Author Topic: The cricket... (Read 259396 times)

Jaded · « **Reply #2925 on:** 20 July, 2023, 05:20:40 pm »

Zak C goes, what an innings!

citoyen · « **Reply #2926 on:** 20 July, 2023, 05:24:12 pm »

Magnificent.

Von Broad · « **Reply #2927 on:** 20 July, 2023, 07:52:39 pm »

Just watching it now...
Rode his luck early on, but when it goes for you, you grab the opportunity! Fantastic knock.
M Ali did a really decent job with Crawley to settle things down.
And as for the delivery J Root got....well, wasn't quite a grass cutter, but getting close
[looks at forecast]

SoreTween · « **Reply #2928 on:** 20 July, 2023, 11:06:53 pm »

Superb innings from Moeen, absolutely perfect for #3 arriving at the wicket slightly earlier than a team would hope. Absorbed the pressure, wore down the ball and the attack. I don't think Crawley would have made those numbers without Moeen's experience calming things down at the other end.

Deano · « **Reply #2929 on:** 20 July, 2023, 11:26:01 pm »

Agreed about Mo, there's a lovely article about him on the Grain today.

Not to mention Chris Woakes, five wickets but no one's talking about that, I thought he was unlucky yesterday to bowl so well on a day when Broad took his 600th test wicket...

Anyway, what a day. Listening to TMS was reminiscent of the days when Border, the Waughs, Slater, Taylor and the rest would flay the England bowlers. I caught the highlights and Mitch Starc and Pat Cummins did have the same shellshocked air that poor Gus Fraser and Phil Defreitas had when they had to turn around and keep bowling and keep getting tossed around the park.

No idea what's going to happen next, hopefully a good lead for England on the first innings and go from there.

andyoxon · « **Reply #2930 on:** 21 July, 2023, 12:35:22 am »

Given the weather forecast & likely draw for this test, it looks like Aus will retain the Ashes even if Eng wins the last test.

Von Broad · « **Reply #2931 on:** 21 July, 2023, 07:46:56 am »

Stokes rather likes a declaration.....ever get the feeling another one is coming soon [assuming England are not bowled out quickly of course]?
Looking at the forecast [Saturday looks awful]I think the game plan will be slog another 150, stick the Aussies after lunch and bowl them out before the close of play. Or something like that!

matthew · « **Reply #2932 on:** 21 July, 2023, 10:57:36 am »

My guess is either, bat whilst Brook, Stokes, Bairstow are at the wicket, giving Woakes, Wood and Broad license then declare whatever the lead is. If however Brook, Stokes and Bairstow get in and rack up the runs then declare half an hour before tea with a lead of 250+ and look to not bat again or chase <100 on Sunday.

However with the new ball due in 8 overs, I wouldn't be surprised if England are all out by lunch with a lead of ~100-130 and Von Broads scenario becomes the aim.

citoyen · « **Reply #2933 on:** 21 July, 2023, 11:09:36 am »

I think it's a given that England will come out all guns blazing this morning. Beyond that... who knows?

Just watching the highlights - the ball that did for Root was evil.

Jaded · « **Reply #2934 on:** 21 July, 2023, 11:16:40 am »

Yes, it was unplayable, because it didn't bounce. I don't think it was bowled like that, seemed more to be the wicket to me.

Wowbagger · « **Reply #2935 on:** 21 July, 2023, 11:22:39 am »

Quote from: Jaded on 21 July, 2023, 11:16:40 am

Yes, it was unplayable, because it didn't bounce. I don't think it was bowled like that, seemed more to be the wicket to me.

I watched the highlights. I think it was Ricky Ponting who pointed out that Aus would not be happy to see that, because if the bounce becomes that variable, they will be needing to defend under extremely difficult circumstances.

citoyen · « **Reply #2936 on:** 21 July, 2023, 11:52:17 am »

Quote from: Wowbagger on 21 July, 2023, 11:22:39 am

I think it was Ricky Ponting who pointed out that Aus would not be happy to see that, because if the bounce becomes that variable, they will be needing to defend under extremely difficult circumstances.

Indeed. It could be excellent news for England! Especially given the weather forecast.

