Well that was short lived. We still just need a couple of hours. I know we only got 1 wicket yesterday in 30 overs but I'm still hopeful. If we are set runs to chase it wouldn't take us long to get them im sure. Worst case scenario we draw and win last test to stop them winning series in England fir first time in over 20 years. Still lots to play for
I don’t think we’ll get back on now, mate. It’s pissing down and we’ll need to it stop for half an hour before another inspection. Then a further 45 minute wait before we start. It’s dark and looks like it’s here for the day.
Hollow victory for the Australians. Comfortable win for England today if we got a decent bit of play. Gutted but the lads have done superbly well. ECh of the first 2 tests could’ve gone either way. The one we’ve won and this one I think were comfortable for us. This one especially.
Even if we get on by 4.30pm for a couple of hours...we could roll them over. I still haven't given up. I am however on my 2nd drink so take whatever I say with a pinch of salt!
If we win at the Oval it will seem like a win win regardless. From 2-0 down. We stop them from winning the series and also Bazball will be vindicated and psychologically we will be sending the Aussies home with their tail between their legs. Imagine they go home retaining the Ashes but they still feel beaten lol.
It shows that we are the better side, when we play sensibly - doesn't mean we have to block all day Boycott-style, but there are times to go hard and times to play normally. Stokes has shown that in the last couple of tests. Had we played this way from the start, I'd wager it would be 2-1 or 3-0 to us going to The Oval Different proposition down under, especially given how many of this team are the wrong side of 30, but this approach will win us more Tests that it loses
Basically, for all the ifs and buts, the team scoring quickly at Edgbaston set the game up, scoring quickly almost won it at Lords, did so at Headingley and would have done here. There are many other factors, and getting the balance right every time is very difficult, but since last summer the right mix has been mostly achieved. If England want to admonish themselves at all it was the catching at Edgbaston and Lords, which was hugely under par. The first test definitely turned on this and probably the second. But we were never going to win in three and a half days against a very good side who had scored 300+ in the first innings. Utterly astounding that we came close. Right about the bowler's ages mind, though their's too are all over thirty, some by a bit.
Why is twitter full of Indian cricket fans saying how Australia deserved to win the ashes? One said “well deserved”?
Think we might see 2 very different sides when we are over there next - I assumed it was 2024/5, but saw something that said it's not until 2025/6 By then Stokes will be 34, Wood will be 35/36, Broad 39 and even "young" robinson will be 32 Cummins (32), Hazelwood (34) Starc (35)
These Ashes were about a few ifs and buts..... IF...Stokes didn't declare in the first test when he..we might have amassed those few extra runs..we will never know. Second test was absolutely going in Englands favour until the Aussies act of gross bad sportsmanship shifted the game. Then yesterday the weather prevented a locked on win..... At least when we arrive in Australia for the next Ashes, I feel we have the team to win, especially as Jofra Archer hopefully will be back and Woods will stay fit.
What also strikes me is that the weekend washout was clearly forecast why not have Monday as a back-up?
Yep. Long break. Depending on his knee , I'd say Ben will be there as a batsman and skipper, if he hasn't had enough of the role by then. It's a long way off so it's really hard to say, but England's failure to slowly blood other bowling prospects over the last few years will bite now. None of the current lot will be going, except, just possibly Wood. So we need to find four or five almost immediately and mix them into the team structure now. I think the same for them as Cummins might have had enough by then. He plays every game and it's a tough job. All being well, I'll be going for some of it!
If Robinson can stay fit and find an extra yard of pace then I think he will be around. Tongue ha potential, the quicker of the Overtons might still be around. Archer won't play Tests again IMHO and it doesn't look like it's ever going to happen for Olly Stone Going to be an interesting couple of years because, as you say we haven't really attempted to blood any younger players and whilst I agree with trying to win now (after such a fallow period in English Test cricket towards the end of the Root era) you have to have an eye on the future - Australia were ****ed for a few years after Warne, McGrath, Lee, Gilchrist, Hayden, Langer & Ponting all departed
Big error picking Jimmy here mind I'd say. His record at the Oval is appalling and has looked short of zip, almost no swing, pretty slow, no real threat. Good economy but that's about it. Looks like sentiment to me.
