We are a poor test side, with players pre-conditioned to play white ball cricket. We can't complain about that as we're world champions, but we could well lose this series 5-0. Root looks horribly out of touch. How often do we make our best batsman captain and it effects his game? Australia have benefited from Smith losing the captaincy.
They're not poor cricketers, but most of the side have hardly played any red ball cricket for months. The World Cup has had a negative effect on the Test performance. Burns and Denly, who are doing ok at the moment and looked comfortable in the first innings, have had plenty of recent red ball experience. No coincidence.
England failing to get the Aussies out under 200 has probably left them only looking to bat the match out for a draw, that said if we don't get 200 in our 2nd innings the Aussies might fancy their chances. Neither side has looked comfortable batting in this match...
We can't just lose a wicket can we? Burns and Denly were just about hanging in there but always in these situations one gets out and another follows almost immediately. Agree with Col ref white ball cricket but then all of our preparation has been about winning the world cup, the ashes has almost been an after thought.
Well the rain won’t help tomorrow as don’t forecast any unless we can put a reasonable score up but don’t look like it at present to stop the Aussies
I don't want any rain thanks, I'm going tomorrow. Could be an exciting finish if England can scrape a 200 lead.