The Cricket Thread 2017

[adrenachrome]

3 down!

I agree that the horse has long since galloped off, Mr. Aftab.

[olaftab]

This actually suits Australia. Our only hope was Aussies batting too long.

[taylorsworkrate]

Yep. Can see us all out for less than 100 now the pitch is offering a little assistance

[OzVilla]

These cracks are really opening up now. Root has won every toss in this series so to bat first yet still end up with the probability of batting last on the surface resembling the Grand Canyon is particularly galling.

[taylorsworkrate]

60 overs till the end of the day. Can't see us surviving them

[Nev]

I'll happily put analysis of the actual cricket aside for a moment to mourn the absence of Johnathon Agnew from TMS. Badly missed and compounded by the seemingly ubiquitous Swann.
Still, no need to listen until next summer now is there?

[Risso]

England should declare now and save any further embarrassment. Then Cook and Root can pour drinks over each other in the bar and we can send the useless pair of twazzocks home.

[passitsideways]

Suspect it's different for those who watch him more often, but having only seen Vince in these Ashes, he really does look like someone worth persisting with at least a little, although maybe down the order.

[OzVilla]

He's too flashy to bat at 3. Malan looks more like a 3 and Vince like a 5.

[olaftab]

The ball that got Vince out.... unbelievable.

[Richard E]

This 'Rain' guy seems to have steadied the ship in this innings. If he can bat for a decent part of tomorrow we might save this.

[PaulWinch again]

Well done Cook and Root really stood up for us fought well....

[PaulWinch again]

Vince shouldn't get criticised for his effort in the second innings, he dug in and was got out by a great delivery.

Root's dismissal was the absolute opposite, and he has been blown away by Smith in terms of leading from the front. He's still a good player, but I'm not sure he can be categorised alongside Smith, Kohli or Williamson.

[PaulWinch again]

If Root is to get to the level of those guys he has to score more match defining hundreds. The Aussie batting line-up isn't great but they are lifted by the quality of Smith.

[OzVilla]

Vince batted beautifully but got done by one that hit the crack, it looked great and was most certainly unplayable but also it was typical of Englands luck, Kookaburra balls don't do when they're brand new let alone 35 overs old.

Out of the established players Cook, Root, Anderson and Broad, not one has stood up on this tour, in fact i believe Broad's just recorded his worst bowling figures of his Test career from memory 138-0.

Maybe Nathan Lyon will get some scalps after all.