Ashes Third Test

[EdmundD]

so far leads me to believe that we were very lucky it rained last Monday......

[EdmundD]

I meant to say the Ashes FOURTH Test so far ........

[doctordb]

Probably true edmundd but we did thoroughly deserve to win the first two.

[jim360]

Well, let's put it this way: it's not been the best of days so far...

[humbersloop]

And at 214/9, not getting any better

[seadogg]

Remarkable persistence and workmanlike performance by the Oz attack coupled with a lack of form in our batting. Was glad to have to go out during the afternoon!

[sunny-dave]

I had to mow the lawn ... twice :+(

[Sqad]

An appalling batting performance by England......again, the openers failed and I will never be convincing end that Jor Root is an opener.
Fortunately the middle order batsman come to the rescue, but on this occasian, they indulged in suicidal attempts to impose themselves on the Australian bowlers.
Must get the Aussies out today to have any chance of avoiding a defeat.

[jim360]

Yes, poor Joe Root looks like he's been thrown in at the deep end. I'd be inclined to take Bairstow out and put Root in his place, but the problem is that it will be difficult to replace Root. He's a first-class opener for Yorkshire, and spent the 2 matches he had this season dominating that position (3 centuries including a double), and you can't do much better than that. Also he's 2013's second-highest run-scorer in first-class cricket, 1300 runs at 62. So who in county cricket at the moment looks a better test opener than Root? Back to Compton again?

[humbersloop]

the Aussies are showing a sense of discipline and purpose that we seem to be signally lacking at the moment, it all feels a bit "something'll turn up"

[Canary42]

England seriously overrated and Australia seriously underrated. England only just scraped the first Test and were lucky with the weather on the third, so only one Test really won on merit.

[Sqad]

Jim....I agree...Root is so susceptible to that ball pitched up on the offside, that he cannot resist a "dabble".....and the Aussies know that.

I am not convinced that Bairstow has a Test future.

I would go with Root at number 6 and bring back Compton to open.

[humbersloop]

I'm worried sqad, I keep agreeing with you.....;)

[jim360]

I don't know, I think Bairstow might have a test future, he could be a handy replacement for Prior. Just not a test present.

[Sqad]

Jim....good point

humber.....;-)

[doctordb]

Joe root is a class act, remember his innings at lords' only two matches ago. Fortunately the days of our selectors hitting the panic button every couple of low scores are long gone.

If we can restrict aus to a similar score this could be a great match.

[doctordb]

Bye bye Warner. What a shame!

[Sqad]

doctorb.......Yes.....Root may be a "class act" but not an an opener.
Yes fab innings at Lords, but he could have gone at 8 runs, making his TesT average of 11.......not good enough for an opener.

[doctordb]

Patience sqad, opening is the hardest place to bat and it takes longer to grow into the roll.

Could do with two more before lunch.

[Sqad]

doctor...agreed.

[jim360]

Khawaja has just become one of them! 12/2.