Cricket fred

[Puja]

Pish. Hard to criticise someone for getting 98 and 83, but we did need Duckett to hang around for a bit longer today. 194 still to win - it's not impossible to do, but we need centuries from both Bairstow and Stokes. Our tail's far too long.

Puja

correct. Its poor decision making again. Its actually feck all to do with Bazball as a strategy, but compulsive hooking by Duckett again.

I don't mind that wicket so much actually - he scores a lot of runs from the hook, so asking him to put it away would take away a lot of his positives. He got a good ball that jumped unexpectedly high on him - it looked like it was there to be hooked and Hazlewood just got something extra on it.

Puja

[Puja]

That is a hell of a thing to've happened. Technically correct decision and there was no requirement for Australia to not appeal or to withdraw the appeal, but it's an ugly way to win a Test match.

Stupidity from Bairstow though. TMS are saying that he was continually wandering outside of his crease and making his own decisions about when the ball was dead, so he's got no-one to blame but himself.

Puja

[Puja]

Could be a tactical error from Australia. Stokes is *pissed* and has launched into them, getting to his hundred with three sixes off three balls. Broad is batting sensibly at the other end while clearly also being spitting mad - he's giving near constant verbals and sledging to the Australians.

We didn't really want the lunch break there. Just 128 runs to win now and, if Stokes and Broad come out with the same mindset and the same concentration, that number could go down awfully quickly.

Could just as easily get out first ball after lunch though.

Puja

[Banquo]

Pish. Hard to criticise someone for getting 98 and 83, but we did need Duckett to hang around for a bit longer today. 194 still to win - it's not impossible to do, but we need centuries from both Bairstow and Stokes. Our tail's far too long.

Puja

correct. Its poor decision making again. Its actually feck all to do with Bazball as a strategy, but compulsive hooking by Duckett again.

I don't mind that wicket so much actually - he scores a lot of runs from the hook, so asking him to put it away would take away a lot of his positives. He got a good ball that jumped unexpectedly high on him - it looked like it was there to be hooked and Hazlewood just got something extra on it.

Puja

Out hooking twice- gets big on you, leave it.

On YJB - he was careless. If he'd done that to Smith, we'd be happy.

Stokes is a legend- don't think he'll pull this off, but he is demonstrating bazball for the other guys- pick and choose your moments and shots.

(if Broad is moaning about being bounced, its a bit rich; if its about 'spirit of the game', given he said 'why should I walk' after the biggest edge in history also rich....spirit of the game is myth tbh and Carey was fine. Fired us up tho).

[Mellsblue]

Just seen the ‘stumping’… I’d have been tempted to practice my hook/pull technique on some of the Aussies if I were Bairstow.

[Stom]

Wish I’d put a wedge on… thought this morning England would get out for 300-310, looks very likely now

[Banquo]

Indeed
Another two out hooking, post Stokes magnificence.

Great entertainment, but ultimately some lazy batting in the first innings and a great spell from Starc have done it.

Disappointing after Stokes tbh.

[Banquo]

Selection issues too. Jimmy must be in the mix for dropping sadly. Tail is too long, too many extras, bowling sometimes too ordinary.

They are playing a very good side tho, and definitely threw the first test away.

[Stom]

Selection issues too. Jimmy must be in the mix for dropping sadly. Tail is too long, too many extras, bowling sometimes too ordinary.

They are playing a very good side tho, and definitely threw the first test away.

I think we threw this test away, too.

But anyone who thought that was a good bowling lineup was insane. Completely one paced.

[Banquo]

Selection issues too. Jimmy must be in the mix for dropping sadly. Tail is too long, too many extras, bowling sometimes too ordinary.

They are playing a very good side tho, and definitely threw the first test away.

I think we threw this test away, too.

But anyone who thought that was a good bowling lineup was insane. Completely one paced.

We chucked away a good position for sure. Oz bowled really well at us the first 30 overs second innings

[Banquo]

Great cricket to watch. Do we need change strategy- no; do we need to change tactics depending on context, yes.

Not sure about booing the Aussies. Well apart from Smith who is very booable.

[Puja]

correct. Its poor decision making again. Its actually feck all to do with Bazball as a strategy, but compulsive hooking by Duckett again.

I don't mind that wicket so much actually - he scores a lot of runs from the hook, so asking him to put it away would take away a lot of his positives. He got a good ball that jumped unexpectedly high on him - it looked like it was there to be hooked and Hazlewood just got something extra on it.

Puja

Out hooking twice- gets big on you, leave it.

On YJB - he was careless. If he'd done that to Smith, we'd be happy.

Stokes is a legend- don't think he'll pull this off, but he is demonstrating bazball for the other guys- pick and choose your moments and shots.

(if Broad is moaning about being bounced, its a bit rich; if its about 'spirit of the game', given he said 'why should I walk' after the biggest edge in history also rich....spirit of the game is myth tbh and Carey was fine. Fired us up tho).

