The Ashes & Hampshire Cricket Summer Thread

Indeed, four now, for some reason mentally I had not yet processed the beginning of our second innings.

I've never really been a Pietersen fan, in fact for a few years he downright infuriated me, but he's got a lot of leeway considering he has 22 centuries and averages almost 50 with no-one really hammering on the door to get into the side, and if there was I think Bairstow would be the one to take the fall. Even if he doesn't get another score over 10 in this series I'd be surprised if he got dropped. He can play and act like a bit of a twat at times but he is an incredible player and counterweights our side perfectly.

 

Morning all. The trouble with having this thread is that there is nothing on Beefy's to interrupt endless posts on GOT and computer games. There is already a general not606 cricket thread, but have never wanted to move from the Saints thread. Third day of test...England in strong position but have lost 3 early wickets. However, I can't see us not posting a competitive score. Not working today and my son left the Island, so I intend some serious sofa surfing...interrupted only by occasional forays into kitchen. Usually the Test Match would be rained off....isn't it wonderful that not even the weather can save Australia.

 

Much cooler in London today and plenty of cloud cover at present. Could be another day of wickets tumbling!

 

Could have the best batting conditions in the world, and we'd still see wickets tumbling. We can't bat too well, and the Aussies really can't bat too well.

They've already been whitewashed away to India recently...

 

A lead of around 350 should be more than enough.

 

Rather have 450. As you said, 350 should be enough, but there is plenty of time left, so I would hate the Aussies to play no risk cricket and slowly reach the total. Unlikely I know, but have watched England too often.

 

I think we need 500 to be certain , doubt the Aussies will chase down 400 , but that would really kill them off .

 

Being three down already, I wouldn't be surprised of we bat right through until being bowled out, rather than declaring. With three days left, there's no need to hurry up and get on with the bowling, so we may as well look to get as close to Jasper's 500 lead as possible. And in all honestly, because we're three down, I can see us being bowled out before getting there. But even a 400 lead should be more than sufficient.

 

I think the biggest factor is the state of the pitch. Whatever the Aussie spinners can do, Swann will be able to do better bowling on the last 2 days. So the longer we can bat for, the quicker we should be able to bowl them out. The actual target isn't the main thing. If we can bat all day today, the lead should be 500+, which will be more than enough.

 

Hard to say, but I would expect us to need to bat out...three down, reaching the point of a declaration may be unlikely. However, you can lose three and then put on a lot of runs before the next wicket. Doesn't look like a batters' wicket. From this position, I think 400 is easily achievable for us (touch wood), but would be virtually impossible for the Aussies.

 

To have any chance of winning at all the Aussies have to bowl us out for less than 150 and bat a LOT better than they have so far in the series. Even then, only 4 teams have ever scored more than 400 in the 4th innings to win a Test and only 8 have scored more than 350 so it's highly unlikely.

 

If anyone is interested , there is an ashes vote on the BBC , to see it just look at the live commentary .

 

Bresnan motoring along nicely

 

ssshhhhhh

 

"A testing first morning for England's Yorkshire pair, the overcast conditions creating swing for the Australian attack. After two days in which 23 wickets fell in near perfect batting conditions, this has been a more attritional period. Away from the middle, a few rumours going round about the state of Kevin Pietersen's fitness. He didn't warm up with the rest of the England side this morning; while he insisted before the series that his knee injury had healed, he was limping in the field on Friday and seemed inhibited in his brief spell at the crease. Watch this space."

From the BBC .

 

Not been impressed with how they've bowled at Root this morning (although I'm pleased at that from an England fan's perspective). Lots of balls wide of the off stump, which Root has been able to watch and leave. He isn't a front foot player, he isn't a KP or a Bell who'll like to drive through the covers, risking knicking behind in the process.

Should have bowled a bit straighter for me. Made him play at a few more, and potentially trap him on the crease on his back foot. Now that he's on 33, he really should be converting this score.

 

Was about to mention that. Slightly worrying for England if true.

 

Ten day break after this match - potentially eleven, should it end tomorrow. Hopefully that will allow KP's knee, if it is playing up, settle down again.

 

So, when do we think England will declare?

 

Have to be honest , I am no longer impressed by KP , seems he plays well when it suits him . IMHO he is a luxury we don't need .

His arrogance is unbelievable .