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Australia [442/8d & 138] defeat England [227 & 233] by 120 runs to go 2-0 up in The Ashes

Good comeback by England and Jimmy Anderson. Need to make use of the start now
 
Let's see what Captain Root has.

Huge innings for him coming up.

50/2 but still in the game, they need him to step up.
 
Pretty crap dismissal from Stoneman there, after a good innings. Batsmen on both sides seem to be happily throwing their wickets away in this match. More of that to come I’m sure.
 
England making the cardinal sin of going into a shell which has invariably produced a couple of wickets. As long as they were looking to score at 3 RPO, they were doing just fine. Last 10 overs, 10/2. Says it all really. Never understood why teams don't approach 4th innings targets aggressively. The pitch more often than not would have deteriorated considerably by the 4th and 5th day so aggressive batting becomes the only option of actually surviving. And by aggressive I don't mean going at 6 RPO. 3 RPO is absolutely fine and the intent to look for runs will ultimately force bowlers off their lines.
 
England making the cardinal sin of going into a shell which has invariably produced a couple of wickets. As long as they were looking to score at 3 RPO, they were doing just fine. Last 10 overs, 10/2. Says it all really. Never understood why teams don't approach 4th innings targets aggressively. The pitch more often than not would have deteriorated considerably by the 4th and 5th day so aggressive batting becomes the only option of actually surviving. And by aggressive I don't mean going at 6 RPO. 3 RPO is absolutely fine and the intent to look for runs will ultimately force bowlers off their lines.
The hope/braithwaite chase was the perfect template of how to chase a big target, in testing conditions. Probably the best chase in the last 20 or even 40 years, considering the odds & conditions they were facing, including red ball under the lights.

England seem to be doing the exact opposite, it;s like they never learn!
 
I swear teams that play positively are the ones that chase down 300.

The tentative ones either lose badly or rarely just scrape through.
 
The hope/braithwaite chase was the perfect template of how to chase a big target, in testing conditions. Probably the best chase in the last 20 or even 40 years, considering the odds & conditions they were facing, including red ball under the lights.

England seem to be doing the exact opposite, it;s like they never learn!

I swear teams that play positively are the ones that chase down 300.

The tentative ones either lose badly or rarely just scrape through.

Tentativeness has never worked and never will. If you're looking to see off the new ball, then that's understandable. Here England have done the opposite where they were aggressive against the new ball and become hopeless timid after the ball was 16-17 overs old.

England did a similar thing back against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi when they were chasing 140 odd and they collapsed to 72 all out. Every single batter was looking to bat time there as well.

Shai Hope's batting in that 4th innings was a treat to watch. It was a masterclass of how to go about chasing any total in the 4th innings. Think WI had more than 3.5 RR in that innings to win the match.
 
It's one thing to win a brief period against this attack but it is so incredibly difficult to score for long periods when there is not let up from any bowler. This is why, to judge the caliber of a knock, people should look at the completeness of the attack. If there are no weak links to score runs against then that is batting of the highest order because runs are truly earned. It's a simple way to measure the value of an innings but many are often caught up in the aesthetics and hero worship rather than actually analyzing the threat the batsman is facing. Sure, situation, change in conditions where certain attacks become more potent and vice versa, is also to be considered.
 
It's one thing to win a brief period against this attack but it is so incredibly difficult to score for long periods when there is not let up from any bowler. This is why, to judge the caliber of a knock, people should look at the completeness of the attack. If there are no weak links to score runs against then that is batting of the highest order because runs are truly earned. It's a simple way to measure the value of an innings but many are often caught up in the aesthetics and hero worship rather than actually analyzing the threat the batsman is facing. Sure, situation, change in conditions where certain attacks become more potent and vice versa, is also to be considered.

