probably have to have his work load planned over a 12month period. The injuries he will likely pick up are due to miles under foot. Hopefully there will be someone around him telling him to take a break when needed even if he feels good in the moment.

[niko_cee]

Im not sure if you have followed what happened to Goodes but they could have used any of the Melbourne clubs. AFL in Victoria is the Eastern Europe of Australia.

Not really. Was he the indigenous guy that played for the Swans? I vaguely recall him getting shit for all sorts of things, but this was probably nearly a decade ago.

[Queenslander]

Not really. Was he the indigenous guy that played for the Swans? I vaguely recall him getting shit for all sorts of things, but this was probably nearly a decade ago.

Yeah that is him. The AFL and all 16 clubs have acknowledge and apologised for him having to retire due to the extreme racism directed at him. Even Eddie Mcguire apologised.

https://www.sbs.com.au/news/adam-goodes-documentary-gets-standing-ovation-at-world-premiere

Two docos were made because it was that bad.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/may/30/a-tale-of-two-adam-goodes-films-docos-on-afl-legend-put-racism-in-big-picture

[Max Power]

All previous experience with English cricket suggests that they will not.
During Archer’s spell on Saturday Sky flashed a graphic of the fastest spells by English bowlers since data existed. Steven Finn featured heavily, almost forget how good he was. Not saying England take all the blame but he should have 250+ Test wickets.

[niko_cee]

The ICC/Graeme Smith were a major contributing factor in his downfall with that dreadful rule change.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Ollie Pope has made 221* today and is immediately going to Leeds on concussion standby. That must be the most England piece of selection ever.

[karenjones]

Morgan will most likely leave the captaincy since he already made England Champions but it's T20 entertainment time what your guys thoughts about CPL T20 2019?

cpl t20 live streaming (https://et20slam.net/cpl-t20-2019-live-streaming-online-free/)
hero cpl t20 2019 schedule (https://et20slam.net/cplt20-schedule-2019-time-table-fixture-free-download/)
cpl t20 2019 all team squad (https://et20slam.net/cpl-t20-2019-all-teams-squads/)

World cup final was the close one but Ashes also giving goose bumps specially Archer is giving Australia it's own medicine. What you reckon who gonna win Ashes?

[niko_cee]

This concussion thing is interesting. Do you have one designated sub or can you have a range of them?

Anderson probably should have got himself beaned at some point in that first match so we could sub him off. Can't be too careful and all that.

[Ian]

Well if it has to be a "like for like" swap presumably you need at least a couple of different options.

[niko_cee]

So what you're saying is that one of our batsmen go down we'll just pluck someone from the crowd?

[Jimmy Floyd]

The whole sub thing is stupid. This week Surrey played in the Championship against Hampshire and we had Sam Curran in the side, but he was then picked in the England squad and so after the second day was to be substituted for a 'like-for-like player' (by the same logic as the concussion version).

On the second tea-time or so, we have bowled Hampshire out and are about to start batting. Stoneman and Patel go out to open as per normal, but then Curran comes in at three to have a dash (thereby extracting the maximum value from him before he sods off to Leeds at the close). The day ends and it's time for our 'like-for-like replacement', but who the hell is a like for like replacement for Sam Curran? The answer turns out to be Connor McKerr, who is a number 11 bat and quick bowler and therefore doesn't have to bat in the innings, but is ready to bowl at full pelt in the second dig.

It's really not part of cricket as we know it.

[Ian]

So what you're saying is that one of our batsmen go down we'll just pluck someone from the crowd?

I've got my pads ready.

[Ian]

I actually forgot the next test started today.

Can't wait for all this bullishness about Archer, Smith's absence, etc. to lead to an innings defeat.

[Max Power]

Looks gloomy as fuck in Leeds. Bowl first.

[Max Power]

Good. Get into ‘em.

[Jimmy Floyd]

We need to bowl them out by tea. If not, Ashes over.

[thommo]

I wanted to bowl first just because Vaughan goes on and on and on about batting first in every bloody Test, no matter the conditions.

100-0 at lunch now we’ve made the leap.

[Dave.]

Looks gloomy as fuck in Leeds. Bowl first.

Exactly this.

We certainly shouldn't be batting with our batting line up in these conditions.

[Max Power]

Didn’t see this Mitchell Johnson masterclass in the last Test. Real nice and engaging guy.

[neo_hippy]

Got tickets for the 5th day so hoping it's not over by then

[Jimmy Floyd]

Jofra Archer is irresistible. I know this is meaningless but I looked up his SPOTY odds the other day, 40/1 (Stokes is 11/8 fav). Absolutely mental.

