85 all out against a team of medium pace trundlers is grim. Hardly Marshall, Garner, Holding & Roberts. However, I still think England will win.
I don't think 36 all out was predictable, but 182 looked a tall order in conditions friendly for England's opening bowlers. Steep learning curve for Ireland. They looked the better team for 2 days and were then blown away against bowling of a standard they won't have faced before. England need to sort out their batting quickly!!
Aus are 340 for 7 England will have to bat all day to save this one ,5th day pitch and Lyon bowling can't see it happening
A shambolic capitulation from England, gutless batting started off by Roy who threw his wicket away in reckless fashion. England have problems, injuries, out of form batsmen and an out of form spinner. That said, we were unlucky with the Anderson injury and the difference between the two teams was Smith, a cheat who should have been banned for life.
All 16 teams played in the Vitality Blast (T20) tonight. Not one bowled a single ball! Every game rained off.
Archer v Smith , 1st Archer hit his arm ,2 overs later hits Smith on the head at 96 mph it's getting like bodyline out there , Smith goes off injured
He wanted to stay on though, brave man. He was lucky it glanced off him, if it had stopped dead and he had taken the full force, he would have probably been dead as well. 94 mph ffs.
Big wicket from Leach! Poor from Bancroft who was doing well before tea. I know a draw is still the sensible prediction but I really fancy us to win this.
Didn't get that in the end, unfortunately. It just felt like we were a wicket short with Paine still in there and then once pace is taken away it's just an easy block. Fairplay to Denly though, got a good catch and bowled a few good'uns.
And the question will be : name the Aussie cricketer with 11 letters in his surname that is worth 19 points in Scrabble ?
Archer gets an early one and we're off for rain again. Should have had this one at Lords, it's bright and clear here.