Ashes 2013/14

[eastie]

Already some pretty big cracks in the wicket , will not want to chase many batting last on this - batting will be harder by the day , Very interesting match if we can get within 50.

The new ball isn't far away though and Johnson has blown away our tail end recently so a tough ask.

[PaulWinch again]

We need a century from Bell, Stokes or Prior with significant contributions from the other two and then we need the tail to contribute. We do have a chance here.

[PaulWinch again]

It's also important we get the run rate moving tomorrow so that when we do lose a wicket we have made progress and it'll also pressurise their bowlers.

[taylorsworkrate]

Well I think that was another really poor effort by our batsmen.

180 from 68 overs on a pitch that is easy to score quickly on? The way we batted you'd think we were the team 2-0 up. I nodded off after Carberry got out, at which stage we had scored at a decent rate, then woke up when Pietersen had scored 3 from 39 balls!!!!!??? Why do they just allow the pressure to build on them so easily?

Not good enough yet again

[PaulWinch again]

Whilst I agree with the run rate issue, I think you need to take into account that after tea Australia bowled fantastically well.

[taylorsworkrate]

Whilst I agree with the run rate issue, I think you need to take into account that after tea Australia bowled fantastically well.

They did bowl well, but I think a lot of that was them being allowed to bowl well. It's happened pretty much every time with our run rate in this series and the last.

Our batsmen consistently bat themselves into a corner before they inevitably get out.

[PaulWinch again]

I think Stokes played the right way, he left where he could and then tried to punish the bad ball.

[Monty]

That's a very disappointing wicket to lose. Bell just missed a straightish stock ball with a bit of in-nip from Harris and a good review found him trapped lbw. We're in real trouble now.

[taylorsworkrate]

190/5 on this pitch?

Just fuck off England you fucking wankers

[taylorsworkrate]

Stokes looks well out of place at 6. I can't help but agree with Boycott. No 8 at best

[Monty]

Stokes looks promising, his bowling was accurate, his technique with bat and ball is steady and his temperament is good. However, that was a poor shot and an inevitable one, really. Vaughan's prediction of a 5-0 is not looking in a huge amount of danger of being disproved.

[taylorsworkrate]

Fucking pathetic Stokes. Anyone who thinks he's a test batsman is seriously deluded.

Predictable cowardly collapse yet again.

[Monty]

As an aside, very funny to hear Gower criticise anyone for wafting at a wide one.

[taylorsworkrate]

Stokes looks promising, his bowling was accurate, his technique with bat and ball is steady and his temperament is good. However, that was a poor shot and an inevitable one, really. Vaughan's prediction of a 5-0 is not looking in a huge amount of danger of being disproved.

If I was an Aussie and we didn't beat this rabble of tossers 5-0 i'd want a government inquiry

[Monty]

Stokes looks promising, his bowling was accurate, his technique with bat and ball is steady and his temperament is good. However, that was a poor shot and an inevitable one, really. Vaughan's prediction of a 5-0 is not looking in a huge amount of danger of being disproved.

If I was an Aussie and we didn't beat this rabble of tossers 5-0 i'd want a government inquiry

I think 'tossers' is a bit harsh, though it would explain why they look so listless and slack out there.