Ashes are done, now for the ODIs

[Nails]

FFS

FFS

FFS

FFS

for like first time ever I went Lyon > Watson and now this.

[PowerBug]

Did he have control of that? I think he did tbh. He took 3 steps before he threw that up in the air.

[elephants]

My boy! :'(

[me]

The fact we probably won't be batting first every time against South Africa next year, it makes perfect sense to get some practice in early.

don't agree at all... what about 5-0? what about keeping the foot on the throat and getting the english bowlers straight back out into the field to start another test? how is bowling first really going to change anything about the way we play in south africa?

this isn't practice, this is test cricket!

[JBs-Hawks]

The longer Root survives the more I want to marry him. :P Developing a mancrush on him the way he is batting at the moment, really want him to get to 50. :D

It's not really good though

You need to score runs and take the initiative otherwise your team gets bogged down and when you do get out your team hasn't really got anywhere.

Exactly!

[PowerBug]

The longer Root survives the more I want to marry him. :P Developing a mancrush on him the way he is batting at the moment, really want him to get to 50. :D

It's not really good though

You need to score runs and take the initiative otherwise your team gets bogged down and when you do get out your team hasn't really got anywhere.

Exactly!

I would rather 3/120 than 7/160 at the same time. No way they'd have been 3/160 if they batted quicker. Root was hanging on and hanging on, as eventually the bowlers would get tired and he'd be able to make up for the lost time. Yes he could've done a little more with turning over the strike, but the blunt defensive game isn't bad. If England get to stumps 3 down (4 MAX) and are on 200, then they've won the day I think. Remember in 2010 Australia got rolled for 98, and then England made 513. And in 2006 England made 159 then the Aussies made 419. Proof that the batting gets better, and that it's important to get through Day with as little damage done as possible. I applaud England so far, been very very composed to what has been excellent bowling by Australia. Tempting them to play their shots, but they are not giving in just yet. KP playing as if it's his last test too, bar that one shot which got caught on the boundary.

[Jukes]

Australia win the ashes back convincingly AND they get the world record attendance

C-c-coincidences work in mysterious ways, h-h-huh?

[elephants]

Australia win the ashes back convincingly AND they get the world record attendance

C-c-coincidences work in mysterious ways, h-h-huh?

So instead of watching on TV people get down to be a part of history.

No real coincidence ::)

[Nails]

The longer Root survives the more I want to marry him. :P Developing a mancrush on him the way he is batting at the moment, really want him to get to 50. :D

It's not really good though

You need to score runs and take the initiative otherwise your team gets bogged down and when you do get out your team hasn't really got anywhere.

Exactly!

I would rather 3/120 than 7/160 at the same time. No way they'd have been 3/160 if they batted quicker. Root was hanging on and hanging on, as eventually the bowlers would get tired and he'd be able to make up for the lost time. Yes he could've done a little more with turning over the strike, but the blunt defensive game isn't bad. If England get to stumps 3 down (4 MAX) and are on 200, then they've won the day I think. Remember in 2010 Australia got rolled for 98, and then England made 513. And in 2006 England made 159 then the Aussies made 419. Proof that the batting gets better, and that it's important to get through Day with as little damage done as possible. I applaud England so far, been very very composed to what has been excellent bowling by Australia. Tempting them to play their shots, but they are not giving in just yet. KP playing as if it's his last test too, bar that one shot which got caught on the boundary.

They could have easily been 3/160

Have you not been listening to the commentators? They were passing up run scoring opportunities before.

Things that were an easy flick of the wrists they were just playing it down to their feet. They could've scored faster without risk.

The thing is 7/160 looks a lot worse, but lose another wicket then it's 4/130 then it's 5/130

Poms are flowering useless.

You can't say once in one test one team got out for 98 then another team made 500+ and that makes the batting get better later.

Australia was just flowering retarded for their 98 all out. Playing defensive cricket like this doesn't win you matches, it gets you draws. It's terrible cricket.

[GoLions]

RHYYYYYYYNOOOOOOOOO

[Nails]

Was tempted to try and bring KP back into the team but couldn't justify dropping 1 of Warner/Clarke/Bell/Carberry (trade in Carberry this test)

damn it.

[Master Q]

91k at the G today

Happy to be a part of that

[BratPack]

91k at the G

I feel sorry for them, having to watch Nathan Lyon all day. Nathan Lyon is so shower his bowling spells are sold as snuff movies

[JBs-Hawks]

The longer Root survives the more I want to marry him. :P Developing a mancrush on him the way he is batting at the moment, really want him to get to 50. :D

It's not really good though

You need to score runs and take the initiative otherwise your team gets bogged down and when you do get out your team hasn't really got anywhere.

Exactly!

I would rather 3/120 than 7/160 at the same time. No way they'd have been 3/160 if they batted quicker. Root was hanging on and hanging on, as eventually the bowlers would get tired and he'd be able to make up for the lost time. Yes he could've done a little more with turning over the strike, but the blunt defensive game isn't bad. If England get to stumps 3 down (4 MAX) and are on 200, then they've won the day I think. Remember in 2010 Australia got rolled for 98, and then England made 513. And in 2006 England made 159 then the Aussies made 419. Proof that the batting gets better, and that it's important to get through Day with as little damage done as possible. I applaud England so far, been very very composed to what has been excellent bowling by Australia. Tempting them to play their shots, but they are not giving in just yet. KP playing as if it's his last test too, bar that one shot which got caught on the boundary.

6/300 looks a lot better than 6/226

We arent saying he needs to take risks, just needs to up his scoring rate.

[Dudge]

Sorry guys, but saving a 5-0 whitewash is one thing, but a near record crowd watching a team that's not trying to win a test match, is a different ball game. Again sorry for my rant, but the alcohol never had a chance to leave my body from yesterday. Really 6-226, been in and out all day with visitors, have 90 overs been bowled today?. If they have, surely England would go out blazing to save some pride. As I said, I have'nt been totally sober for 2 days, so i'll take everything I've said back, but if the Aussies did bowl their full quota, then it's a sad day for the Poms