Perhaps like basketball the distance/position of the kick wrt to the posts should determine whether you get 2/3 pts.
Well the ashes started well, Burns out first ball and a procession of wickets followed 147 all out might as well just give the Aussies the urn now and come home. Will be very surprised if they don't win the series 5-0.
I stayed up with all intention to watch the start of the Ashes, coffee made, couple of mince pies to hand and start the report that I need to finish by Monday, 11 for 3 ...............f**k this I'm off to bed and woke to this score The optimist in me says we have not bowled yet but I'll not get my hope's up
Dismal batting. Take Root out and what's the average of the rest of the batters over the last 18 months? No practice beforehand and no skills to cope with the extra pace and bounce. Can't bat in overseas conditions, bar New Zealand, which is not too different to England.
In days of yore, didn't England players go and do club stints in Oz when the domestic season was closed and no overseas tours were on ?? If England players are not operating in conditions that are effectively the norm, rather than the exception, then how can you expect bowlers to master "line and length" etc when you are primarily relying on "swing" effects that your home climate provides ??
I guess we need to update our opinions now, sensational day. I suspect one will fall early tonight and then we'll collapse but as it stands we could even win this if we can set 150+ target on a day 5 wicket. Malan and Root need to take us past their score and then we'll need a 50 from 2 of the other batsmen. If Stokes and Buttler get going, will be fascinating
Malan's done well, but it's Root again. I think he needs to be getting a 150+ score like he did v Sri Lanka and India for England to have any chance. I hope these two can bat together until we are 50 or so ahead at least - it takes the pressure off Stokes a bit. He's not played for months.
Pathetic from England but no great surprise, got themselves back into the match and then another batting collapse, they did not look mentally prepared at the start of the day. Malan did not need to play the shot he did, nor Pope, Root went fishing and I still do not know how a trundler like Lyon has picked up so many test wickets.
I completely forgot about the Ashes, I watched the live Fleet Foxes broadcast on YouTube with a good red and some fine cheese then turned into BBC4 for the Nick Cave fest and had a disturbed nights sleep , not sure if it was the wine and cheese or Nick Caves lyrics then woke at 4.00 to tune into the "high lights"
Safety car on lap 55/58 - Verstappen now on superior tyres. Could be interesting if there are any racing laps left. If..... Might just be a safety car procession for the last few laps.
