Off Topic The Official Ashes 2013 Thread

This. As a Lancs fan, I can definitely say that the pitch deteriorates quite a lot, particularly on day 4 and 5, and even more so if there's a little bit of bad weather around (not sure if there is any though). Simon Kerrigan always tears teams apart on day 4 if Lancs bat first, so England should try for the same tactics - bat first, make the Aussies chase 250+ and let Swann loose.

 

Australia and they are batting 33-0. Good start for them.

 

What's the point of the referral system, when they still get decisions as badly wrong as there doing, not just the one this morning but also from the first two tests.

 

Terrible terrible decision. Mind I don't buy into this theory of "I wanna beat the Aussies 5-0 but not like this". I'll take 5-0 any which way it comes after years of suffering at their hands.

A belated big mention to Durham too, who scraped through to the T20 finals day.

 

I, bad decisions or not, we'll take them and hopefully give them a good stuffing.

We've had plenty dodgy one's ourselves in the past.

 

Got a ticket for the first day at Durham but I'm going to try and get one for the third day too. I'm going to have time on my hands so it should pass a good away.

Might be the deciding day too.

 

Shame we are already out of this one, especially if the pitch is turning.

 

We need some quick wickets tomorrow or we will be out of it.

 

We've got to bat last on a turning pitch, think we're already out of it.

 

Lyon is not a massive spinner of the ball, I'm not sure he has what it takes to bowl us out on the last day

 

This pitch looks very very flat. We have to get them out this afternoon. It'll remain a good wicket for the next day and a half. However if the Aussies rack up something silly 600+ I can see a very hard couple of days batting to save the test. Big toss to win I fear

 

England struggling to score runs and Root failed, think it was a case of England bowling poorly.

 

We didn't bowl well but the pitch was a belter and still doesn't hold many fears at this stage. Problem is the cracks are opening and all cricket there this seasons points towards rapid deterioration.

 

We were shocking was listening to it, we got them out when they made a silly mistake, other than that never looked like we were ever getting a wicket, yet when we batted it looked very one sided. We were dreadful and will lose this game by an innings if we keep this level of performance up.

 

I have watched 95%. We bowled quite well in spells to be honest. There was not a lot happening, if a batsmen applies himself, he will get runs. Its mistakes from batsmen more than bowlers which have counted so far. Sometimes you just have to accept batsmen have played well. We could have been a bit tighter and a little fuller but we were far from dreadful with the ball. We have been fairly average with the bat up until KP/Bell who have realised this is a flatty and bowlers need dominated. A lot comes down to how active you are in the crease. Either move or you'll get stuck in a rut. No surprise two with best footwork have looked at home. Got to get daddy hundreds now though.

Bat well from here I see only a draw. Bat poorly, a heavy loss. Quite simple really, this is a good pitch.

Durham involved in a tight one at Lords

 

Tash

 

Forecast not looking good for a result. Heavy rain due from 12 Noon till about 4-5pm. Rain most of the day tomorrow. Not how you'd really want to retain them. Looks a bit suspect for Durham next week too What were them rules on getting your money back?