The Ashes 2023

[steven]

It’s a great test match so far. Bodes well for the rest of series. Lots of ups and down, but credit to khawaja today, same as root yesterday - turned the tide back to the Aussies with that innings.

Missed opportunity for England but all to play for if they can skittle them out FairPlay cheaply tomorrow which is doable.

 

[neil999]

Ok the declaration was deffo wrong decision

 

[ToffeeTim]

Ok the declaration was deffo wrong decision

It would have been the wrong decision even if they got a wicket yesterday. You don't throw away first innings runs against a good team. It was a decision that Australia were happy with. They didn't want Root to keep smashing them around Edgbaston.

 

[Rita_Poon]

Labatts done for in sparkling manner.

 

[Old Blue 2]

Aussies 311-5, 82 runs behind.

My take on how it will pan out:
Aussies get a first innings lead of about 100.
Mini collapse in England's second innings.
Aussies chase down deficit of 150-200 in their second innings easily.
Test lost by England.

All because of a declaration on the first day when on 393-8. Absolutely stupid at this level. Should have batted through to completion to add as many more runs as possible to the first innings total.

 

[Rita_Poon]

Khawaja will be asleep in about an hour, and comes back out tomorrow fresh as you like. If the rest of them can hang around for a spell, he could get 200 yet. So like Everton to finally find him napping and it be a no ball.

 

[steven]

Aussies 311-5, 82 runs behind.

My take on how it will pan out:
Aussies get a first innings lead of about 100.
Mini collapse in England's second innings.
Aussies chase down deficit of 150-200 in their second innings easily.
Test lost by England.

All because of a declaration on the first day when on 393-8. Absolutely stupid at this level. Should have batted through to completion to add as many more runs as possible to the first innings total.

Aussies do well to get that much of a lead. Essentially they have three number 11’s playing in lyon, Boland and hazelwood.

 

[PhilM]

Aussies 311-5, 82 runs behind.

My take on how it will pan out:
Aussies get a first innings lead of about 100.
Mini collapse in England's second innings.
Aussies chase down deficit of 150-200 in their second innings easily.
Test lost by England.

All because of a declaration on the first day when on 393-8. Absolutely stupid at this level. Should have batted through to completion to add as many more runs as possible to the first innings total.

While on the balance of probability it's more likely to be the incorrect decision by England, I do like how Stokes and McCullum have stuck to their guns.

Baz-ball has served them (and us as England fans) well, so the confidence to make the declaration on the first day is something I'll not criticise too willingly.

For me, the decision was most peculiar with how the crease look at the time: hardly bedded in and pretty much a batsman's dream. It'll be difficult to bowl against.

However, if we can get their tail fairly fragile order out - as @steven mentioned - we'll be back in on that same crease with the chance to get runs on the board.

 

[Joey66]

Playing a test match in one day mode by England is entertaining, but fraught with danger - the declaration on that pitch was just mind bogging TBH ....

You never know a couple of quick wickets, & it's anyone's game - Rain forecast in the midlands tomorrow ?

 

[chrismpw]

Playing a test match in one day mode by England is entertaining, but fraught with danger - the declaration on that pitch was just mind bogging TBH ....

You never know a couple of quick wickets, & it's anyone's game - Rain forecast in the midlands tomorrow ?

Agreed.

Interesting though.

 

[Rita_Poon]

It has to be noted they were protecting Anderson also. Was it worth another 20 or 30 runs if he gets clobbered in the ribs? They kicked sand in the Aussies eyes, and now the Aussies have returned the favour. Bairstow made some great stops and catches today but the 'regulation' moves he whoopsied. Still, they're his runs on the board when others struggled...

 

[Gilbert..]

Not the biggest cricket fan in the world but i do watch the ashes. Quick question for those who know more about cricket than me. Was the declaration 100% on stokes or are there others in the background who called it as even as a part timer like myself it seemed weird.

 

[Hinchcliffe's Corner]

It's almost as if Australia are the world test Champs and a very good cricket team. Not helped by some school errors. A very entertaining match very much in the balance.

 

[neil999]

It has to be noted they were protecting Anderson also. Was it worth another 20 or 30 runs if he gets clobbered in the ribs? They kicked sand in the Aussies eyes, and now the Aussies have returned the favour. Bairstow made some great stops and catches today but the 'regulation' moves he whoopsied. Still, they're his runs on the board when others struggled...

Declare once root or Robinson out then?!?

 

[Connor]

The Aussies have a loooooong tail. Don’t count on them having a lead just yet.

Plus, looks like we’re going to lose a fair bit of play due to rain tomorrow