The International Cricket Thread

[PaulWinch again]

The game is lost, but we need to bat overs a. to get some practice in the middle and b. to put some miles in the Aussie bowlers legs. Hameed gone gloved down the leg side, annoying as he was playing well.

[bilsim]

Pleasant surprise to wake up and find we're still batting with Root and Malan seemingly set. Just to see us show a bit of fight is satisfying enough for now.

[manic-road]

Good last two sessions for England, I wasn't expecting us to get anywhere near the Aussie score so happy to see some fight.

[Nev]

I'd given up, didn't even have TMS on overnight. It took me five minutes to remember that the test was still on when I woke up so it was  a pleasant surprise to see what was happening. At least it gave a reason to follow the play, albeit with a pretty remote chance of a result for us.

A strong finish will perhaps give us heart for what lies ahead.

[JD]

Great response by England today. The test may be lost (fingers crossed it isn't) but at last a bit of fight.

Next test Jimmy will be back.   

[PaulWinch again]

That is a brilliant effort. Irrespective of Australia still being massive favourites we’re fighting and putting miles in the Aussie legs.

[Beard82]

Much better - great to see a bit of grit in the batting

[PaulWinch again]

It also shows that as good as the Aussie bowlers are they should hold no fear. Very interesting to see Hazelwood not bowling in that last session.

[PaulWinch again]

Getting back in tomorrow morning will be tough. I suspect Australia will come out of the traps hard, so we’ll need to dig in. But to be honest after the first two days making them bat again would be a triumph.

[Dr Butler]

this Test reminds me of I think 2010 where we came back to draw the 1st Test...

fingers crossed for the same result.

UTV
The Doc

[Nunkin1965]

That's a positive response and it's also big that we're at least pushing the game to last longer and asking a few questions of the Aussies.
I'm not sure what we'd do without Joe Root though.

[olaftab]

this Test reminds me of I think 2010 where we came back to draw the 1st Test...

fingers crossed for the same result.

UTV
The Doc

That would be nice but I think the match will end tonight with Aussies knocking off circa 100 runs they will need when England are done. However it’s a good sign that England are showing some resilience.

[simboy]

Has Hazelwood injured himself? Seemed odd he didn’t bowl in the last session. I suppose we won’t know until 10 overs in tomorrow.

Hopefully Root and Malan can start well tomorrow, our middle order can fire and we can at least make it a decent total to get fourth up. We can see if the Aussies can handle the pressure … hope against hope they’re chasing 175+ … I know, just as likely to lose by an inning still.

I suppose we would have to bat to lunch on day five to get out with a draw. I cannot see that happening. The first two sessions of the game effectively decided the game, but hope springs eternal, even with Rory Burns first up.

[Drummond]

Insert an 'a' into your name, and then claim it's always been that way and it's just everyone else that gets it wrong.

Because I don't see the situation improving over the next 40 days or so.

Good idea!

Hi Roray! Feels slightly Graham Norton like when I say it.

[Drummond]

With Warner sitting out with rib issues, they definitely need to be targeting him in that area when he bats again. And again for the next test.