[Jimmy Floyd]

And now I've just seen clips of him batting 'as' Steve Smith in the Headingley nets, jesus this man is the best ever.

[thommo]

I'm a bit worried about feeding into the hype of someone who is only playing their 2nd Test, but he seriously is something. The amount of buzz and the cheers he gets when he's announced on the tannoy, the feeling every ball that something could happen, it's pretty incredible.

[Max Power]

He’s an absolute hero. Will be so sad when the England schedule forces him into retirement after the 2020 World T20.

[Ian]

Sounds like Davey Dubya is wafting all over the place here.

[Ian]

There seems to have been a lot of farting about and time wasted for what doesn't sound like a lot of rain here.

[thommo]

The more time does get wasted, the more likely Australia get to bat tomorrow in what will supposedly be great batting conditions.

[Ian]

That's an hour they've been off for what appears to have been a very brief spell of drizzle if the live text isn't full of shit.... and now one of the correspondents at the ground is saying it's raining again.

It just can't be this difficult.

[Ian]

On the plus side at least Hulkamania's been running wild.

1164547781203320832

[Gray Fox]

Had we known there'd be this little play today I imagine we'd have bat first.

Annoying as Broad had the lefties done all ends up in his first spell.

[thommo]

Woakes and Stokes have bowled absolute fucking dross. We need an Aussie collapse of huge proportions to stay in the Ashes.

[thommo]

Also, what is with the fucking constant delay at the end of every over? Warner and the Smith regen changing gloves constantly, we've had about 4 overs in 25 minutes for fucks sake.

[Max Power]

Absolute shit since the first rain delay. Shit bowling, shit fielding, shit captaincy.

[Max Power]

Jofra second spell might keep us in the series. Might.

[thommo]

Broad and Archer straight back on the money. Absolute snorter to bowl Head. Maybe the collapse is still on.

[Gray Fox]

Archer hype continues.

[Ian]

Maybe the collapse is still on.

At which point we'll go, "Huh, nice collapse you had there. Be a real shame if somebody went and turned that into a comfortable lead for you."

[Gray Fox]

I like this new bowling style of aiming it square at the bollocks.

[niko_cee]

That Papa Shango dismissal was something else. Nothing more deadly than the middle-stump homing lofted full bunger. He half Michael Clarke'd it.

[thommo]

Amazing how quickly a game can turn. I'm astonished they could play on until half 7 to be honest, I was sure they'd be off before.

That lbw reminded me of that awful full toss Swann bowled to Rogers in 2013, it's the last thing you'd expect.

[Ian]

That Swann delivery is exactly the one I was about to mention.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=XOArPa0V3JI

[Ian]

That Broad delivery to Head was a bit if a peach.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Jofra Archer is irresistible. I know this is meaningless but I looked up his SPOTY odds the other day, 40/1 (Stokes is 11/8 fav). Absolutely mental.

Now 6/1. lol

I've never known so many Australians cry as they are about him. They could turn the outback into lush meadowlands with all those tears.

[Max Power]

I’m probably massively overstating it due to being the cricket bubble but his ascent from sort of nowhere to borderline national sporting icon is one of the quickest I’ve ever seen.

Makes his debut in May. Wins the World Cup (bowling a super over in the final and taking most England wickets). Then bombs the best player in the world out of a Test match and generally spreads terror amidst the Australian batting lineup and in his second Test takes six wickets turning a game in a session. All whilst being an extremely affable and cool lad.

Again the bubble, probably 1% of the country know who he is and it’ll maybe go to 5 if we win the series but still... worth getting carried away for me.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I could be imagining it (and lord knows if anyone lives in a cricket bubble it is me), but I feel like there's been some genuine cut through this summer. Pretty much all hinged on that final being free to air and good and we won it, so the ECB have got seriously lucky, luck they do not deserve.

At my club we have cage nets which members know the code to get into, and we have open nets which the public can wander in and use, and the latter have just been jam packed wall to wall with dads and kids this summer, especially since the World Cup final. I hope it persists. We couldn't have a better hero than Jofra Archer, honestly. Everything about him is wonderful.

[niko_cee]

I've no idea what the weather is like in Leeds but I get the impression we really need to make the most of what could be a classic Headingly ambush here. Stick them in on a leaden skied nibbler and then bat for a few days in the sunshine before it clouds over again. Point 2 could be the sticking point, particularly seeing as it looked more the pitch than the atmospheric conditions causing stuff to happen. Bring out the sneaky steamroller.