England v Australia, 3rd Test, Headingley, 6-10 July, 2023

PeterCS wrote:I sense your respect for Stokes has grown a bit, H.

Mind you, it was down in the basement, so perhaps not saying a lot ....

Terrific cricketer but dubious person.

Jesus, what were Marnus and Smudge thinking?

Terrible cricket when we needed to build a substantial target.

Stokes is a force of nature.

not sure who is in charge of tactics when bowling to the tailenders, but ****** we're dumb!

Yup Nath. Brainless rubbish after 7th wicket fell.

More brainless stuff from Marnus & Smudge with the bat.

Aus need a minimum 150 more, preferably 200+

I wouldn't even feel safe if we were defending 350 (not taking weather into account)

Of course, Nath.

Just aiming for something a little more achievable, given our fragile tail

beamer wrote:

lardbucket wrote:Barring injury, I can’t see Woakes or Wood missing the next game, ie no return for Anderson

Surely Robinson misses out, given his fitness issues here?

You'd assume so. Still, Anderson back in over Tongue?

horace wrote:

PeterCS wrote:I sense your respect for Stokes has grown a bit, H.

Mind you, it was down in the basement, so perhaps not saying a lot ....

Terrific cricketer but dubious person.

I've no doubt that the Bristol Beaver Boy remains a total flog. Talented cricketer, but still a flog. There are worse on show, though - Broad, Bairstow, and Warner (the worst of the lot) for starters.

lardbucket wrote:

beamer wrote:

lardbucket wrote:Barring injury, I can’t see Woakes or Wood missing the next game, ie no return for Anderson

Surely Robinson misses out, given his fitness issues here?

You'd assume so. Still, Anderson back in over Tongue?

Well yeah, would be harsh on Tongue not to bring him back. Do they see him as an either/or with Wood at the moment, though? And leaving out Jimmy at his home ground…

If it’s a dead rubber then it might be different considerations, i.e. scheduling farewell appearances and/or mothballing those with fitness issues ready for the winter.

skully wrote:Jesus, what were Marnus and Smudge thinking?

Terrible cricket when we needed to build a substantial target.

Stokes is a force of nature.

Whatever one thinks of Stokes, I have found him the most engaging batsman to watch during this Ashes series. One has to respect his combative nature, skill, pugnacity and brutish strength.

The other fun thing about watching the Ashes in England, is that while the venues are smaller, by dint of being more intimate, such incredible crowd noise is generated.

Soggy. Looks to be frustrating day ahead.

Wet in London too, centre courts only at Wimbledo.. At this rate Wimbers will need to cover a wider time span that the whole Ashes tour

Apparently* a dry Headingley drains poorly. I guess the water soaks in and doesn't get away.

With more rain coming from the South, maybe Day 3 is a washout.

Still, plenty of time for a result. What result that is depends largely on what Head, Marsh and Carey can do for Australia.

I'm still shaking my head at the brain-fades of Marnus and Smudge.

Thundery showers forecast for both Sunday and Monday (Days 4 and 5).

England might be a little nervous about that forecast.

Early Tea to be taken - 3.10-3.30pm UK time (12.10 - 12.30am Aus Eastern time).

I guess the midnight sun gives a chance of some play but still more rain looming from t'doon Sooth.

Dickinfo says no chance of play before 5pm but looking a bit futile.

Unfortunately not - Australia out to bat in absolutely perfect seam bowling conditions (again) and they've lost Marsh and Carey almost immediately, to good balls. Head looks uncomfortable and Starc looks transient.

The forecast for tomorrow is 'sunny, good batting conditions'.

It's 2-1, rusted on.

Horace: "Poms have been doctoring the weather again".

Aussie struggling, despite some boundaries. But if the home team have to bat tonight, it could be carnage (again).

Head swats a six, and the match enters a very interesting phase. Aus lead heading towards 250 ...

England might let the game escape them here if they are not very careful. Murphy may strike for early glory. Or simply stick there and support Head pushing on.

Lots of movement still.

I’d like to see Broad appeal occasionally, rather than just celebrate. That could easily have been going over, but it’s umpires call. Well batted Todd Murphy.

Head has done his best. That’s a 250 lead now as Head declines a single on the 5th ball of Wood’s over, and scrambles one on the last.

Well, 251 to win.

Poms test to lose

hopefully our bowlers are up to the job