The 3rd Ashes Test

[TipperaryBaggie]

I would think there is a systemic problem in English cricket that really cant be papered over by one good days batting in one test.
It was exciting to watch....no question about that....but I would not think too many involved in the game think it is in a good place...I am talking test now...not the other versions of the game.
But just my view of it...

The point that I was trying to make Dub is that people are very quick to criticise if things go wrong. Yes, we have a lot to improve upon in all areas but we are still better than most test teams and, of course, World Champions at one day cricket.

[Dubbag]

The point that I was trying to make Dub is that people are very quick to criticise if things go wrong. Yes, we have a lot to improve upon in all areas but we are still better than most test teams and, of course, World Champions at one day cricket.

I do see the point you are making and you can only beat the team you are playing against. I agree with that. I guess my point is or could be the same with a lot of modern sports....Is it better? The W. Indies are quite abysmal as a test nation today compared to 20 years a go. India is most likely the same...Pakistan is definitely gone backwards as I would suggest is N Zealand.Sri Lanka are ok. Australia are not as powerful as they once were...South Africa are decent but cant really be compared as they were out of international cricket for so long.
That leaves the likes of Bangladesh,Zimbabwe, and if you want Ireland. Test cricket has gone backwards in its development...no question. There are too many versions of the game, which is where the money is. (Here we go again)
G Gooch could carry as could Tendulkar and many more because they had a temperament that suited a game that went on for 5 days. Not so today, as the modern player has not got the skill set. See how many games finished well within the allotted time...The one day hitter saves the day....and I am fine with that....but cricket isn't a better game for that....

[Yarmbaggie]

I do see the point you are making and you can only beat the team you are playing against. I agree with that. I guess my point is or could be the same with a lot of modern sports....Is it better? The W. Indies are quite abysmal as a test nation today compared to 20 years a go. India is most likely the same...Pakistan is definitely gone backwards as I would suggest is N Zealand.Sri Lanka are ok. Australia are not as powerful as they once were...South Africa are decent but cant really be compared as they were out of international cricket for so long.
That leaves the likes of Bangladesh,Zimbabwe, and if you want Ireland. Test cricket has gone backwards in its development...no question. There are too many versions of the game, which is where the money is. (Here we go again)
G Gooch could carry as could Tendulkar and many more because they had a temperament that suited a game that went on for 5 days. Not so today, as the modern player has not got the skill set. See how many games finished well within the allotted time...The one day hitter saves the day....and I am fine with that....but cricket isn't a better game for that....

Dubs as with any sport surely you can not compare the old days to now, be it football, cricket, cycling or whatever.

The old game was slow, based on technique, not giving your wicket away, of not losing. I loved it. Watching it was like fishing, slow, relaxing and if the weather was great you could even go to sleep for a bit! Crowds were respectful, the game was beautiful in a sedate and very English way! Oh the sound of leather on ball (not balls that’s just the public school boys)!

Kids nowadays would have hated it.

Yes technique has gone but in its place has come entertainment, noisy crowds, increases in runs per over, less drawn games, fitter athletic fielders, great catches, different formats so you can catch a game after work if you want, even their equivalent of VAR is great.

Yes it is different, better for some but give me Wisden and a deckchair in the sun and no one within 30 yards of me so that I can watch the technique any day.

[Leicesterbaggie]

It was an extraordinary victory but why did the umpire turn down that last lbw appeal, it was as 'nailed on' as you can get. If the Aussies hadn't wasted a review when it obviously wasn't out they would have been able to review that one and won the Ashes. That's what happens when panic sets in.

[The Minn Junta]

It was an extraordinary victory but why did the umpire turn down that last lbw appeal, it was as 'nailed on' as you can get. If the Aussies hadn't wasted a review when it obviously wasn't out they would have been able to review that one and won the Ashes. That's what happens when panic sets in.

Fortune did favour us in the Aussies using up that last review, but isn’t that sport all over LB? On another day Lowe wouldn’t have fumbled the ball and run Leach out, as you say panic set in, then Stokes was dropped, albeit one hell of a stretch but still catchable.

[mickd1961]

Reading all the posts on this subject, I think that there is a lot of egg on face tonight!

It’s so easy to be smug after the event so well done for that.....a first class effort.

Listen to what Bob Willis had to say......he was absolutely scathing about our batting as were our written press and rightly so.

Listen to Stuart Broad today.....he said he apologised to the rest of the team after the Aussies first innings because of the bowling effort,he said 120 or less was what we should’ve got them out for rather than nearly 60 more!

He was also forthright about the pitiful batting.

Today was a once in 38 years miracle,it’s only happened twice in my lifetime and I’ll be knocking 100 before I’ll witness it again.

There were still awful shots today by Bairstow,Root,Archer.......all of which were completely uncalled for in the circumstances.

If we don’t improve and get first innings runs in the next two matches we will not win The Ashes........end of!

Great stuff today though.

[goodlordmurphy]

At 136-2 I was seriously p e e d off,it should never have got to that........if we’d been more disciplined they’d have struggled to get 120.

These Ashes depend on Friday’s first innings for us I believe.

I don’t expect we’ll get more than 230-250 but if we could get 300-350 I think we’d not only win this match but also win the series.

Just as well for them that Anderson has been missing because with him and Archer and Broad we would’ve destroyed them.

Doubt if Jimmy will play Test Cricket this year Mick, my grandson played against him in a second eleven 3 day match he bowled eleven overs but didn't finish the match,grandson put him away for a four through extra cover, but have to say Jimmy looked gentle.

[Johnny on the spot 1]

And crumbs from loads of humble pie, it's funny how most posters change midstream isn't it.

Murph what price could you have got on England to win ?

[goodlordmurphy]

Murph what price could you have got on England to win ?

I think a lot more than the 500/1 that Lillee and Thompson got in Bob Willis's match. Also at Headingly.

[mickd1961]

Doubt if Jimmy will play Test Cricket this year Mick, my grandson played against him in a second eleven 3 day match he bowled eleven overs but didn't finish the match,grandson put him away for a four through extra cover, but have to say Jimmy looked gentle.

Yeah......I’m sure our greatest ever bowler was cranking it up to 85mph against an age group team of teenagers!

I’d suggest it shows a level of respect from the great man in not making kids look like a bunch of t w a t s and ruining their confidence and that’s the class sort of guy Jimmy is!

Would you rather he run in at full tilt?

We all know he doesn’t need to bowl fast GLM.......at 78-82mph he’s still pretty much unplayable so describing him as “gentle” is a strange choice of words as he hasn’t been “fast” for more than five years now.