Cricket fred

[Digby]

How on earth did Labuschagne get himself out, looked to be sitting pretty and then blimey? It's less annoying when it's not one of ours.

Root looks to have missed a trick delaying Leach coming into the attack.

[Stom]

I'm starting to come round to the idea Root is a pretty abysmal captain. So scared of leaking runs and because that's his focus...we leak runs.

Leach just got smoked for 6...so he immediately takes him off.

With Woakes useless, we needed Leach to keep an end occupied. Just because one ball was punished doesn't mean he can't have a big impact. 3 overs. 3 bloody overs.

[Banquo]

I'm starting to come round to the idea Root is a pretty abysmal captain. So scared of leaking runs and because that's his focus...we leak runs.

Leach just got smoked for 6...so he immediately takes him off.

With Woakes useless, we needed Leach to keep an end occupied. Just because one ball was punished doesn't mean he can't have a big impact. 3 overs. 3 bloody overs.

agree to all that. Doesnt help that two of his seam bowlers have been a bit sh*t - actually a lot sh&t- and Curran varying between long half volleys and good balls (round the wicket to Smith defeats the point of him being selected; he was giving smith bother over the wicket.....there's a clue). Archer must looking at the rest of the attack and thinking wtf.....

[Banquo]

why open with Broad, he's been utter sh^t today.

[Banquo]

This is easy for Oz, see off Archer, job done.

[Banquo]

or..ta da!

Remarkable from Archer- clearly tired, as his pace is below average, but still taking wickets.

[Banquo]

FFS how can you drop Smith, come on!!


actually, it would have been a stunner, but still

[Banquo]

Gonna have to wind my neck on Curran being dibbly dobbly- he's at least 3 mph quicker on average and controlling the swing brilliantly; someone said he'd likely get a bit quicker, as he matured and they were right. He may be kicking Woakes out. Mind, he was man of the series v India, so probably unlucky, like Foakes I guess.

[Banquo]

cue smith in overdrive now

[Digby]

Archer must looking at the rest of the side and thinking wtf.....

Corrected for you

[Banquo]

Archer must looking at the rest of the side and thinking wtf.....

Corrected for you

yep, not aged well tho

[Stom]

All is forgiven, Chris.

[Banquo]

glad I didn't type why Woakes FFS!

[Banquo]

All is forgiven, Chris.

always said he was the biz

[Digby]

That's what should happen when you bat like Smith. What an amazing talent he is, though he's on a shocking run of below century scores now

[Stom]

That's what should happen when you bat like Smith. What an amazing talent he is, though he's on a shocking run of below century scores now

12 consecutive 50+ scores in red ball Ashes cricket.

Just broken by that stupid pink ball test...

[Galfon]

Hubris leads to nemesis - Smith needs to be aware.
Great chance now to turn the screw, now we've Woaken up.

[Stom]

All is forgiven, Chris.

always said he was the biz

But then he concedes 8 in that over with poor bowling...

When Stokes is fit to bowl, I'd drop Woakes and keep Curran.

[Banquo]

All is forgiven, Chris.

always said he was the biz

But then he concedes 8 in that over with poor bowling...

When Stokes is fit to bowl, I'd drop Woakes and keep Curran.

and carries on bowling dross. 10 from the next, chucking away a big chunk of lead.

[Banquo]

This is poor after such good stuff. Ffs

[Banquo]

Ffs

[Galfon]

Deja-vu ..the idea is to increase intensity & accuracy / put the foot on the throat blah blah...when blood is sniffed, else the beast bites back.

u/d: 6-fer for the triumphal Arch..attaboy.An innings lead for Eng ?..sacre-bleu you'd think the Ashes were already won..

[Galfon]

Twud be a great fillip for Burnley to survive the last few overs and count the bruises with satisfaction.

[Digby]

That's what should happen when you bat like Smith. What an amazing talent he is, though he's on a shocking run of below century scores now

12 consecutive 50+ scores in red ball Ashes cricket.

Just broken by that stupid pink ball test...

He's just a pleasure to watch, and it's not his fault so many others are just desperate to given their wickets away, so many poor shots on both sides. I could argue Smith's was a bad shot, but if your average is in the 60s you can do what you want

[Digby]

In defence of Burns that's such a bad ball to get out to he has kept the comedy value high.