Ashes 2013/14

[Chris Jameson]

The words 'straws' and 'clutching' come to mind, it'd have to rain pretty much all day to save us, one wicket and the floodgate opens. It may be open already, but at least we've dragged to a fifth. Root's post game interview was very impressive, much like his performance. Whatever happens we need to front up now.

Remember that free George Davis campaigner who dug into the pitch ahead of the last day and sprayed graffiti causing the game to be abandoned in the 70s - we need bumble to do the business with his spade for us

I remember them only too well, ruined my day at the cricket with my dad and the younger me hated George David from then on. Innocent or not, as far as I recall he was innocent of the crime he was imprisoned for but guilty of several others.

[dave.woodhall]

The words 'straws' and 'clutching' come to mind, it'd have to rain pretty much all day to save us, one wicket and the floodgate opens. It may be open already, but at least we've dragged to a fifth. Root's post game interview was very impressive, much like his performance. Whatever happens we need to front up now.

Remember that free George Davis campaigner who dug into the pitch ahead of the last day and sprayed graffiti causing the game to be abandoned in the 70s - we need bumble to do the business with his spade for us

I remember them only too well, ruined my day at the cricket with my dad and the younger me hated George David from then on. Innocent or not, as far as I recall he was innocent of the crime he was imprisoned for but guilty of several others.

He was released, then 18 months later was caught bang to rights guv robbing a bank.

[OzVilla]

Doesn't all this just make the fact that we only batted for 60 odd overs on an absolute belter for the 2nd game running all the more galling.

Yesterday proved that it's still a good pitch and those that applied themselves were able to prosper and that if we keep Australia out there for more than two sessions, suddenly the Johnson factor is much less of a threat.

[Monty]

For some reason, Gooch and Cook's new master plan of 'hitting the ball upwards' isn't working. Funny that.

[Ad@m]

On a day when we need to save wickets the first one falls inside the first over to a ridiculous shot.

Idiots.

[Monty]

On a day when we need to save wickets the first one falls inside the first over to a ridiculous shot.

Idiots.

It's frustrating, and Broad is no mug (and neither is Prior, but at least it was a considerable knock) and should do better, but the real damage was done in the first innings. It's pathetic.

[willywombat]

That was baffling, I get the impression that the English boys confused positive batting with reckless abandon.

[dave.woodhall]

The current forecast is for rain until around 3pm

What happened there then?

[Monty]

The current forecast is for rain until around 3pm

What happened there then?

What the forecast thought was rain turned out to be recently hooked cricket balls, raining down from the sky.

[willywombat]

The current forecast is for rain until around 3pm

What happened there then?

Miraculously cleared up. God clearly does move in mysterious ways

[eastie]

So many players out hooking - no wonder the Aussies are bowling so many short as they know we can't resist the hook - must stop going for it .

On a plus note 5 of our top 7 got half centuries in this test which gives a bit of hope batting wise.

Can't see us getting a win in Perth but to stand a chance we must go with the most apt bowlers in those conditions - jimmy is more a swing and seam bowler and won't be suited to Perth - Finn is a must and I'd be tempted to play rankin too - at the expense of swann and Anderson.

[PaulWinch again]

Well it was good of us to take the rain out of the equation, small positive is at least Prior got some runs. However we need a miracle to retain the Ashes now and I'm tired of the players saying they'll put it right, put up or shut up. Also they're not in any position to give verbals to the Aussies as their performances have been so abject. Terrible tour so far.

[PaulWinch again]

I think this has all come from ignoring our problems when we were winning, and now it's completely unravelled. We have batted to slowly for a while and there isn't the intensity required in our game. A lot of players are living on career averages rather than performances in the last year.

[PaulWinch again]

Problem is as well that Cook is saying the players need to be stand up and be counted, well it starts with the captain Alistair. An aggregate of 4 across two innings is nowhere near acceptable.

[eastie]

Problem is as well that Cook is saying the players need to be stand up and be counted, well it starts with the captain Alistair. An aggregate of 4 across two innings is nowhere near acceptable.

Yep, it's all well and good to say we are the only people who can change it and next day get out for one for another pathetic shot - time for less talk more action cooky ! And no more hooking !!!!