Comment deleted by Site Moderator

Told u guys, it will be 5-0 Australia, England to be chinmusiced. Steve Smith is a real fighter.

Big day ahead. I suspect this will tell us a lot about how the rest of the series goes. No reason we can't bat out the day, but... well, fingers crossed.

Reading the BBC yesterday and it said 'Roy will be Roy'.

Fack that.

If Roy wants to be an opening batsman for England then he needs to learn to play a different way, when required.

Rain

The pitch isn't particularly quick so I'd be delighted if the Aussies pitched it short all day in an attempt to bring some chin music.

Anyway, it's a shame that we've got no chance of winning this game today as it could have made for an exciting final day with all results possible.

Yesterday must be one of Root's worst days as captain. Yes the batting collapses have been bad and we've had some bad losses but we started the day in a strong position. We've rarely been so poor for a day when we're in a strong position especially at home. He'll need to make up for it today with the bat.

It does feel like we always have four or five players who have a point to prove.

Not a fan of Root as captain but I will cut him some slack yesterday given he's basically 2 bowlers down with Anderson injured and Mo bowling pies all day on what was a turning wicket.

Shame we can't win this game but a draw would be a good result all things considered. Would also be a bit annoying for the Aussies given the position they're in.

comment by The Welsh Xavi (U15412)
posted 6 minutes ago
Not a fan of Root as captain but I will cut him some slack yesterday given he's basically 2 bowlers down with Anderson injured and Mo bowling pies all day on what was a turning wicket.

Shame we can't win this game but a draw would be a good result all things considered. Would also be a bit annoying for the Aussies given the position they're in.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

2 things:

Moeen should be dropped.

We will definitely lose. That said, we should be aiming to win not draw IMO.

Agree on both accounts, especially given Smith "only" averages 34 against left arm spin so Leach could be our secret weapon.

I too would bat normally because if we go too defensive we'll lose, but can't see us hitting 385 runs in a single day unless they start building wayward or the ball does nothing.

Joe Root must be as thick as a Yorkshire pudding?

comment by The Welsh Xavi (U15412)
posted 16 minutes ago
Agree on both accounts, especially given Smith "only" averages 34 against left arm spin so Leach could be our secret weapon.

I too would bat normally because if we go too defensive we'll lose, but can't see us hitting 385 runs in a single day unless they start building wayward or the ball does nothing.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
We won't score the runs, but I agree about not playing ultra defensively. I think forcing a certain playstyle will probably just lose us wickets since it's so unnatural to most of our players.

To be honest I think they should just bat sensibly as if it were just any normal day of test cricket, and see the day out. We did it on day 2 so why not again. I know the pitch is deteriorating, but it was hardly spitting and jumping yesterday.

Smith's lower average vs left arm orthodox is against India & Sri Lanka in Asia. I'm guessing it was probably Herath & Jadeja.

So Leach is a decent option but not sure how many pitches we'll see like this one in the upcoming test matches or if they'll even go to day 4/5.

Unfortunately I think we'll be all out some time in the afternoon session for about 170 but hopefully 3 or 4 of the guys in the line up can go out and bat time. Again, the bulk of the work will need to be done by the top 5 or 6. At 5 down, the game won't last too much longer.

comment by Tablighi Jamaat (U15973)
posted 6 minutes ago
Smith's lower average vs left arm orthodox is against India & Sri Lanka in Asia. I'm guessing it was probably Herath & Jadeja.

So Leach is a decent option but not sure how many pitches we'll see like this one in the upcoming test matches or if they'll even go to day 4/5.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
It was South Africa too with Maharaj and even Elgar got him once.

Some harsh judgements on here.

Missing one of the best bowlers in the world and Woakes not right either.

Massive impact on the game.

Its hard to call today. England could bat well most of the day, look like they get a draw, then suddenly collapse.

Well, Burns is gone. Root and Stokes can bat long, but there's not much evidence of the rest of our batting lineup having the stomach for an all-day innings.

Not the ideal start.

Burns gone, Root in....

Comment deleted by Site Moderator

comment by Winston (U16525)
posted 14 minutes ago
Some harsh judgements on here.

Missing one of the best bowlers in the world and Woakes not right either.

Massive impact on the game.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Picking Anderson when he hadn't played a game all season (and it is August, not June), was a massive miscalculation (read balls-up).

Jimmy had been playing for Lancashire as that's how he got injured in the first place.

comment by Σγωυσε (U9675)
posted 43 seconds ago
comment by Winston (U16525)
posted 14 minutes ago
Some harsh judgements on here.

Missing one of the best bowlers in the world and Woakes not right either.

Massive impact on the game.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Picking Anderson when he hadn't played a game all season (and it is August, not June), was a massive miscalculation (read balls-up).
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Agreed, but I was more referring to the criticism of Root and the bowlers yesterday.

We're facked aren't we

comment by Neo- European Champions (U9135)
posted 28 seconds ago
We're facked aren't we
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Not necessarily. Not in a great spot though