My dear old things, it's STW TMS!

Do the bowlers believe he will snag the next one, and does that influence their confidence or even their tactics (bowl for more lbws and bowled rather than attacking the outside edge because consciously or subconsciously you don’t have absolute faith that wk and slips will take the chance if it comes)

Speaking as a former bowler – no.

As a bowler you are more preoccupied with the batter – where to take their wicket or how to restrict their scoring depending on the situation. Introducing the relative likelihood of a catch being shelled is too much. You wouldn’t target Smith’s stumps more just because you’ve got Stevie Wonder keeping wicket – if you did, you’ll be going at ten an over and still have no chance of taking a wicket. 🤷‍♂️

Something tells me anyone with tickets for Sunday are going to be disappointed.

All out, 26 behind.

This is literally it.

Last orders in the last chance saloon of Ashes 23.

Has Bairstow dropped one yet?

Stevie Wonder keeping wicket

with two frying pans instead of gloves…..

Something tells me anyone with tickets for Sunday are going to be disappointed.

Less of that please! 🙃
RM.

Less of that please! 🙃

+1

As a ticket holder (and attendee) of the last day in 2019, I hope you are fortunate.

🤞

Mrsmidlife is there today. I think I’ll make sure I’m out when she gets home.

And Bairstow drops another one…

Another crazy purple patch and the Aussies are effectively 116-4. Game on.

Have to get rid of Marsh and Head for <50 in the morning. It is an imperative.

Get ten raw steaks sent up to Mark Wood’s room now.

Weather looks a bit iffy tomorrow. If any play does happen it should be good for bowling. Sunday doesn’t look great either. Could be a crazy Monday. 😳

2 quick wickets

England should slow down a bit here or they may have to bat in these conditions 🙂

8 down! lead of 200

FFS openers just stay in. Leave the run scoring til tomorrow.

It’s on!!

0-0 at stumps, I’ll be well happy.

Think the spectators who sacked it off and went home will be pissed off now.

Wonder who won the fancy dress?

A couple of England fans have just asked Todd Murphy if he will sign a piece of sandpaper.

😀

Job done. There may be life in this series yet. 🙂

Tonight’s result will show if there’s still life in the women’s Ashes.

Job done? This is test cricket 🤪

Me – I’ll be there tomorrow. Gonna be mint 👌

Interesting stat on twitter as Moeen reaches the 200 wickets 2000 runs club (table is the point at which they did it) below is a full career comparison with Freddie Flintoff.

Moeen has the same number of 100s as Flintoff (5), more five wicket hauls (5, FF had 2), will most probably complete every double quicker than Flintoff, has been used in every possible spot in the order (from 1-9), has taken his wickets more frequently than Flintoff. pic.twitter.com/Y6QmCrRGJr

— cricketingview (@cricketingview) July 8, 2023

He also has the same number of 100’s (5), more 5-fers (5 vs 3), similar batting ave (28 vs 31), inferior bowling average (33 vs 37) but at a better strike rate (wkt every 61 vs 66 for Flintoff)

Mo deserves to be mentioned as an all rounder in the same league as Freddie? Or has he (generally) played in better teams?

Thanks for sharing – interesting. England were really good 2003-2005 before falling away. Flintoff was pretty economical as well I think during this period – could tie an end up for long periods. Mo doesn’t have the same control.

Mo deserves to be mentioned as an all rounder in the same league as Freddie?

Not for me. At his best, Freddie was a match winner.

Nervy! Surely they can’t f*** this up now?

Surely they can’t f*** this up now?

You’ve seen England play before, yes?? 😉

Nervy! Surely they can’t f*** this up now?

Time for Bairstow to repay those debts.

And gone

That should be the end of his participation in the series, hopefully.

pk13
Full Member
And gone

Hopefully for good. Cheerio!

Regardless of todays outcome, do Eng a favour and drop JB.

for **** sake! they are like the tory party….. just a shrug and waltz off with the cash.

do Eng a favour and drop JB.

Root hold my beer….

I still don’t see what wrong with just nurdeling about in the crease for 1 over when you first come out it’s 6 balls ffs!!!

78 to win no rain forecast just bat at 3 an over with the odd 4 and your home

come on Brooks bring it home

I can barely watch this. 😀