The Ashes 2015

[Fishtigua]

Great, I just get in and turn the telly on, Cook gone to an amazingly lucky catch.

[TheAngryDog]

That was a very unlucky way to get out for Cook. How many times have we seen that shot with Short Leg there and its gone to the boundary? Very unusual, which is a shame as Cook was looking very good up to that point.

[johnfm]

Great response from Bell. Hats off to him for showing up.

Australia being schooled today on how to play in English conditions. Been 3rd best with the bat and the ball all day. England in a deserved position as we head to tomorrow.

Edited by johnfm on Wednesday 29th July 18:07

[TheAngryDog]

johnfm said:

Great response from Bell. Hats off to him for showing up.

Is this the innings that saves his England career? Trouble is its always like this. He'll be poor for a while, then put in a few good performances, then its back to being poor. There is no consistency. Shame as on his day he is mighty.

[anonymous-user]

Really don't think that is acceptable from Bell.

[spikeyhead]

desolate said:

Really don't think that is acceptable from Bell.

Careless, set the foundations up nicely then that.

[TheAngryDog]

desolate said:

Really don't think that is acceptable from Bell.

Really wasnt needed this late in the day really. Needed some sensible cricket.. Could've been a ton for him there.

[johnfm]

How has Lyon got 2 for 3 on this wicket??

[zygalski]

johnfm said:

How has Lyon got 2 for 3 on this wicket??

It amazes me whenever he gets wickets. He looks so innocuous.

[spikeyhead]

johnfm said:

How has Lyon got 2 for 3 on this wicket??

I'm just glad that you haven't got a decent spinner.

[anonymous-user]

TheAngryDog said:

desolate said:

Really don't think that is acceptable from Bell.

Really wasnt needed this late in the day really. Needed some sensible cricket.. Could've been a ton for him there.

'Kin ridiculous

[johnfm]

spikeyhead said:

johnfm said:

How has Lyon got 2 for 3 on this wicket??

I'm just glad that you haven't got a decent spinner.

He isn't Warne, but he's no mug. But on day 1 he shouldn't have twofer.

[TheExcession]

gentlemen.

Been out 'bramble picking' all day but managed to grab a glimpse of the scores around 16:30. Wow, really didn't expect to see Aus @ 136 all out!

Now home and delighted to see the Eng openers managed to put on some runs for a change.

But an appalling shot by Bell there - one hand off the bat, why the hell did he try to drive through that ball when he so obviously judged the length wrong? Should've just played that dead.

Really looking forward to watching the highlights of this one later on.

[Leithen]

Gutted for Bell, but extremely chuffed to have been here for an astonishing days cricket. Looking forward to tomorrow. Need to bat long.

[DJRC]

johnfm said:

DJRC said:

johnfm said:

DJRC said:

johnfm said:

DJRC said:

Now then John...shall we talk about this momentum lark...?

Yep, after we'll bowled for a bit.

We can also talk about batting first in England on a cloudy day...

But John...that was *my* argument. Yours was it was all about the momentum. I told you this was quite likely to happen, you and everyone else told me England were fooked!

Not it wasn't. I'm not sure that detail is you bag, but I argued that momentum is 'one component' of winning, as 99% of sportsmen and pundits would readily agree. I don't recall arguing that it is 'all about momentum'.

Oh knock it off son. You been humbugged. You know it. I know it.

So, you argue by using the 'knock it off' tactic when you've been caught out. Not my problem that you're short on attention to detail and big on bluster. I guess they not big fans of nuance over in Lancs... Look back over the thread - I said this:


"Interesting opinion re: momentum.

The thrashing at Lords isn't evidence that 'performance momentum' doesn't exist. It may indicate that it isn't the ONLY component of winning a test, but having played a lot of sport over the years there is no way that recent success doesn't improve confidence. It is one less thing to think about. One less thing to eat away at confidence. The game, at this level where they can all hold a bat and bowl the ball, is mostly between the ears. "

Edited by johnfm on Wednesday 29th July 16:32

It's funny that, I just looked back over the entire sequence of posts and pretty much everything I said in my 3 posts has come to pass. The Windies stuff being irrelevent, the NZ series being important as played in current conditions and giving England attacking intentions. Your Aus form over last 4 months being irrelevent. Jimmy not being passed it and Lords being a complete outlier. MJ not being the destroyer in Englisj conditions and that the momentum from Lords was hogwash.

Not to mention the series being 1-1 and therefore equals all round and Edge will be a completely new game.

So I'm bang on the ball, details and overall thrust & gist. You been done lad. Kipper'd up and back in the hutch. The one get out of jail card I'll leave on the table for you is if MJ cleans England up tomorrow with a Michele for under 75 runs.

Alternatively we could just take it back to that checklist I posted before the Lords test...

[Tallow]

johnfm said:

Nah. Toss is overrated. Aus will win this batting second.

You're right, talking toss IS overrated

[john2443]

hornetrider said:

spikeyhead said:

I can see us batting soon after tea

And bowling again before the close.

QFP

[Einion Yrth]

Weather'll save the crims.

[zygalski]

Be nice to get a lead of 170-200 & then bowl them out by late day 3/early day 4 & win by an innings.
Not impossible.

[Gargamel]

zygalski said:

Be nice to get a lead of 170-200 & then bowl them out by late day 3/early day 4 & win by an innings.
Not impossible.

No but extremely unlikely. Aus probably won't bat that badly again in the series. In the same way that England won't repeat 2nd innings at Lords.

Would like to see England get close to 400 here. With Root, Bairstow, Stokes, Ali and Buttler they have the manpower. Just can they settle a partnership ? Batting today is likely to be the best time in the match looking at the forecast, so they have to do it today.

Still think Starc will be a tricky customer.