What you said is very true, but the intent to rotate the strike over is something that should not be dependent on the kind of bowling attack you are facing. Kohli against this same Aussie attack batted at more than 60 SR because he had the intent to score runs. When the opposition bowler knows that you are looking for runs, his bowling lines and lengths alter considerably. If you go and attack Lyon for even 1 over, you'll see a drastic change in his line and lengths for his 2nd over. Easier said than done, but I believe the game is won in the mind which is where Kohli is light years ahead of everyone. I have always found out that what you put in your mind is what will ultimately follow in your actions.
 
Rubbish from Cook.

Got out three times in that innings essentially.

His 150th test should be his last test match for England. Given he doesn't pull out a double century outta nowhere in Perth. Who are England's reserve batsmen, by the way? Ballance is one, right?

Team for the fourth test match if Cook fails in Perth:

Vince
Stoneman
Ballance
Root
Moeen
Stokes (He's back!)
Bairstow
Woakes
Broad
That young leggie
Anderson

Might as well give some Australian exposure to the younger guys if Cookie is well and truly done.
 
It's one thing to win a brief period against this attack but it is so incredibly difficult to score for long periods when there is not let up from any bowler. This is why, to judge the caliber of a knock, people should look at the completeness of the attack. If there are no weak links to score runs against then that is batting of the highest order because runs are truly earned. It's a simple way to measure the value of an innings but many are often caught up in the aesthetics and hero worship rather than actually analyzing the threat the batsman is facing. Sure, situation, change in conditions where certain attacks become more potent and vice versa, is also to be considered.

Very good post. Most attacks have at least one weak link that batsmen can take advantage of but the best attacks give no respite to the batsmen. The English and Pakistani attacks of 2010-2012 were complete bowling units with no passengers. South Africa have always had one dud, usually their spinner and the Aussies had one or two superb bowlers (MJ and Harris) and a couple of weaker ones, until recently.
 
His 150th test should be his last test match for England. Given he doesn't pull out a double century outta nowhere in Perth. Who are England's reserve batsmen, by the way? Ballance is one, right?

Team for the fourth test match if Cook fails in Perth:

Vince
Stoneman
Ballance
Root
Moeen
Stokes (He's back!)
Bairstow
Woakes
Broad
That young leggie
Anderson

Might as well give some Australian exposure to the younger guys if Cookie is well and truly done.

Cook scored a double century in August for crying out loud
 
Cook scored a double century in August for crying out loud

Against? Where? However, you're right. I'm being too harsh. Ultimately, England's lack of any promising options will leave the decison about Cook's retirement firmly in Cook's hands.
 
Last 5 overs -25/0. The moment you start to look for runs, the easier the batting becomes.
 
So Vince hasn't yet convinced me, as he goes for 15.

Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi...
 
Surely we can’t keep picking Vince, his average in Tests was bloody 21 before this latest cheap dismissal. Shocking.
 
Against? Where? However, you're right. I'm being too harsh. Ultimately, England's lack of any promising options will leave the decison about Cook's retirement firmly in Cook's hands.

Dude, you replaced Cook at the top of the order with James Vince who is the modern day Yasir Hameed when it comes to providing catching practice for the slip cordon.
 
Australia batted poorly today which has kept England still in the game.. they should have batted untill the middle of post lunch (tea) session atleast which would given them more runs, less time for England and also a new ball under swinging conditions ...
 
Root or bust. Always a chance while he is there.
 
Surely we can’t keep picking Vince, his average in Tests was bloody 21 before this latest cheap dismissal. Shocking.

What do we do? Ballance fails at #3. Push Root up to #3, give Foakes the gloves, Bairstow up to #4 and Ballance at #5?
 
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England may push it close if they don't lose another 2 this session.
 
Wow Starc is even worse that I'd imagined him to be, simply can't control the ball under lights. He'd be Mitch 2.0 in England 2 years from now!
 
Australia not enforcing the follow on looking worse with each run England knocks off.

This game would have been over by now had they enforced the follow on.
 
Well done Root, captain’s knock so far!
 
