The Ashes Tour 2013

[7by7]

Haddin needs just two more dismissals to overtake Rodney Marsh's record of 28 in a series.

Will two of the remaining English batsmen be kind to him?

Broad bowled Starc; 329 for 7.

[7by7]

Swann out to enjoy himself; just hit a massive 6; 23 from 9.

[7by7]

350 for 7 at lunch. 142 behind.

77 overs left in the day.

So, England declare.

Australia bat for 27 overs scoring 100ish.

Leaving England 50 overs to get roughly 240

Likely?

Though if it did happen I'm sure a certain poster will complain of a "made for TV" finish!

Edited August 25, 2013 by 7by7

[Bangkokhatter]

Not likely under Cook and Flower but we can hope. The morning session was more like a 1 day game. Good for the paying public.

[7by7]

I think Bell can be happy with being man of the series, no other serious contenders in my opinion. Looks like Prior's getting some runs at last.

Indeed, bell has to be England's man of the series.

What about Australia's? My vote goes to Ryan Harris; even though he wasn't, for some reason, required for the 1st test.

[7by7]

Well, Prior and Swann are back out, so no declaration.

Maybe England want a score above 400 for the first time this series?

[7by7]

England all out for 377; 115 behind.

Clarke showing his intent by sending Warner and Watson out to open?

[7by7]

Another superb catch from Anderson off his own bowling to dismiss Warner.

Faulkner in at number 3, so Australia's intent clear.

But can they score enough runs to put the game beyond England's reach and have enough overs left in which to bowl England out?

It could even backfire and end up with an England win! (Doubtful.)

Edited August 25, 2013 by 7by7

[Bangkokhatter]

Agree about Harris. Seems quick runs is leading to quick wickets, Clarke will probably shut up shop, would make for a good finish if they set us 200 odd to win.

[Bangkokhatter]

A generous declaration ? 227 off 44 overs, will England go for it, lets hope so should be a cracking finish.

[Basil B]

Well if I was Cook I would be batting with attacking batsmen first going for runs and leave the best four defensive rearguard batsman till last if the need to go for the draw.

Edited August 25, 2013 by Basil B

[tigerfish]

what a total farce of a test and the blame lays solely at the doorstep of twenty/20 cricket, the IPL and the money whores that promote it and play it !

[Bangkokhatter]

what a total farce of a test and the blame lays solely at the doorstep of twenty/20 cricket, the IPL and the money whores that promote it and play it !

A tad harsh, only chance of Australia winning was by declaring and it had to be generous enough to tempt England to chase the runs, although if a couple of wickets fall I think England will shut up shop.

[Basil B]

what a total farce of a test and the blame lays solely at the doorstep of twenty/20 cricket, the IPL and the money whores that promote it and play it !

A tad harsh, only chance of Australia winning was by declaring and it had to be generous enough to tempt England to chase the runs, although if a couple of wickets fall I think England will shut up shop.

England need only shut up shop after 6 or 7 wickets have fallen, starting off needing an average of 5 an over now creeping up to 6, but I assume as soon as they wear down the bowlers they may start to take more risks and up the run rate.

[StreetCowboy]

what a total farce of a test and the blame lays solely at the doorstep of twenty/20 cricket, the IPL and the money whores that promote it and play it !

And me. I'm in favour of making a game of it as well. Personally, I'd rather see them play until next Tuesday. But there's no point in abandoning a game and saying "never mind, game abandoned by an act of God for a bit of rain. If they can't play in rain, they should play when it's not raining

SC

[Basil B]

what a total farce of a test and the blame lays solely at the doorstep of twenty/20 cricket, the IPL and the money whores that promote it and play it !

And me. I'm in favour of making a game of it as well. Personally, I'd rather see them play until next Tuesday. But there's no point in abandoning a game and saying "never mind, game abandoned by an act of God for a bit of rain. If they can't play in rain, they should play when it's not raining

SC

Maybe they should start a bit earlier

[tigerfish]

what a total farce of a test and the blame lays solely at the doorstep of twenty/20 cricket, the IPL and the money whores that promote it and play it !

And me. I'm in favour of making a game of it as well. Personally, I'd rather see them play until next Tuesday. But there's no point in abandoning a game and saying "never mind, game abandoned by an act of God for a bit of rain. If they can't play in rain, they should play when it's not raining

SC

Maybe they should start a bit earlier

just one fact and i will rest my argument.

the draw overnight was 1/200 with most bookmakers and now this.

please, it's more bent than Dennis Lillie putting a tenner on England in the old days !

