tbf he isn't normally as bad as he has been in this test which makes you wonder how much wicketkeeping practice he has done since his return to fitness .
Disgraceful that the Umpires didn’t stop play sooner given how dark it was and the bowlers who were bowling.
Well if anything it's saved England's blushes. it's a 2 days shoot out now and England have a lot of work to do.
not going well. Pope also gone. all the first 3 have contributed is really one persons required score. A huge century or two is required to have any hope now.
Australia are continuing with this conservative field on the assumption England will keep playing at balls they don't need to and give up chances.
its getting close to disastrous now. bazball failure as root charges the ball and misses so an easy stumping.
another gone. aussies plan. ok you play your bazzball. we are going to let you and wait for you to **** up and then snaffle your wickets "when your opponent is making mistakes, don't get in their way" you've a good side who know where to bowl and how to then just sitting there waiting for england to play and play at stuff that another side might leave and not panicking. instead they are just waiting for the error.
best of luck with that unfortunately. 250 would be excellent form here. Bairstow, stokes and alli. All rusty. Its a very big ask to get 150 more runs with those and tail bowlers.
As I said look at the difference in approach between Bairstow and stokes getting in a muddle just now and inducing a run out chance compared to what went on with australia yesterday. Usman Khawaja refused at least 20 runs, at the very least. He was taking absolutely no risks in a "give them nothing" approach. england have all day today and tomorrow if they like to ensure they cannot lose. Bazzball ignores this and says set a total asap by applying pressure constantly Pope, root and brooks were just about "in" and all went at a rate of 5 an over then are gotten out. Australia don't seem to care about the run rate or being called conservative. they know there will be a chance off disciplined bowling and to take it when it comes. pope is expecting shorter deliveries and is done by a yorker. (good ball mind) root, charging down the ground misses the ball. Brooks trying to power lyons off one knee rather than getting over it and plays it to fielder after half catching it (lyons has variable bounce and speeds, predetermine shots are dangeorus) I don't think who we have left can do much else but swing away. The danger there is there are many singles available to keep the score ticking but a lot of power hitters looking just where aussies want them to.
aussies are red hot favourites there I called it. as it stands England have no spinner to rely on so they need a very good ball that will move about lead is not enough. I'm not shocked at bairstow, he's been squared up 3 or 4 times so it's pure rust
