Cricket-Match-Special ... A forum for discussion

I am surprised that there is no thread for this series. It promises to be as close as the real Ashes going on concurrently with this series.

I always think they have this combined series wrong in two ways:

The test (preferably more than just the one test, too) should be the last game played. Really. It makes no sense any other way to me. It might make commercial sense, but I take you back to the first sentence of this paragraph.

and following a similar theme - the points allocated to each format also need changing to meet with my wishes.
I think it should be Test- 6 points, ODIs - 2 points each, T20s - 1 point each.

In both these areas, I think the test is seriously under-rated.

I turn this on the see Aus having won the toss, batted first, and have lost a wicket to be 1/72.

My two favourite female cricketers were at the crease - Beth Mooney and Elyse Perry.

That has moved to 2/95, with England debutant Lauren Filer getting Mooney caught in the slips for her first test wicket.

This is a five day test, I think.

Watched this morning too...Bright start Australia. New lass Filer with an important early scalp for England - Mooney had been missed earlier so they'll be very glad to see the back of her.

Of course then you've got Perry and McGrath coming in : tough gig

Think the Test is first , Garlic , mainly because it nearly always gets drawn and might be a bit of an anti-climax ? Though this one is five days , so maybe...

Feels like a real loser, that Sky got this. Put this on at the weekend on BBC2, I imagine you'd get a lot of views. Just a total waste putting it behind the paywall

Oi!

that's commie talk, mister

Agree with pretty much everything that everyone has said

Going to need the five days to get a result here...three days has seen just 20 wickets fall.

Thought England were looking well placed to take a lead despite that imposing Australian total of 473 : Beaumont's double century an outstanding effort . But their tail folded (unlike the Aussie last three who added 150 odd) ; and then the pace bowlers sprayed it everywhere so Australia have a lead of 92 with all ten in hand.

Declaration timing might be tricky ? How much risk will Healy be prepared to take if the pitch remains benign ? There is spin though : which shows that Australia read conditions much better , playing three spinners while England went mainly for pace - and unfortunately three number elevens ...

50 for mooney

4th innings coming up

England need 268. I have no idea what the pitch is doing or the weather either, for that matter.

where would England be without Sophie E, btw

another 5fer to make it 10 for the match

an encouraging start thrown away

only one winner in this game

looking more like the last rights for England, atm. Though a repeat of Edgbaston's finish could still happen,].

Ash Gardner looking good for 7 or 8 second innings wickets.

Good call , Garlic ! Eight for Gardner to wrap up a good win for Australia.

Good Test Match. Some fine performances on both sides. Overall Australia had greater batting depth and picked the more suitable attack for the conditions...I am a bit puzzled why England went with just one spinner (although doubts about how much Nat S-B would be able to bowl may have played a part)

Long way back now for England with Australia 4 points to the good. But they can be encouraged they matched the champs for most of the game so will still be hoping...

they can hope all they like, but I'd advise against them holding their breath

Durhamfootman wrote:they can hope all they like, but I'd advise against them holding their breath

Yeah won't be doing so either ! Having to win 5 of the 6 white ball games is a bit too much to ask . Suppose that is one drawback to playing the 4 point Test first : it almost kills the contest when the holders get a win.

I think that's why GJ was advocating the test to be last. Completely agree. The limited overs games could be dead fairly soon if England don't get on a hot streak.

Like the men's test, it was close for much of the game but Australia won key moments and England spilled too many catches. I hope this won't be the recurring theme of both series.