The Ashes 2021/22

[Inappropriate Smilies Bee]

On the Broad/Anderson thing I think Woakes, Wood and Robinson all bowled well so it's hard to argue that Broad would have improved us.

It was the supporting cast and the batsmen that have let us down.

Yeah only watched the first session last night and we were bowling well apart from that last extra half hour where they targeted Jack Leach and oh sh*t was Stokes injured on the boundary? Very unlucky not to have them 3 or 4 down by lunch. This scoreline feels very familiar now! GAH.

 

[Cowlick94]

How’s the atmosphere in there @Cowlick94? Many England? What beer is on sale? We are bowling ok. Enjoy it mate, very envious. #prayforstokes

Good atmosphere all day in the Barmy Army section, hopefully it comes through on the TV. Players can certainly hear it as the rest of the ground is silent. The Richies are poor value for the Aussie ‘chaps’, offering one song on repeat all day - “Warner’s on fire”

Much more to cheer about today but this test is lost already - I’m watching the rest on the telly but should be in Melbourne for the 3rd - series being level by then would be nice!

 

[kenbee]

Whatever team you pick,none of the players have played any first class cricket since the English 2021 season ended in September and this is what happens.

 

[Indian Bee]

So I stayed up and saw the first two sessions. Thought England really bowled well in the first session at least and with any luck could have had the Aussies 4-5 down.

Warner just had all the luck in the world and must wonder how he scored 90 odd. I just can’t bring myself to like/ congratulate any of Warner or Smith innings. They are cheats whom and should have served a longer ban IMO.

One can argue about the team selection and always in hindsight but appears Broad should have been selected over Leach purely based on he has the number on Warner and the lack of cricket Leach played in the summer. With Stokes not playing any competitive cricket for over 6 months then more pressure on Woakes, Wood and Robinson. Surprised Root didn’t bowl more.

One gripe with England, poor over rate. 84 overs on an extended day is a poor effort.

 

[alikat]

One gripe with England, poor over rate. 84 overs on an extended day is a poor effort.

The Aussies were no better with 50 overs in 2 seasons.

It seems that all international teams these days bowl their overs excruciatingly slowly and something needs to be done to change this - I'm all for imposing maybe a 5-run penalty for every over (or part over) per innings under a decreed minimum (based on a minimum hourly rate, which might be 14 to allow for the extra half-hour allowed to complete the intended minimum daily number of 90 overs), although allowances will have to be made for unscheduled stoppages in play (e.g. injury to players).

 

[Inappropriate Smilies Bee]

So tv shows Ben Stokes bowled 14 more no balls which were not called by the umpires! They included all 3 deliveries in his first over where he bowled Warner with his fourth ball. He would have obviously adjusted his run up if they’d called him for those (like he did for ball 5,6,7 in that over). The “wicket” was the only one checked by tv umpire due to some technology glitch. Pathetic on field umpiring as they knew they are apparently meant to be calling no balls on field in this test due to the tech problem. Aussies lost out on 14 runs too (plus whatever they’d have scored/wickets lost off the extra 14 balls). Keep the faith, onwards and upwards, we can win this.

 

[Indian Bee]

The Aussies were no better with 50 overs in 2 seasons.

It seems that all international teams these days bowl their overs excruciatingly slowly and something needs to be done to change this - I'm all for imposing maybe a 5-run penalty for every over (or part over) per innings under a decreed minimum (based on a minimum hourly rate, which might be 14 to allow for the extra half-hour allowed to complete the intended minimum daily number of 90 overs), although allowances will have to be made for unscheduled stoppages in play (e.g. injury to players).

Can’t disagree with any of this. Slow over rate is my pet hate whether it is England doing it or any other international side including India.

There is also a growing amount of players just taking a break. Only if one is rushed to hospital should fielding sides be allowed use a substitute fielder.

 

[HaylingBee74]

Can’t disagree with any of this. Slow over rate is my pet hate whether it is England doing it or any other international side including India.

There is also a growing amount of players just taking a break. Only if one is rushed to hospital should fielding sides be allowed use a substitute fielder.

When the umpires need a break then the players can

 

[Inappropriate Smilies Bee]

2330 or midnight start tonight?

 

[Untouchable]

2330 or midnight start tonight?

BBC saying 2330.

 

[Indian Bee]

This Aussie commentary is excruciating ! Time for TMS

 

[Les Beeavinu]

Do these commentators not realise that they don't have to fill every second with banal chat.

 

[Scratchy]

Do these commentators not realise that they don't have to fill every second with banal chat.

Banality is the watchword of Australian television

 

[Isleworth_Bee]

Our turn to bat.

 

[Isleworth_Bee]

Burns got lucky there. His technique is al over the shop IMO.

 

[Inappropriate Smilies Bee]

Burns got lucky there. His technique is all over the shop IMO.

See post #153

 

[B2B]

Banality is the watchword of Australian television

100% spot on.

 

[SydneySwansBee]

For anyone interested it was Steve Smith's turn for a pay day today with the interview during the drinks break. I have the sound turned down so don't know if they asked him who's got the sand paper in their pocket today?

 

[Untouchable]

Can I just say that this commentary is so bad that I’d actually prefer to listen to a days worth of Robbie Savage in conversation with Garth Crooks with added expert opinion from Glenn Hoddle.

 

[SydneySwansBee]

Just been confirmed 5th test will be played at Hobart.

Hopefully Root and Malan can stay at the crease after doing a great job today and I will have an exciting day of test cricket to watch here in NZ after the Watford game.