I've got to disagree with you there - that wasn't a wicket where it was taken by skill or effort or even luck; it was one guy genuinely thinking the over was done and him being run out when he wasn't looking. I would've been embarrassed if England hadn't withdrawn an appeal in a reversed situation. It's perfectly legal, definitely Bairstow's fault for being a fool, but I wouldn't want a wicket that way. You've not actually beaten him playing cricket there, but instead got him out by taking advantage of him thinking the game had stopped.

Puja

[fivepointer]

Bairstow was moronic. That was schoolboy stuff.

Stokes played a great hand but there were too many soft dismissals and lacklustre bowling.

Robinson needs to find his best and Anderson badly needs a good test next time. Headingly is a good venue for his type of bowler, so i think he'll keep his place.

[Banquo]

I don't mind that wicket so much actually - he scores a lot of runs from the hook, so asking him to put it away would take away a lot of his positives. He got a good ball that jumped unexpectedly high on him - it looked like it was there to be hooked and Hazlewood just got something extra on it.

Puja

Out hooking twice- gets big on you, leave it.

On YJB - he was careless. If he'd done that to Smith, we'd be happy.

Stokes is a legend- don't think he'll pull this off, but he is demonstrating bazball for the other guys- pick and choose your moments and shots.

(if Broad is moaning about being bounced, its a bit rich; if its about 'spirit of the game', given he said 'why should I walk' after the biggest edge in history also rich....spirit of the game is myth tbh and Carey was fine. Fired us up tho).

I've got to disagree with you there - that wasn't a wicket where it was taken by skill or effort or even luck; it was one guy genuinely thinking the over was done and him being run out when he wasn't looking. I would've been embarrassed if England hadn't withdrawn an appeal in a reversed situation. It's perfectly legal, definitely Bairstow's fault for being a fool, but I wouldn't want a wicket that way. You've not actually beaten him playing cricket there, but instead got him out by taking advantage of him thinking the game had stopped.

Puja

It was careless thinking- pretty much all the actual cricketers agreed,at his level its ough enough without gifting thru simple error. Easy for you and Stokes to say you wouldnt have made the appeal, certainly for you as your living doesnt depend on it, but will take your word

[Stom]

Bairstow was moronic. That was schoolboy stuff.

Stokes played a great hand but there were too many soft dismissals and lacklustre bowling.

Robinson needs to find his best and Anderson badly needs a good test next time. Headingly is a good venue for his type of bowler, so i think he'll keep his place.

You can't bowl Anderson, Broad, Robinson, and Tongue... you need some variation in there.

[Banquo]

Bairstow was moronic. That was schoolboy stuff.

Stokes played a great hand but there were too many soft dismissals and lacklustre bowling.

Robinson needs to find his best and Anderson badly needs a good test next time. Headingly is a good venue for his type of bowler, so i think he'll keep his place.

Robinson is still top of our averages, with Broad in 3rd (Root is second ). Anderson' is the worry, even his economy rate is relatively up....and we've actually contained their gun batsmen well in fairness. Then again, we've deliberately gone for flatter pitches to suit our attacking batsmen (who frankly have not shown enough discipline even within the bazball framework). And we've not fielded well (Cough YJB, cough Jimmy-two catches dropped this match) and conceded loads of extras. Plenty of scope for improvement, but probably too late.

[Big D]

Bairstow was moronic. That was schoolboy stuff.

Stokes played a great hand but there were too many soft dismissals and lacklustre bowling.

Robinson needs to find his best and Anderson badly needs a good test next time. Headingly is a good venue for his type of bowler, so i think he'll keep his place.

You can't bowl Anderson, Broad, Robinson, and Tongue... you need some variation in there.

The problem is they have a pretty good bowling attack on the shelf as perma crocks or injured. Archer, Stone and Wood are quality bowlers (and Leach) who aren't available. The variation England really miss is the really quick bowler.

Ironically, Foakes would have been perfect for Sunday as he would focus on sticking around. I still think that is the biggest decision that Stokes has got wrong.

[Banquo]

Bairstow was moronic. That was schoolboy stuff.

Stokes played a great hand but there were too many soft dismissals and lacklustre bowling.

Robinson needs to find his best and Anderson badly needs a good test next time. Headingly is a good venue for his type of bowler, so i think he'll keep his place.

You can't bowl Anderson, Broad, Robinson, and Tongue... you need some variation in there.

The problem is they have a pretty good bowling attack on the shelf as perma crocks or injured. Archer, Stone and Wood are quality bowlers (and Leach) who aren't available. The variation England really miss is the really quick bowler.

Ironically, Foakes would have been perfect for Sunday as he would focus on sticking around. I still think that is the biggest decision that Stokes has got wrong.

and/Or Stokes being able to just bowl regularly. That said, the batting is imo a bigger issue than the bowling; in both matches one innings was underwhelming from great positions....and YJB's keeping first up.

[Stom]

You can't bowl Anderson, Broad, Robinson, and Tongue... you need some variation in there.

