Ashes Starts Today!

[ClareTG0ld]

In honour of the Ashes starting today, here's the final hour from Headingley 2019, one of the finest moments in British sport in recent years.

Fingers crossed that we won't need quite so many great escapes this time!

[10ClarionSt]

Sad. Why? Because anyone who doesn't subscribe to Sky Sports, won't be watching. And, thanks to the domination of Sky Sports in recent times, most people won't be able to name all of the England team and only a few Aussies.

[ClareTG0ld]

Fair enough, there's always TMS on Radio 5Live Sports Extra.

[10ClarionSt]

Nah. They just ramble on and on and talk about nothing, eg, how much the local sky line has changed over the years, the ground, the local facilities. I miss the coverage from BBC telly. Years ago, I used to go to OT on a regular basis. I saw every ball of Bobby Simpsons' 311, a team that included such greats as Richie Benaud, Bill Lawry, Doug Walters, Alan Davidson. I hope England win the Ashes, but I don't know the full team/squad, so couldn't predict.

[bednobs]

you dont need to know the whole team to enjoy (or have sky sports)
Great first day. I was surprised stokes declared.

[Buenchico]

Even when Test Match cricket was on the telly, I always turned down the sound and listened to the TMS commentary instead.

I've got a feeling that Stokes is going to regret that declaration.

[brainiac]

Stokes better contribute pretty soon - hasn't done so for ages, and is now the weakest player in the team.

Player that annoys me the most? Stuart Broad. Capable of playing properly (started out as a batsman, has scored 160+ in a Test) but ALWAYS gives his wicket away - as he did today - with a pathetic slog.

Brook was unlucky - if he'd seen the ball spinning back onto his stumps and knocked it away with his hand, he's have been given out 'obstructing the field' (used to be 'handled ball')

[Cloverjo]

I didn’t see Broad’s dismissal, but I was thinking England might go for some shots. Aus wouldn’t really want to take those final two wickets at that time of day, with less than hour to go.
Good idea to declare and get them in anyway, I say.
Let’s see how it pans out. I do like this bold attitude.