My dear old things, it's STW TMS!

If we’re talking about what to do better, it’s the execution of the final over.

It’s both.

It’s both.

Not for me. I didn’t think they got a huge amount wrong in the chase. In contrast, the final over was a whopper.

I didn’t think they got a huge amount wrong in the chase.

Well we’ve got a clear difference of opinion there then – at least 16 dot balls where we neither scored a run nor got the other batter back on strike is getting it wrong. Half of those would have been 8 more runs plus whatever NSB would have done by being on strike. An easy win. It sounds harsh but these details make the difference – I just looked, Glenn came in after 38.4 overs so was there for 11.2 overs, 68 balls. She faced just over half (35) and dot balled at least 16 of them. Well done for staying in so NSB could score at the other end, even better if……

There will come a time when they need to score 50 off 5 overs again without having gone for loads in the last over. And they need to get the main batter facing most of those balls. It’s run chase 1.01 – rotates the strike and get the batter facing as many balls as you can.

Well we’ve got a clear difference of opinion there then – at least 16 dot balls where we neither scored a run nor got the other batter back on strike is getting it wrong

Did you watch it? They bowled very well to Glenn, and got the field placement spot on. It’s asking an awful lot of a number 9 to try and manufacture something in those circumstances. She didn’t get it wrong, she was just outplayed. If I have one criticism, it’s that NSB could’ve sacrificied a few singles to retain the strike.

In contrast, the last over by Bell was rank awful, absolute buffet bowling.

Yes, I did watch it, albeit flicking over to the tennis as well. There was little effort from what I saw to try to just drop the ball down and run, she kept hitting where they bowled at her and failed to penetrate the off side umbrella time and again.

It is asking a lot but that is what you have to do to beat sides like Australia and become the best in the world. Get better at this sort of thing.

Yes, the last over was bad and meant they were chasing 15 too many, but that’s not the only reason they lost.

They also missed Perry three times in getting 91; another area to improve.

Yes, the last over was bad and meant they were chasing 15 too many, but that’s not the only reason they lost.

They lost by 3 runs! There are always areas for improvement but that’s the main one.

I don’t know why we’re disagreeing – there were several reasons they lost, several things if they’d done better they’d have won and should therefore look to improve on next time.

I don’t know why we’re disagreeing – there were several reasons they lost, several things if they’d done better they’d have won and should therefore look to improve on next time.

There’s one big reason why they lost, and some other areas for improvement.

Anderson back for Robinson, I guess that’s as close to like-for-like as we have. I think I’d have preferred Tongue though, despite Jimmy obviously being a legend. We’ll need a better return than I think 3 wickets in the two tests he played though.

Ali to bat at 3 confirmed. At least he can prep for it, and as we’re unlikely to be reverting to playing properly he can still be free-playing and going for his shots rather than ‘third opener’ style.

Hope JB has had time to clear his head after the Lords debacle and his poor performances and prove us wrong.

Looking like a washout at the weekend so England will possibly only have 3 days to keep their hopes alive which should provide for some entertaining batting 😀 What’s the betting on England winning the toss, batting first and declaring by teatime?

84 previous tests at Old Trafford where winning the toss and bowling first has never led to a win. I guess there is always a first time 🙂

At least we don’t have to suffer the teatime declaration. 🙂

Unless this first session goes SPECTACULARLY well.

65 all out

300-7 declared in 50 overs. Aus batting in the last session.

(and monkeys might fly out of my butt)

Can’t help but think Stokes has just handed them the ashes with that decision to bowl. 🙄

A draw’s no good, they retain anyway, and it’s easier to dictate in a fourth innings chase, where you can opt to go for it wherever the state of play is. Bowling a side out on a flat pitch in reduced hours where all they need to do is block is much harder, particularly with a makeshift spin attack.

It’s high risk, unless they have a very good day today I can’t see them bowling AUS out twice anyway, or at least not before being set 400+ in 50 overs or similar. But at the same time i think it’s the positive approach.

1. Good start..

Bairstow looking sharp as usual. 🙄

…old metal mitts…😕

Credit where it’s due, that was quite a catch by Bairstow.

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.