The Ashes 2015 - Spoilers

[Dayvo]

The first incarnation of Bairstow was on the basis of his perceived talent - his second is on the basis of his achievements - his first class runs this season 980@109 do not suggest a batsman that is "struggling"

Neither is the 50 - he has just completed

I'm NOT disputing his first class performances. But a Test average of 26 in 15 Tests as a specialist batsman, isn't good. Neither am I disputing Lyth's first class performances: I'm talking about TEST cricket, a big step up from County Cricket

And well done to Bairstow on his fifty, hope he converts it into a 100.

 

[psmiffy]

Root is just heaven, isn't he.

Root 100 - Heaven is not the adjective I would use - Brilliant Superb , Splendid , Excellent

 

[Dayvo]

Look at Hick and Rampakash. Monsters in County cricket, lambs at Test level.

 

[Dayvo]

Wonder if David Warner will say 'well batted, mate.'

 

[Ganymede]

Root 100 - Heaven is not the adjective I would use - Brilliant Superb , Splendid , Excellent

Heaven on a stick.

 

[psmiffy]

I'm NOT disputing his first class performances. But a Test average of 26 in 15 Tests as a specialist batsman, isn't good. Neither am I disputing Lyth's first class performances: I'm talking about TEST cricket, a big step up from County Cricket

yup - Both England and Bairstow recognised that - England dropped him - and Bairstow has gone away and worked on his game - to the point that he was really the only choice to replace Ballance

 

[Dayvo]

yup - Both England and Bairstow recognised that - England dropped him - and Bairstow has gone away and worked on his game - to the point that he was really the only choice to replace Ballance

But he hasn't replaced Ballance, otherwise he'd be batting at no. 3.

Nick Compton could have done the job, but the selectors (the previous lot) obviously didn't want him.

Same can be said of James Taylor.

 

[Dayvo]

200 run lead is imminent, now, with 10 overs tonight to go, and seven wickets in hand.

Don't think the Aussies are going to be sleeping very well tonight. Lose this and the Ashes go with it, and then home to a barrage of criticism, the like not seen for many a year.

 

[Dayvo]

Oh dear...

 

[Dayvo]

Yes, a fly in the ointment for England. Bairstow probably deserved his hundred (bit difficult to gauge the quality of batting on cricinfo). Not sure I'd have sent in a night watchman: Stokes is able enough and the wicket seems pretty benign.

But a lead of 200+ on the FIRST day of a Test match doesn't happen too often, let alone for England, especially in an Ashes Test, a significant one, as well.

 

[Berk on a Bike]

Hell of a day

 

[Dayvo]

From cricinfo: Michael Clarke: Certainly a tough day. Good toss to win. Stuart Broad's execution was top class. I thought Joe Root played really well. I am really disappointed with how the day turned out. We will have to find a way to front up tomorrow. We got out to good balls and poor shots. I don't want to take anything from Broad. I don't necessarily think it was out aggression that cost out wickets, we good some good balls. England left the ball well. We could have been better. We have to fight. But we need something special over the next four days.

Four days! Won't last much more than four sessions.

 

[rich p]

Phew! I'm exhausted.

 

[Beebo]

Cant hear much from the bring back KP crowd.

 

[Wafer]

Now I've watched the highlights and heard boycott repeat the same phrase about the moving ball over and over the main Aussie wickets I'm miffed at are Smith and Clarke's. The others could mostly have left the ball but were suckered in to playing and there wasn't so much swing/seam that they just missed it. Good bowling, not played terribly well but understandable if unlikely to get that many! But Smith's dismissal was weird, he came right across his stumps, as if he was trying to force it to the on side but just got himself completely squared up, an awful position, must have been pre-meditated.
Then Clarke, really chasing a wide one and having a proper swish, absolutely no need for that, pressure building perhaps but he's a better player than that showed.

Great stuff from England generally though, Broad is one of those guys that if he gets confident and picks up a couple, he can pick up several, bit like Caddick used to be. Pleased to see them then score runs as it shows it's not a bad pitch. Sounded like England had plenty of edges too but they played them softer or something and they weren't carrying and generally left the ball better.

Jimmy must be gutted, with his control of the ball on a pitch where it's doing just enough it could easily have been him getting 8fer!

Got to assume they will bat better 2nd time round, think it's probably too little too late already though.