The Ashes: (England tour of Australia)

[Slowcoach]

Smith should not have declared when Marsh had the attack at his mercy.
Scoring at 10 per over for another half hour "moves the game forward" faster than scoring 120 at 2 an over in your 2nd innings.
Not often Marsh has the attack at his mercy in a Test.
Surely Marsh scoring another 30 off 5 overs in the 1st innings does more for the team than him scratching around for 19 off 60 in the 2nd?
If you are planning on batting a second time anyway, why not make those runs while it is easy?
Have none of the commentary box learned from the Amazing Adelaide tosh they go on about, at the time Tony Greig was disgusted and thought England should have batted on for 650+.
Tony was right, declaring cost England that game, Aus did not take 20 wickets so should not have won.
This is the 2nd time in 2 summers Smith has declared too early and let the opposition back into it, but the commentators are all best mates with him so no one says a word.[DOUBLEPOST=1512464119][/DOUBLEPOST]P.S. Australia will win anyway, it will be 5-0, England's bowlers are all too slow for Aus conditions.
Overton is Derek Pringle Mk 2, boring slow medium, will never be a match winner.

 

[CerealKiller]

England need to go to stumps 3 down if they want to win.

 

[blockerdave]

Smith should not have declared when Marsh had the attack at his mercy.
Scoring at 10 per over for another half hour "moves the game forward" faster than scoring 120 at 2 an over in your 2nd innings.
Not often Marsh has the attack at his mercy in a Test.
Surely Marsh scoring another 30 off 5 overs in the 1st innings does more for the team than him scratching around for 19 off 60 in the 2nd?
If you are planning on batting a second time anyway, why not make those runs while it is easy?
Have none of the commentary box learned from the Amazing Adelaide tosh they go on about, at the time Tony Greig was disgusted and thought England should have batted on for 650+.
Tony was right, declaring cost England that game, Aus did not take 20 wickets so should not have won.
This is the 2nd time in 2 summers Smith has declared too early and let the opposition back into it, but the commentators are all best mates with him so no one says a word.[DOUBLEPOST=1512464119][/DOUBLEPOST]P.S. Australia will win anyway, it will be 5-0, England's bowlers are all too slow for Aus conditions.
Overton is Derek Pringle Mk 2, boring slow medium, will never be a match winner.

it's a good point. especially as at the point Smith declared the lights weren't even really in effect.

decision-making by both captains in the match has been very poor.

 

[asprin]

No reviews left? Scene set for Broad, then - ESPNCricinfo commentary

That cracked me up. Imagine if there was repeat of that....

 

[francobaldo1]

come on Joe destroy them

 

[Bigby Wolf]

 

[blockerdave]

this is tense af

 

[blockerdave]

good tactic to put Woakes up the order. If he gets through tonight he will have done a fine job

 

[blockerdave]

The Malan wicket put Aussie noses a fair way in front still... but 180 with 6 wickets in hand, Root & Woakes at the crease, Bairstow, Moeen and Overton to come it's not impossible. Best even that only Moeen there is a lefty which will help negate Lyon somewhat, and we have 18 overs before the new ball, in hopefully relatively benign conditions.

Aussies favourites but England have a shout... as ever it's the hope that kills you.

 

[Gaurav_7]

Damn this is Test cricket at it's very best! England have made this interesting after bowling really well in the 2nd innings and the batsmen too seem determined. Yep the Malan wicket gives Aussies definite advantage but with Ali and Bairstow still to come and Root looking focussed, day 5 is going to be cracking!

 

[Dutch]

Flip me havent been this nervous since Big Lil tried to make a man of me!

 

[Velocity]

England have this in the bag if Woakes, Ali and Bairstow all successfully keep Root company and don't put pressure on him at all. For the Aussie's, Root is the key wicket. What a thrilling run chase this is going to be. Could be anyone's game regardless of pitch and the pink ball factor.

 

[LiveLoveABD]

England need to look to get the runs in the first two sessions. Big big big day tomorrow in the context of the series!

 

[beechcroft]

What England wouldn’t give to have Stokes there right now.

 

[beechcroft]

Flip me havent been this nervous since Big Lil tried to make a man of me!

Dennis Lillee tried to make a man of you?