if we were going to lose a wicket, better it was Malan So, half way there - if we can frustrate them in the morning and Woakes can hang around for a while I think we can do this.
Don't worry, Root will hang around tomorrow and another 60, Woakes will crack 40 and bairstow a rapid 70. Its there to be won.
Still cant see this happening. Less than half way there and 4 wickets down. Need Root to get 150 to have any chance.
We are still up against it but at least they have finally shown some skill with bat and ball, plus a bit of bottle/fight. It is obviously a concern we get close and then fall short crushing us for the rest of the series. However I don't think we will get that close. We have 18 overs until the new ball. We really need to make hay early doors tomorrow to have any hope. We probably need 60-70 runs without losing a wicket off those 18 overs. They are probably going to nick a couple out minimum with the new pink cherry. At least we have some hope. It would be legendary stuff to pull it off and really set up the WACA nicely. The WACA has its pace back by all accounts. You'd think that will suit the Aussies but it can be difficult to control there if you are quick. At the end of the day if we bowl the right length it should suit our boys too. Being honest I can see us making around the 250-280 mark as I think the closer you get the more the nerves kick in. A good psychologist would get into them to help them understand that actually the Aussies will be really feeling it. Use that and the crowd against them.
Yep - think those 18 overs are going to be key. If Root is still there for the new ball, I think we'll do it
2 wickets for 1 run off the first 3 overs. The words England and batting collapse just seem to go together. New ball in 15 overs as well. Absolutely no chance.
All out. 6 wickets for 57 runs. Good bowling but absolute garbage from England overall. Only need to look at the 1st innings total to see where this went wrong.
Including the last wicket last night, that's 7-64 which is woeful in any conditions to be fair. England batting collapse. Again.
I got all excited last night because I worked out how to listen to the commentary here in the US (download the Aussie cricket app). This excitement lasted all of seven seconds, as I managed to tune in just in time to hear the delivery that Root edged behind. I do love cricket, much as I love NUFC. It's like a modern-day Greek tragedy, reminding us that our happiness is dependent on the whim of capricious gods who don't give a toss about us, and delight in punishing hubris (unless, it seems, it's committed by a bloody Australian).
We should, but we won't because the ECB are a bunch of pussies - whatever happened to whole process of innocent until proven guilty? Think we might see Hales coming in at 3 though
Absolutely. I think we lost the Ashes the moment Stokes got involved in that skirmish. One thing is certain though, if he was Australian they would have played him.
He's not been charged yet - let alone convicted, so I'm not sure Australia will let him in. Seriously though, I think that ECB will wait for a charging decision. I can see why - if you're going to take a stand and wait for the issue to be resolved, then it's a bit much to reverse that decision just because we've lost two matches without him. Personally, I hope Stokes isn't charged, and it happens quickly. Then he can come in. From what I heard he stepped in to stop two gay lads being attacked by some tw@t with a bottle. He may have taken it too far, but I hope it all gets sorted out.
Which is kind of ironic really - once upon a time being convicted was the quickest and easiest way to get there...
