As it turned out, If Stokes hadn't declared on day one the game would most likely have ended in a draw. This England don't countenance draws.
The declaration was a big factor in my opinion. Root was on a big ton and knocking it everywhere whilst Robinson looked comfortable. Obviously we'll never know and they could of been out to the next two balls, but an extra 30 runs could have made all the difference imo. England are determined to play kamikaze cricket and I agree that it's a thrilling watch. Unfortunately, I fear it will come second to a team as good as Australia. I still struggle with Bazball. We could play very attacking cricket without crossing the line to kamikaze cricket. Australia played the test perfectly and going into the Lords test, where we nearly always struggle, 1 down already is the worst possible scenario. A draw would have been just fine.
And it shows. please log in to view this image But maybe you should be doing more about that "old fart" smell all you guys up there (the Florida of the southern hemisphere). We're getting a whiff all the way down here in Sydney after a Nor-Easter. please log in to view this image I'm just getting used to my family's stench and now this. It's already bad enough when we get a Sou-Wester from the capital (feckin' pollies!).
Smacked a few have you Didley? Just wondering how you knew that look. Ohh, those Russians! What's that? You want more! Okay then,
Hear, hear SW. As you may have read, I got bored by most of the first two days' play, but thanks to both captains, especially Stokes, that match was perhaps the best I've witnessed in ...ever. And not because 'Stralya won, but because, as others have mentioned, it was full of ebbs and flows. We were up, then you were up and so on, even 'til the last few overs. And even then, it wasn't a lay down misère. So congrats to all involved and all the posters on this thread for keeping it lively and decent. Can't wait for Lord's. Hope it's at least half as good.
I would make a couple of possible changes, drop pope & put Birstow up to 3 & bring in Foakes, spinner in poss Livingstone or that young Indian chap Amed?
The Ashes 2023 | Australia, England docked 2 WTC points each, fined 40% of their match fee for maintaining slow over-rate in first Test Andy Pycroft of the ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanctions after the teams were ruled to be two overs short of their targets after time allowances were taken into consideration June 21, 2023 05:40 pm | Updated 07:36 pm IST - Birmingham the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston. "Australia and England have been fined 40 per cent of their match fee and penalised two ICC World Test Championship points each for maintaining slow over-rate during the first Test in Birmingham," said a statement from ICC on Wednesday. Andy Pycroft of the ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanctions after the teams were ruled to be two overs short of their targets after time allowances were taken into consideration. In accordance with Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minimum over-rate offences, players are fined 20 per cent of their match fee for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time.In addition, as per Article 16.11.2 of the ICC World Test Championship playing conditions, sides are penalised one point for each over short. Consequently, two World Test Championship points will be deducted from both teams' points total. Captains Pat Cummins and Ben Stokes pled guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanctions, so there was no need for formal hearings. On-field umpires Ahsan Raza and Marais Erasmus, third umpire Chris Gaffaney and fourth umpire Mike Burns levelled the charges. Coming to the match, Australia clinched a thrilling two-wicket win over England due to a resilient effort by skipper Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon, who put on a match-winning stand of 55 runs in chase of 281 runs. Usman Khawaja also scored a solid knock of 65 in the second innings to keep the Aussies in the match. Stuart Broad (3/64) and Ollie Robinson (2/43) were top bowlers for England. Moeen Ali, Ben Stokes and Joe Root got one scalp each. On Day 4, England started at 28/2 and was bundled out for 273. Knocks from Joe Root (46), Harry Brook (46) and skipper Ben Stokes (43) and lower order contribution from Ollie Robinson (27) helped England gain a 280-run lead with Australia needing 281 runs to win the match. Pat Cummins (4/63) and Nathan Lyon (4/80) were the main wicket-takers for the Aussies. Josh Hazlewood and Scott Boland got one wicket each. In the first innings, Australia was bundled out for 386 and they trailed England by seven runs, who had scored 393 in their first innings after electing to bat. Australia was once at 67/3 after David Warner (9), Marnus Labuschagne (0) and Steve Smith (16) were dismissed quickly. Then knocks from Khawaja (141), Alex Carey (66), Travis Head (50) and skipper Pat Cummins (38) carried the Aussies to a big score, though not big enough to secure a lead. Ollie Robinson (3/55) and Stuart Broad (3/68) were the pick of the bowlers for England. Moeen Ali picked two scalps while skipper Ben Stokes and James Anderson got one each. In England's first innings, they had declared at 393/8d on Day 1. Joe Root scored a century (118)*, Zak Crawley and Bairstow smashed half-centuries, scoring 61 and 78 respectively. Nathan Lyon was the pick of the bowlers in the first innings of England's batting. Hazlewood took two wickets, Scott Boland and Cameron Green picked one wicket each.
How about awarding each team bonus points for putting on an exciting show that made people WANT to watch cricket again, instead of the dreary, lacklustre displays where games are over in four, and occasionally three, days. Or the games ending in a mind numbing draw. Yes, I know, many matches end in draws and that's just part of cricket's attraction for the purists. But, the twists and turns that made that game I'm sure made cricket a more palatable, delicious feast for the senses. Even better than Hoop-Leif's Thai fishcakes with spicy baby potatoes and salad (sorry H-L). The number of paying spectators that were attracted to the game considering the rain and the possibility of a washout, as well as the worldwide audience that was enthralled by that spectacle, alone should have been enough for the ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees to dismiss all charges. Personally, I'd rather watch cement dry than cricket, but I'd watch cricket all day long if that match was an example of future games. (Well, at least the final day or two (sorry Stroller)).
Oh, I get it Didley. Vaas rhymes with arse and Chaminda sounds like chimney, a dim, vertical, narrow passage full of built up waste product that often need dislodging. Nice one mate.
Who dat? People often confuse Tony's brother, Mitch, with our Mitchell Starc. Of course, he'll be our Iron Man when game 2 gets going at Lord's. Sending down his 'repulsor ray' balls at the Pommie batsmen. Now sing along chaps, Don't know the words? Okay, here you go lads. Can he regain his place, as the Aussies' bowling ace. Has he lost his legs, are they numb or are they dead. Will he bowl at pace, put the Pommies in their place. Nobody wanted him to come, he just stared at the Brums Planning his vengeance, that he will soon unfold, ..soon unfold on the Poms. Now the time is near, for Mitch Starc to spread fear, ...spreading fear on the Poms. The Poms didn't want him (to bowl), but soon he'll be turning their heads. Nobody thought he was good, but soon he will get his revenge. Thunder in 'is boots they said, fill the Pommie batsmen full of dread. Running down the track, Mitchell Starc - Welcome Back!
Brilliant T20 win for Middlesex at the Oval tonight. Over 500 runs scored in less than 40 overs! And I could have been there
Mate, I was thinking of asking if you fancied it but something else came up. Looked like a cracker of game
