Cricket 2019

[surrifox]

It seems weeks or months since the last round of county championship games . I’m not sure how the selectors can assess form based on an endless cycle of vitality matches most of which are being rained off in any case . 

[Benji]

Pissing it down here in South Hampstead which is down the road from Lords.  Not sure where this rain has come from was supposed to be a nice day.  Will be a shame if this one rains out it has so much potential.  Need a reserve day on these tests with our ridiculous weather.

[deejdeej]

How possible are roofs on cricket venues? 

[Mark 'expert' Lawrenson]

Rain is good 

[deejdeej]

No Smith today then, not sure how to feel about it 

[trabuch]

Australia applying for concussion sub for Smith. You have to wonder what their Dr was doing sending him back out. They're either incompetent or cheats. Oh hang on....

[RowlattsFox]

First time I've seen a concussion sub used. The sub is going to win it for Australia ain't he? 

 

Opportunity for us if we can score quickly but do we take the risk. 

[trabuch]

2 minutes ago, RowlattsFox said:

First time I've seen a concussion sub used. The sub is going to win it for Australia ain't he? 

 

Opportunity for us if we can score quickly but do we take the risk. 

Part of me hopes we are all out for around 180. But if we lose this the Ashes are virtually gone. It's an interesting match, slightly spoilt by this morning's rain.

 

That spell from Archer has changed the series imo. We are back in it. 

[Crinklyfox]

We are batting to save this match.  There is very little chance of dismissing Australia, with or without Smith, in a session or a session and a half.  And Root won't want to give the Aussies a chance to have a rush at a lowish total in one-day mode.

[trabuch]

1 minute ago, Crinklyfox said:

We are batting to save this match.  There is very little chance of dismissing Australia, with or without Smith, in a session or a session and a half.  And Root won't want to give the Aussies a chance to have a rush at a lowish total in one-day mode.

And Australia aren't setting a particularly aggressive field either.

[trabuch]

Another plus is that Buttler is getting a bit more time in the middle, and hopefully playing himself back into a bit of form. 

[leicsmac]

Perhaps I'm going against the grain here, but if England build somewhere around a 250-300 lead with about 40 overs left in the day, why not put Aus in and hope for the best? Without Smith they're not going to chase that down and I doubt they'll even attempt to, so there's nothing to lose.

[Izzy]

51 minutes ago, deejdeej said:

No Smith today then, not sure how to feel about it 

Fvckin delighted personally. 

 

Hope he’s ok long term etc etc

[trabuch]

They won't chase down 220. I think the usual Australian psyche has been damaged a bit. But Root won't declare until it is stone dead (sadly imo). 

[Izzy]

Well done Stokes you tough bastard.

[Goober]

No need to be overly adventurous with a declaration at this point in the series for me. Hopefully we show some positive intent with the bat after lunch to give ourselves a chance of having a real go at them later today.

[Izzy]

Loving this Ashes in the 80’s series during lunch

Great memories 

[trabuch]

11 minutes ago, Izzy said:

Loving this Ashes in the 80’s series during lunch

Great memories 

Thomson is pure class. 

[Izzy]

2 minutes ago, trabuch said:

Thomson is pure class. 

Great character.

 

How on earth Bob Willis captained England I’ll never know. The most boring human being in history.

[EastAnglianFox]

They should do all possible in tests to make up for lost play. play until 7:30pm and make lunch just 20 minutes

[deejdeej]

That was cheap Jos.

[The Bear]

I don't see why if you lose a day, you can't just add one on. Ok it'd be a Monday, but you ket anyone who had tickets for the lost day in for free, or refund them if they can't make it and sell the ones that become available at a reduced fee. 

[Goober]

Tim Paine's got the most punchable face in world cricket

[katieakita]

pushing the scoring rate up now 217 in front with 56 overs left, have a blast for the next 5 or 10 overs then over to Jofra and the boys, no Smith and they start to panic if we can take a wicket or 2 before tea

[Izzy]

30 minutes ago, Goober said:

Tim Paine's got the most punchable face in world cricket

.....after David Warner’s