The problem is they have a pretty good bowling attack on the shelf as perma crocks or injured. Archer, Stone and Wood are quality bowlers (and Leach) who aren't available. The variation England really miss is the really quick bowler.

Ironically, Foakes would have been perfect for Sunday as he would focus on sticking around. I still think that is the biggest decision that Stokes has got wrong.

and/Or Stokes being able to just bowl regularly. That said, the batting is imo a bigger issue than the bowling; in both matches one innings was underwhelming from great positions....and YJB's keeping first up.

Yeah, but the batting issues aren’t personnel issues, they’re application. You’re not going to fix that by swapping one for another. The bowling issue was that we had 5 very similar bowlers. That we can fix with personnel changes.

[Banquo]

The problem is they have a pretty good bowling attack on the shelf as perma crocks or injured. Archer, Stone and Wood are quality bowlers (and Leach) who aren't available. The variation England really miss is the really quick bowler.

Ironically, Foakes would have been perfect for Sunday as he would focus on sticking around. I still think that is the biggest decision that Stokes has got wrong.

and/Or Stokes being able to just bowl regularly. That said, the batting is imo a bigger issue than the bowling; in both matches one innings was underwhelming from great positions....and YJB's keeping first up.

Yeah, but the batting issues aren’t personnel issues, they’re application. You’re not going to fix that by swapping one for another. The bowling issue was that we had 5 very similar bowlers. That we can fix with personnel changes.

I agree and didn't say we should. As I said earlier, its individual decision making in the batting, as it always is. Not sure its a big issue with the bowling tbh, they've done pretty well to control a strong line up, though agree we need more variety- they aren't that similar if the pitch isn't flat tbh; swing bowler, tall seamer, medium size seamer, pace and Stokes

[Puja]

Pope out for the series, but we're doubling down on Bairstow the Wicket by using Lawrence instead of calling Foakes into the squad. Madness. I can understand not picking Foakes when there's the log-jam of middle-order batsmen and he's unluckiest, but it's bizarre not to have him as next cab off the rank when he's been one of our most consistent batsmen and would come with a massive upgrade to our capabilities in the field.

Puja

[Banquo]

Pope out for the series, but we're doubling down on Bairstow the Wicket by using Lawrence instead of calling Foakes into the squad. Madness. I can understand not picking Foakes when there's the log-jam of middle-order batsmen and he's unluckiest, but it's bizarre not to have him as next cab off the rank when he's been one of our most consistent batsmen and would come with a massive upgrade to our capabilities in the field.

Puja

Agreed- Lawrence has never looked the part, seems overly stubborn and odd as Foakes was an integral part of Bazball not long ago

[Big D]

I am not sure I understand the rumoured moves within the team that England are allegedly planning to make.

Pope, Tongue and Anderson out for Woakes, Wood and Ali with Brook moved to 3.

Firstly, Brook is the least experienced batsman England have, hasn't batted at 3 very often and doesn't really have the technique for it based on what we've seen over the series.

Tongue was pretty decent and Woakes hasn't played a 4 day game since early May.

They are clearly worried about the batting yet will not call up Foakes who has averaged a respectable 39 in the "Bazball" era and will save runs by his keeping being better than JB.

[Puja]

I am not sure I understand the rumoured moves within the team that England are allegedly planning to make.

Pope, Tongue and Anderson out for Woakes, Wood and Ali with Brook moved to 3.

Firstly, Brook is the least experienced batsman England have, hasn't batted at 3 very often and doesn't really have the technique for it based on what we've seen over the series.

Tongue was pretty decent and Woakes hasn't played a 4 day game since early May.

They are clearly worried about the batting yet will not call up Foakes who has averaged a respectable 39 in the "Bazball" era and will save runs by his keeping being better than JB.

That is a *long* tail as well. Woakes and Ali both know how to hold a bat and are far better than Tongue and Anderson, but they're not a replacement for Pope!

Puja

[Banquo]

I am not sure I understand the rumoured moves within the team that England are allegedly planning to make.

Pope, Tongue and Anderson out for Woakes, Wood and Ali with Brook moved to 3.

Firstly, Brook is the least experienced batsman England have, hasn't batted at 3 very often and doesn't really have the technique for it based on what we've seen over the series.

Tongue was pretty decent and Woakes hasn't played a 4 day game since early May.

They are clearly worried about the batting yet will not call up Foakes who has averaged a respectable 39 in the "Bazball" era and will save runs by his keeping being better than JB.

Not happy about that. Undercooked player, and previously undercooked player who hasn't played since and Wood....who is probably undercooked. Brook to 3 isn't great either.

Bairstow to 3 and Foakes keeping is a much better idea, though would leave us a bowler light/depending on Stokes.

Bit of a mess, all in all. Not sure we will see Jimmy again, though they'll be tempted by a last hurrah at OT. Quite interesting how bad his stats are v Australia in England, an anamoly.