Australia [284 & 487/7d] beat England [374 & 146] by 251 runs in the 1st Ashes Test, lead series 1-0

[Majestic_Inzi]

too much in the pitch now. lyon looking lethal. it will be a phenomenal effort if eng

roy should attack, turn into gilchrist and play a masterclass for eng to win.

other wise burns and root should grind out a draw, which will be an equally daunting task on this day 5 pitch against lyon

considering aus bowled 7 overs, were not really threatening. Should have declared a little early. Expecting some rain tomorrow also.

 

[Usman Chadda]

"Roy gives me the Sehwag vibes".
"Buttler is talented as AB".
"Root is better than Smith".
"Stokes will compete with the ATG all rounders of the 80s" .

And this poster has the nerve to call Australia ovverated.

England are a mediocre test team. This poster has no shame

 

[Majestic_Inzi]

this wicket doesnt look like the one eng and ind played on last year.

Nothing for the seamers, just how many overs can Lyon bowl?

 

[James]

Best possible result for England now is a draw.... after arguably playing catch up for three days, Australia have completely dominated this day and now look like the team who will win this match. Time for a rain dance

 

[Majestic_Inzi]

Best possible result for England now is a draw.... after arguably playing catch up for three days, Australia have completely dominated this day and now look like the team who will win this match. Time for a rain dance ��

Did u see how the wicket played today, eng hav a chance for draw even without rain.

 

[Robert]

Did u see how the wicket played today, eng hav a chance for draw even without rain.

Looks like a session could be lost to rain. We will see.

 

[Majestic_Inzi]

Looks like a session could be lost to rain. We will see.

Its begs the question why didnt aus declare earliar?

 

[Hasan123]

England are a mediocre test team. This poster has no shame

Strong at home, mediocre away from home.

We were told Australia are overrated and looked flat.

That poster has gone into hiding.

 

[Aman]

If there's rain around, England can draw it. Otherwise it's looking like 1-0 to Aus.

 

[sweep_shot]

I didn't expect this type of fightback from Aussies. They generally don't do well when they play in England.

If Aussies can win this Test, they can win Ashes too.

 

[Mueez]

You give a sniff of victory to Australia and they clinch it with both hands.

Happened it at when Australia were 123-8 and England let them made 284.

You just gotta love the fighting spirit of the Aussies.

 

[ILcricket]

Forecast for day 5 is clear . Can England survive ? Btw , pathetic pitch , team selection & declaration .

 

[sweep_shot]

I feel that Australia took too long to declare. They should've declared much earlier. England can save this Test now.

 

[MenInG]

BIRMINGHAM, England (Reuters) - A second successive century from Steve Smith swung an unpredictable Ashes opening test in Australia’s favour on Sunday as the tourists set England a daunting 398 runs to win.

Cricket - Ashes 2019 - First Test - England v Australia - Edgbaston, Birmingham, Britain - August 4, 2019 Australia's Steve Smith reacts as he is caught out by England's Jonny Bairstow off the bowling of Chris Woakes Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers
The Australians declared on 487-7 before England, facing a huge battle to save the game at Edgbaston, reached 13-0 at stumps on day four.

Smith, in his first test back following a one-year ban following a ball-tampering scandal and who made 144 in the first innings, continued to put England to the sword after his side resumed their second innings on 124-3.

He passed 50 in the fourth over of the day, with Travis Head (51) and Matthew Wade (110)providing excellent support.

Without injured strike bowler James Anderson, England toiled as Smith, batting for just short of five-and-a-half hours, became only the fifth Australian to make centuries in both innings of an Ashes test before departing for 142.

Jason Roy and Rory Burns emerged unscathed from seven overs at the end of the day as the home side bid to save the game.

“I have never doubted my ability,” Smith said. “To score two hundreds in a match in a first Ashes test is incredible.

“I have never done that in any form of cricket. It is special. I’ve loved these last four days, it’s felt like Christmas morning every morning.”

After Head was dismissed by Ben Stokes, Wade came in to support Smith as the former captain reached his second century of the match with a boundary after lunch.

His 10th century Ashes century, which included 14 fours, takes him level with Steve Waugh, with only Don Bradman (19) and Jack Hobbs (12) having scored more.

