The Ashes thread! (...
 

  You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more

[Closed] The Ashes thread! (spoilers)

876 Posts
95 Users
0 Reactions
1,891 Views
Posts: 5559
Free Member
 

Not even this England team will steal defeat from this position
Even the weather does save the Aussies as England still get the Ashes back


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 1:15 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Ahh pants. That might be Lyth back to the county for a while.


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 1:17 pm
Posts: 50252
Free Member
Topic starter
 

Lyth showing his class again.


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 1:18 pm
Posts: 24498
Free Member
 

Even the weather does save the Aussies as England still get the Ashes back

Not true; they currently hold the Urn so we need a win overall to get it back. If they escape from here it's 2:1 with one to play so they can still retain with a win at The Oval and 2:2 overall.


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 1:19 pm
Posts: 56564
Full Member
 

Bell gone for one. Normal service resuming, it appears


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 1:29 pm
Posts: 5559
Free Member
 

I knew the rules it was my maths that let me down 😳


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 1:30 pm
Posts: 20561
Free Member
 

Ohh bloody heck.


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 1:30 pm
Posts: 28475
Free Member
 

Makes it a bit more interesting.


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 1:30 pm
Posts: 24498
Free Member
 

It was tough maths, granted. Almost needed both hands.....


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 1:32 pm
Posts: 8469
Full Member
 

Bells decision an interesting one. From the visual, I'm convinced that was swinging down leg, but Hawkeye seems not to show the swing.


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 1:32 pm
Posts: 5559
Free Member
 

[quote=theotherjonv opined]It was tough maths, granted. Almost needed both hands.....
😆


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 1:35 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

From the visual, I'm convinced that was swinging down leg, but Hawkeye seems not to show the swing.

This seems to be a pretty much universal opinion. The BCCI are probably feeling pretty smug.


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 1:37 pm
Posts: 293
Free Member
 

Can a Test match be over in a day?

Our batsmen had better knuckle down and concentrate.


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 1:40 pm
Posts: 8469
Full Member
 

I still think it's good, and better than nothing. IMO DRS is there to get the howlers, not judge the marginal ones. I don't agree with 2 more reviews with the new ball.


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 1:40 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

[quote=lemonysam ]This wouldn't be the lowest first innings score to win an ashes test.

What would be the lowest in the last 100 years?

edit: the lowest first innings score to win since 1908 is 152 http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;event=1;filter=advanced;innings_number=1;orderby=team_score;orderbyad=reverse;result=1;template=results;trophy=1;type=team;view=innings

(though England did escape with a draw after scoring 77 in 1997 in a match where they had a total of about 2 days play)

I'm not sure stats from 19th century tests are particularly relevant!


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 1:42 pm
Posts: 28475
Free Member
 

Aussies are taking it pretty well. This from the SMH site via BBC

[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 1:54 pm
Posts: 20561
Free Member
 

And we're in the lead 🙂


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 1:57 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Well we've just about scraped a first innings lead. I reckon the tail might add on a few more.


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 1:57 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

I'm now wondering what the stats are on the most batsmen on a team to get more than the highest score on the other team - 3 out of 4 so far.


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 2:01 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Aussies are taking it pretty well. This from the SMH site via BBC

Michael Slater certainly wasn't during the lunch break 😀


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 2:09 pm
Posts: 11402
Free Member
 

tempting fate I know, but once the balls gone a bit soft this pitch has not a lot to offer.


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 2:18 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

https://twitter.com/Accconnor/status/629270139100381186

😆


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 2:18 pm
Posts: 11381
Free Member
 

Been gardening all day listening to TMS so missed the TV pictures alongside, can't wait for highlights later


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 2:36 pm
Posts: 24498
Free Member
 

Still not done yet. 39 lead at tea for 3 down is a very healthy position on paper, but if we don't post the kind of total that makes an innings victory a distinct possibility we'll feel like we've let them back in.

That said, if they bat they way they batted in the first dig, another 50-odd would make an innings victory a racing certainty 😉


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 2:51 pm
Posts: 32265
Full Member
 

Just flicking round the web and stumbled on the score on the BBC website - bloody hell!

I may even watch the highlights tonight!


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 3:01 pm
Posts: 20561
Free Member
 

Shouldn't we be thinking about Declaring now?


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 3:08 pm
Posts: 11402
Free Member
 

50 for Roooooooooooooooooooooooooot


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 3:21 pm
Posts: 11402
Free Member
 

all the worries about england being a bowler short, aussies have 3 seamers (one of which can only be used for 3-4 overs at a time) and spinner on a pitch with no turn at the moment


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 3:39 pm
Posts: 24498
Free Member
 

Bowler short?

Who's missing then?


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 3:44 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Root now ahead of Australia


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 3:45 pm
Posts: 16025
Free Member
 

Bowler short?

Who's missing then?

All of the Australian team, so far.


