Aus effectively -15 for 3. Looking good but as long as Smith's still batting they're in with a shout.
Finished the day effectively 34 for 3. Need to get Smith out in the morning session tomorrow or we'll lose this.
I'm not particularly confident at the moment. Without the new ball on a slow wicket, our pace bowling looks worryingly innocuous. Ali's big chance and he's looks poor. Looks like we'll lose a lot of time this afternoon, which reduces Aussies chance of building a score, declaring and Lyons bowling us put.
Had Anderson been fit I'd be reasonably comfortable but without him our pace attack looks a bit one-dimensional and will struggle. Ali must come good soon, surely?
Smith at it again, just short of his 100 at lunch, 231-4, which is 141 ahead. Don't know why Woakes hasn't bowled today, that is a bit worrying with Anderson already out?
Must have been saving him, but seems odd, it would have been better to use the seamers when the ball was new.
Don't really understand why Aus are still batting. Lead of 365, 10 overs left in the day, light fading, why aren't they putting us in?
Well that didnt go to plan then did it lol .. tough ask to get through tomorrow especially with a spinner that looks up for it. Alli has been poor with the bat for long enough but now he is looking shot of confidence with the ball as well. I predict at least 3 changes for next game .. Anderson, Denly and Alli all out .. Archer, Malan and Rashid in.
Plenty of rain forecast for tomorrow, bring it on! Roy looked very uncomfortable against Pattinson tonight, I'd bet he'd have liked a few more than 2 overs. Still don't understand Aus declaring so late on.
Not sure that this side has the bloody-mindedness to bat all day. Hope I'm wrong. Root's captaincy was naive at best today. Yes I know we'd lost Jimmy early doors but still, some odd decisions. Oh, and I'd have umpired better than those two clowns, without my glasses on.
It wont happen as we will try and bat the day out, BUT turn it into a one day game and let Roy go at them and smash the Aussies all over
I fear you're right. Also I read that one spectator walked out declaring 'I haven't paid hundreds of pounds to watch Root bowling with a ball that's 8 overs old'. Umpires have been shocking all match. Having said that when I retired at age 62-ish I took my umpiring ticket. Did a handful of games but decided that it was just too easy to make mistakes at my age, failing faculties and all that. It is hard but even so these fellas should be doing better.
Yer, I think I'll retract my umpiring claim. Without my glasses on I can't see anything 22 yards away, nevermind judging a ninety mile an hour tickle. To be honest I struggle to count to six some days anarl.
