Cricket

[zeb]

Me too, both for him and so that Watson doesn't worm his way back into the Test setup.

[LetMeSleep]

Me too, both for him and so that Watson doesn't worm his way back into the Test setup.

Yeah I had that fear but Shaun Marsh has opened before. Surely they'd go with him before Watto.

[Evvo]

Ballance gone and Bairstow in. 3, 4 and 5 will now be Bell, Root and Bairstow. Probably the right call, though Bell and Lyth are in the last chance saloon. Bairstow averaging over 100 in county cricket this summer with 4 centuries and a double. He had a cracking knock against NZ to win the series earlier in the summer. Fingers crossed!

[LetMeSleep]

That's a good move by the ECB I think. Ballance looked out of form and Bairstow has been piling on the runs. It's still a fragile top 3 though. It's rather unfortunate that options are few and far between. What England would give for a commanding figure to stride in at 3.

Butler has to shape up too as he looks spooked on the crease.

[zeb]

Bairstow averaging over 100 in county cricket this summer with 4 centuries and a double. He had a cracking knock against NZ to win the series earlier in the summer. Fingers crossed!

Averaging around 22 against Australia.

[Evvo]

Bairstow averaging over 100 in county cricket this summer with 4 centuries and a double. He had a cracking knock against NZ to win the series earlier in the summer. Fingers crossed!

Averaging around 22 against Australia.

To be fair, I'm averaging 22 against Australia this summer. May as well go in at number 3 myself.

[zeb]

[zeb]

In all seriousness, though, I do hope that some English batsmen put their hand up and make some significant contributions in the next few Tests. While I want Australia to dominate I don't want it to be a complete cakewalk.

I wonder how desperate things would need to get for KP to get a call...

[LetMeSleep]

I feel Andrew Strauss is too insecure regarding his job to even discuss KP again. But it'll be interesting if another trouncing occurs in Edgbaston with the top order failing again (1st test 3/43 + 3/73, 2nd test 4/40 + 4/48).

If it was any other series then I believe that the ECB would push the building for the future but if they are 2-1 down with 2 tests to play and a series win needed, the press will be rather vocal. Even so Strauss will hold firm.

[zeb]

Thanks for the memories, Hadds.

[Evvo]

Incredible session from England - Anderson on fire! Set up very nicely now, provided the usual collapse has been taken by the Aussies.

[Evvo]

Do that again Adam Voges...

[zeb]

Voges can't have too many Tests left in him. Congratulations to the Poms for skittling us so effortlessly.

[LetMeSleep]

Great day for England. But they must survive and build during session 1 tomorrow. If they don't get a 100+ innings lead then this could get very interesting.

Marsh in for Voges next test unless he scores big, regardless of result.

[LetMeSleep]

What a fucking over from Johnson. Bairstow looked absolutely shocked like he'd been sniffing wasabi.

Um this could be a game and a half.

[Evvo]

What a fucking over from Johnson. Bairstow looked absolutely shocked like he'd been sniffing wasabi.

Um this could be a game and a half.

Then Steven Finn happened. Could be all over tonight

[NancyBabich]

If both teams played well at the same time it would be quite a game.

[LetMeSleep]

Some dismal batting from both teams. Can anyone hold their wicket and give in to temptation anymore?

If Australia can get to triple figures this could be interesting but they don't deserve it. Hope this gets past lunch but I'm too confident.

[Evvo]

Very odd series so far, on course for three heavy wins in completely different ways.

There seems to be less value placed by batsman on their wickets. See Bell and Smith hitting out needlessly in this match.

[LetMeSleep]

If both teams played well at the same time it would be quite a game.

This is what is needed. I hope Anderson isn't out for 6 weeks as has been mentioned.