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 3:49 pm
Posts: 11402
Free Member
 

Bowler short?

aussies dropped Mitchell Marsh for Shaun Marsh (to beef up the batting 😆 ) so they are a seamer down


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 3:50 pm
Posts: 11402
Free Member
 

Boycott is calling england 250 at stumps


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 3:51 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

If they bat a session tomorrow as well they could have the weekend off...


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 3:52 pm
Posts: 24498
Free Member
 

But you said

all the worries about england being a bowler short

I haven't noticed anyone missing from our side today?

Jimmy who? 😉


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 3:53 pm
Posts: 11402
Free Member
 

[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 4:00 pm
Posts: 11402
Free Member
 

50 Bairstow lead now 150+


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 4:38 pm
Posts: 11402
Free Member
 

calm down blowers


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 4:51 pm
Posts: 11402
Free Member
 

century for rooooooooooooooooooooooooooooot


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 4:53 pm
Posts: 20561
Free Member
 

Brings up the 100 🙂


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 4:54 pm
Posts: 11402
Free Member
 

it's like playing Zimbabwe


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 4:54 pm
Posts: 27603
Full Member
 

I just got home. Are we winning?


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 5:01 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Are we ever! 🙂


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 5:04 pm
 pk13
Posts: 2727
Full Member
 

274-4 leading buy 214.


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 5:36 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Holy! 😯

I started listening to TMS at lunch to hear that we were 14-0.

It must have been raining in Nottingham, I thought.

Listened to the lunch time interview about the documentary on the state of test cricket and the ICC and then heard the news.

How I laughed and whooped! 😀

The Aussies have been clearly abject!


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 5:56 pm
Posts: 5114
Full Member
 

KYLIE MINOGUE! DAME EDNA EVERIDGE! ROLF HARRIS! MEN AT WORK! GERMANE GREER! MEL GIBSON!. Your boys took a helluva beating today!


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 6:02 pm
Posts: 6734
Full Member
 

"Pomicide" according to the Aussie press


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 6:03 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Root on a double Australia - do you think he can make it a triple tomorrow?

Though the really funny thing is that Johnson, Starc and Hazlewood all have more runs than Australia


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 6:15 pm
Posts: 50252
Free Member
Topic starter
 

it's like playing Zimbabwe

Bit harsh!

On Zimbabwe, that is.


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 6:22 pm
Posts: 5559
Free Member
 

Root on a double Australia - do you think he can make it a triple tomorrow?

He is a bit more ambitious than that surely


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 6:32 pm
Posts: 24498
Free Member
 

Just caught up with close of play and some key highlights. My immediate impression was that Australia didn't bat that badly. I know that sounds odd, but by that I mean a number fell to good balls, playing essentially defensive shots. But sky's third man had it covered, with a graphic showing how far they reached for the ball and why when it moved they nicked it hard. Root nicked one in the last over, but by playing it so late and with soft hands it didn't carry. So the right shot played badly rather than bad shots.

Second - broad really did bowl bloody well. 8-15 - nah, that flatters, but well done, we'll take it!!

And finally the catching was excellent. Some tricky catches made to look easy (low ones, high ones) - but Stokes's one hander, was just totally out of this world. Astonishing.


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 6:34 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

What an astonishing day. I've watched that stokes catch over again. Still just behind Strauss catching gilchrist for me but still. What a day.


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 7:04 pm
Posts: 24498
Free Member
 

I'm not sure. Stokes's was behind him, Lyth was running to the rope to get it. But once he got a hand to it, he does have hands like shovels so catching it became less of an issue. Strauss's was 'easier' to get to, but he only has normal hands and it only went into the ends of his fingers!

Two crackers, for sure.


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 7:39 pm
Posts: 50252
Free Member
Topic starter
 

Have sent the Vine link to that catch to some American baseball loving friends.

"No glove. Faster, harder ball hit far harder, and far closer to the catcher. THIS is a catch."

Responses have been overwhelmingly "WTACTUALF? How the hell did he do that?" sort of thing.

🙂


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 7:44 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

I still maintain Jordan's earlier in the year was catch of the summer though. One of the best of all time.

https://vine.co/v/ezMdAJ3p09h


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 7:57 pm
Posts: 2020
Free Member
 

Sooooooooooo, as a relative cricket newbie, is there any chance of play lasting till Sunday? 🙄


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 8:00 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

I would say Strauss ranks higher as it was against a good team 😉


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 8:06 pm
Posts: 5890
Full Member
 

I hope England go on to score at least 500 and completely humiliate Australia. They need to sow some seeds of doubt in the heads of the Aussies before the next Ashes. That said I don't think many of this team will still be playing when the next one comes around.


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 8:15 pm
Posts: 24498
Free Member
 

15 overs until the new ball. Another 60 odd would be handy, then I think it'll be tough, but if we still have the likes of buttler, moeen, stokes either batting or even better still to come, then I'd be tempted to go aggressive against it, might only last a few overs but add another few quickly on top of the 275 odd lead we'd have by then....... And then make them bat again before the pitch totally flattens on day 3


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 8:30 pm
Posts: 27603
Full Member
 

That's stokes catch is amazing. Also amazing that the highest scorer in the Aussie innings was the extras with 14!


