Proper Mannies Cricket

[StandfreeFM]

Morning Vintage, Morning Everyone.

First day of the Second test at Lords.

Predictions:-

[57vintage]

Morning, Standers.

Rain? Inspection at 1100?

Mitchell Johnson on TMS: "There will be a lot of excitement in the dressing room, especially among some of the young guys that haven't played here. I've never been at this side of the ground, looking at the dressing room. It's a special feeling, being here. The crowd always feels much more polite here. I've only just stopped hearing that Barmy Army song!"

[StandfreeFM]

I don't think it's raining just now and the covers are coming off but there is no inspection scheduled that I know of and the forecast is lousy

[57vintage]

TMS: "Inspection at 11:00 BST

Good (ish) news.

If there is no more rain then there'll be an inspection at 11:00 BST."

Although Aggers has just reported that the covers are going on again as light rain is falling. Ach.

[StandfreeFM]

I don't think there will be any play today tbh.

Morning off work tomorrow to take eldest to first day at school so will get to watch a couple of hours of live play rather than following score on tms/guardian/cricinfo. Looking forward to it (although 'er indoors probably has a job list as long as yer arm that she wants doing instead...)

[57vintage]

'er indoors

*and there's a huge appeal to the umpire*

[StandfreeFM]

*and there's a huge appeal to the umpire*

"...but she remains unmoved."

[StandfreeFM]

Aussies win toss and will field.

I am washing the car...

[StandfreeFM]

England 155-6. Pretty dreadful tbh apart from Burns

[Jupiter]

258 all out, not too bad after being 136-6

[StandfreeFM]

Lot of rain about so I expect they will go off soon, probably for most if not all of the day.

2 wickets in the first hour tho, not too shabby.

61-3, Smith 1*, Head 0*

[StandfreeFM]

Draaaaa

Rain ruined what seemed a decent test. Good for England to have a bit of pace in Jofra. If Smith is out Headingley, you would think England are favourites. But both teams batting lineups are pretty pish tbh

[57vintage]

I saw the final couple of overs and highlights (controversy about a catch at forward short leg?), and Archer looks like a demon. Over five days I’m not sure England could have won it though.

Root looks like Botham in 81, with the captaincy a weight on his shoulders, though, and he needs to find form.

[StandfreeFM]

Morning Vintage, Morning Everyone.

3rd Ashes Test starts today at Headingley. Despite leading 1-0 Australia have a much changed side, some if it forced on them due to injury (Labuschagne for Smith), some of it because of form (Harris (?) for Bancroft and Pattinson for Siddle). This looks very much like a results pitch and weather (after a short delay this morning) looks to be just fine so Australia will either retain the Ashes or the score will be level.

England win the toss and will field.

Prediction:- Archer will bowl too short but it will be Broad and Woakes who do the damage. Roooooot to get a 1st innings century. England to win by 6 wickets and level the series

[Devanha Red]

One of the very few sports in which I ever find myself backing those horrible Australian larrikins.

Come on the convicts.