England v Australia | 2nd Test | Lord's | Australia won by 405 runs

[trogger]

Pitch should still be good for batting next friday, cook, upcoming rain and the pitch should be enough to see england keep the 1-0 advantage here.

 

[Man Of Steel]

Pitch should still be good for batting next friday, cook, upcoming rain and the pitch should be enough to see england keep the 1-0 advantage here.

No I won't tolerate that.

 

[Man Of Steel]

Moeen hiding behind Broad instead of farming the strike #Pathetic

 

[King Cobra]

Wont be a draw Im sure , unless there is some serious rain

 

[King Cobra]

Australia should take a lead of over 200 runs , then Bat two sessions tomorrow , add 250 runs and have a crack at England for 4 sessions defending 450.

120 overs will be enough to bowl out England here

 

[Robert]

Come on England, get 'em in singles.

 

[Robert]

Pitch should still be good for batting next friday, cook, upcoming rain and the pitch should be enough to see england keep the 1-0 advantage here.

I think that England are actually better off getting bowled out here and having to bat again here. I expect Clarke to bat for a couple of sessions.

 

[cricketindiafan]

Lead of 254.

Another 150 runs and Eng should be batting again before lunch tomorrow.

 

[trogger]

Lead of 254.

Another 150 runs and Eng should be batting again before lunch tomorrow.

So set them just 400 in 5+ sessions on a highway?

Makes no sense you actually lose overs at them as they would have the target before tea on day 5.

 

[Juansar_07]

Mitch Marsh removes Stokes.He misses out on a hundred again.A very good knock nonetheless.Rescued poms from a catastrophic situation.

Spoiler

 

[Juansar_07]

Butler walks back on 13 - Lyon.

Spoiler

 

[Juansar_07]

A fighting innings from Cook ends.He too misses out on a much deserving 100.
Bowled by the same man, Marsh.

Spoiler

 

[Juansar_07]

Moeen LBW - Hazlewood.Contributed with a 40 odd.

Spoiler

 

[Juansar_07]

Wood Bowled - Hazlewood's 3rd.

Spoiler

 

[Juansar_07]

Johnson finishes with 3 as well.Broad the last man gone with 312 on board.

Spoiler

 

[Neferpitou]

England's bowling is so boring. Need to bring in some actual quicks. So much infrastructure, money and yet producing trundlers left and right.

Need to shorten the county season and lessen the number of tests played. Apart from India, England is the worst country for a fast bowler to be born in.

 

[IndianWillow]

So no follow on as expected. 120 runs in first session on day four, and Australia will lead by 480 and have five sessions to bowl out the Brits. Barring a miracle, England has no chance of saving this test.

 

[Bilal7]

England's bowling is so boring. Need to bring in some actual quicks. So much infrastructure, money and yet producing trundlers left and right.

Need to shorten the county season and lessen the number of tests played. Apart from India, England is the worst country for a fast bowler to be born in.

Hardly. Just because they lack talent doesn't mean that the conditions are against fast bowling.

 

[Robert]

England's bowling is so boring. Need to bring in some actual quicks. So much infrastructure, money and yet producing trundlers left and right.

Need to shorten the county season and lessen the number of tests played. Apart from India, England is the worst country for a fast bowler to be born in.

Yep, just five tests per summer instead of seven. Bring on two divisions of test cricket! But The Big Three will prevent that because it limits the number of times they play the most lucrative matches.

[/B]

Hardly. Just because they lack talent doesn't mean that the conditions are against fast bowling.

No, he is right. They don't "lack talent". They play too much and settle for being medium pacers to prolong their careers. Imran Khan said that in 1988.

 

[Random Aussie]

Yep, just five tests per summer instead of seven. Bring on two divisions of test cricket! But The Big Three will prevent that because it limits the number of times they play the most lucrative matches.



No, he is right. They don't "lack talent". They play too much and settle for being medium pacers to prolong their careers. Imran Khan said that in 1988.

I noticed our guys are bowling on overage 5-10kph quicker than the English, and it makes a difference. Not sure if Wood is your guy Rob, seems not quite Test class from what I have seen.

 

[Chrish]

No, he is right. They don't "lack talent". They play too much and settle for being medium pacers to prolong their careers. Imran Khan said that in 1988.

But what exactly stops them from producing any world class batsmen? Why they have to rely heavily on imports like KP?

 

[justarslan]

England's bowling is so boring. Need to bring in some actual quicks. So much infrastructure, money and yet producing trundlers left and right.

Need to shorten the county season and lessen the number of tests played. Apart from India, England is the worst country for a fast bowler to be born in.

