The Ashes thread! (spoilers)

Apparently on Oz TV the news commentators were wearing black arm bands 🙂

What I don’t understand is have England vastly improved over the last year, or are the Aussies in decline? Can’t recall hearing anything about any great talents, and I’m seeing the same names in the headlines. What gives?

Also, say what you want about Murali, but when he’d bowl you always felt like something was going to happen. Only other bowler who had the same effect was Warne. I don’t think there’ll be someone to replace either of them anytime soon, and the game has been poorer since they left.

And as for the step from 80-90. On paper it looks like 10%. That’s bollocks.

Agreed. I tried it once, against a bowling machine. 80mph was just about possible (though quicker than anything I’d faced before), but 90mph? I couldn’t lay bat on ball.

Last year I went to a Baseball game in Denver, the difference between the relief pitcher and starting pitcher for speed was unbelievable.

I know its not the same game but seeing a pitch at 102mph was scary. I didn’t see the ball at all.

Another 150 runs today and that should be game over.

If anyone knows of a YouTube TMS link for today I’d be grateful.

This should be it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGr9Y8zBouM

Ooh good man, kudos to you Sir.

Root gone for 130.

This new middle order batsman chap Wood is rather handy, isn’t he?

Sorry, everyone. I’ll shut up now.

Can’t complain about a quick 28 from the night watchman. Lets have a couple of rapid 50s from stokes and Buttler now please…

unless he gets out next ball

Oh dear, it’s a shame Buttler can’t seem to get a good start. Great to hear that the ball’s still doing a bit.

mayhem runs and wickets ! 😯

Indeed Lemony, Starc is moving the ball really late, bodes very well for england later today.

making a dogs dinner of this

COLLAPSE!

It’s all getting a bit careless on the batting front. Still plenty of hope for our bowlers given the conditions.

Don’t panick folkes, we still get to bat again remember 😮
This would be plenty even if we didn’t have another go. Some of you are just getting greedy

300 lead up. Australia needing to hit 400 plus. Wonder what the biggest difference between first and second innings ever is.

we still get to bat again remember

we want an innings and 200+ run win 😈

Hazelwood vanishing to all parts 😀

Broad struggling with the bouncer 😆
Just the 20 from that over

God… It’d be good to see Broad outscore the Aussies singlehanded.

To be honest Australia would love a collapse like this we have already scored 100 runs in the session.

With Ali, Root and Bell – this is most cultured England batting lineup I remember.

Brilliant catch, but very ugly somehow compared to Stokes’

Declaration – 391-9. Reckon Cook’s making lunch plans tomorrow.

declaration. Like it. 10 mins at them before lunch. Get a wicket (or 3) and there’ll be some noise.

That must be some kind of record for the earliest declaration when batting second – not even lunch on day 2?

Extras started well again. He should be given a new contract by Cricket Australia.

Good comment on TMS text – that was part declaration, part trolling

I just have a feeling England are going to be made to work for it – they will still win but I wouldn’t be surprised if they find themselves batting again with a 100 to score tomorrow evening. A bit disappointed they were not able to put so many runs on the board that batting again was never going to happen.

The Ozzies are defiantly being crueller about this than we are
http://www.theshovel.com.au/2015/08/07/catastrophic-spelling-error-sees-australian-croquet-team-take-to-field-in-4th-test/
😆

Another player, David Warner, said he was also confused about proceedings. I walked out onto the pitch and then moments later I was asked to leave

🙂

I do think they declared a little too early – I can see the reasoning, having them play a few overs then break then have to go out again (disrupting any rhythm they may get into) but I good couple of sessions could put pressure back on us.

Well if you’ve got a ticket for Saturday you’ll certainly be smiling.

So much for my attempt at the curse.

Finally!

Yesssss breakthrough