SL giving Smith a good run for his money for "the worst review(s) of the day" :))
 
Get to 200 without losing a wicket and England have a serious chance. Got to hold their nerve.
 
This is exhilarating stuff. The closer England get, the more difficult it becomes for [MENTION=7774]Robert[/MENTION] to watch.
 
Whatever be the outcome of this match, the moral victory has been achieved by England for sure.
 
England ahead 60-40.
[MENTION=132373]Convict[/MENTION] you would have probably won by now had you enforced the follow on :))
 
Pace from Cummins makes the difference just as Australia were being frustrated.
 
Crucial wicket there!

Cummins pegs back Malan's off stump.

It's great to see England finally showing some fight - however its a massive ask for Root, Ali and Bairstow here.
 
England has a chance as long as Root stays there.

The rest can pitch in small innings to help him along.
 
Supporting root and co they can win this.exciting day coming up! Test cricket is ultimate cricket
 
Whatever be the outcome of this match, the moral victory has been achieved by England for sure.

What to do with moral victory if England loses this match. It would have to be some historic come back to win from 2-0 down in a 5 match series.
 
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Woakes is so good that he doesn't bother using his whole bat to score runs when facing trundling Cummins and his attempted yorkers. :rahat
 
Root is batting brilliantly.

Malan and Vince scored 29 and 15...close to non-contributions, but he still managed to get 110 runs out of them in partnership.

England bat deep, so unless Australia can get Joe Root out sooner rather than later, the game will get out of hand very fast. 170 runs can sound like a lot, but one partnership can put it in touching distance.
 
Just so SO good to watch this. Nothing beats good quality test cricket. Kudos to the curator again, Adelaide is doing it right more often than not.
 
A strong performance from England throughout the day. Still a massive ask for them to even get within 50 runs of the target, but a great effort so far.
 
A strong performance from England throughout the day. Still a massive ask for them to even get within 50 runs of the target, but a great effort so far.

Scoring 128 runs with 6 wickets left is a 'massive ask'? Ought to be routine if they want to be even competitive.
 
Scoring 128 runs with 6 wickets left is a 'massive ask'? Ought to be routine if they want to be even competitive.

Normally I would agree, but in the 4th innings it is generally much harder than usual to score.
 
Scoring 128 runs with 6 wickets left is a 'massive ask'? Ought to be routine if they want to be even competitive.

You always tend to underestimate the challenge of chasing in the fourth innings, even though history tells us that chasing 250+ - let alone against a quality unit - is incredibly difficult.

Even last year, you were confident at the end of the day four that Shafiq and the tail would take Pakistan home, but as expected, they eventually succumbed to the pressure created by the Australians.

England indeed have a good chance of winning from here, especially if Root can add another 70-80 odd runs. However, Australia is going to come hard at them with some relentless bowling - it is going to be very difficult for Root, Woakes, Bairstow and Moeen to resist the pressure for long.

It is still Australia’s game to lose, but yes miracles do happen.
 
Blood hell [MENTION=865]Big Mac[/MENTION] how do you stay up watching this around 5am lol probably does some revision on the side as well :))
 
Because I bloody love cricket

I lost interest after Misbah retired :mv I was awake when he scored the fastest hundred in Test cricket all those moons ago. To be fair, I follow Pak closely but England not as much as I use to when it comes to staying up late, I blame Yorkshire.
 
Brilliant test match cricket once again showing why it is the best format.

I so hope for a big finish.
 
I lost interest after Misbah retired :mv I was awake when he scored the fastest hundred in Test cricket all those moons ago. To be fair, I follow Pak closely but England not as much as I use to when it comes to staying up late, I blame Yorkshire.

We should all watch so we can see Moeen and Woakes put the finishing touches to the master plan

The only explanation is that Woakes decided he had punished the Aussies bowlers enough to make them want to run into the dressing room instead of enforcing the follow-on, so he gave his wicket away to make sure that England can bowl under the lights.

Woakes is a genius :rahat
 
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