Only 50 added in the first 10 overs this morning. Slackers.

matthew · « **Reply #2937 on:** 21 July, 2023, 12:36:08 pm »

well for the first time this series Australia have taken the second new ball, in the 91st over! Do you think Pat Cummins had forgotten it was a possibility?

Von Broad · « **Reply #2938 on:** 21 July, 2023, 01:18:27 pm »

Quote from: matthew on 21 July, 2023, 12:36:08 pm

well for the first time this series Australia have taken the second new ball, in the 91st over! Do you think Pat Cummins had forgotten it was a possibility?

Almost felt like he was caught between the dilemma of new ball = more possible wickets but also more possible runs - both of which have come to pass!

One way or another Australia will be batting soon.

citoyen · « **Reply #2939 on:** 21 July, 2023, 02:13:57 pm »

Quote from: Von Broad on 21 July, 2023, 01:18:27 pm

One way or another Australia will be batting soon.

The Manchester climate might have something to say about that!

citoyen · « **Reply #2940 on:** 21 July, 2023, 02:34:24 pm »

This is fun!

A first innings lead of 250+ would be great, and might mitigate the impact of the weather somewhat.

ETA: Well, they were still over 20 away from a 250 lead when I wrote that a few minutes ago... now looking like a 300+ lead might be possible. Ridiculous.

Nuncio · « **Reply #2941 on:** 21 July, 2023, 02:52:06 pm »

Quote from: Von Broad on 21 July, 2023, 07:46:56 am

Stokes rather likes a declaration.....

Not that keen it would seem.

I'm enjoying England running a bye through to the keeper on the last ball of the over to ensure Bairstow keeps the strike.

Von Broad · « **Reply #2942 on:** 21 July, 2023, 03:00:57 pm »

Quote from: Nuncio on 21 July, 2023, 02:52:06 pm

Quote from: Von Broad on 21 July, 2023, 07:46:56 am
Stokes rather likes a declaration.....
Not that keen it would seem.

Well, well, well!

TMS....great commentary as ever.
Looking forward to watching the highlights later.

Wowbagger · « **Reply #2943 on:** 21 July, 2023, 04:33:39 pm »

Tomorrow looks like a total write-off for the test match, looking at the Met Office's website.

Chelmsford, where the cricket that matters is taking place

, looks to be rain-free until 4pm. Essex have the chance to wrap the match up in that time.

andyoxon · « **Reply #2944 on:** 21 July, 2023, 06:16:56 pm »

Yes, rain all day...

citoyen · « **Reply #2945 on:** 21 July, 2023, 06:21:12 pm »

I sent in a suggestion for the bands silliness:

Bradman Turner Cover-drive

citoyen · « **Reply #2946 on:** 21 July, 2023, 06:21:41 pm »

Quote from: Wowbagger on 21 July, 2023, 04:33:39 pm

Tomorrow looks like a total write-off for the test match, looking at the Met Office's website.

That’s ok, the game will be over by then at this rate!

hatler · « **Reply #2947 on:** 21 July, 2023, 10:43:23 pm »

Quote from: citoyen on 21 July, 2023, 06:21:12 pm

I sent in a suggestion for the bands silliness:

Bradman Turner Cover-drive

Chapeau.

Von Broad · « **Reply #2948 on:** 22 July, 2023, 08:25:59 am »

BBC Weather chap says a of month of rain in 2 days.
Only for ultra hard-core audaxers then.

Many of you weren't born, or too young to remember, but have a look at this....I remember watching with my father.

The state of the pitch!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLQdh2T8Tmw

or with a bit of colour and a few words from the lovely John Arlott

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=za_Uyx_evFc

Come on...where there's a will, there's a way!

Wowbagger · « **Reply #2949 on:** 22 July, 2023, 09:37:14 am »

Yes, I do remember that. I was 14. They only had intermittent television coverage back then - a few minutes here and there. I think pretty well all those wickets fell during one slot at tea time.

I loved the scorecard, hand written by some calligrapher on an acetate sheet.

Edit: I don’t think there was ever another bowler quite like Underwood. Left arm, but not really slow. He could make the ball do things on a drying pitch that pretty well no-one else could.