As they say, both sides have to bat... But to drop, sorry rest, Broad as well as Anderson looks like a very strange decision. Maybe they think there's enough weather around to make a draw odds on.
I've been so busy that this Ashes series has crept up on me without me really registering that it's about to start. Which is a pity cos I love test cricket. Haven't had time to look at the highlights or read about it or nothing. So I'm clueless as to what is actually happening. I do know one thing though. The expectation that an English test level team play a test match in Australia when they've played no first class cricket for months on end and have had no first class warm up games is ludicrous. The scheduling is showing no respect to the game of cricket at all. That said, not playing Broad and/or Anderson is the decision of a ****ing idiot.
Well, this is only going one way, having got Harris for 3, they are now 111-1 after 30 overs. Labuschagne 50 NO, Warner 46 NO.
I got up at 5 to watch the post tea session. Absolute disaster, I suspect possibly no way back into the series. Robinson/ Stokes injured, Leach hit out of the attack. Whole team looked exhausted. Exactly what you get when you go into a series so under prepared. The number of dismissals we had from the outside edge. Aussies were happy to leave on length. On very different wickets, that too must take a lot of preparation on very different wickets to have the confidence to do so. If they get rolled over second innings, I just can't see a way back. They have to show some fight, at the very least give them something to chase and spend some time in the middle.
You reap what you sow. I love test cricket but I’ve lost all interest in this England team and if things carry on as they are I think Test Cricket in England is finished. it’s clear that white ball cricket and the money it makes is the priority of the ECB. This new ‘ hundred’ format or whatever it’s called is absolute gash and is a nail in the coffin for test cricket. I’d rather not send a team to Australia than one that’s so ill prepared,due to the white ball schedule, that they’ll get whitewashed. It’s embarrassing.
I agree. The ECB is totally incompetent. Seems they're scheduling the 100 vs county championship again in July/August 2022, so the red ball version will be mainly 2nd teams/kids. Wrong in so many levels. How are our younger players suppose to learn how to play the longer version and better players? How can out of form test players who play all formats, find form (eg Bairstow) if there is no competitive county cricket How can anyone with an ambition to replace test players out of form push their case only playing 100? What will happen to those counties not hosting 100 games financially?
Not going well, 61-2 Roy and Hameed have gone, Root just came in, a lot depends on him now. Malan is on 16 at the moment.
Well played Malan and Rooty, a great knock by them both, gives us a glimmer of hope, though I suspect the first hour tomorrow will be key. 220-2 at the close, Malan 80 & Root 86.
The white ball game should be renamed Baseball (except there are only 2 bases). I do like my cricket and used to go a fair few times back in the days of Boycott, Hampshire, Chris Old etc. I don't understand how it all works nowadays. Does Root ever play for Yorkshire nowadays? This is a serious question.
They are all contracted to England and can play for their county if it doesn't interfere with the England situation. Root maybe plays occasionally.
Ive just read that he has extended his contract to Yorkshire until 2022. He has probably more in the IPL lately than for Yorkshire. Anyway, well done Rooty and Malan. Sounds like a Disney film title
What's the chances of test cricket at Headingly going ahead next year? I'm hoping that the change of regime at Yorkshire, and some serious grovelling over the next few months may get the ban lifted - but I have my doubts.
They did say it was suspended until the club sorts itself out. Sacking 16 staff and other measures put in place has shown that Patel means business. I hope that will be enough. If not, the ECB have set a dangerous precedent. Realistically, I suspect there's not many grounds could step in to host a test match and a one dayer next season. International venues have already had to accommodate the extra game vs India, left over from last year as well as their beloved 100
Fantastic achievement by Joe He also this innings plus possibly four more to set the new benchmark. Will take some beating. By the time he finishes his career, he could be out on his own as undeniably our greatest ever batsmen.