Smith survived a leg before wicket appeal on 125 but was otherwise relatively untroubled, while Wade followed in his slipstream, contributing to another century partnership.

The 84th over brought the second new ball and an end to Smith’s resistance, caught behind off Chris Woakes.

Wade passed his century with a fine reverse sweep, before being caught on the boundary.

Spinner Moeen Ali, who endured a difficult afternoon to finish with 2-130, then bowled Tim Paine for 34, with a flurry of late runs from Pat Cummings and James Pattinson cementing Australia’s strong position.

The highest successful fourth-innings run chase in Birmingham was 11 years ago when South Africa posted 283-5 — the last time England lost at Edgbaston — but batting out day five for a draw looks like the most England can hope for.

“Tomorrow is a big day,” England batting coach Graham Thorpe said. “Smith’s innings have given Australia the momentum. We have to be confident that we can play the day out, but also believe we can keep scoring runs.”

https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-c...-opener-after-smiths-second-ton-idUKKCN1UU0DC

 

[subbu]

Most likely draw

 

[Aman]

lmao I thought it was day 4 today, England should hold on.

Geez why such a late declaration?

 

[James]

Bit defensive from Australia. I suppose it is a long series and they haven’t sensed many demons in the pitch.

90 overs to last, with all 10 wickets in hand.

Still think we’ll lose though - LOL.

 

[Majestic_Inzi]

Bit defensive from Australia. I suppose it is a long series and they haven’t sensed many demons in the pitch.

90 overs to last, with all 10 wickets in hand.

Still think we’ll lose though - LOL.

James this is a dead pitch, suns out likely draw. You didnt think eng would score more than 200 in first innings.

Crap pitch for test.

 

[irfan]

My prediction is that Stokes and Moeen will be there at the end to ensure safety for Eng, lol

 

[Mueez]

Four to begin the proceedings of day five.

 

[Mueez]

Why do I feel England will win this?

Stokes and Buttler will be key today for England.

 

[Mamoon]

Another awful decision. How can you give that out? Imagine if Root didn’t have a review.

But who cares because the umpires are “neutral”.

 

[Aman]

That was a shocking decision

 

[Aman]

Another awful decision. How can you give that out? Imagine if Root didn’t have a review.

But who cares because the umpires are “neutral”.

The standard of umpiring shouldn't be this bad... I swear it feels like it's gotten awful the last few years, I guess it's because the mainstay umpires are getting older?

 

[sindhiboy]

another piece of brilliance from the umpires

 

[Mamoon]

The standard of umpiring shouldn't be this bad... I swear it feels like it's gotten awful the last few years, I guess it's because the mainstay umpires are getting older?

The best available umpires should officiate regardless of their nationality. Neutral umpires idea is ridiculous in 2019.

 

[Aman]

14th incorrect decision of the match )

9th for Joel Wilson.

Thank god for DRS.

 

[Mueez]

Beautiful shot by Root.

 

[Mamoon]

I might be off the mark here, but I feel that the umpires are more trigger-happy because of DRS.

10 years ago, no umpire would have given that our because it was clearly doing down, however, they are more eager to raise their finger today because of umpire’s call.

Quite often, the ball appears to be missing the stumps to the naked eye but it still ends up barely clipping according to Hawkeye.

It seems like the umpires are giving benefit of doubt to themselves rather than the batsmen.

 

[Majestic_Inzi]

What a flat 5th day wicket?

 

[sindhiboy]

"speaking of annoying buzz noises, here's nasser"

 

[silentkiller187]

I might be off the mark here, but I feel that the umpires are more trigger-happy because of DRS.

10 years ago, no umpire would have given that our because it was clearly doing down, however, they are more eager to raise their finger today because of umpire’s call.

Quite often, the ball appears to be missing the stumps to the naked eye but it still ends up barely clipping according to Hawkeye.

It seems like the umpires are giving benefit of doubt to themselves rather than the batsmen.

I agree with your comments here, umpires almost use the DRS as a safety net and know in most instances the opposing team can review the decision. Pre -DRS umpires were a lot more cautious.

 

[Mueez]

Starc would have been difficult to handle on this day five pitch.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Starc would have been difficult to handle on this day five pitch.

