O/T The Ashes

[Brin]

This is the final test and because the Aussies have retained the Ashes due to the weather, there doesn't seem to any interest.

After an average score for England having batted first, it's all to play for as the Aussies didn't fair much better. So after an innings each, it's looking like this:

DAY 2 OF 5 - 27th-31st July
England
283 all out
Australia
295 all out

Aussies lead by 12 runs.

Poor from Root bowled out for 5 runs, Stokes bowled out for 3 runs and Bairstow being bolwed out for 4 runs. These are the players we'd expect to give it a good go, just goes to show that sometimes it don't work that way.

[clarkey1974]

Not for the first time this series we have let the Aussies tail wag too long..!.

[philthefluter]

Not for the first time this series we have let the Aussies tail wag too long..!.

The Basball era will be the saving of Test cricket. It has been in decline for a long time, but this is the way forward.
England were unlucky not to level this series 2-2,with the weather intervening.
There is still something to play for though, as the Aussies have not won a series in England for a good while.

We need Archer to return asap, and time to say goodbye to Jimmy Anderson, our best paceman for many years is now a bit long in the tooth!

[jocksgloves]

Anyone else think that the Ashes actually spoil England-Assie serieses? It's been a terrific contest, but all that seems to matter is a 150 year old ritual. Even a 2-2 draw against the best team in the world will be seen as a disappointment.

[frogmiller]

It now seems to me as if the Aussies don't want the traditional Test Cricket changed.

England have breathed fresh air into the game with the way they've played (Bazball) and Australia are determined to prove that it won't work. From the negative fielding from the first test to the boring batting run rate their main batsmen played yesterday. It wasn't until Harry Potter started playing shots did the Aussie spectators smile yesterday!

However the cricket has been something special this series and has been more exciting thanks to the attitude of the England camp!

[Brin]

Really enjoyed this afternoon’s cricket.

I was just going to post Mo Ali was having fun with a swashbuckling slog but he’s just gone for 29 off 38 balls.

Two wickets in quick succession now sees England on 379-9 a lead so a good score that the Aussies have to chase.

[Brin]

Close of play, England on 389-9 a lead of 377 with 1 wicket remaining......will it be enough or do we need to be over 400 before the Aussies bat again?

[GlennMiller]

I'm hoping that the weather over the next couple of days is going to work in England's favour as opposed to the last test. If there's any cricketing justice, we will win this test convincingly and confirm to all reasonable cricket fans that we are the superior team and but for the Old Trafford deluge, we'd have won the Ashes decisively!

[fromafar]

I'm hoping that the weather over the next couple of days is going to work in England's favour as opposed to the last test. If there's any cricketing justice, we will win this test convincingly and confirm to all reasonable cricket fans that we are the superior team and but for the Old Trafford deluge, we'd have won the Ashes decisively!

Nice one Glen, but cricket is like the Weather, unpredictable, good luck tonight, and what would happen if Australia wins! there's a term in Australia, but I'm not going to say it,!

[LincsMiller]

If I heard correctly Brin no team has come near Englands total batting last at The Oval
Again it's in our hands and I think we deserve to win . This management and players have turned test cricket on its head, sure we will lose some but for sheer entertainment who is better to watch than England at this time ??