The Ashes Thread

Wicket! Stokes has his first test wicket.

 

Christ that was so close to a no ball!

 

Just turned on TV. Aussies 285-6 Is this good, bad or indifferent on this ground? Suspect it's not too bad for us, but we now let them go on to a large score

 

It's a flat pitch so not bad for England if we can get them out for under 350.

 

If! (full doom mode).

 

Typical, an edge from Smith but doesn't carry to Cook.

 

Carberry bowled for 43. 85/1.

 

Carbs out for 43. Eng 85/1

 

Root out. Review though.

 

Given out on snicko.

 

There was no sign on hotspot and snicko detected a slight noise but after the ball had past the bat. Decision = not enough evidence to overturn.

 

Cook has thrown his wicket away. What a twat. He was well set in the 70's. He HAD to get a century. Very very poor shot from Cook.

 

And KP is the next to throw his wicket away. Same old story for England.

 

I watched until lunch and we let them add on 30-40 runs that they shouldn't have. Now having a bad end to the day. Need someone to steady the ship.

 

If England can bat out the day without losing another wicket, I would be content.

 

Well done Stokes to survive that last over from Johnson!

 

Siddle gets KP again ...............

 

My little girl was up at 4am so I had the pleasure of watching the team defeat itself again. A very steady start going along at 4 an over and then simply playing with fear once Carbs was out. Run rate dipped to less than 1, pressure builds and the inevitable follows. Just get on the front foot and start twatting it about again please! That'll sort everything out.

 

If we can hang on (not impossible) and crawl near to the Aussie score, this could end in a draw...then all to play for (straw-clutching mode).

 

Appalling stuff today. Lost 6 wickets for 71, missed numerous early chances in the field - prior especially. Australia 200-2 with 40 mins left today, a lead of 334. This series is going to be a whitewash.