The Ashes Tour 2013

[tigerfish]

Joe Root you little beauty !

Aussies on Nelson 111 - 1 and he takes a wicket just before tea.

all the pressure on the Aussie captain now, skittle him out cheaply and i reckon we have a good chance of taking this first test by the skin of our teeth.

[BookMan]

 

Had Agar come in at that time on the fifth day, 9 wickets down and still over 100 behind, would he and Hughes have played like that?

 

Of course they wouldn't! They'd have blocked and blocked and played for the draw.

So u are saying England was playing for the draw with their slow scoring?

 

Of course not

 

They were playing to build a big lead and had plenty of time in which to do so. Therefore no need to take risks just to have a high run rate.

 

A lead of 311 with a run rate of roughly 2.5 and 5 and a bit sessions to play is a far better position than a lead of 211 with a run rate of 5 and 7 sessions to go!

 

After 30 overs Australia are 92 for 1; a run rate of 3.06.

 

Are they scoring too slowly for you?

 

I think they are playing according to the match situation. There is, at present, no need to go any faster. This run rate will get them to the target in the time they have left; but if they try to score faster and as a result lose wickets then they've lost.

 

They are doing the right thing and forcing England to get them out rather than giving their wickets away in pursuit of quick scoring.

 

As I said, we obviously have a different view of test cricket. We must agree to differ.

Had England scored at a sensible rate they'd have a lead of 411.

I think my view of test cricket follows the modern line, not stuck in the past.

as for this 4th innings. Australia has little chance but one nevertheless if the players stick to their natural game.

[BookMan]

 

Had Agar come in at that time on the fifth day, 9 wickets down and still over 100 behind, would he and Hughes have played like that?

 

Of course they wouldn't! They'd have blocked and blocked and played for the draw.

So u are saying England was playing for the draw with their slow scoring?

 

Of course not

 

They were playing to build a big lead and had plenty of time in which to do so. Therefore no need to take risks just to have a high run rate.

 

A lead of 311 with a run rate of roughly 2.5 and 5 and a bit sessions to play is a far better position than a lead of 211 with a run rate of 5 and 7 sessions to go!

 

After 30 overs Australia are 92 for 1; a run rate of 3.06.

 

Are they scoring too slowly for you?

 

I think they are playing according to the match situation. There is, at present, no need to go any faster. This run rate will get them to the target in the time they have left; but if they try to score faster and as a result lose wickets then they've lost.

 

They are doing the right thing and forcing England to get them out rather than giving their wickets away in pursuit of quick scoring.

 

As I said, we obviously have a different view of test cricket. We must agree to differ.

Had England scored at a sensible rate they'd have a lead of 411.

I think my view of test cricket follows the modern line, not stuck in the past.

as for this 4th innings. Australia has little chance but one nevertheless if the players stick to their natural game.

[BookMan]

 

Had Agar come in at that time on the fifth day, 9 wickets down and still over 100 behind, would he and Hughes have played like that?

 

Of course they wouldn't! They'd have blocked and blocked and played for the draw.

So u are saying England was playing for the draw with their slow scoring?

 

Of course not

 

They were playing to build a big lead and had plenty of time in which to do so. Therefore no need to take risks just to have a high run rate.

 

A lead of 311 with a run rate of roughly 2.5 and 5 and a bit sessions to play is a far better position than a lead of 211 with a run rate of 5 and 7 sessions to go!

 

After 30 overs Australia are 92 for 1; a run rate of 3.06.

 

Are they scoring too slowly for you?

 

I think they are playing according to the match situation. There is, at present, no need to go any faster. This run rate will get them to the target in the time they have left; but if they try to score faster and as a result lose wickets then they've lost.

 

They are doing the right thing and forcing England to get them out rather than giving their wickets away in pursuit of quick scoring.

 

As I said, we obviously have a different view of test cricket. We must agree to differ.

Had England scored at a sensible rate they'd have a lead of 411.

I think my view of test cricket follows the modern line, not stuck in the past.

as for this 4th innings. Australia has little chance but one nevertheless if the players stick to their natural game.

[BookMan]

Trouble now...

