The Cricket Thread 2017

[PaulWinch again]

It is frustrating as the only time they have been remotely under pressure when Root and Malan were batting in Adelaide, Smith was all over the shop as a captain.

Root seems burdened by the captaincy, Smith energised, presumably because Smith's bowling attack is so much more potent in Aussie conditions.

Root's burdened because all of his senior players have failed him, particularly in this match.

[Meanwood Villa]

Stokes is a huge blow, don't know about Wood purely because he's rarely fit enough to get up to 90mph even when he plays.

All the talk prior to the series was Cook and Root vs Smith. Smith has absolutely crushed them, not even a contest.

At the moment it's just waiting for the declaration and the collapse for England to be 3 or 4 down for 80 odd.

Think that's optimistic. We'll be 5 or 6 down for 80 odd. As soon as we collapsed this game was gone. Massive momentum shift. I said pre-series we should drop Broad and I was right. There might not be many alternatives out there but he's finished as a useful player.  He can't bat any more and his occasional inspirational bowling spells have dried up.

[PaulWinch again]

Overton is the only bowler who is coming out of this series with any credit at the moment
. Yes Anderson and Woakes did well under lights at Adelaide, but that's proved to be an anomaly. It's only Overton that's looked remotely threatening.

[OzVilla]

What are the odds Smith is still batting this time tomorrow.

Or tomorrow?

[manic-road]

Depressing stuff for England fans, when we eventually go back into bat you just know that the Aussie bowlers will tear into England.

[PaulWinch again]

Broad getting destroyed.

[Tugby Villain]

Need to hold out for a draw and, erm, win both of the last two tests.  We're fucked

[PaulWinch again]

Malan has bowled nicely, he's going to be the positive from this tour.

[Tugby Villain]

Malan has bowled nicely, he's going to be the positive from this tour.

I'd agree with that, I like the guy's attitude

[Villan For Life]

This is torture

[OzVilla]

That's 346-1 for the day. Wow! Well batted Australia but fuck me.

[PaulWinch again]

England need a genuine root and branch look at the players we're developing. With all our resources we should be developing players who can add value in all conditions.

[OzVilla]

England need a genuine root and branch look at the players we're developing. With all our resources we should be developing players who can add value in all conditions.

Funny you say that, Australia said exactly the same thing 2 years ago and probably will in 2 years time. They don't win away much either.

[PaulWinch again]

Difference is their bowling attack could potentially bowl teams out in any conditions. Plus Smith is a superstar and miles better than our batsmen.

[aev]

It is frustrating as the only time they have been remotely under pressure when Root and Malan were batting in Adelaide, Smith was all over the shop as a captain.

Root seems burdened by the captaincy, Smith energised, presumably because Smith's bowling attack is so much more potent in Aussie conditions.

Root's burdened because all of his senior players have failed him, particularly in this match.

Cook has struggled for a while now, but is opening up against high quality very fast bowling.

Anderson and Broad too, but then they were never going to be bowling at 90 mph. This pitch is a road when it is coming down at 82 mph.