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 8:33 pm
Posts: 1190
Free Member
 

That said I don't think many of this team will still be playing when the next one comes around.

Really? I'd think that Cook has at least another in him as might Broad. Root, Stokes, Buttler, Ali, Finn and Wood are all likely to be around. It's only Lyth, Bell and Bairstow I'd be thinking won't make it.


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 8:35 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

That'll be the Australian team. 😆


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 8:37 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Watching the HIGHlights, and MJ at full steam. At what point does fast bowling simply become a chuck???


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 8:38 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

15 degrees.


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 8:40 pm
Posts: 5890
Full Member
 

Aye, I was talking about Dad's Army.


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 9:02 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

teamhurtmore - Member
Watching the HIGHlights, and MJ at full steam. At what point does fast bowling simply become a chuck???
POSTED 35 MINUTES AGO # REPORT-POST

I've not seen the Aussies but I've seen broad on a streaky spell and the windies quicks live and real fast bowling is never a chuck, it's amazing. It looks a whole different level. That step up from80mph to 90 is vast and something tv never really captures.


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 9:19 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

I guess it's like a modern golf swing. - a delayed action with tremendous hand speed.


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 9:23 pm
Posts: 50252
Free Member
Topic starter
 

Just watch the likes of Marshall, Walsh, Ambrose, Holding Aktar and McGrath to see REAL fast bowling.

Mitchell isn't a real quick. Broad's a clever swing bowler.

Proper quicks are scary.


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 9:34 pm
Posts: 3899
Free Member
 

Chucking is still chucking though. Who was that Sri Lankan chucker?


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 9:34 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Cpn their arm actions seems more fluid. -these days it just looks different to me.


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 9:36 pm
 TP
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Great stuff. I got knocked back from a job I wanted/needed today but this softens the blow. Anybody got an email address for the Australian Cricket Board? I might forward my CV.


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 9:46 pm
Posts: 7270
Free Member
 

The snap of the wrist makes it look like a chuck - McGrath wasn't a out and out fast bowler - Lillee and Thomo were.

EDIT: In the old days there were far fewer camera positions - the snap is only obvious from side on which was much less used than today.

EDIT 2: M Johnson is express pace over 90 mph most of the time. McGrath was in the mid 80s.


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 10:01 pm
Posts: 24498
Free Member
 

Johnson's a proper quick. The balls that got stokes and bairstow at edgbaston were proper quick's wickets. But where his action isn't perfect, when it starts to go wrong, it's harder to know why and hence how to fix it....which is why he's now slinging it down leg and off at random and down on pace too.

McGrath was a true great, but he'd be the first to say he wasn't a real quick. But he did have metronomic accuracy over line and length, a high action, and height itself, so as a result his steep bounce made him such a handful as soon as it nibbled about a bit. If he'd done that at express pace... well you'd have had a more accurate still version of Curtly Ambrose!


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 10:32 pm
Posts: 24498
Free Member
 

And as for the step from 80-90. On paper it looks like 10%. That's bollocks. Because even a slow bowler bowls at mid-50's, so anything lower in essence doesn't exist. The scale goes from 55-95, hence the difference between 80 and 90 is a big chunk.

When I played, an opening bowler would probably bowl early to mid-70 (I played one season with a sri Lankan u19 pro all rounder who knew he was a mid 70's bowler, and he was by comparison typical) Occasionally teams would have a proper quick, who'd be a yard faster, and scary. I also played against a guy who had a few WI odi caps and bowled mid 80's ....... and my arse is knitting buttons at the memory of it. 5mph difference is world's apart.


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 10:46 pm
Posts: 1908
Full Member
 

"Pomicide" according to the Aussie press

Their heads are so shrivelled by the the score they've lost what slight grasp of language they had....it's not the poms that are getting killed!!

Really enjoyed TMS today.....found myself not giving a toss about a horrific car journey down the m6.


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 11:34 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Not managed to keep up with progress today. Saw headline on the tele in the pub saying Broad was 8 for 15. Thought I was not reading it correctly. Just got home to check. Never seen bowling stats like that before. So much for missing Anderson.


 
Posted : 06/08/2015 11:55 pm
Posts: 17
Free Member
 

[img] [/img]
I was worried I'd miss most of the test while I was flying back, how wrong you can be


 
Posted : 07/08/2015 12:48 am
Posts: 11381
Free Member
 

Great picture. Wonder if he could make a quick 100 today 🙂


 
Posted : 07/08/2015 5:46 am
Posts: 11402
Free Member
 

could get even worse for the Aussies today if england bat well they could be back in at tea with a 500 deficit 😀


 
Posted : 07/08/2015 6:19 am
Posts: 17106
Full Member
 

Stolen from Rotor burns.
[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 07/08/2015 6:55 am
Page 9 / 11

6 DAYS LEFT
We are currently at 95% of our target!