Jonathan Agnew sums it perfectly: “all Australia have to do is be a bit patient and the bad balls come along”.
Great photo...... One of the very few highlights of the series....... please log in to view this image
The non selection of Jimmy Anderson for the final test was poor form from the selectors. He has given his all over a long period of time and to be shafted from his last test match is disgraceful. The fact that the series is already decided and he still isn’t given a ‘send off ‘ makes it even worse. It reminds of the RAF stripping officers of their rank at the end of WW2, just to save a few bob on pensions. No thanks for the services they had given.
Fair comment but I don't think he's played his last test yet, probably in Australia though. Think he might just try and hang around for the next Ashes series in the motherland, wouldn't put it past him to take the wicket that regains the urn
For him to be there to see that happen he would have to continue bowling for another good few years though
Wake up to see 88-5....... if I didn't have to go to work I'd be going back to bed. Pathetic.......as usual
Tail going to bat under the lights. Great. Or more probably the Aussie openers. Hope Billings does ok, no need for him to be crushed in this fiasco.
Billings played well from what I've seen, but it was a poor shot that he got out to. Yes, play the pull, but why in the air? One day influence no doubt. Having only watched highlights and tail ends of days play, I hadn't realised that there seems to be a new trend for some of our batsmen to take an off stump guard. This clearly explains why they're playing at so many deliveries that are around 6-8 stump wide. Although Root doesn't do this and he's snicking off a lot too. Woakes now out to the thinnest of tiny nicks, invisible to the naked eye. All too familiar as England reach 182-8.
**** me, Wood is rapid! Boland admirably surviving some seriously quick deliveries whilst getting a smash on the finger. Remind me, why is Anderson not playing in this, almost certainly his last ever test match in Australia in a day/night game?
Don't think I haven't spotted your long term game strategy. Lull us into a false sense of security in the first 3-4 games by pretending to play badly and then whoosh that final innings from your team will be outstanding.
