The International Cricket Thread

[taylorsworkrate]

The thing I was thinking as a test "day" never get through the overs, and if its clear that the bad weather is coming, surely they can accommodate a bit of extra play on the days that are ok - up to the 90 over mark

Might also increase the over-rates

One of the stupidest rule changes ever bought in by the ICC was the introduction of a maximum of 30 minutes at the end of the day to bowl remaining overs. It just encourages teams behind in the game to drag their feet and bring the overrate right down. Teams dont care about being fined for slow overrates.

The only people punished are the spectators.

[PaulWinch again]

Point of order I’ve heard the Oval referenced as being a dead rubber, but that’s not true.

[taylorsworkrate]

Point of order I’ve heard the Oval referenced as being a dead rubber, but that’s not true.

I've heard a few people saying things along these lines but its a daft argument. Yes England won't be able to regain the Ashes but there is a massive difference between winning/losing a Test series and drawing one. Australia haven't won a test series in England since 2001 and that alone is a massive incentive for both teams in the last test

[Beard82]

Point of order I’ve heard the Oval referenced as being a dead rubber, but that’s not true.

How random - literally said this to my wife a second ago - I then had to explain to her what a dead rubber was.  She assumed it was a used durex.

Its not - im just gutted having spent a small fortunate for 2 days there for what could have been a once in a life time decider, only for the rain to ruin it.

Still important to not lose the series

[PaulWinch again]

Yes not losing is important. Bloody annoying it’s not live though going into the last game. It has been astonishingly poor weather.

[PaulWinch again]

Also Australia deserve to lose that last game for being chickenshit in this game.

[Beard82]

Yeah - I think its mostly bad luck - to lose basically 2 whole days at the end of a test doesn't happen very often, and bad luck its such a crucial test. 

The whether has be shit all summer - though looking forward to having hose pipe bands by the end of it

[Risso]

England have failed to reclaim the Ashes due in part at least to the following:

- Dropping too many catches/fielding/keeping too badly at important times
- Sticking with Anderson too long
- Possibly declaring too quickly at Lords, and not being Bazball enough in Manchester.
- Not playing Woakes early enough

[paul_e]

England have failed to reclaim the Ashes due in part at least to the following:

- Dropping too many catches/fielding/keeping too badly at important times
- Sticking with Anderson too long
- Possibly declaring too quickly at Lords, and not being Bazball enough in Manchester.
- Not playing Woakes early enough

Swap Lords for Edgbaston and I agree with that.

[Beard82]

England have failed to reclaim the Ashes due in part at least to the following:

- Dropping too many catches/fielding/keeping too badly at important times
- Sticking with Anderson too long
- Possibly declaring too quickly at Lords, and not being Bazball enough in Manchester.
- Not playing Woakes early enough

Think thats pretty fair - Robinson & Anderson offered so little this series - we look a different bowling attack with Woods and Woakes

[Risso]

Yep Paul, meant Edgbaston, sorry.

[beness]

We should have won at Edgbaston. The declaration was too early. I think the England style of play is the most exciting seen in test cricket.

[German James]

I think the England style of play is the most exciting seen in test cricket.

So do I! That's why I'm really looking forward to the last test. A drawn series isn't a disgrace. I'm not bothered about who gets to keep the Ashes.

[PaulWinch again]

Yeah but let’s remember for all those points we’ve had the number 1 side in the world clinging on and literally being saved by obliteration by the weather. To do that is impressive. Hopefully we can get the luck we haven’t had in this game, because we hammer them there and it’ll be the weakest Ashe’s retention ever.

The biggest failing for me is I think we went into the series undercooked. The preparation wasn’t good enough.

[Meanwood Villa]

Really hope we stick it to them next week, the cheating, spawny wankers