I don't have issues with people with different backgrounds going into play for the country they moved to or were born in, I wasn't born here but consider this home (40 years) so would have happily played for England Where it does piss me off is the fasttracking of immigrants to get them into a team. The rules are bent to speed things up and that isn't on. I could be wrong but Imran Tahir and Usman khawaja were fast tracked. Imran was playing in England as an overseas player, got married and was fast tracked. Not sure what links he has to that country really
If England arent still batting by the end of the day in the first innings then we can kiss the ashes goodbye. We need this test to be the one which is drawn now and then put all our eggs in 1 basket for the oval I think England should have got Freddie out the stand yesterday. Few overs from him would have seen off Smith
I just turned it on and the good news for England is the ground is empty, the covers are on and play looks unlikely for at least a couple of hours
2 England aims for this Test. Get a draw and somehow get Smith to pull a hamstring. Then it's Operation Oval.
Smith at some point has to get out cheaply. We havent been aggresive enough to him. Other then that Archer spell at Lords we have bowled nicely at him. As I said a min ago we miss a Flintoff type bowler. I think Curran would have done well against him. Left hand swinging it back into him. Much harder angle to just clip away But its our missed chances that cost us again. Getting Smith out on a no ball. Dropping Paine We need to freshen the batting order out and there is no one good enough to come in. Only batsman who is good enough is again a 1 day player in Eoin Morgan so that isnt the answer England have been bad in too many spells in the series and only have themselves to blame
Looking increasingly like England MOTM, F.V. Raine might well keep the Ashes alive for The Oval grande finale
Play starts at 1.30 England need to avoid the follow on. Else this will end tomorrow England need to forget the scorecard and bat for time. You bat time and runs will come. If you chase them then we will get another pathetic total Trevor Bayliss is leaving after the ashes. I think we should appoint 2 coaches. A test match coach and a one day coach We have struggle massively for years to do well at both. We have always been good at 1 and time to properly separate the 2 and have a complete revamp on the test squad. Players who cant adjust like Roy and Buttler shouldnt be anywhere near the test team
50 for Burns and playing well. Serious question marks over him before the series but has made the place his own so far. Really knows how to dig in. Just need to carry his form on and find him a partner
He may not be earth shattering but he is the best opener in the country and is now settled. Hope he gets a biggy!
Aussies struggling to break Burns and Root’s partnership. Steve Smith now making gestures to Lyon Probably tell him to start sanding the ball down
His 2nd innings is his last chance for me. If he doesnt get a score then thats it for me I watched Moeen Ali destroy Sussex last night. I would bring him back for the 5th test if we can still win the ashes. Moeen is either superb or plays like a pub player. Leach has been ok with the ball but nothing special. His no ball dismissal of Smith is unforgivable. A spinner should never bowl a front foot no ball
