Neilds
Assistant Pro
24 no balls in the first test and already into double figures in this one. Makes you wonder why they bother taking the time to measure their run ups before the game
The Cricket Thread
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AmandaJR
Money List Winner
Why? Like a few inches will make all the difference to the end result? Stokes came on, the crowd got excited, 2 no balls in 3 balls! Deflated balloon sprang to mind.
I just found the whole day rather odd.
A proper green top pitch under cloudy sky, England win the toss and put Australia in, and that was about as exciting as it got.
I have to confess I was genuinely surprised to see both Anderson and Broad start. As I’ve said previously, I got it for the first Test of an Ashes summer, but then expected them to alternate. Is Wood not fully fit, because I would have had him in at the expense of one of them?
Much was made of our decision to go with an all pace attack, using Root as a front line spinner in this game, and then that all pace attack really did resemble a bunch of average County journeymen. No pace, no variety.
A hugely disappointing day which may well go a long way to deciding the whole series, because this is a game England simply cannot afford to lose.
Captainron
Big Hitting, South African Sweary Person
England need to clean this up pretty quickly to give themselves a chance. If the Aussies get to 450 it will be tough going.
Nathan Lyon will be the difference yet again I think (although I did back Mitch Starc to get over 5 wickets in the match) and you need to have a front line spinner in your team every time!
Nathan Lyon will be the difference yet again I think (although I did back Mitch Starc to get over 5 wickets in the match) and you need to have a front line spinner in your team every time!
Imurg
The Grinder Of Pars (Semi Crocked)
I know it's for a really good cause but you wouldn't catch me dead in one of those jackets.... 
That might not be your finest choice of wordsI know it's for a really good cause but you wouldn't catch me dead in one of those jackets....
, a slip I'm sure 
. They do make a statement though and it's a bold look.
A great quote on the BBC website. 'How do you deal with Steve Smith? Get everyone else out'. 
. He certainly likes England and our bowlers.
. He certainly likes England and our bowlers.
Piece
Tour Winner
Crawley gets off to great start, then has a brain fade. No need to charge up the wicket. Brainless.
That could be Lyon done for the next couple of weeks, if not longer. Massive moment in this series if that’s as bad as it looks.
If anyone gets out to the short stuff, a la Pope, then they need a smack with a wet fish. It's such an obvious tactic, just leave them alone and they will have to stop it.
(I'm wondering if by test 5 I'll be used to bazball
)
(I'm wondering if by test 5 I'll be used to bazball
)
Piece
Tour Winner
You'll need a couple of extra wet fishIf anyone gets out to the short stuff, a la Pope, then they need a smack with a wet fish. It's such an obvious tactic, just leave them alone and they will have to stop it.
(I'm wondering if by test 5 I'll be used to bazball
It's a good job I work in a town with an active fishing port, I'll just go to the harbour and fill a bag. Stupid, just stupidYou'll need a couple of extra wet fish
.Brooks thinks he is playing in a pub game. It's nuts.
I don’t have an issue with getting out to good balls. But England are tossing wickets away here. It’s really, really irritating to watch.
Please, will someone remind Harry Brook this is a Test. He has played some astonishingly bad shots, wafting away as though this is a T20.
AmandaJR
Money List Winner
Stop going for EVERYTHING! It is still test match cricket for crying out loud. Australia proved it's not all out attack that wins...
AmandaJR
Money List Winner
I literally just said that! Calm down and play with some intelligence.
It was almost predictable that, having flat batted one through mid wicket for four, he’d have a swipe at the next one. That would have been a rank bad dismissal if it had been straight.
There are 3 + days left. No rush. Bat all day tomorrow and England won't need to bat again this test. Won't happen though.
AmandaJR
Money List Winner
I'd have put money on him being out. What a muppet. Here, have a shy at my stumps...
At 180-1 with two batters set we should have been looking at a huge 1st innings total.
