Ashes 5-0?

[didds]

drop denly and moeen.

anderson is a non starter nwow.

play curran and archer and leach/rashid .

well... its probably fair on Moeen to drop him. He needs to take a load of wickets and score lots of runs in the CC to get some form back.

Denly? If we drop Denly then what about Bairstow? Bairstow has scored 139 runs in his last 10 innings. Denly has scored more runs over all in fewer innings - 174 in 8, one of which his captain ran him out terribly. So by all means drop Denly but if so then Bairstow has to go by the same token - except of course his best mate is the captain.

Anderson needs rpeplacing and will obviously (!!!) be. I quite fancy Curran . And he's scored considerably more runs that JB in his last ten innings Archer however, or Stone, assuming fit etc would be the bolder move and Id be content with either of them.

Back to Moeen and spin... England need to have a spin strategy. Root as 2nd spinner isn't a spin strategy, its a hope.

[Leothebear]

Well can anyone tell me a more exciting England fast bowler than JA? If he's dented Smiths supreme confidence, then he nay just tilt the series England's way. There's no-one faster for England in my lifetime. Just stay healthy JA!
If Mark Wood recovers fitness the England attack would be so potent.

[redsturgeon]

Not this time round...

After yesterday this is shaping up to be an epic contest.

Smith tamed by Archer.

Stokes and Bairstow showing they are not just one trick ponies.

The rest of the Aussie batsmen struggling.

Bring it on!

John

[Leothebear]

Jofra is the man!

Are you still watching Snorvey old chap?

[Howyoudoin]

Oh yes.

It was a bit dark for that kind of bowling at the end....no? (genuine question)

As long as it's the same for both teams and the rules are agreed beforehand, I don't see (ahem) a problem.

Going off at 3pm for bad light is a pi$$take frankly. Bloody Northern towns.

HYD

[PinkDalek]

Jofra is the man!

Are you still watching Snorvey old chap?

Are you still watching Leo old chap?

Ouch - I wasn't but have had a glance at Cricinfo after your post.

Good to see Scotland have recovered from their 8 wicket loss to Oman.

[Leothebear]

You can always rely on England to let you down.

<spit> The Aussies did bowl brilliantly however<spit>

but then so did Ireland......

[Leothebear]

Ah well Ashes gone for certain now. The Botham & Willis magic won't happen again.

Aus deserved it. They completely marmalised England today. So there you are; a Headingly humiliation. Root's match has been his worst nightmare. I wonder how it'll affect his confidence as both batsman and captain.

Still, we did fluke the WC!

[PinkDalek]

The Botham & Willis magic won't happen again.

Never forget Dilley’s 50 and Chris Old’s contribution with the bat. Writing in hope more than anything but maybe it is time for Jofra’s maiden century.

[Leothebear]

So assuming a declaration tomorrow (but I accept you never know!), what would you say? Play it safe and guarantee not losing or declaring at, say, 330 ish lead and giving England a tempter to go for it?

I think the Aussies will consider the weather. If the forecast is good then I can't see an early declaration - they've only 3 wickets left anyway and they could easily go in the first session. Whatever, they'd be time left for England to get the runs in theory but have they got the the skill and steel against a very good Aus attack? Not a hope in hell.

What with this and being a CPalace fan, I'm in for a miserable summer's end.

[Leothebear]

Well Palace won 2-1 at OT so miracles DO happen and England are 125 for 2 as I write. It's the hope that kills you. So Aus remain strong favourites for me......but ...

[Leothebear]

Boring game test cricket eh?

[PinkDalek]

Arise Sir Ben Stokes.

[tjh290633]

H K Rodd is reincarnated.

Magnificent innings by Stokes and superb support from Leach.

TJH

[Leothebear]

Knighthood for Ben Stokes - stone banker. What a test match.

[redsturgeon]

What the actual f.......

John

[Leothebear]

In all the excitement I'd completely forgotten who pissed off it makes Snorvey.

Sorry old buddy

[Leothebear]

I'm not for giving well paid sportsmen honours. So not saying I agree with it but I bet that's what will happen if England win the Ashes.

[didds]

But hey. Lizzie gives out the gongs. She's English, so why not?

well.. on the "advice" of parliament .

The 2005 gongs were frankly embarrassing.

didds

[Leothebear]

Looks like Friday will be a washout. The other 4 days look OK so seeing that, for the most part, the bowlers have dominated, a clear result looks likely.

Great expectation on JA understandably but I do hope Root does not overbowl him. Short fast bursts with him using his ability to vary his pace are key I think. The last thing we need is for him to get injured.

English morale must be good, so I expect another close battle hopefully assuming the English batsmen have learnt to be patient.