They need Steve Finn.

 

[Neferpitou]

[/B]

Hardly. Just because they lack talent doesn't mean that the conditions are against fast bowling.

Not due to conditions but the amount of tests and county games per year. It wears down fast bowlers.

 

[Neferpitou]

They need Steve Finn.

Finn's lost his pace.

 

[Convict]

Yep, just five tests per summer instead of seven. Bring on two divisions of test cricket! But The Big Three will prevent that because it limits the number of times they play the most lucrative matches.



No, he is right. They don't "lack talent". They play too much and settle for being medium pacers to prolong their careers. Imran Khan said that in 1988.

Yeah.

Look at the difference between Chris Tremlett and Ryan Harris.

Both injury prone - Tremlett cuts his pace so he can play 16 county games a year whilst Harris decided to bowl until he broke down and then to try to get fit and bowl until he broke down.

Tremlett's still playing and Harris is not but we all know which one of the two players will be remembered.

Cut the county season to 8 games (4 home and 4 away)

 

[Robert]

But what exactly stops them from producing any world class batsmen? Why they have to rely heavily on imports like KP?

"Immigrant" is more appropriate than "import".

To an extent the CC became a breeding ground for mediocrity in the 1980s. The two-division Championship rectified that to some extent. Recently it has produced Cook, Root and Stokes, and I would argue that KP - originally an off-spinning tail-ender - was almost entirely a product of the Notts system.

 

[Robert]

Looks like the rain will be off by 0800 hrs, unlike my original prediction, so we should get a full day's play. England to be five down by the close.

 

[Convict]

"Immigrant" is more appropriate than "import".

To an extent the CC became a breeding ground for mediocrity in the 1980s. The two-division Championship rectified that to some extent. Recently it has produced Cook, Root and Stokes, and I would argue that KP - originally an off-spinning tail-ender - was almost entirely a product of the Notts system.

I'd argue that KP was no more and off spinning tail ender than Smith was a leg spinning tail ender and that the foundations for their successes - as with the vast majority of players - was built in juniors

 

[Robert]

I'd argue that KP was no more and off spinning tail ender than Smith was a leg spinning tail ender and that the foundations for their successes - as with the vast majority of players - was built in juniors

Well, have a look at where KP batted for Natal.

 

[James]

Pleasing forecast. We don't deserve the rain.

Been a really poor, flat and disappointing performance.

We need to find some consistency. We've had 3 great Test wins this year versus West Indies, New Zealand and Australia - and followed up all 3 of these games with a comprehensive flop.

 

[Convict]

Well, have a look at where KP batted for Natal.

And look where Smith batted for Australia.

Foundations are built in juniors

 

[cricketindiafan]

If England lose this test, will they change their strategy of docile surfaces or rather surfaces where winning the toss is becoming the deciding factor in the end?

Looking at the stats, James Anderson is averaging 50+ in 4 home tests, Stokes is averaging 89, Moeen Ali 49 and Mark Wood is at 38. Why would you prepare surfaces which blunt your own bowling attack.

 

[Random Aussie]

If England lose this test, will they change their strategy of docile surfaces or rather surfaces where winning the toss is becoming the deciding factor in the end?

Looking at the stats, James Anderson is averaging 50+ in 4 home tests, Stokes is averaging 89, Moeen Ali 49 and Mark Wood is at 38. Why would you prepare surfaces which blunt your own bowling attack.

The pitches aren't going to change, the financial risk of short games is too high. Especially in England where the venues are not all guaranteed a Test. Maybe against a lesser draw but not the Ashes. Same goes for Aussie pitches.

 

[James]

People are blaming the pitch too much. For me two things are much more important:

England's performance levels. Basically atrocious. Only Cook, Stokes and Broad will emerge with any credit at the moment. England have won plenty of home and away Tests on similar pitches.

Australia's performance levels. Exceptionally high, wonderful teamwork also. And they are not getting enough praise for it.

 

[Robert]

If England lose this test, will they change their strategy of docile surfaces or rather surfaces where winning the toss is becoming the deciding factor in the end?

The pitches will all be roughly similar, in order to play for five days to maximise TV advertising revenue. There is no strategy other than this. If the County groundsmen want England to win they would make five greentops and try to expose Aussie frailties against lateral movement. But they won't.

 

[James]

If England do manage to bat out Monday, then they will probably win.

So if there is no rain, I'd say it's either an Australian win or an England win now - with the Australian win being by far the most likely!!

