Ashes

[sunny-dave]

Spoilers

[ToraToraTora]

stephen_g, that 1981 Botham/Willis win was from a follow on, 1 of only three in history wone from a follow on, two of them by England.

[brainiac]

Today's win was England's highest-ever successful run chase, and the first time for over a hundred years that a team have won a Test match after being bowled out for less than 70 in the first innings.

[seekeerz]

Oh bah and humbug !! But *** well done !!

[jim360]

I was mostly stuck on a coach when the English were losing wickets, and getting increasingly depressed. Then I got home and somehow we still hadn't lost, put the radio on, and am so glad I kept the faith. Thank you Ben Stokes!

[jno]

brainiac, the thing is, not too many teams score less than 70, but England have had four two-figure innings in 18 months. They've really got to find some decent batsmen, they can't rely on miracles all the time. Archer and Stokes dragged them out of the mire this time, but some of the passengers need to start performing. The Aussies will probably have Smith back next week.

[brainiac]

Let's not forget Leach's contribution. He did exactly the right thing and enabled Stoke's heroics - without him, no win.
I reckon he's guaranteed free glasses for life from Specsavers

[jno]

maybe they'll give him little Elton John ones with windscreen wipers.

[brainiac]

Absolutely, jno. I'd bring in Sibley (cannot be worse than Roy) drop Buttler for Pope, who has just hit an unbeaten 200 for Surrey. Also move Root to where he wants to play: 4

[sunny-dave]

Thanks everyone - especially seekeerz - it was an extraordinary match - I just watched the highlights again and still can hardly believe what happened.

[1ozzy]

It's a great feeling to see your team come from behind and win.

Shame I'm not feeling it ;-(

Well done!!

[tonyav]

I don't watch cricket but I'm getting the feeling on this thread that some kind of miracle has occurred ( ah well, never mind Steff and 1ozzy theres always next time ).

[Stephen_G]

I think I realised that, TTT, soon after I submitted the reply. Sorry for the mistake.

BTW brainiac, Specsavers have tweeted today and said they will offer Jack Leach free glasses for life. Well done Jack Leach also, and well done Specsavers!

[jno]

I'd go along with that, brainiac, but I'd try Roy lower down the order for a while - it's where he bats for his county; he's not an opener in four-innings cricket at all so like a lot of them he's being played out of position.

I'm not sure if Woakes is carrying an injury - 17 overs and 17 balls faced doesn't amount to a hill of beans for an all-rounder. He'll probably be replaced if Anderson is (supposedly) fit again, but it will lengthen the tail.