 

[HaylingBee74]

Just been confirmed 5th test will be played at Hobart.

Hopefully Root and Malan can stay at the crease after doing a great job today and I will have an exciting day of test cricket to watch here in NZ after the Watford game.

TMS has just said it wont be confirmed today, but it will probably be at Hobart as they are the early rumours

 

[SydneySwansBee]

TMS has just said it wont be confirmed today, but it will probably be at Hobart as they are the early rumours

Australian Broadcasting Corporation says it's been confirmed -

Hobart to host fifth Ashes Test — making cricket history for Tasmania

 

[LostBee]

Pleasantly surprised to wake up this morning and see us still in the game, half expected us to be 8 down by now!

If these two can get to lunch tomorrow the Aussies will start getting worried with Stokes, Buttler etc to come.

 

[Holysmit]

Roooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooootttttttttttt

And Malan

 

[CTBee]

Well done Root and Malan. Think Warne on commentary was right when he said that we need to score close to 500 to make a game of it.

 

[Untouchable]

If Root and Malan can bat us into a lead, the Aussies are going to get twitchy with Stokes, Buttler, Pope and Woakes all capable of a score.

 

[Indian Bee]

Excellent fight back by England. If England can get through the new ball tomorrow morning and bat throughout the day then I have them favourites and I can see Leach getting a 5-for on the last day. You heard it first here

 

[BEEcool]

It’s the hope that kills you.

 

[Gazza Bee]

Excellent day and even if we lose eventually we have shown some fight at last. Got to bat all day tomorrow though and get a lead of 250ish which could make day 5 very exciting.

Root is passing people on the most runs scored in a calendar year pretty quickly now although he will have to go some to make no 1.

 

[JCMcBee]

Excellent fight back by England. If England can get through the new ball tomorrow morning and bat throughout the day then I have them favourites and I can see Leach getting a 5-for on the last day. You heard it first here

.... there's nothing like getting a bit ahead of yourself

 

[SH]

Root is passing people on the most runs scored in a calendar year pretty quickly now although he will have to go some to make no 1.

I hadn’t realised he was so close: 248 needed, with this innings and two more tests to go.

 

[Cham]

Fantastic work by Root and Malan.

 

[Gazza Bee]

I hadn’t realised he was so close: 248 needed, with this innings and two more tests to go.

View attachment 28772

Yep number 2 is definitely on - really depends if he goes big tomorrow I think

 

[Bristolian Bee]

A marvellous effort that. Really super stuff.

Just a shame they didn't park overnight on Richie's favourite score. Though possibly also a good thing with it being a monstrous Nelson.

 

[Indian Bee]

.... there's nothing like getting a bit ahead of yourself

It’s in the stars.

It more of a comment I have genuinely felt for Leach in the first innings so hope he can pick up a wicket or two in the Aussies second innings.

 

[Untouchable]

@Inappropriate Smilies Bee Play starts at 2330 again today

 

[NorthamptonBee]

Game on, just done the highlights, less about my hair.
250 more and you never know.

 

[Inappropriate Smilies Bee]

@Inappropriate Smilies Bee Play starts at 2330 again today

Cheers might not be sober though for tonight’s first session though.

Just been watching sessions 2 & 3 intently “as live” Likely Lads style - muting phone, not looking at gpg, not changing nappies etc. Although BT Sport don’t help much with all these W & 6 symbols (to denote wickets etc) whenever you pause the replay of the whole day. Can’t switch that off?

Root & Malan going great guns and still ten overs of this old ball left. Hazelwoods assumed injured as didn’t bowl for 2 hours or so, Starc getting whacked all round the ground since his first over & Lyon’s never getting his 400th test wicket.

There was a pitch invader which they showed and laughed at contrary to our a backwards coverage. Apart from that the Aussie commentators and pretty dry & dim. Ok but hardly Richie Benaud. Whose that “Kerry” one? Him & AB & Mark Waugh the worst. Luckily there’s the one English girl.

WE CAN WIN THIS

 

[IslandBee]

It’s the hope that kills you.

True, but I am glad there is some rather than waking up to depressing news that we were 130-7 or something!

 

[IslandBee]

I hadn’t realised he was so close: 248 needed, with this innings and two more tests to go.

View attachment 28772

Well, he should at least pass Ponting and Clarke, which would be great!

 

[Gazza Bee]

Malan gone early - not a good start with the new ball due soon. Need these 2 to bat until lunch now.

 

[WarrenBee]

JR gone!

 

[Gazza Bee]

OK well think we can well and truly put any hopes of winning this test to bed now and I'd be surprised if it lasted the day

 

[JCMcBee]

It’s in the stars.

It more of a comment I have genuinely felt for Leach in the first innings so hope he can pick up a wicket or two in the Aussies second innings.

 

[WarrenBee]

Pope gone!

 

[Untouchable]

Could lose by an innings at this rate.

 

[Gazza Bee]

OK well think we can well and truly put any hopes of winning this test to bed now and I'd be surprised if it lasted the day

Can I change to last the session - all yesterday's hard work destroyed in 30 mins

 

[bees1984]

It's the hope that kills you. Tragic BT Sport coverage to match as well

 

[WarrenBee]

The main TV generator has gone down, they're now showing it from a single low camera without any commentary.

 

[Inappropriate Smilies Bee]

This could be very very controversial if no DRS available temporarily. Can see an international incident incoming.