We need this pair to get us to around 250/260 to give us a chance. we're always one wicket away from a collapse. Ali doesn't bat under pressure, Bairstow has been rusty thus far on this tour. Overton had his day in the 1st innings and the tail is long. On the plus, the barmy army really seem to be winding smith up.
If a miracle should happen and England win, Smith won't half get some stick from the papers for not getting England to follow on.
True, but how many people would have done the same. I would. The Aussies havent looked in that much danger all series. Same goes for the summer when Root declared early at Headingley. Cook used to get slated for adding another 100 runs before a declaration and eventually drawing matches we could have won.
I agree, but you know what the Aussie papers are like, they have to blame someone. They were already having a go at him this morning apparently.
really?? they've not put a foot wrong! Hopefully being bowled out like they were might take some of the arrogance out of them. We need to get into them more in the sledging, remind the twats they're all decendants of rapists. Give it back and rattle them
Brilliant days cricket, 176-4 at close, really good day for England, can they keep it going tomorrow. The new ball will be key I suspect.
I think we will do this. If Woakes can get 25/30 whilst Root goes about his business, then I think we will see it home
Terrific fight back .. but and it's a big but .. still a mountain to climb .. makes for an interesting day tomorrow.
What a nice story this is. Jonny Bairstow: England wicketkeeper receives father's gloves held by fan for 39 years please log in to view this image England wicketkeeper David Bairstow (right) faced India in 1979 Here is a story from this Ashes series likely to tug at the heartstrings of the most unsentimental. Back in 1978, young cricket fan Andrew Johns was taken by his parents to Adelaide's West Lakes shopping centre to meet the England Ashes squad, which contained the likes of Geoffrey Boycott, Graham Gooch and Ian Botham. At the event there was a prize on offer for the person who knew who England's reserve wicketkeeper was - Andrew raised his hand and answered, "David Bairstow". His reward? A pair of gloves signed by the man himself. Those gloves have since been sitting in a box, until recently when Andrew finally had the opportunity to gift them to Jonny Bairstow, the son of the former international. Andrew had contacted Bairstow Jr by Instagram when he found out the 28-year-old Yorkshire player would be part of the 2017-18 squad. "I got a message back that night saying, 'It would be nice to meet you', from his management or whatever," he told Australia's ABC Grandstand programme. "The next morning I had a message saying: 'I'd love to meet you, I'm staying just across from the ground.' I came in and I brought the gloves with me. I sent him a message saying: 'I'm here.' "He came out two minutes later, and we had a good 30 to 45 minutes together which was wonderful. He was quite emotional to receive the gloves. It was really lovely." David Bairstow, who played in four Tests for England, spent his entire county career at Yorkshire. The Bradford-born wicketkeeper took his own life in 1998 at the age of 46 - his son Jonny was eight at the time. Andrew added: "I just lost my father this year in June - he was 83, but had a great life. I know if someone gave something to me that belonged to my father I'd want it, and that's what I wanted to do for Jonny." Bairstow Jr said it was a "fantastic gesture", adding: "It's something that is always very special. I've been fortunate enough to go all over the world, and all over the world people have some fond stories of dad." http://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/42240907
