The Ashes.

[Pies4shaw]

Stumps. 8/299. Strange decision to send Australia in - the last time Australia lost here batting first was 1977. Australia also lost another game here batting first - in 1886.

[lazzadesilva]

Isn’t “Bazball” cricket meant to be always positive and not be restrained by such historical things? It’s an approach that dispenses with older way of doing things and forging a new path for success. So good on them for doing that but it doesn’t mean that it will always be the best method going forward devoid of any risk.

[Donny]

8/299. Marsh 51, Starc 23*, Woakes 4/62.

[Donny]

It's more about chasing, re. being sent in.

They reckon they can run down any total.

[Donny]

"Australia believe the logic of their unusual selection approach is already proving sound, but Stuart Broad questioned whether early signs of turn may leave the visitors "worried" about their decision to omit Todd Murphy.

In the absence of an injured Nathan Lyon, the Aussies went into a Test for the first time in 11 years without a specialist spinner, shoring up their batting instead by recalling the fit-again Cameron Green to play alongside Mitch Marsh in an all-pace attack.

The forecast of bad weather for the back-end of the Test, England's admission their aggressive batting style could go up yet another notch, and the fact Australia need only a draw in Manchester to ensure the Ashes are retained were all factors in leaving out Murphy."

CA.

[Haff]

Another mark in the shocking captain box. Weak.
Don’t need no coach though!
Match and ashes are swinging towards England.

[stui magpie]

Unlucky by Cummins, good shot first up, just hit it straight to Stokes.

Then Woke gets Hazelwood caught in slips off a no ball.

Commentators had to get out the wet wipes and change their pants.

[Haff]

Unlucky by Cummins, good shot first up, just hit it straight to Stokes.

Can’t tell if sarcasm…
Horrid effort. Bring back Smudge!

[Haff]

I can’t help myself with my distain for Cummins. Why the **** would you pick 5 seamers then bowl a part time spinner to a bloke who is struggling against the seamers.
Just can’t fathom it. Ashes are slipping away. Rain dance, rain dance, rain dance!

[Haff]

Worst shot of the series to get out first ball.
Horrible bowling tactics.
Went the wrong way to a sitter.
Dropped a sitter.

Mentally weak.

Going to bed. **** watching this crap. One team trying to win it, one team trying to draw it.

As I type this great catch from Uzzi!!

[Donny]

2/157. Moeen 54, Crawley 88*, Starc 2/35.

[K]

Flat-track bully Crawley rode his luck and has reached his century.

Oz in trouble. England scoring at 7+ an over this session. They've scored 130 this session with 30 minutes still left before tea.

[K]

Worst shot of the series to get out first ball.
Horrible bowling tactics.
Went the wrong way to a sitter.
Dropped a sitter.
...

Many bad shots this series. From specialist batters. So that can't be the worst.

Yeah, bowling atrocious. Why feed Crawley's pads when he's an onside-only batter?

Yeah, lost ball at mid on and went left instead of right. Dunno if it woulda been a sitter... But poor body language from FTB Smith, throwing his hands up. FTB Smith is in no position to criticise. FTB dropped a real sitter off Stokes on the last day of the 2nd Test. Almost cost the match, which coulda cost the Ashes. (At the time I feared it would.) FTB just sh** himself. Couldn't hack the pressure of it being Stokes. (Later took a much more difficult catch off the tailender.)

[K]

England 2/239.
Tea.

Over 100 runs in the session for FTB Crawley. 2nd-fastest Test century at Old Trafford, behind Beefy.
178 runs in the session for England.
Very poor from Oz.

And Athers reckons Starc injured his leg.


Head: 0/48 from 6 overs. This is what happens when the selectors are trapped in the Cult of Warner. They sacrifice a spinner. And still Oz make only 317. 370+ is par on this ground. Sheesh...

[Donny]

2/297. Crawley 172*, Root 59*.