O/T:- The Ashes 2023

[The_Don_ORiordan]

Come on England!!!

[Elite_Pie]

Fairytale ending for Broad. If only he had better taste in football teams!

One of the best ever Ashes series, two very closely matched teams.

[ncfcog]

Fairytale ending for Broad. If only he had better taste in football teams!

One of the best ever Ashes series, two very closely matched teams.

Shame about our bleddy weather! But yes, it’s been a while since a series caught the imagination of casual fans like this one.

[Magpies1959]

Well done Broady last ball batting in Test cricket hit for six, and last ball bowled in Test cricket took a wicket, with Broad you sort of knew it would happen. Well done to Moeen as well with a 3 for.

The best victories in sport, are the ones where you doubt the side you support, and I did that on a couple of occasions today, well played lads.

[PedroTheFisherman66]

what is this commotion now about the change of balls late in the day on the 4th day ?! seems this is why we won according to certain Aussie commentators!

[Notts78]

what is this commotion now about the change of balls late in the day on the 4th day ?! seems this is why we won according to certain Aussie commentators!

To be fair, the change of ball did help. However, every team tries to get the ball changed, especially when it’s doing naff all. The first ball took zero wickets and wasn’t doing anything. The changed ball did plenty and we bowled well with it.
This was an exceptional test series, played by 2 tough teams with contrasting styles. Personally, 2005 was a better series as we won that series with iconic moments.
It’s a pity that we now have 6 months until we play another test. Hopefully in that time Stokes can sort his knee. Leach can get fit. Rehan Ahmed and any other spinner can get some form going as in all likelihood we will take 2 spinners. Ollie Pope or another standout performer makes the number 3 spot their own.
Loads of cricket for England but not for the test players, which is a concern as we could rock up to India massively undercooked.

[Old_pie]

Well done Broady last ball batting in Test cricket hit for six, and last ball bowled in Test cricket took a wicket, with Broad you sort of knew it would happen. Well done to Moeen as well with a 3 for.

The best victories in sport, are the ones where you doubt the side you support, and I did that on a couple of occasions today, well played lads.

I'm not a cricket lover but I seem to recall wins against Australia when the result really didn't matter. And what's with the discipline? Moving out of the crease before the over is called, throwing the ball away before it is held. Yes well done Broad, he'll be missed.

Over and out.

[Magpies1959]

I think Stokes was a bit unfortunate, as he definitely had control of the ball after catching Smith, but knocked the ball against his thigh when attempting to throw it up in celebration. Some may say it was silly, but most cricketers do this when taking a catch, usually one of great significance. I have also done what Root did the other day after taking a catch, which was to throw the ball to the ground, this happens after a fielder has dropped a dolly that he or she thinks might have proved costly.
Regards leaving the crease, I think Bairstow made enough of a gesture to Carey that he was leaving his ground and not seeking an advantage.

[marky]

It was certainly a good ending for Stuart Broad. Shame he's such an horrible bloke though.

[Notts78]

I think Stokes was a bit unfortunate, as he definitely had control of the ball after catching Smith, but knocked the ball against his thigh when attempting to throw it up in celebration. Some may say it was silly, but most cricketers do this when taking a catch, usually one of great significance. I have also done what Root did the other day after taking a catch, which was to throw the ball to the ground, this happens after a fielder has dropped a dolly that he or she thinks might have proved costly.
Regards leaving the crease, I think Bairstow made enough of a gesture to Carey that he was leaving his ground and not seeking an advantage.

England have shown moments of naivety. The rules are clear about catches. At the end of the day, Stokes knew he had messed up. It was potentially a massive moment. We can’t have it both ways, Starc’s non catch, being the ultimate example of a catch being clean but apparently not being in control of his body. The same applies for Stokes.
The Bairstow stumping, I can’t accept your summary of giving enough of a gesture. Bairstow scratched his mark then walked out of his ground. He didnt look around to see where the ball was. It wasn’t as though Carey waited an age. He caught the ball and threw down the stumps in one motion. It’s no different to a stumping when the keeper is up to the stumps.
At the end of the day England have lost the chance of winning this series through poor moments. Whether that’s a batting collapses. Dropping catches. Missed stumping. Wickets from no balls. We had moments in each test to win it.