Well done boys. 300 and counting. Two set batsmen and an English team that's ruing missed opportunities.
No need to panic at all. It’ll come down to the Aussies chasing a gettable but challenging total on the last day/day and a half and judging by today they aren’t equipped to do it. We’ve bowled 91 overs at them so far (4 last night), and they are still nowhere near our total from the pathetic 78 overs they managed to bowl yesterday. They get fined for slow over rate every match, obviously do it on purpose.
So you think we will reach your run haul. Then overtake and be about 50-100 in front by stumps. Bowl you out on day 4 and comfortably reach target by tea on day 5. Good, settled!
Bad error not picking Wood on this wicket, Robinson totally ineffective without any seam movement. Poor old Jimmy wondering what we've done to him. Aussies won't declare and could have a healthy lead by the time we dismiss them. Its going rather grim
Of course they are. I find watching England's Bazball both exhilarating and frustrating in equal measure. The Aussies now look likely to overtake our score, which could make not letting Root continue batting a big mistake. The Aussies have a far superior bowling attack and the best ranked 3 batsmen in the World. Missed chances today could cost us this match. The Broad no ball is particularly painful. I fear this could be one series too far for Jimmy, but I really hope he proves me wrong. Our best hope is Moeen spinning them out in the fourth innings, but with the way we bat, we may not set them a very high target. Obviously, because of Bazball, we may set them 400, but I can't see it with their bowling. Aussies scoring freely now. Only 82 behind.
No it ain't, feck me everything is so bleak in your opinion..... It's called Test Cricket for a reason and today shows why.... ebb and flow.... did you expect the aussies to roll over? It's nicely balanced, we've created chances and missed them, big deal, we're still 80 runs to the good, they won't be level until lunch tomorrow assuming they aren't bowled out by a rejuvenated bowling attack.... still rather be in England position....
And what about in the 2nd innings ? Robinson and Anderson aren't gonna bowl them out on this road. It was a terrible decision to leave Wood out if fit, the extra pace to Khawaja, Head and others was what the attack needed on this wicket. Lyon is a far superior bowler to Ali, he spins it nearly every delivery. Facing him on a worn wicket 2nd time round is gonna be a big ask. We'll have to bat really well to set a big enough target with enough time to bowl them out again.
England were evens when Green was out, they're favouring the Aussies now. Of course it could all change again with some quick wickets tomorrow. 13 no balls is just too many, especially when 1 cleans up their centurion
Even Stevens after two days. England could have been in a strong position but a couple of misses by Bairstow and a wicket off a no-ball have kept Australia in it. We'll need to keep them to no more than a small lead.
Well lads. That was an interesting day and sets up a fascinating day 3. Good night/morning and I'll look forward to more chat tomorrow.
I don’t know what the highest last innings run chase that the current Australian team has chased down is, but I do know that it’s less than 282, which is the bottom end of the top 50 all time run test run chases, and their latest entry is 2011. The current England team have 4 entries on the list - at the 8th, 12th, 37th and 39th positions, three of them from 2022 and the one from 2019 against Australia at Headingly. The Aussies have got the talent to do it, but their mentality is still old school - trying to stop England getting runs yesterday with defensive fields and a run rate about half of England’s today - and will be stressed at the sharp end. But if you don’t think England are good enough, fine, we just have different opinions.
I don't think he's said that, obviously we are but so are Australia. They aren't World Test champions for nothing. It remains to be seen who will have a 1st innings score and how much it will be. In our 2nd innings we could either come unstuck or set them 300 plus, but I expect Lyon to have a big say. They will have boundary patrolers from the off and we'll do well to score at 5 an over. Added to that the wicket doesn't suit 2 of our main 3 bowlers, so it will be a real graft to bowl them out again. Ali will be the pivotal bowler !
Has been a great two days of test cricket. Those ebbs and flows have been all we need from test cricket. It’s a great tactical test for both sides. If it continues like this it’s going to be highly intriguing. Innovation versus tradition? I know which has kept me on the edge of my seat. Stokes doesn’t always get it right but he’s prepared to take risks to get the win (and entertain) - better to lose with style than draw with boredom. Feels like the weather may have an influence and push a draw unfortunately. But roll on day 3.
I think England are good enough, mainly because of their batting. I disagree with you that the Aussies aren't going to be capable of chasing down a decent target. I think they are, against our attack and with it being the Ashes. I don't know if we can be consistent enough against such a good side, playing high risk (highly entertaining) cricket. I absolutely want us to stuff the Aussies, but I do think a lot needs to go our way. We can't afford as many missed chances as we had today again imo. The Aussies bat at a different rate to England but may well overtake our score with plenty of time remaining. We're more than capable of setting them a big target and I really hope we do.
It’s not about capability, it’s about mentality. I said they are capable. Let’s wargame this. The Aussies will take until at least well into the second session tomorrow to build a lead of over 150 (I think on this pitch wickets will be hard to take). Will they declare? I think they’ll bat on to build as big a lead as possible, but I could be wrong. So far they have played not to lose rather than to win. This might actually be sensible, getting used to the tactics England use, this is a long series. If they do end up with a big first innings lead, we could see a new version of Bazball, where England try and get just a bit ahead with a couple of sessions remaining and risk losing but give themselves a (slim) chance of winning. But they might get bowled out chasing the first innings total. A draw is a strong chance if the Aussies don’t want to risk a chase. The beauty of Bazball is the tactical and strategic second guessing challenge it presents the opposition. What’s the most nuts thing England can do? Prepare for it. I’m delighted that I doubt this version of England will ever play for a draw if winning is a tiny bit possible. Today was another great days cricket, the players of both sides are already relishing playing in this series.
Jeez if they get a 150 lead , we're in serious trouble. The aussies would bite your arm and leg off for a lead like that. If we can keep their lead to no more than 50 , then we would still have a decent chance. I really think we have to win this gane, what with it being at Edgbaston , our stronghold. Wouldn't want to be going to Lords 1 down , with that not being our best ground for Ashes results. Hopefully the weather doesn't sway the result and we can get some early wickets.
