The Ashes: (England tour of Australia)

[asprin]

My days of getting up early and watching the Ashes are long over but I was hoping to follow the game from work. Unfortunately, rain has been playing spoilsport at the moment. England have had a decent start - definitely their session even though the run rate hasn't been good. But I guess it's best to stay calm than be aggressive and lose your wicket on this very important first day.

 

[Dutch]

My days of getting up early and watching the Ashes are long over but I was hoping to follow the game from work. Unfortunately, rain has been playing spoilsport at the moment. England have had a decent start - definitely their session even though the run rate hasn't been good. But I guess it's best to stay calm than be aggressive and lose your wicket on this very important first day.

England will deffo take a draw as a win at the Gabba. I thought England looked very calm and composed. Cooks wicket was just a very good ball. The fact that it was Cook was his downfall: a much lesser batsman would have just played and missed.[DOUBLEPOST=1511409398][/DOUBLEPOST]Starting to get brighter.....

 

[Velocity]

England in commanding position at 100/1. Australia are surely missing the presence of a fifth bowler or an all-rounder in the team. Could be good on a good batting wicket like this.
However, Vince's cover drive were the real deal to watch. So crisp and lovely shots those. The Aussie's bowled quite full to him and honestly, I believe they should have bowled some bouncers to make both batsmen feel uncomfortable. Both batsmen look very calm and composed at the moment. Looks like they are making the bat talk in response to Australia's banter.
Australia need a quick breakthrough here.

 

[LiveLoveABD]

Aussie bowlers have been all over the shop. Hazlewood looks so stiff!

 

[asprin]

Run outs in Test cricket are as much as a sin as a spinner bowling a no-ball. A well deserved century goes a-begging.

 

[Dutch]

Bollox root gone! Getting bogged down. Good work being undone.....[DOUBLEPOST=1511422771][/DOUBLEPOST]Momentum shifting.....Aussies getting a swaggers going! Buggers!

 

[Markkkkk]

James Vince top scores for England, grass is green right?

 

[LiveLoveABD]

That was a decent day of test cricket. Funnily enough, the two gun batsmen did nothing of substance while all the talk of 'fast' bowling also didn't really fire to the 'glorious' extent to which it was talked up. I know Stoneman played a solid innings but he's a bit too much like Cook. He was solid but really doesn't get a move on. I thought Vince looked absolutely premium against the fast bowling. If anything, the faster he received them, the better he played. I think though he has a serious technical problem against spin.

In my opinion, Lyon was the best bowler of the day. Not only did he render overs and control to Smith but also looked perilously close to getting a couple of wickets. He just didn't have the luck. Paine dropped a catch of him but he got his own back with his run out.

I'd say England have their noses very slightly in front. Crucial first session tomorrow.

 

[Perfect Square]

Every time I saw Cummins, he reminded me of Hadlee... :P

 

[blockerdave]

Aussie bowlers have been all over the shop. Hazlewood looks so stiff!

Bang average

 

[blockerdave]

New ball in the morning will be essential. Hopefully Mo and Malan get their head down. England's tactic has got be to keep the 4-man attack in the field as long as possible, a slow run rate is fine: there will be time to accelerate.

Obviously, the pitch has been slower than expected which hasn't helped the Aussie pace attack. The next session is crucial: if the aussies break through we'll not post a par score; if we see off the new ball we can hopefully keep them out for most or all of the day and post a commanding total.

Big problem though... If the fast Aussies look unthreatening on that pitch, medium-paced pie chucker Ball is gonna get slaughtered.

 

[Velocity]

England are doing a fantastic job of wearing out the four bowlers even if the had their chances, but I think it's time for them to pick up the scoring. They are being a little too defensive and should get some runs on the board at this point.

Still loving this contest though!

 

[Aislabie]

I'll be honest, as an off-spinner myself, I've been watching Nathan Lyon in this Test and feeling more than mildly aroused. I have to be honest, I have underrated him: he has developed into one of the world's very best spinners on his day at least.

 

[Dutch]

Hot very very hot: England talking apart; the Gabba crowd is going ape shit

 

[Dutch]

Hottest part of the day to come; England should have been looking at keeping them
Out there all afternoon. But the pitch is doing things but Ali is not Lyon