Ashes 2015

[SpireiteDan]

Lead now 200, 7 wickets in hand.

What kind of lead do we ideally need here, 300, 350?

 

[JJH]

Weather forecast is rain all day on Sunday.

Typical.

 

[Red]

Lead now 200, 7 wickets in hand.

What kind of lead do we ideally need here, 300, 350?

350 at the very least. Really hope Bell and Root can put a good partnership together.

 

[silvergull]

The aim should be to be bowling first thing tomorrow morning, so it's great to see we're batting positively.

With a session and a bit to go I think we should be around the 350-400 lead. Which will be plenty. The pitch is as such youre never 'in'.

 

[josephb88]

I'd think a lead of 350 could probably suffice, but I'd only start to feel truly comfortable if England get past 250 to 300. Hopefully this partnership lasts and they get properly into it. It'd be nice to see some fairly quick runs towards the end of the day if there are wickets left, and England bowling for two days at Australia with an almost impossible target would be my aim.

 

[JJH]

50 for Bell. Very pleasing to see. Played very well.

 

[silvergull]

Well played 'Duke'. Cracking effort in tough conditions

 

[Saddlerrad]

Glad to see Bell in the runs. England will need 400+. This Aussies team are number one for a reason and are capable of chasing something down. Records are here to be broken and they batted below par in the first innings. Never say never. Watch us declare early for rain on Sunday and then the rain skirt us. Aussies need 350 in 2 days. It takes one magic innings or a Warner ton in 80 balls etc (easily achievable) and the game is there's to lose.

We are heading for Cardiff round 2.

 

[Super_horns]

Bell turning in a innings that might just save his spot for now?

 

[The Alex]

And he's bowled

 

[silvergull]

Bell bowled.The balls started doing something. Perhaps a bit of Reverse.
Saddler - I get what you're saying, but that's a tad negative judging by what we've seen. The pitch will get harder to Bat on, and our bowlers are pretty suited to the conditions. If we're 350 - 400 ahead we can't lose

 

[silvergull]

So strange from Starc. Pinned Stokes stonedead, and clearly out. No appeal.
I can't believe an Australia team haven't appealed for an out decision

 

[josephb88]

They've shown that replay at least four separate times here. They're pretending to be fine with it, but they're definitely not.

 

[silvergull]

Australia continue to bowl some utter dross. They look a very tired bowling attack and short of ideas

 

[josephb88]

That one wasn't so bad, unfortunately.

 

[silvergull]

Mockers on that. Root bowled with a ball that kept low. First time Australia have gone near the stumps.
This game will be over by tea tomorrow. I reckon our seamers will blow the Oz top order away on this pitch

 

[spireite]

I think Australia would feel they could chase down 350 in 2 days if they clean us up quick here. We need closer to 400. Even then I wouldn't feel totally confident

 

[silvergull]

I think Australia would feel they could chase down 350 in 2 days if they clean us up quick here. We need closer to 400. Even then I wouldn't feel totally confident

I don't. Firstly. Sunday will be washed out. Secondly there's variable bounce already. it's a slow turgid pitch where the ball is getting stuck in the surface. Australia failed to time the ball in the first innings, and I do t expect em to fare any better

We'll end up with a lead of 425

 

[spireite]

I don't. Firstly. Sunday will be washed out. Secondly there's variable bounce already. it's a slow turgid pitch where the ball is getting stuck in the surface. Australia failed to time the ball in the first innings, and I do t expect em to fare any better

We'll end up with a lead of 425

Have they gid it out to rain all day Sunday? If so, then yea we'll have enough, and maybe even could do with sending them in tonight for half an hour!

 

[TheArtfulDodger]

Dull this. Come on Australia, get things moving.

 

[silvergull]

Dull this. Come on Australia, get things moving.

Dull?! This is cracking test cricket. Really enjoying it

 

[TheArtfulDodger]

Dull?! This is cracking test cricket. Really enjoying it

Certainly good from England's perspective, I can't see any competition now. Except perhaps Australia trying to close out a draw? I know I'm supposed to want to crush the Aussies but I like it when Tests are balanced and leave victory for both out there.

Root's an absolute star though, it's all there, just needs his away form to improve and he's up there with the very best.

 

[silvergull]

I ink Australia are doing all the can, and that's look to tighten it up. If they attack, England will take the game away very quickly. I'm enjoying the pace of our batsman. attacking but not reckless.

 

[silvergull]

350 lead is up. keep batting away. 400 should be up by the end of play

 

[TheArtfulDodger]

Yeah, I think the New Zealand team have change us in a way, that fantastic two match series really opened our eyes and I think Cook, to his credit, has opened up to a more aggressive (if more controlled than the NZ) approach. I like it.

 

[silvergull]

Buttler walks but I'm not convinced that his the glove. Perhaps strap?
I was about to say we should have another 100 runs in us. That makes it tougher. Will still be happy with a 400 lead

 

[silvergull]

Ali now dropped by both Haddin and then Clarke. I'll keep saying it - tough pitch to bat on. You're never in. Bell and Root showed that.

 

[silvergull]

Stokes chops on. Buttler and Stokes both with horrific shot selection.

 

[Saddlerrad]

Swinging back to the Aussies. No rain Sunday and we are in shit.

 

[silvergull]

Swinging back to the Aussies. No rain Sunday and we are in shit.

Again we really aren't. the pitch is misbehaving like anything. times not a consideration as we'll take wickets at very regular intervals. I'm unsure what anyone's seen in the first 3 days to believe Australia can chase this