[StreetCowboy]

Had Agar come in at that time on the fifth day, 9 wickets down and still over 100 behind, would he and Hughes have played like that?

Of course they wouldn't! They'd have blocked and blocked and played for the draw.

So u are saying England was playing for the draw with their slow scoring?

Of course not

They were playing to build a big lead and had plenty of time in which to do so. Therefore no need to take risks just to have a high run rate.

A lead of 311 with a run rate of roughly 2.5 and 5 and a bit sessions to play is a far better position than a lead of 211 with a run rate of 5 and 7 sessions to go!

After 30 overs Australia are 92 for 1; a run rate of 3.06.

Are they scoring too slowly for you?

I think they are playing according to the match situation. There is, at present, no need to go any faster. This run rate will get them to the target in the time they have left; but if they try to score faster and as a result lose wickets then they've lost.

They are doing the right thing and forcing England to get them out rather than giving their wickets away in pursuit of quick scoring.

As I said, we obviously have a different view of test cricket. We must agree to differ.

Had England scored at a sensible rate they'd have a lead of 411.

I think my view of test cricket follows the modern line, not stuck in the past.

as for this 4th innings. Australia has little chance but one nevertheless if the players stick to their natural game.

Had England scored at a sensible rate they'd have been all out a long time earlier. I'm guessing that professional cricketers judge their run rates better than we can

[Old Croc]

Hopefully that's the last we'll see of Cowan.

Test cricket is a bit above his abilities.

[7by7]

A lead of 311 with a run rate of roughly 2.5 and 5 and a bit sessions to play is a far better position than a lead of 211 with a run rate of 5 and 7 sessions to go!

Had England scored at a sensible rate they'd have a lead of 411.

And if my uncle were a woman he'd be my aunty!

England did score at a sensible run rate for the conditions, pitch and amount of time left in the game.

As are Australia now; currently 2.9.

I think your view of test cricket is based on not knowing enough about this form of the game.

[StreetCowboy]

A lead of 311 with a run rate of roughly 2.5 and 5 and a bit sessions to play is a far better position than a lead of 211 with a run rate of 5 and 7 sessions to go!

Had England scored at a sensible rate they'd have a lead of 411.

And if my uncle were a woman he'd be my aunty!

England did score at a sensible run rate for the conditions, pitch and amount of time left in the game.

As are Australia now; currently 2.9.

I think your view of test cricket is based on not knowing enough about this form of the game.

I know mine is.

[smokie36]

Hey Bookman....the Aussies run rate has plummeted.

Comment please!

Oh and I hope you and 7by7 are gonna joust all summer long.....very entertaining from both of you.

[smokie36]

Looks dead and buried......but we've been here before....welcome to Test cricket!

[StreetCowboy]

I'm ashamed over the David Warner affair.

I like the game to competitive, but I like it also to be played in the 'Spirit of the Game' ... 'The spirit of Cricket' ... sadly Warner was pursuing other spirits.

angry_cricketer_400895.jpg

He's acting and Tweeting like a child.

Shame though, on his day, he's one hell of a Cricketer.

In a phrase from an earlier thread ... Australia have week knees.

Confidence is not oozing from the Australian Cricket supporters.

Week knees perhaps, but the weekend poses new opportunities. A good test cricketer needs a week knee and a weekend knee

Thaivisa Cricket

The team with two knees

[smokie36]

I'm ashamed over the David Warner affair.

I like the game to competitive, but I like it also to be played in the 'Spirit of the Game' ... 'The spirit of Cricket' ... sadly Warner was pursuing other spirits.

angry_cricketer_400895.jpg

He's acting and Tweeting like a child.

Shame though, on his day, he's one hell of a Cricketer.

In a phrase from an earlier thread ... Australia have week knees.

Confidence is not oozing from the Australian Cricket supporters.

Week knees perhaps, but the weekend poses new opportunities. A good test cricketer needs a week knee and a weekend knee

Thaivisa Cricket

The team with two knees

Don't forget the balls....some like to rub them dry before posting too....

Edit: I might have meant bails but I have to qualify my statement before the umpire makes a decision.

