The Cricket Thread 2017

[olaftab]

The most worrying thing was that Smith did nothing just patted the ball about and he is on 60+ so when he starts playing.....
I noticed also how much Smith helps partners. Marsh is a very ordinary batsman but Smith makes him better with constant coaching.

[olaftab]

A bit more breeze in the ground today but not sure if that will be of any help to bowlers but I am enjoying it.

[olaftab]

Tom Curran your first wicket son and it’s Smith.

[Richard]

England on fire this morning - too little too late but good to see finally

[taylorsworkrate]

Australia probably still got about 100 runs too many for our batting lineup to be competitive

[OzVilla]

For the first time we are batting with a bit of match momentum, its still a good wicket and the Aussies are without Starc.

 All out for 230.

[olaftab]

Great morning at MCG and own a little dampened with Stony loosing his wicket. This is slow pitch where the ball holds up thus the 3 Aussies hit wicket so batters just have to be careful. Other than than nothing to worry about.

[olaftab]

The Richie Benaud troops have turned up today and there’s been a lot of tête-à-tête with the Barmy Army boys and girls so that’s been good fun and getting more boisterous as beer is being sunked down by the gallons.

[PaulWinch again]

Fair play England today, we've turned up. Cook clearly isn't gone yet, shame they couldn't do it when series was alive.

[olaftab]

England finally have given the fans here something to cheer and cheered we did with gusto. The celebration have carried on into the city centre. You would think England have won the Ashes😂

[Meanwood Villa]

Cook, Broad and Anderson deliver. Too late. Still be nice to win at least one.

[taylorsworkrate]

Can't argue with what has been an excellent day for England. Broad and Anderson showed immense skill in unhelpful bowling conditions and then Cook dominating with the bat.

Still get the feeling that we'll collapse and end up around level with their score though. Cook and Root need to buck the trend of them being unable to start again the next day.

[tomd2103]

Can't argue with what has been an excellent day for England. Broad and Anderson showed immense skill in unhelpful bowling conditions and then Cook dominating with the bat.

Still get the feeling that we'll collapse and end up around level with their score though. Cook and Root need to buck the trend of them being unable to start again the next day.

Agree with all of that.  Just goes to show how reliant we are on a the senior players performing.  Finely balanced now.

Olaftab - your arrival seems to turned our fortunes round mate!  You doing all five days?

[olaftab]

Yes mate all 5 days every ball. This morning we will be there to see Joe nudge to his 50 and onwards. Cloudy day today and temperature max at 27 deg positively freezing😁

[KevinGage]

Much improved, but England have mugged themselves not reviewing the two inside edges.  Then you get a decision like Curran just has, minimal contact, but enough for the outside edge.

With Australia's woes in the bowling department, a lead of 120+ could have been there for the taking and would have really had the Aussies on the run.  Circa 400 will put you in control in English conditions, but as is obvious here and India, you really need to go for the throat and aim for 500+ if it's on.  Bloody hard to do on a turning Indian wicket, or with three gun Australian fast bowlers, granted.  But there was an opportunity here.

As it is, the Aussies will prob back themselves to overturn a 50/60 run deficit.