Cricket fred

[Big D]

2 down. Starting early, even for England.

Puja

Was going to go to bed but might stay awake for an hour to see who opens the bowling for England.

I'm stealing that line.

Why on earth did we elect to bat? I get that we wanted to bowl last because we picked Leach, but he's not a good enough spinner to be worth giving up this fast bowler paradise and our batting lineup definitely isn't good enough to survive it. Far better to have bowled first and used our strength in the hope of getting at least some semblance of confidence into the team.

Puja

If your opener can't hit a leg stump half volley and number 3 can't leave a ball bouncing like that then I'm not sure it matters what you do. Root is the only one that was victim of a good ball.

[Puja]

Was going to go to bed but might stay awake for an hour to see who opens the bowling for England.

I'm stealing that line.

Why on earth did we elect to bat? I get that we wanted to bowl last because we picked Leach, but he's not a good enough spinner to be worth giving up this fast bowler paradise and our batting lineup definitely isn't good enough to survive it. Far better to have bowled first and used our strength in the hope of getting at least some semblance of confidence into the team.

Puja

If your opener can't hit a leg stump half volley and number 3 can't leave a ball bouncing like that then I'm not sure it matters what you do. Root is the only one that was victim of a good ball.

I don't think either of us are disagreeing with each other - our batting is shunt, so why did we give Australia an early shot at them in the best conditions that they could hope for?

Puja

[Big D]

I'm stealing that line.

Why on earth did we elect to bat? I get that we wanted to bowl last because we picked Leach, but he's not a good enough spinner to be worth giving up this fast bowler paradise and our batting lineup definitely isn't good enough to survive it. Far better to have bowled first and used our strength in the hope of getting at least some semblance of confidence into the team.

Puja

If your opener can't hit a leg stump half volley and number 3 can't leave a ball bouncing like that then I'm not sure it matters what you do. Root is the only one that was victim of a good ball.

I don't think either of us are disagreeing with each other - our batting is shunt, so why did we give Australia an early shot at them in the best conditions that they could hope for?

Puja

Best time to bat will be after tea today and tomorrow apparently. I guess he was backing his openers to get past the first hour and look to cash in later. To be fair Hameed has stuck in.

Also, I would assume Nasser Hussain and 2002 had a small part to play. Even if Root would never admit it.

[Big D]

If it doesn't rain that is.

Rain might be England's best hope

[Puja]

Rain is England's only hope

FTFY.

Puja

[Mellsblue]

I’d forgotten the ‘joy’ of waking up to an ashes batting collapse.

[Puja]

I’d forgotten the ‘joy’ of waking up to an ashes batting collapse.

TBH, I stayed up till 41/4, so waking up to 147 all out feels like a resounding victory.

Puja

[Big D]

I’d forgotten the ‘joy’ of waking up to an ashes batting collapse.

TBH, I stayed up till 41/4, so waking up to 147 all out feels like a resounding victory.

Puja

Yeah, I made it to lunch. Hameed's score was disappointing. He gutted out the first session well.

[Galfon]

Can't fault the effort but need a few more pronto, Oz will be happy at 40 - 1. Warner has survived, which says enough.

[Galfon]

Not having a decent spinner to hold down an end continues to hamper. Oz ride their luck well and aggressive riiposte sets them fair for bagging this one.

[Banquo]

Three and half bowlers did their jobs. Sadly the other two got caned. How much has Leach actually bowled in the last couple of months? We've got the selection and tactics completely wrong for this- mind, only had 4 years to think about it!

Pleased that Robinson went well again, I suppose.

[fivepointer]

We're massively under prepared. Bowlers who havent got enough overs under their belts and batsmen unfamiliar with the conditions. To say we're under cooked would be quite an under statement.
Nothing that has happened so far should be surprising.

[Banquo]

We're massively under prepared. Bowlers who havent got enough overs under their belts and batsmen unfamiliar with the conditions. To say we're under cooked would be quite an under statement.
Nothing that has happened so far should be surprising.

The three main seamers were excellent- I'd say the mistake with the attack was picking an undercooked Leach, esp with two aggressive left handers. Stokes seems to be crocked. TBH, our top 3 aren't test quality batsmen in any conditions, cooked or undercooked.

[Mellsblue]

We're massively under prepared. Bowlers who havent got enough overs under their belts and batsmen unfamiliar with the conditions. To say we're under cooked would be quite an under statement.
Nothing that has happened so far should be surprising.

The three main seamers were excellent- I'd say the mistake with the attack was picking an undercooked Leach, esp with two aggressive left handers. Stokes seems to be crocked. TBH, our top 3 aren't test quality batsmen in any conditions, cooked or undercooked.

or no Cook(ed).

[Banquo]

We're massively under prepared. Bowlers who havent got enough overs under their belts and batsmen unfamiliar with the conditions. To say we're under cooked would be quite an under statement.
Nothing that has happened so far should be surprising.

The three main seamers were excellent- I'd say the mistake with the attack was picking an undercooked Leach, esp with two aggressive left handers. Stokes seems to be crocked. TBH, our top 3 aren't test quality batsmen in any conditions, cooked or undercooked.

or no Cook(ed).

I'm Boycotting opener puns

[Galfon]

The three main seamers were excellent- I'd say the mistake with the attack was picking an undercooked Leach, esp with two aggressive left handers. Stokes seems to be crocked. TBH, our top 3 aren't test quality batsmen in any conditions, cooked or undercooked.

or no Cook(ed).

I'm Boycotting opener puns

Giving it Amiss too.

[Puja]

or no Cook(ed).

I'm Boycotting opener puns

Giving it Amiss too.

I think you're all secretly Huttons for punishment.

Puja

[Galfon]

It's lunch and all wickets intact - job done !
Burns needs more than a cucumber sandwich right now.
Looking forward to a breakfast surprise...

[Banquo]

I'm Boycotting opener puns

Giving it Amiss too.

I think you're all secretly Huttons for punishment.

Puja

We have Hobbs for life

[Puja]

Ah, the traditional bit of restoration of hope before the collapse to 285 all out tomorrow. It's no fun crumpling up into a little ball if we don't first give at least the implication that the day can be saved.

Puja

[Galfon]

Giving it Amiss too.

I think you're all secretly Huttons for punishment.

Puja

We have Hobbs for life

which means Strauss levels can be high

[Galfon]

Ah, the traditional bit of restoration of hope before the collapse to 285 all out tomorrow. It's no fun crumpling up into a little ball if we don't first give at least the implication that the day can be saved.

Puja

It's stretching the contest out, though can't not see the new ball early doors bringing a bit of havoc.
JR's had a very good year with the bat.

[fivepointer]

Good effort from Malan and Root but we're still 58 runs behind. Going to take a big effort batting all or most of the day to give us a winning chance.

[Puja]

Good effort from Malan and Root but we're still 58 runs behind. Going to take a big effort batting all or most of the day to give us a winning chance.

Let's see whether we can avoid losing by an innings first. It's still well within our gift to lose 8 wickets for <30 runs.

Puja

[Puja]

I had assumed that the action today would kick off at midnight like the first day did, but didn't take into account an early start to make up the time lost. Switched on just in time to see Pope's first ball after both Malan and Root went early. Don't know how I could possibly have expected anything else.

Puja

ETA. 6 balls later and I got to watch Pope's last ball too. Super!