They are missing a fit Hazelwood here.

 

[Mamoon]

Another stunning decision by the neutral.

 

[Mueez]

Horrendous decision.

 

[sindhiboy]

joel is on fire

 

[Mueez]

They are missing a fit Hazelwood here.

Yeah I find Pattinson overrated.

I’d prefer an attack of Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins.

 

[irfan]

hmm, wasn't playing a shot, Root was out there

 

[sindhiboy]

They are missing a fit Hazelwood here.

hazlewood can be threatening on pitches with variable bounce.

it is a bit harsh on the bowlers, pattinson and cummins should not be dropped. so only one of starc and hazlewood can play, not both.

starc and hazle have been pretty bad all of 2018, that is why they are not playing

 

[Mamoon]

hmm, wasn't playing a shot, Root was out there

Technically he was because he was in position for playing a forward-defense. Dar made the right call.

 

[irfan]

Technically he was because he was in position for playing a forward-defense. Dar made the right call.

lol 'technically' what does that mean? he might be in position but there was no attempt at a shot, Dar was wrong

 

[sindhiboy]

Yeah I find Pattinson overrated.

I’d prefer an attack of Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins.

i find hazlewood overrated. even ishant sharma bowled better than him last year.

but he would have been handy on this pitch. he is effective the most on english pitches

 

[irfan]

Roy what an idiot!

 

[Mueez]

Oh Roy oh Roy.

Couldn’t resist his natural aggression.

 

[Ahmed_99]

England have to be patient with Roy. Only 2nd test and he'll learn a lot from the mistakes he's just made.

 

[silentkiller187]

England collapse loading..

 

[Sam99]

Technically he was because he was in position for playing a forward-defense. Dar made the right call.

Lol in which world he was playing shot. Idk why but you always seems to be biased about england players.

 

[Firebat]

Oh Roy oh Roy.

Couldn’t resist his natural aggression.

Could've showed that aggression in a more effective way than running down the track with a nonsensical hoick across the line to an experienced spinner bowling on a day 5 pitch. Controlled and thoughtful aggression, not idiocy.

 

[irfan]

stupid review Denly knew he hit it.

 

[Zahid87]

Still think England will come away with a draw.

The pitch is not terrible. Turn is still slow, and nothing is really spitting out of the rough.

One decent partnership, and Australia will mentally give up.

 

[sindhiboy]

cummins this innings has been better than lyon, excellent bowler

 

[irfan]

oh dear Joe

 

[Ahmed_99]

Bancroft is actually such a great close in fielder! That was a really good take

 

[Aman]

England really going to lose a Test which they dominated most of?

 

[Aman]

oh dear Joe

Were you really expecting Root to dig them out of this?

He doesn't have it in him do it. There's a reason why people call him Joe fiddy, that fiddy goes too when his team needs it most.

 

[Ahmed_99]

Have to give credit to Australia too though. They've bowled really well today

 

[Titan24]

If the 4 day test match theory would have been applied this 5th day wouldnt be happening and match would have been most likely ended in a draw even if we consider few extra overs each day.

 

[HitWicket]

If the 4 day test match theory would have been applied this 5th day wouldnt be happening and match would have been most likely ended in a draw even if we consider few extra overs each day.

If it was a 4 day test match Australia would've played more aggressively and declared earlier/been bowled out.

 

[Majestic_Inzi]

Its all on stokes now, one big patnership needed

 

[delpiero10]

If the 4 day test match theory would have been applied this 5th day wouldnt be happening and match would have been most likely ended in a draw even if we consider few extra overs each day.

Aren't more overs bowled during each day of a 4 day test, though. I think there were 98 overs per day scheduled in the ENG vs IRE test, if I'm not mistaken?

In such a scenario only 48 overs are lost out of the scheduled 450.

 

[Afhan Ali]

After the World Cup, Ben Stokes is my favorite player, hope he will play another outstanding inning.

 

[Afhan Ali]

Pakistan chase 300 against Lanka in last 2 sessions of a test match with 6 wickets in hand
Can England do this ?

 

[Majestic_Inzi]

Pakistan chase 300 against Lanka in last 2 sessions of a test match with 6 wickets in hand
Can England do this ?

