Ashes 2023

Now we're in the sh1t!
Edit - Bairstow reviewed and not out!

 

I like the facts we play shots and score quickly. Too often we have hunkered down in the past, not scoring runs and still lost wickets. At least if we lose wickets now we are still keeping the scoreboard going.
162 in front at lunch. Wickets will be the issue now but if we can get to 250 in front then who knows. A lot to get on a turning pitch where the bounce from Lyon has been incredibly variable.

 

Tuffers et al on TMS reckoned 250. However, we may not have Moeen?

 

250 in front would probably leave the game quite even but without Moeen, we aren't going to be able to replicate Lyon's spell. I'd prefer 25 more runs.

 

Do we know what he's done? I've seen him spraying stuff on his fingers (which cost him a bit of money) but not heard what is actually wrong

 

He's got a blister on his spinning finger, he won't be able to bowl effectively.

 

Terrific. As he's a finger spinner I'm guessing he can't bowl at all. A lot depending on Root's bowling

 

Another one bites the dust. The lead is only 204 now with just 4 wickets in hand.

 

Stokes gone now.

 

It started going wrong with Root going too aggressive; I get that he wanted to attack but there's no reason to be that far forward.

 

Imagine if we hadn't swapped batting on the best day of the pitch for batting in poor light for 20minutes.

But hey. Whatever the result the series is set up beautifully and I'm enjoying it. Result may depend on Moeens finger.

 

The only positive other than the run rate is that the Aussie have now run out of reviews.

 

Also. I can see Anderson taking a lot of wickets in the 4th innings. Heard it here first.

 

260 in front now. With limited time due to weather tomorrow I reckon we're not far away from being safe. Having said that, there are 49 overs left today!!

 

9 down with 263 run lead, I still think we need another 20 odd.

 

I imagine @The undeniable truth thinks we are about 250 short.

 

On this pitch... I'm not sure that'll be enough

 

Heavy rain forecast for tomorrow morning though.

 

Annoyingly I think we are about 30 short. Which is about what we would have scored instead of declaring 1st innings.

Of course we could knock them out for 150, but there looks no pace in the pitch.

4 sessions, 70 runs per session? Its not ending in a draw unless the weather comes down tomorrow.

 

Unless the Met Office has it badly wrong we won't get 4 sessions.

 

Reckon if Leach was playing we'd win this, but with Mo and a dodgy finger...

 

He will need to.

 

These hour by hour snapshots are fairly useless. The best indication is to use the bbc site https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2650236 , scroll down to the weather map, click "full screen", shrink the detail a bit which leaves Edgbaston highlighted, and scroll through the times. Suggests heavy rain from about 6-9am and then minimal rain after that point. Will just be a case of how quickly the outfield dries out.

 

Fair enough. Still find it hard to believe that we will get four full sessions though.

Also, I trust the BBC weather much less than the Met Office...

 

The Aussies won't need 4 sessions.
Yes if the MO have a moving map then I would prefer that over the BBC equivalent. There's always ambiguity over what the %s mean, even BBC staff disagree . 30% rain. Does that mean there's a 30% a raindrop will fall somewhere in that post code in the one hour period, a 30% chance it will be raining at the noted hour etc etc... the maps showing rain bands each hour or so are the best predictor and then radar maps on the day !

 

No but they will probably need three.

I was actually surprised we got so little play yesterday, that didn't seem to have been predicted.

Who knows? Personally I feel missed chances will be to blame if we don't win, not the declaration. This was 'Zaltz' on the BBC website:

By my count, Australia have made 15 chances in the game and taken 12 of them.​

England taken five of their 10 chances in the field.​

Meanwhile, Alex Carey took nine of his 10 opportunities behind the stumps, Jonny Bairstow is on just one from five so far.​

 

TuT you’ve gone full cricket BW . The Moog of leather on willow.


Always had you down as one of the positivitrons.

 

Broad is on of his spells.

Could see another couple tonight if the cricketing gods are with us.

 

As long as the rain is intermittent, it could help our swing bowlers, with no Ali especially.

 

Stuart Broad is our Ian Poulter

 

What a wonderful Test match.

 

You obviously don’t read these pages much. He makes Eeyore look like he’s on crack.