Or at least take a 2-1 lead to The Oval. They retain the Ashes no matter the result there if this game is weather ruined. The cynic in me would suggest that has been the game plan the minute they saw the weather forecast.
Absolutely, hence playing two allrounders instead off a spin bowler. It’s the first time they have done that for many years.
Correct. We’ve been in two situations at Lords and Edgebaston if we’d have just knocked it round for a bit in both games and got 100 more runs we’d be 3-0. Easy to say I guess.
I don’t think they ‘like it up ‘em’. Bazball has its critics and can be frustrating but I really think Aussies have buckled under that pressure. Watching it live, yesterday, I couldn’t understand why they persisted with bowling short to Root, who was absolutely in control of his hooking. He never looked like getting out. It was almost an admission that they didn’t have a clue how to bowl at him. I think the sustained short pitched bowling through the series is having an impact on their bowlers, who looked really jaded We should have won the first test, but it has been a fantastic comeback. Just hope Old Trafford has imported every cover in the north to ensure the whole ground stays dry tomorrow, and allow us to set up a decider the series deserves, and with us having the momentum.
It’s getting that balance isn’t it. I do think Bazball has put them on the back foot and exactly where we want them, so can we then criticise when we haven’t knocked it around? Having said that, is Bazball continuously evolving? Stokes was getting carried away with it on an individual level until this series, to the point whereby if he wasn’t captain and can’t bowl, he’d have probably been the one to be dropped in that middle order. He’s gone back to playing properly to get his eye in before he launches. Brook also seems to have learnt something the last couple of tests. He’s probably found test cricket too easy and got a little carried away I was there on Thursday and thinking it would just finish our day off to watch an hour of Brook, Stokes, Bairstow go berserk. In reality it was good to see the first two just get through to close of play, which allowed the onslaught this morning. Sensible cricket.
Good on him After being fast-tracked back into the team following his recovery from a serious leg injury Bairstow’s performances, particularly as wicketkeeper, have attracted some criticism across the summer. But here he took a brilliant catch to dismiss Mitchell Marsh in Australia’s first innings and followed that with an excellent, aggressive performance with the bat. “Everyone thinks I play better when people have a go at me. It gets a bit tiresome, to be honest,” he said. “To keep being told that you’re rubbish … well, if I was that rubbish I wouldn’t have played 94 Tests. There have been a couple [of catches] that have gone down. I’ve not kept wicket for three years. I’ve got nine pins, a plate and a wire that goes through my ankle. I’ve had nine months out. When you speak to the surgeon and he says, ‘I’m surprised you’re walking, never mind playing professional sport,’ I’m delighted to be where I’m at. “You don’t know how bad it’s going to be. It could have ended my career, that’s exactly how bad it could have been. There’s times there’s aches and pains. People say you’re limping, well I am at times, because there’s a lot going on in the ankle. I’ve had criticism for pretty much all of my career. I’ve completely switched off from everything.”
Bairstow has done unbelievably well to come back from that type of injury. I’m speaking from experience.
Unfortunately we live in the age where “ the benefit of the doubt” is fast becoming a thing of the past.
I was booked on an annual trip to the cricket along with 50 odd others today. Last year it was Leeds and it pissed it down just after lunch with play abandoned for the day. The year before the Indians pulled out at the last minute so the trip was cancelled. The year before that it was cancelled due to Covid. This year the decision to call it off was made at 6.00am this morning. We did get to the Leeds test when Stokes, along with Jack lynch, 1 not out, beat the Aussies. I must be the jink because I have been booked on for the last five years with these lads who have been doing this for over 20 years and I've actually had three cancelled and one abandoned at lunch. Don't think they will ask me next year.
Could be worse Urika. You could be front page of the HDM. Do you recognise this Hull City fan drinking beer…
