He’s had luck of course he has. But, he’s also not completely thrown his wicket away inside 5 balls.
I was thinking earlier they only have 4 bowlers. But, we aren’t even getting close to making them work hard. Actually try and see out the new ball get 30/40 overs in only having lost 2 wickets even if we have only scored 60 it doesn’t matter, there is enough in the middle order to accelerate but if they keep coming in at 40-4 after 20 overs of course they are going to get skittles. But bring them in at 150-3 every now and then with a team having bowled 60 overs already we will have a chance.
Yeah (@ Luke), but it's a bit much to say he's got his head down and grafted when he's been spaffing a chance into the cordon every 10 runs or so.
His first ball was an expansive drive against Leach as well having just seen his mate bowled by a corker that turned square.
The 'old ball' doesn't exist with this version of the Duke, it would seem (seam?). And we've had the aggressive brand come in a positions of strength only to fuck it up (first test). The power of the middle order is a myth.
Both teams are utter dogshit, we are just worse.
Meanwhile Sam Curran closed out a T20 tonight and Moeen got 85* (46) chasing down 180, sad face.
My word he's gone for Bairstow there. Somebody print it out and leave it on his dressing room peg.
Bairstow adding further fuel to the fire there.
And he's bang on as well.
Was that 4 or 5 drops in Labuschagne's innings?
No wickets down at lunch. Very much advantage England.
Yeah, if we can just survive the first over or so after lunch we'll be fine.
We're in their heads, lads.
270 for 8 wickets is doable for a normal team. You're needing a tonne or close from someone in the middle though.
I can't wait for us to get to within 100 and then collapse horrifically.
I was going to come in here just before heading out to the football to say that we could easily be 180-1 overnight and still lose before lunch tomorrow, so looks like they might be trying to test that theory in one way or another. Wicket incoming ofc.
Well you can kindly fuck off Niko.
Denly departing to a standing ovation. Jimmy will be furious.
It still seemed a lot of wafty shite. Still, runs are there and I'd have taken that at the start of the day.
We'll still lose two wickets before lunch of course.
If that keeps Denly in the team then Ed Smith can fuck off and take his fucking round Prince Andrew sunglasses with him.
You know fine we'll that's his position secured for about six months.
Way way too much optimism around this morning.
I'll try to steer clear of it as best I can.
We'll probably be skittled for 250, which will be seen as improvement and therefore no changes will actually be made.
I know. We are 2/1 to win which is absolutely ridiculous, should be 33/1.
Where is the optimism coming from?
Does not being total shit get people that excited?
It's just the way the news is.
Day 1: England back in the ashes, all hail Lord Jofra
Day 2: Ashes all but gone, much despair
Day 3: Ashes not actually lost but must default to either position of extreme despair or IT'S COMING HOME!
Day 4: Profit?
Oh well. That’s the game.
We’ll get em in wides...
62/0 in the 10 overs of the second new ball
We are now 8/13 favs. Absolute horse shit.
If Roy and Burns had got any kind of reasonable score then this would most certainly be on. I can't wait to see us not be able to get 130-5 from this.
I’m getting more confident but Lyon has started to really rag it this spell and that changes things. It’s still very much on but Aus certainly favourites.
One wicket is all it'll take for us to crumble.
This partnership is the one.
It's the slivers of hope I hate the most.
Bairstow and probably hope gone.
The hope does indeed kill you.
Fuck's sake.
That said I'd have said Woakes gave us more hope than Buttler on current form but basically Stokes needs to play the innings of a lifetime and not run out of partners, which won't happen.
What in the actual fuck was that?
Ugh some real soft dismissals after lunch
They've obviously forgotten over lunch that we still had all of tomorrow to bat as well.
Some stupid decisions here.
Woakes' performance in this match probably makes the selectors job easier for the next one if Anderson is fit again.
Archers been asking for it a couple of times here.
Aye...
Stupid decision once more. You have to think Stokes will have to open it up now.
Stop teasing me and just get out, Stokes.
Even 40 runs between Broad, Buttler and Woakes and this would be on.
I hope he at least gets the tonne up.
What is the mad bastard doing??