Its survival, thats it.. Stokes can last...

 

[Mueez]

After the World Cup, Ben Stokes is my favorite player, hope he will play another outstanding inning.

Mine too.

I love his fighting spirit!

 

[Last Monetarist]

Buttler will never be a test class batsman, doesn't have the technique nor mental fortitude. Horrible footwork for that dismissal.

 

[Titan24]

Aren't more overs bowled during each day of a 4 day test, though. I think there were 98 overs per day scheduled in the ENG vs IRE test, if I'm not mistaken?

In such a scenario only 48 overs are lost out of the scheduled 450.

Yes as I mentioned there are more overs bowled each day but that still takes away the 5th day pitch effect and bowling extra 8 overs each day at the end wont be of same intensity as starting a fresh 5th day in my opinion.

 

[sindhiboy]

cummins and lyon are the best test bowlers in the world.

they are a much deadlier combination than heavily hyped starc+hazlewood

 

[Titan24]

If it was a 4 day test match Australia would've played more aggressively and declared earlier/been bowled out.

Why would have Australia risked being bowled out? Their first natural aim would have been to go to a position where they are safe to not loose the match as they did in the 4th day here.

In my opinion its a wrong assumption from many cricketing experts as well that teams will try to play more aggressively to make a game out of it. Rather I think there is more chance of team with a poor 1 or 2 days to go in the shell and play rest couple of days defensively and with defensive fields when bowling.

 

[Rana]

Don’t hear the commies tearing into Bairstow for taking a review the way Nasser Hussain ripped Denly for reviewing.

Clear favouritism and bias by English commentators for a select group of players.

 

[Majestic_Inzi]

Oh dear.. Stokes gone..

 

[Amjid Javed]

Pathetic display with bat by england, just like the ireland test. This is what happens when you focus on to much white ball cricket.

 

[Titan24]

Cummins now with 100 test wickets @21.75.

 

[sindhiboy]

so win the toss and bat first, youll most likely win.

shows india last year were pretty unlucky to be chasing so often and could have won more tests ifthey did not chase so many times

 

[silentkiller187]

England collapse loading..

Was inevitable..

 

[sindhiboy]

Cummins now with 100 test wickets @21.75.

with almost 5 wickets per match, thats amazing. wonder if bumrah or shaheen can achieve this in a year or two

 

[Mamoon]

A very sad day. Australia were extremely lucky with Anderson’s injury which completely changes the complexion of this game.

He wouldn’t have allowed Australia to add over 150+ with the last two wickets in the first innings or to score 450+ in the second innings.

The Edgbaston fortress had to be breached in bizzare circumstances.

England needs to forget this fluke defeat and treat this as a 4 match series. At full-strength, they are still better than this average Australian riding on Smith’s coat-tail.

They also need to accommodate Archer in the lineup because he would have compensated for Anderson’s injury here.

 

[Titan24]

so win the toss and bat first, youll most likely win.

shows india last year were pretty unlucky to be chasing so often and could have won more tests ifthey did not chase so many times

Toss does play a really big role in outcome of test matches as irrespective of the country one is playing in pitch becomes difficult on 5th day. Pak was also a bit unlucky when they had to chase twice in UAE against Srilankan spinners. Ofcourse they should have done better chasing low totals and one cant justify Pak playing just one spinner but my point is that toss in tests is really important in the outcome of the match more often than not.

 

[irfan]

Buttler will never be a test class batsman, doesn't have the technique nor mental fortitude. Horrible footwork for that dismissal.

was a good delivery but a test batsman would've dealt with it relatively easily by getting in line and defending it

 

[irfan]

A very sad day. Australia were extremely lucky with Anderson’s injury which completely changes the complexion of this game.

He wouldn’t have allowed Australia to add over 150+ with the last two wickets in the first innings or to score 450+ in the second innings.

The Edgbaston fortress had to be breached in bizzare circumstances.

England needs to forget this fluke defeat and treat this as a 4 match series. At full-strength, they are still better than this average Australian riding on Smith’s coat-tail.

They also need to accommodate Archer in the lineup because he would have compensated for Anderson’s injury here.

how does Anderson's absence explain the shocking batting displays by England?