The England Cricket Thread

[adidan]

Wonder if we'll make it to day 5

 

[manic111]

These guys have just got England totally worked out.

They're also probably the best bowling attack in the world, albeit without Lyon now

 

[omnomnom]

Anyone have any idea why we fielded first?

 

[One More Solo]

Like watching an away Ashes, England toil away on a flat pitch then the Aussies start bowling and it looks like a minefield.

 

[manic111]

Anyone have any idea why we fielded first?

Green pitch, overcast, looked like it might do something I expect

 

[One More Solo]

This will be over tonight at this rate, Christ.

 

[Psycho Ned]

Yeah England will be about 4/5 down by close of play.

Should have had a few bob on that!

Starc and Cummins making our bowling lineup look like a bunch of old trundlers sadly.

 

[the wopster]

Anyone have any idea why we fielded first?

Much like the reason to declare in the first innings of the first test, nobody has a clue what this England team is thinking any more

 

[manic111]

They're so good, but as soon as our batsmen need to defend they're all over the place. Nobody can grind out an innings.

The only minor positive though is that three of the four wickets have been quality bowling, not idiotic batting

 

[Hodders]

It's the hope that is so difficult. It's always a relief when hope fades.

It's just a case of how heavily they end up winning the series now ...

 

[the wopster]

The only minor positive though is that three of the four wickets have been quality bowling, not idiotic batting

no that came in the first innings

 

[the wopster]

It's the hope that is so difficult. It's always a relief when hope fades.

It's just a case of how heavily they end up winning the series now ...

I said 4-0 a few weeks ago as 1 will get rained off

 

[robfosters]

Looks like every last ounce of belief has left them, as it has for me.

 

[Psycho Ned]

Looks like every last ounce of belief has left them, as it has for me.

First test knocked the stuffing out of them totally, needed to win that one when Aus were off colour. Would have given them so much more belief and confidence.

Instead they threw the game away and have been outplayed from pillar to post in this match.

 

[manic111]

First test knocked the stuffing out of them totally, needed to win that one when Aus were off colour. Would have given them so much more belief and confidence.

Instead they threw the game away and have been outplayed from pillar to post in this match.

The thing is we weren't outplayed for a lot of this match. We were 180-1 in response to 415 in the first innings. At that stage and with Lyon off you'd have said we were on top. What's happened from there has been an embarrassment though.

 

[manic111]

Starc's grounded that, surely?

 

[a1ex2001]

Some people seem to consume sport in a way such that they are only happy when their team is winning. It's just a recipe for disappointment, as no matter how many great teams there are, only one is going to be top of the pile at any one time.

I don't watch sport to see my team win. I watch professional sport to be entertained for a few hours. It's obviously more exciting and great when my team does win, but ultimately I don't care, as long as the spectacle is good. I was absolutely glued to the last test even though we lost out, best test in years.

Not excusing playing with absolute disregard for the result, there is clearly a balance to be struck and I think this England team need a bit more nous at times, but overall the quality of our test cricket has been hugely improved.

I’ve been watching England play cricket for 40 years so if I only got enjoyment from winning I’ve had a pretty miserable time. I can accept us loosing especially when as is so often the cas we are beaten by a better side (this Aussie pace attack is excellent) but I can’t take any pleasure from watching professional sportsmen do something that would be comparable to a footballer deliberately scoring own goals! (Going after head high balls with the field set for it will get you out very quickly!)

 

[a1ex2001]

They're so good, but as soon as our batsmen need to defend they're all over the place. Nobody can grind out an innings.

The only minor positive though is that three of the four wickets have been quality bowling, not idiotic batting

Can’t argue with them getting out to great deliveries from top class bowlers the Aussies were on fire early doors

 

[manic111]

Really poor from Starc. You're taught as a kid to catch the ball and then fall into your arm, keeping the ball raised.

You can argue about whether he's got control of it, but for me a player doesn't have control until they land and stop moving - before then the ball can pop out of a hand so easily.

 

[turbot1984]

That's out for me ... and I'm praying for an Eng win.