The Ashes: Australia in England 16th Jun - 31 July

[Durhamfootman]

MPV will claim that if there hadn't been so much rain about, making the ball as slippy as a bar of soap in the first two tests and saving the Aussies sorry arses in the last two, England would have won 5-0...... and he'd have a point (pfft)

[alfie]

Suppose the threat of some rain later today could have an influence on how Australia bat ? Depending of course whether they lose some early wickets and think about being careful - or are proceeding smoothly and feel the need to accelerate ! Or a bit of both...

Think England need - apart from , obviously , taking wickets ; is to really tighten up to allow the pressure of a still fairly substantial chase to build on the batsmen. They leaked runs rather alarmingly late yesterday and really can't afford to let that happen again. The way Warner and Khawaja were playing you'd maybe think the chase should be fairly routine ; but past experience has shown that such innings don't always proceed so smoothly throughout. England have to maintain belief , because we have seen numerous swings throughout this series : why not one last twist ?

I do think Australia are rightly regarded as favourites overnight. But "add two wickets " ...

[sussexpob]

The win for Australia is a bonus. I think they will be fairly content not to lose, and with all the press nonsense after Old Trafford, to not lose while being in a potential position to win given more time would feel like a moral victory anyway. I expect them to dig in and just not attempt to lose wickets.... although England need to force a result, so attacking fields and encouraging scoring might draw Australia into a chase with runs on offer.

[sussexpob]

Covers coming on already, looks like the start might be delayed unless they are just doing it as a precaution

[sussexpob]

Just a 10 minute delay, and we are underway. Broad hits Warner's pad, close but no cigar. Need to target Warner early before he gets in... just as I type that Broad squares Broad up a little. Follows it up with a jaffa to Khawaja... maybe conditions making batting a little more difficult this morning?

[Arthur Crabtree]

Anderson was saying the conditions are not good for bowling when interviewed before the game. Too cold and wet and breezy, and not very humid. But sometimes it's unpredictable.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Wood has a sore heel, so maybe why he didn't bowl much yesterday.

[sussexpob]

Anderson was saying the conditions are not good for bowling when interviewed before the game. Too cold and wet and breezy, and not very humid. But sometimes it's unpredictable.

Just a little bit of seam in the pitch now, helping to beat the bat. A few false strokes floating about.... feel like England really need to take advantage

Ouf... how did that last ball miss? Its coming for England

[Arthur Crabtree]

Well, you called it!

[sussexpob]

It certainly is coming. Woakes strikes....

What a difference a day makes, eh... batting suddenly looking tough

[sussexpob]

Woakes has Marnus flashing at air. Top quality start from England.... got the pressure going and Australia at the moment just need to hang in and see a few overs.

[sussexpob]

Broad wraps pad twice in a row, going for DRS on the second.... not for me, but lets see....

At this rate Australia wont see lunch

[sussexpob]

Not out, but straight after another hits the pad, finger up..... review from the batsman....OUT.

Both openers gone. Considering England hardly generated a half chance yesterday, this is mad.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Woakesy!

This is exactly what would have happened on the last day at Old Trafford...

[sussexpob]

Woakesy!

Inspired choice to bring him back for home tests...