[theblether]

what a total farce of a test and the blame lays solely at the doorstep of twenty/20 cricket, the IPL and the money whores that promote it and play it !

And me. I'm in favour of making a game of it as well. Personally, I'd rather see them play until next Tuesday. But there's no point in abandoning a game and saying "never mind, game abandoned by an act of God for a bit of rain. If they can't play in rain, they should play when it's not raining

SC

Maybe they should start a bit earlier

just one fact and i will rest my argument.

the draw overnight was 1/200 with most bookmakers and now this.

please, it's more bent than Dennis Lillie putting a tenner on England in the old days !

A complete and utter made for TV farce, just like the last game.

[Chicog]

The utter farce is your complete and utter lack of understanding of Ashes cricket.

[Basil B]

Was the Light Meter donated by William Hills by any chance???

As quoted on TMS

I really hope not even the hardest, one-eyed Aussie supporter would hope this game is settled by bad light. (The umpires may also need a police escort out of London if they take the players off here)

Edited August 25, 2013 by Basil B

[rijit]

The utter farce is your complete and utter lack of understanding of Ashes cricket.

yep to the rule of the cricket, it was correct, but in every other sense it was a totally insane decision

easy answer BUY STRONGER LIGHTS.

[rijit]

Tbh i'm not even that excited bout beating Australia, they were strictly average , beat them without half our batsmen batting well,

big up for the Aussies declaring and giving it a go on the last day , shame the rules don't cater for common sense

[mad mary]

4 wins and a draw ,not a bad summer!!!

[tigerfish]

The utter farce is your complete and utter lack of understanding of Ashes cricket.

mate, i was there at Headingley with my Grandad a proud Yorkshireman to see Beefy, now that was real ashes cricket !

sorry but you don't know what you are talking about and it's coming out your Arse.

ask any Aussie and they will agree.

[theblether]

The utter farce is your complete and utter lack of understanding of Ashes cricket.

You think that was an Ashes match out there today? Well I never. It was a joke. I called it correct after the Old Trafford game, these last two games have been farcical with made for TV endings. The teams were playing to the cameras, the Ashes weren't even in their minds. Especially today.

That wasn't test cricket today, not by a long shot. I reckon my idea of having to win the Ashes outright is the correct one, this retention then victory concept wrecked this series. Everybody will need to sit down now and dissect this series, it's been scarred by poor umpiring and poor use of technology. I predict an inquiry and more rule changes for the Winter Ashes.

[BookMan]

I wish i had been able to watch yesterday's finish, but have had to catch up today.

Once Clarke made his intentions clear by sending in Warner and Watson i knew it was game on.

It was a good declaration by Clarke, giving England enough time and a run rate they could chase down, Chase it down they nearly did in one of their most positive sessions of play all series.

That there is fuss over the bad light call is neither here nor there. It was good to see Clarke willing to risk a loss to get a win and Cook respond by willing to risk a loss to gain a 4th win.

England has the batting power, so hopefully Andy Flower and Cook let them off the leash sometime in Australia.

[BookMan]

I think Bell can be happy with being man of the series, no other serious contenders in my opinion. Looks like Prior's getting some runs at last.

Indeed, bell has to be England's man of the series.

What about Australia's? My vote goes to Ryan Harris; even though he wasn't, for some reason, required for the 1st test.

None of the Aussies deserve a man of series

[BookMan]

what a total farce of a test and the blame lays solely at the doorstep of twenty/20 cricket, the IPL and the money whores that promote it and play it !

And me. I'm in favour of making a game of it as well. Personally, I'd rather see them play until next Tuesday. But there's no point in abandoning a game and saying "never mind, game abandoned by an act of God for a bit of rain. If they can't play in rain, they should play when it's not raining

SC

Maybe they should start a bit earlier

just one fact and i will rest my argument.

the draw overnight was 1/200 with most bookmakers and now this.

please, it's more bent than Dennis Lillie putting a tenner on England in the old days !

The point of playing test cricket is to try and win the match, which is what both sides did here, in the end.

[Bangkokhatter]

Both captain's should be applauded for trying to win the game, but in the end the game of cricket lost due to the stupid rules of the ICC. Offering the batsmen the light worked fine for years so no idea why they changed the rules.

A packed house at the Oval with every run being cheered, all building up to a great finish and they come off for bad light.The girlfriend was none too happy either wondering what all the fuss was about when i started yelling at the screen at 1 in the morning.

[jackr]

An anti-climax but still a decent result--shame about the 11:30 start. Well done England, and Clarkey for declaring.