The Cricket Thread

If England carry on scoring at this rate they should have around 700 by stumps tonight.

 

Will Stokes end the Ashes the way he started, with an evening declaration to force the game along?

 

If the weather was fine for the next two days, there would be no need to. But it looks iffy both days. Not Manchester-bad, by any means; but could be enough to persuade Stokes into declaring.

 

Australia will retain but, barring a run chase of 370ish, England have been the better side in the series. Almost definitely would have won the third test if not for rain, and probably should have won the first as well.

 

Broad has just announced his retirement from cricket.

 

Ah. I'm a bit gutted about that. End of an era!
And Jimmy turns 41 tomorrow. Perhaps they will bow out together.
Congrats on a great career Broady

 

Jimmy says he isn't retiring.

 

Both England and Australia will likely look much different when the next Ashes series rolls around. Anderson and Broad facing Warner and Khawaja at the open has been a staple for over a decade, and it's entirely possible none of the four will be there.

 

My time following cricket (ie since 2005) has pretty much aligned with Broad's professional career. Even going back to his pre-England days, as a teenager breaking through at Leicester. It's going to be weird not having him around on the pitch any more. Yeah, I'm gutted too.

I did expect at least one player to retire after this series (whether that be from test cricket, or all cricket). But my shortlist there was Jimmy, Warner and Moeen. Broad is still bowling so well, that I didn't see this coming. But I can understand the attraction of going out at the top.

 

****ing Aussies

 

Another low score for Brown, albeit in a friendly match. He's really on an awful run of form.

 

Have we lost yet ?

 

If we don't lose then the Gods put that rain in for our benefit and gave all the aussies sickness bugs.

 

I have never ever liked B-road and that’s nobody’s issue but mine .

Brilliant bowler .

But I’m the “ He announced his retirement on Saturday , so Sunday could be all about HIM “ Brigade

I also find it very easy to believe he was one of the bullies around KPs time .

KP wasn’t bullied , but he was saying some junior members were bullied .

like certain people had to apologise to a certain bowler if they dropped a catch etc .

 

Sadly a draw is no good either .

 

There's 1

 

There's 2

 

..and 2

 

This was always going to happen. No way was this series ending with anything other than drama

 

Brilliant bowling from Woakes