Cricket fred

[WaspInWales]

I wonder how impressed Warner is with that, what a miserable series. Not one opener in this series looks up to playing test cricket

That has been one of the highlights of the series for me

[Digby]

Gadzooks, Smith isn't lining up Curran

[Banquo]

look totally flat after lunch. unlucky before to be fair

[Banquo]

I wonder how impressed Warner is with that, what a miserable series. Not one opener in this series looks up to playing test cricket

tad harsh on Burns, but yes

[Banquo]

oh and what dross from Woakes when the pressure was still on. Curran looks like he might have got a yard more pace, and looked much better for it.

[Banquo]

Broad looks shagged out. Long day beckons now, we've let them off the hook. Archer is pretty much alone today, in that he is conserving runs. Being overbowled again.

[Banquo]

Pretty heroic from Archer, hopefully starting to dispel the red ball and stamina sceptics.

[Banquo]

woakes has been a waste of space so far. If it aint swinging conventionally he's vanilla and worse when losing accuracy

[Banquo]

Fair play to Curran, he's looked like taking a wicket, even if not especially accurate. Fckin Smith still in; you really have to get at him early- he's sketchier than most top batsmen for 20 minutes, but once in, his hand to eye is phenomenal.

[Digby]

How on earth did Labuschagne get himself out, looked to be sitting pretty and then blimey? It's less annoying when it's not one of ours.

Root looks to have missed a trick delaying Leach coming into the attack.

[Stom]

I'm starting to come round to the idea Root is a pretty abysmal captain. So scared of leaking runs and because that's his focus...we leak runs.

Leach just got smoked for 6...so he immediately takes him off.

With Woakes useless, we needed Leach to keep an end occupied. Just because one ball was punished doesn't mean he can't have a big impact. 3 overs. 3 bloody overs.

[Banquo]

I'm starting to come round to the idea Root is a pretty abysmal captain. So scared of leaking runs and because that's his focus...we leak runs.

Leach just got smoked for 6...so he immediately takes him off.

With Woakes useless, we needed Leach to keep an end occupied. Just because one ball was punished doesn't mean he can't have a big impact. 3 overs. 3 bloody overs.

agree to all that. Doesnt help that two of his seam bowlers have been a bit sh*t - actually a lot sh&t- and Curran varying between long half volleys and good balls (round the wicket to Smith defeats the point of him being selected; he was giving smith bother over the wicket.....there's a clue). Archer must looking at the rest of the attack and thinking wtf.....

[Banquo]

why open with Broad, he's been utter sh^t today.

[Banquo]

This is easy for Oz, see off Archer, job done.

[Banquo]

or..ta da!

Remarkable from Archer- clearly tired, as his pace is below average, but still taking wickets.

[Banquo]

FFS how can you drop Smith, come on!!


actually, it would have been a stunner, but still

[Banquo]

Gonna have to wind my neck on Curran being dibbly dobbly- he's at least 3 mph quicker on average and controlling the swing brilliantly; someone said he'd likely get a bit quicker, as he matured and they were right. He may be kicking Woakes out. Mind, he was man of the series v India, so probably unlucky, like Foakes I guess.

[Banquo]

cue smith in overdrive now

[Digby]

Archer must looking at the rest of the side and thinking wtf.....

Corrected for you

[Banquo]

Archer must looking at the rest of the side and thinking wtf.....

Corrected for you

yep, not aged well tho

[Stom]

All is forgiven, Chris.

[Banquo]

glad I didn't type why Woakes FFS!

[Banquo]

All is forgiven, Chris.

always said he was the biz

[Digby]

That's what should happen when you bat like Smith. What an amazing talent he is, though he's on a shocking run of below century scores now

[Stom]

That's what should happen when you bat like Smith. What an amazing talent he is, though he's on a shocking run of below century scores now

12 consecutive 50+ scores in red ball Ashes cricket.

Just broken by that stupid pink ball test...