Edited July 13, 2013 by smokie36

[tigerfish]

come on Cook you are missing a trick here, get Anderson on.

the balls in it's 64th over and should start to reverse.

get Haddin out while you still have the chance, he's a dangerous player and won't go down without a fight.

[StreetCowboy]

I'm ashamed over the David Warner affair.

I like the game to competitive, but I like it also to be played in the 'Spirit of the Game' ... 'The spirit of Cricket' ... sadly Warner was pursuing other spirits.

angry_cricketer_400895.jpg

He's acting and Tweeting like a child.

Shame though, on his day, he's one hell of a Cricketer.

In a phrase from an earlier thread ... Australia have week knees.

Confidence is not oozing from the Australian Cricket supporters.

Week knees perhaps, but the weekend poses new opportunities. A good test cricketer needs a week knee and a weekend knee

Thaivisa Cricket

The team with two knees

Don't forget the balls....some like to rub them dry before posting too....

Edit: I might have meant bails but I have to qualify my statement before the umpire makes a decision.

I'd rather not talk balls - Oh, the irony of it!

[smokie36]

England are clear favourites of course....but its a Test match....anything could happen.

I hope everyone turns up tomorrow for the climax....it will be a humdinger whatever the result!

And a result it will be.....no risk of a draw.

[7by7]

SKY report that tomorrow is sold out.

Excellent play from Haddin and Agar at the end; don't worry about scoring, just keep your wicket intact and come back tomorrow.

Plenty of time tomorrow to score the runs; if England don't take the four wickets they need first.

My money's still on England, but it will be close.

Question: did Agar come in at 8 because he was promoted or because he was sent in as night watchman?

[David48]

When I went to bed, Australia were none for 80 odd.

Without anyone tasty next to me, I can listen to Cricket on the Radio (don't think the other half would approve of that) and heard the Watson LBW dismissal.

... did I miss anything?

Surely, with that confident start, we'd be at most 3 down for 200 at stumps?

Pup wouldn't have failed again ...

.

Edited July 13, 2013 by David48

[StreetCowboy]

It's a tall order for Agar to do it again, and with all day for bowling, surely the odds must be massively in England's favour. Australia have lost their first wickets too cheaply, both in terms of runs and overs, to have much hope. But it's a shame that there is so much talk of poor umpiring decisions, rather than the great batting of Bell and Agar; I've not been following closely enough to comment on the bowling....Anyway, good luck, chaps, because it's rare I enjoy an England win

[David48]

Question: did Agar come in at 8 because he was promoted or because he was sent in as night watchman?

Hang on ... what's this talk of being 6 down ... surely not ...

OH ... quick check of the overnight score and becomes

Can Agar have a second miracle?

Comin' in on a wing and a Prayer

How ever ... should you seek the sultry tones of Miss Franklin ...

Agar ... Aretha singing for you man!

.

Edited July 13, 2013 by David48

[BookMan]

A lead of 311 with a run rate of roughly 2.5 and 5 and a bit sessions to play is a far better position than a lead of 211 with a run rate of 5 and 7 sessions to go!

Had England scored at a sensible rate they'd have a lead of 411.

And if my uncle were a woman he'd be my aunty!

England did score at a sensible run rate for the conditions, pitch and amount of time left in the game.

As are Australia now; currently 2.9.

I think your view of test cricket is based on not knowing enough about this form of the game.

Bingo! Sadly resorting to the 'you don't know about this form of the game when you don't agree with me' comment

England

[BookMan]

Hopefully that's the last we'll see of Cowan.

Test cricket is a bit above his abilities.

It isnt like we have depth of batting talent to replace him

[BookMan]

Hey Bookman....the Aussies run rate has plummeted.

Comment please!

Oh and I hope you and 7by7 are gonna joust all summer long.....very entertaining from both of you.

Sensible batting for the conditions/state of the match by the Aussies.

Clearly sometimes you have to bat to the conditions at hand. This isn't a T20 game after all.

