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Bairstow isn't the only one out there thats dropped catches.
That one was a beauty though! Decent day for England so far.
Given the shit weather forecast it's going to be Bazball on steroids today. Probably futile I think, there's not a cat's chance in hell that this test is going to be completed. 😕
Bazball is on. 7ish an over since lunch 😀
aussies want to change the ball 🙂
We may not win this test but I have to say I'm enjoying this immensely. 😀
Well done Crawley - top job.
Crawley second quickest ton by an England opener!!! only beaten by himself 🙂
The next couple of hours are going to be bonkers. Wonder if Stokes has put up a bottle of whiskey for the batter with the highest run-rate? 😀
Starc 10.5 0 49 2 4.52
Hazlewood 7.0 1 41 0 5.86
Cummins 9.0 0 56 0 6.22
Green 5.0 0 22 0 4.40
Head 2.0 0 19 0 9.50
these would be grim figures in an ODI 😀
All we need now is for the jetstream to flip and give us a scorching Manc weekend.
BUT WHY AREN'T WE BATTING PROPERLY!!!!!
😉
England did really well to bowl out the Aussies for 317 on this track
This far better from England, aggressive but not reckless. So far.
Only the second maiden over of the innings 👍
290 off 50, run of the mill for an ODI but astonishing for a test match
This is going to be some 200 if Crawley can get there. Seems almost a shame if they stay in and deny Harry Brook his opportunity to go for broke. 😀
It's a crying shame this match is going to be decided by the bloody weather.
It’s a crying shame this match is going to be decided by the bloody weather.
Is it though? Showery tomorrow, but at least half a day's play. Saturday - write off, Sunday, showery again.
England could easily be 150 ahead at close tonight. Seems like long enough to get a substantial lead and potentially put Australia into difficulty in sub-optimal conditions.
From TMS text updates
Australians starting to look a bit like rabbits caught in the headlights. Usually it's England, so perversely I'm going to enjoy it while it lasts.
I (sort of) predicted this before the series started. For all their bluster, when under the pump AUS have a tendency to panic. They did it at Headingley when Stokes steamrollered them and I think part of the Bazball strategy is to seek to create that panic. Their decision making gets bad, their heads drop and they make mistakes in the field (Lyon run out being an obvious case but it's happening now).
It's easy to say that they just need to keep calm and England will throw their wickets away but keeping calm when you're going for 6 an over in a Test Match, and the crowd is baying for blood isn't easy.
I'm lovin' it, even just by text.
Jeez, we haven't even got to Brook, Bairstow and Stokes yet.......could have a 200 run lead by CoP.
They'll have a lead in another over or so, then I think we can expect some fireworks, at least from Root until Crawley secures his double ton.
Is it though? Showery tomorrow, but at least half a day’s play. Saturday – write off, Sunday, showery again.
The forecasts I've seen don't suggest any play on Sunday so reckon this needs to be wrapped up tomorrow.
Joe Root and Zak Crawley have just brought up their 200 partnership in 30.2 overs!
Errrmmmm - thats not right 🙂
Crawley misses out on a double hundred, but a fantastic innings.
Bugger.
Oh well, at least Harry Brook gets his chance to play T20 😀
Root bowled by a pea roller from back of a length. Totally unplayable, hopefully the pitch is starting to deteriorate.
looking to score 200 in the morning session ?
I’m at OT tomorrow looking forward to some T20
stand and deliver 🙂
the short ball cafeteria is well and truely open 😀
Jim Maxwell is not happy 🙂
Think Stokes could go for broke here and declare with a lead of 150 or something. They need to maximise time for the bowlers and if they can bowl them out for <200 they could come in and thrash their way to 50ish in a few overs.
nah. bat till the sun goes in.
Jim Maxwell is not happy
I turn TMS off when he's on, such a dismissive arsehole.
Stokes bowled. Would be nice to get over a 200 lead before they come back in. Still think this one will end up a draw though....
lead upto 150
Brook gone now as well. Reckon they need to ramp it up now. Bairstow, Woakes and Wood to just go for it. Get as many runs as they can and then get them back in before the rain starts tomorrow....
Now Woakes gone for a duck. Will we get a 200 lead....
Nearly lunch, 500-up in 95 overs, and 122 runs in the (short) session
As we talk about Bazball being necessary otherwise Test cricket is dying on its arse as entertainment, AUS have slowed the game to the extent that there'll be 24 overs in two hours.
That is a bigger disgrace than a disputed stumping in my book. Umpires need to stop it happening.
dragging out the declaration so Billy can get his 50 :/
seems not, maybe they think theres going to be play sunday
Beginning to wonder if someone's told Stokes that it's going to rain all weekend 🤔
can only assume it's to rub it in, dishearten them.
Declaring when we have a 250 lead do you think (unless the last wicket falls before obviously). Or waiting for Bairstow to get his ton?
EDIT: Well, we've passed 250...
the crack coming off billys bat is amazing
ton
4751 for the last wicket so far 🙂
this is embarrassing 😀
This is brilliant 🤣