Ashes 2015

[DarkSithLord]

Yes Rooty. Good start!

Doesnt look the best of pitches so far.

 

[DarkSithLord]

Says a lot about Ballance that Root has almost doubled his total of 30 less balls!

Haha just as I type he hits a boundary!

 

[Ciderhead]

Tough start that but could've been a LOT worse if Haddin had taken that chance. Root's just different class, Aussies may well live to rue that

 

[JJH]

Root holding it together again.

Not as bad as first feared at 43-3, but since Root has been dropped these two have looked fairly assured at the crease. Still not sure on the batting order, I'm still convinced Ballance shouldn't be batting 3, and Bell seems the perfect fit.

It wouldn't be surprising if the order was re-jigged after this test.

 

[hodge]

Root holding it together again.

Not as bad as first feared at 43-3, but since Root has been dropped these two have looked fairly assured at the crease. Still not sure on the batting order, I'm still convinced Ballance shouldn't be batting 3, and Bell seems the perfect fit.

It wouldn't be surprising if the order was re-jigged after this test.

Can't really agree with much you've said there, Root the one holding it together? After being dropped you mean, if anything Ballance has been the one holding it together.

Bell at 3? Been tried before and it failed, again why move Ballance when he's around 3rd quickest to 1000 runs batting at 3?

 

[JJH]

Can't really agree with much you've said there, Root the one holding it together? After being dropped you mean, if anything Ballance has been the one holding it together.

Bell at 3? Been tried before and it failed, again why move Ballance when he's around 3rd quickest to 1000 runs batting at 3?

Admittedly he got lucky with the drop, but since then has pushed on. Agree with what you said regarding Ballance, but I was more referring to the fact that once again 3 wickets have toppled pretty quickly, and it's been left down to Root to come in and do the run scoring for the top 3.

I'd welcome another try to Bell at 3, and it's nothing to do with Ballance not doing well at 3, it's just that I think he'd be better at 5 where he bats for Yorkshire.

 

[SeasideKurt]

Ballance has played his role fantastically and he's really put the pressure to one side and got on with the task at hand and that was steadying the ship.

Root has come out and just played however he wanted. The Aussies will be very worried at lunch and will need to remove Root this session to get their grip on this game early doors. Because if they let Root score as he is, England could well be 200 odd for 3 by the way that last session ended.

 

[Ciderhead]

Big innings for Ballance this. It's been a struggle but he's done well to hang in there until lunch. Root alongside him will help, if he can dig in here and grind out a score it will do him a world of good.

 

[4froale]

Root batting really well here after a shaky opening five minutes. Shame I have to go back to work soon as its been a decent start to the series.

 

[RavenBish]

Ballance seems absolutely fine unless you want him to drive or play down the ground, he can't do it at all. He's played well but he's also been lucky that the seamers haven't been on their game and bowled a consistent line at outside-off - he's a bit like Cook, he'll flick it off his pads all day, punish the wide balls and looks comfortable against the shot stuff...he's just got one huge major flaw.

Root's a sublime player. I think we might be seeing Ian Bell's last Test series too, a few journos on Twitter have made the observation that his eyes have gone simply. Feel kind of sorry for Bell, I don't think he'll be remembered as fondly as he should be, superb career.

 

[hodge]

50 for Root, needs to push on, if these 2 can stick together for a while yet then we could be in a great position

 

[JJH]

50 for Root. Vital that he has gone onto make a score and made the Aussie's pay for that drop so early on.

 

[hodge]

Ballance seems absolutely fine unless you want him to drive or play down the ground, he can't do it at all. He's played well but he's also been lucky that the seamers haven't been on their game and bowled a consistent line at outside-off - he's a bit like Cook, he'll flick it off his pads all day, punish the wide balls and looks comfortable against the shot stuff...he's just got one huge major flaw.

Root's a sublime player. I think we might be seeing Ian Bell's last Test series too, a few journos on Twitter have made the observation that his eyes have gone simply. Feel kind of sorry for Bell, I don't think he'll be remembered as fondly as he should be, superb career.

Agree on Bell, I think they didn't want to change before the Ashes but we will see him replaced either for the winter or start of next summer. Bell himself may retire from tests if England win, would be a good way to go out.

 

[Saddlerrad]

Very close to LBW for Root. An inch or so the other way and he's out, half way up middle.

91 the partnership. Need to keep going yet if we are going to post anything decent.

 

[The Alex]

Thought Root was a goner then

 

[Aber gas]

Ballance just looks so awkward at the crease .
Can't doubt his courage though.

 

[JJH]

Initial thought was that it pitched outside leg, but was definitely worth a review as it was marginal.

Pitch is still very slow.

 

[Saddlerrad]

Watson is the kind of bowler that comes on and gets a wicket after everything falls flat. Hope that doesn't happen here.

100 partnership from 144 balls.

The Root effect.

 

[4froale]

Fantastic afternoon session so far, add another 30 or so without loss and the pendulum swings....who would of thought that at half 11 this morning. Funny old game cricket but that's why we love it.

 

[4froale]

Shane Watson bowls a wide that goes for 4. Aussies starting to get a bit frustrated by the looks of things.

 

[spireite]

good old mr joseph root

 

[JJH]

Solid 50 for Ballance. Nice shot to bring it up as well.

 

[hodge]

Good work Ballance, worn a few on his way to it away.

Gary Ballance has the Toure song

 

[JJH]

Root into the nervous 90's.

 

[RavenBish]

Terrible wicket this once you get through the new ball. England need a big score.

 

[josephb88]

I've decided to stay up and watch this since state of origin was on here and I've got nothing to do tomorrow morning. Watson is a nuisance as both a batsman and a bowler and he's always been one of my favourite Australians. He'll never be the best, but he's very rarely poor. My old maths teacher, who was on a sort of transfer in regional Queensland where I used to live, used to play with him and said he was just naturally very gifted and never gave anything away at either end and told me he could play for Queensland and never even mentioned him playing for Australia. That was in about 2004. He was 23 by then and wasn't a massive deal, but this teacher taught me a lot and taught me how to play cricket quite well, so the whole experience was quite nice and I've always liked Shane Watson since. I really don't want Australia to win, though, since David Warner is a cock and I've never trusted Australian sportsmanship.

 

[josephb88]

My sister and I have a sort of barometer of how England are doing by seeing how Joe Root is doing and multiplying it by about 2.5. She also tells me he is either out for less than 10 or makes a century. I don't really know since I don't fancy him and never pay as much attention to his results.

 

[lordofthepies]

I hate Shane Watson. They don't call him Twatto for nothing, you know.

 

[Skinner]

Super session, both going really well here

 

[4froale]

I hate the aussies on the whole. It wouldn't matter to me whether it was David Warner or Rolf Harris opening the batting, I always want to beat them. It would be fuckin great if this young/inexperienced team stopped them in their tracks and regained the ashes. Great afternoon session.