Gosh that button is useful isn't it. Credit to the Aussies (well, particularly Smith) for how they've played. There's something fantastic/stressful about a rearguard action batting out for a draw that you just don't get in other sports. I remember listening to Anderson trying to bowl out Tino Best for 11 overs at the death a few years back. Day 5, radio commentary, in a match that ended up drawn - and yet a sporting moment that's up there for me with the 2003 Rugby World Cup (or indeed the recent cricket one). Nothing like it.
Is anyone in the middle of a lightening storm where they are? Cool set has been flooded. Really tropical ****. Global warming for you.
No, but if you could shunt it in the direction of Edgebaston, it might arrive in the nick of time tomorrow...
Im going to love it if australia win tomorrow like . 1-0 would be huge given a draw means they keep the ashes
I'm not too worried. Given the knowledge of cricket you've shown thus far I'm going to just tell you that England won the Ashes at the end of the series irrespective of the results. Should be fine.
I know more about cricket than ive let on.. I used to watch way back when england really were crap in the early 90s... i even played cricket... i had a gray nichols bat after i realised the brian lara double scoop 2000 was ridiculous. I really think england will hold out for the draw, but its nice knowing england fans are hoping for rain as usual.
I'm not hoping for rain. As always I'm hoping for us to go out and play our best and if we lose we lose. I've watched a lot of cricket and it is incredibly unusual and unlucky to have one of your bowlers unable to bowl for pretty much the whole game - if not for that I've no doubt England would be pushing to a win tomorrow, if not already having a 1-0 lead. That there was also an issue with Woakes today limiting his bowling is ridiculous (can't find information on what the reason is but it must be some kind of injury or muscular pain). It happens and as a result a draw is actually an impressive result for England - come back next match with 11 vs 11 and I'd back us to win - as it was 9 v 11 today with only 3 of our 5 bowlers fit. I can 't remember seeing that before.
Could be an excruciating loss for you boys today! The draws your only hope. I think 1-0 Australia and the arm excuses will come in for the remainder of a 5-0 whitewash if england collapse today.
Looking bad for England if they lose early wickets. Rain may spoil it for everyone. A lot is going to depend who wins the toss throughout this series again. Which is a shame because this is the one time I think England had the opportunity to win despite the toss going against them. Their selection of an unfit Anderson has really bitten them on the arse. The lack of options when trying to finish the aussie first innings was obvious, and also them not extending their first innings lead didn't help. Rashid being unfit is a blow because Mo is not up to it at present. Some of the bowling yesterday was shocking from him including two moon balls. Leach has to come in. I defended Ali pre series because of how he goes in England but he needs a prolonged spell back in county cricket learning to enjoy it again. No excuses for England they've been outplayed by Smith. And yes I mean Smith not Australia. Yes they lost the toss but this game was there to be won if good enough, so lets not hope for rain or blame the toss, we've been well below par. The concern for England is our much vaunted bowling attack, which is impressive, is creaking under the weight of the world cup and age. Anderson is not good and given he declared himself fit, has to be a concern heading forward. Archer's side strain is causing him issues, and they really need his pace to unsettle Smith. Rashid looks set to miss the whole summer with his shoulder issue now worse than ever. Woods has already had an op and is defo out. Olly Stone and Jack Leach may be getting the call. Nothing wrong with them, but they are getting thrown into the lions den with Ashes cricket. This Aussie team is not one of the better ones. Smith is obviously an all time great already, but aside from him the team is fairly average. If we lost a home series to this rabble I'd struggle to make many excuses for England.
