The Cricket Thread 2015-16

97-2. England slightly ahead but still a long way to go. Need to get Smith out ASAP.

 

Timely wicket...must have buoyed England as they went into lunch.

 

5 Down. We needed to get Voges out...he was beginning to build a score on 1.

 

Watson is possibly playing for his place here. Maybe Haddin too.

 

A few hopeful Aussies putting their umbrellas up

 

What a catch from Cook....no intention of saving himself, he was determined to get that ball.

 

England win the first test by 169 runs. Great effort.

 

Utterly brilliant bowling once again from England. Sets the series up nicely.

 

Never in doubt .

 

Great win and, just as important, a great performance. Nothing jammy about it...well deserved. The Aussies will be doing some hard thinking before the next match.

 

I have emailed my Aussie boss

Nice that they decided to go with 4 day tests!!!

 

I know we got thrashed last time, but I couldn't understand why we were presumed to be sitting ducks in these Ashes. Never read so many pessimistic comments in the media. We're at home and the Aussies have a bad record on the road. Only one win admittedly, but what a good one. Roll on to Lords'.

 

Batting rubbish again. 80/5 off 14. Typically Benny Howell with 2 wickets.

 

Realistically we need to win two out of two now, but given that we're basically playing with just four batsmen, that doesn't look too likely.

One win out of two could be enough if Essex lose twice, or if Glamorgan beat Gloucs, but lose to Kent. Even then though, there would be the possibility of Surrey or Somerset finishing strongly and powering past into 4th place - they both have a game in hand on us, Essex, Gloucs and Glamorgan (well, two on Gloucs).

 

I think that we need to give up on HCC this season, in both CC and T20 formats. Very disappointing, as i thought our batting line up was far stronger than what has transpired this season. There is a step up to CC Div 1 but really strange how so many of the top order have lost form at the same time.

 

England all-rounder Moeen Ali is a doubt for the second Ashes Test against Australia, which starts at Lord's on Thursday, because of a side injury.
The Worcestershire off-spinner's fitness will be assessed during practice at Lord's on Wednesday.
Yorkshire leg-spinner Adil Rashid will be picked if Moeen is deemed unfit.

Perhaps Rashid will get a chance after all .

 

I'd like to see Rashid in the side anyway. He got a few runs in the ODI's against New Zealand so missing Moeen's batting shouldn't be a problem. I just love the thought of a leg-spinner skittling out the Aussies at Lords!

 

Yes . Hard luck on Ali ( if he is indeed out ) but at lease this will give Rashid a chance .