England's second innings was too slow. Good batting wicket, upper hand, shots can be played. Nothing over the top, but it was a good 3.4 RPO wicket. The point is England's batting stock is far superior to Australia's batting and Australia's bowling attack is good, but not 'very good'.

Australia was doing the right thing for the run chase. Watson the shot maker was out. Clarke can play both parts, shot maker and stout defender, in this case he knew his ability on the day for the conditions.

Maybe 7x7 has played Test Match Cricket so he feels his opinion is inviolate?

I believe any one game is dynamic, tactics changing constantly, adaptions to conditions and abilities ever happening.

Either way ,7x7 an I have different opinions on how to play the Test match game.

[BookMan]

Disaster end of the day for the Aussies!

Yet another mini collapse.

At least we have Agar coming in!!

[Will27]

Let's just hope the tail can wag with Haddin.

Like I stated earlier, Cowan has to go. It was

probably too much to expect Hughes and Smith

to perform twice in one game. We really needed

a captains innings but it wasn't to be.

Oh well, it's a test match so anything is possible.

I doubt we'd be talking about this if it was a 50 over

game or 20/20 crap.

[GrantSmith]

Again that escalated pretty quickly but that happens in test cricket..

On paper the Aussies can still salvage this, but it's going to require some Haddin Houdini magic.

Going to be a cracking days cricket, alas I'll be otherwise occupied most of tonight to give my otherwise undivided attention.

[BookMan]

... It was

probably too much to expect Hughes and Smith

to perform twice in one game. ..

Sarcasm Will?

[carmine]

SKY report that tomorrow is sold out.

Excellent play from Haddin and Agar at the end; don't worry about scoring, just keep your wicket intact and come back tomorrow.

Plenty of time tomorrow to score the runs; if England don't take the four wickets they need first.

My money's still on England, but it will be close.

Question: did Agar come in at 8 because he was promoted or because he was sent in as night watchman?

I can't really see this being close now! The track is cracking up at a rate of nots. England should be looking to skittle Australia well before lunch.

If Australia were to win this then they fully deserve it because it would be a magnificent effort. I just can't see it in a month of sundays! If it were to carry on until mid afternoon the batting track could be unplayable and bar Haddin the specialist batsmen are gone.

Ofcourse i could be spectacularly wrong though couldn't i!!!!

[BookMan]

SKY report that tomorrow is sold out.

Excellent play from Haddin and Agar at the end; don't worry about scoring, just keep your wicket intact and come back tomorrow.

Plenty of time tomorrow to score the runs; if England don't take the four wickets they need first.

My money's still on England, but it will be close.

Question: did Agar come in at 8 because he was promoted or because he was sent in as night watchman?

I can't really see this being close now! The track is cracking up at a rate of nots. England should be looking to skittle Australia well before lunch.

If Australia were to win this then they fully deserve it because it would be a magnificent effort. I just can't see it in a month of sundays! If it were to carry on until mid afternoon the batting track could be unplayable and bar Haddin the specialist batsmen are gone.

Ofcourse i could be spectacularly wrong though couldn't i!!!!

Most likely over in the first hour

[David48]

SKY report that tomorrow is sold out.

Excellent play from Haddin and Agar at the end; don't worry about scoring, just keep your wicket intact and come back tomorrow.

Plenty of time tomorrow to score the runs; if England don't take the four wickets they need first.

My money's still on England, but it will be close.

Question: did Agar come in at 8 because he was promoted or because he was sent in as night watchman?

I can't really see this being close now! The track is cracking up at a rate of nots. England should be looking to skittle Australia well before lunch.

If Australia were to win this then they fully deserve it because it would be a magnificent effort. I just can't see it in a month of sundays! If it were to carry on until mid afternoon the batting track could be unplayable and bar Haddin the specialist batsmen are gone.

Ofcourse i could be spectacularly wrong though couldn't i!!!!

What I like is that we are actually talking about Cricket.

Not betting scandals.

Not Shane Warne's hair thread count.

Not Peterson's Twitters

But a genuine passion for the game and all that it embodies.

There will be million of TV's tuned in tonight, in Australia, in England, in India ... across the globe.

... now that is nice for a change.

Of those TV's ... one of those will be mine.