Clarke will go for a slightly risky if not sporting declaration - he does not waste time and will want to level the series.

 

[trogger]

Clarke does tend to go overboard with the declarations, he seems so desperate for praise from the media for his aggression and it will probably b even more over the top now that mccullum is getting all the praise for his risk taking.

 

[Robert]

We need to find some consistency. We've had 3 great Test wins this year versus West Indies, New Zealand and Australia - and followed up all 3 of these games with a comprehensive flop.

The top four are not doing enough and I would make changes. Their failures have been camouflaged by Root batting like Compton. The seamers I would not change, though it might be time to give Wood the new ball instead of Old Man Jimmy. The Beard has been getting by on people underestimating him and trying to slog him. That is changing and he will get milked. It's frustrating that we have only produced two test-class spinners since the Millennium turned.

 

[James]

Even England are scoring at 4 an over in Test cricket now.

A bit of a cultural change for us to get used to, because we've often been quite good at batting out the draw in the past.

It's time for English fans to realise that everyone else either gets the win, or loses the Test gracefully and moves on overnight - scratching one's way to a possible draw at 2 an over is a behaviour that we probably need to leave behind.

 

[James]

The top four are not doing enough and I would make changes. Their failures have been camouflaged by Root batting like Compton. The seamers I would not change, though it might be time to give Wood the new ball instead of Old Man Jimmy. The Beard has been getting by on people underestimating him and trying to slog him. That is changing and he will get milked. It's frustrating that we have only produced two test-class spinners since the Millennium turned.

I would have Cook at 1, Bell at first drop, Root as the dominant no.4 and Stokes at the pivotal sixth position. That is a backbone.

Lyth is not test class and Ballance's loose technique leaves him too vulnerable. Move them out; try another opener and put someone else at no.5.

 

[trogger]

Sounds like it will be overcast and humid for a lot of day 5, guess if it's light enough to face the quicks the ball might do a bit.

 

[Robert]

I would have Cook at 1, Bell at first drop, Root as the dominant no.4 and Stokes at the pivotal sixth position. That is a backbone.

Lyth is not test class and Ballance's loose technique leaves him too vulnerable. Move them out; try another opener and put someone else at no.5.

Bell actually averages 50 at #5, 39 at #3, and just 36 at #4 so I would push him down instead of up. Doesn't plug the #3 hole though. Come back, Trotty.... The wee man Taylor? Give the Mitchell Brothers less to bowl at

Yeah..... Lyth keeps nicking to slip. I would go for broke and get in Hales so we have some top-order punch for the first time since Tresco retired.

 

[James]

Hales I would accept as an opener.

Maybe not Bell at #3. Who on earth will bat there???

First drop is too high for Root IMO - fine for JAMODIs, but just like KP, in Tests he needs a bit of protection from the red cherry.

 

[Robert]

Blimey, Rogers has retired ill.....

 

[BleedGreen]

The Aussies leading by 368 runs!

 

[Markhor]

Unless Michael Clarke just wants more time out at the crease to regain his form, there's no need for Australia to carry on. They have a lead of 469 which should be enough, now's the time to get at the England batsmen and give themselves plenty of time to bowl them out.

 

[Random Aussie]

500 I suspect. Would be good to make them face a few annoying overs before lunch.

 

[Random Aussie]

Mitch Marsh is going to tee off here

 

[eradicator]

Declare now Australia

 

[Robert]

500 I suspect. Would be good to make them face a few annoying overs before lunch.

They should declare now - England have no chance at all of getting even 470. By batting on they are actually reducing their chance of winning.

 

[Random Aussie]

They should declare now - England have no chance at all of getting even 470. By batting on they are actually reducing their chance of winning.

And we have declared, as RA predicted

 

[Markhor]

Declaration has come, Aus will get about 10 mins before lunch to get in a few overs.

 

[James]

An Aussie win by at least 250 runs I reckon.

Cook typically scores in one innings and not the other, so he will get a failure and the rest will tumble after that.

 

[BleedGreen]

England set a target of 509. Can they bat out for 1 and a half days?

 

[BleedGreen]

Okay the covers are still on

 

[MarkCooper]

Ricky Ponting is so boring that drying paint watches him.

 

[Robert]

And the clock clicks down to just 154 overs to survive in this heroic English rearguard action.

 

[Random Aussie]

Nearly got Chef there

 

[Robert]

Atherton's epic rearguard in SA was about this long.

 

[James]

I'm surprised that Mitchell Starc doesn't have a better bowling average. He seems to obtain left-arm inswing more often than Johnno does.

 

[Random Aussie]

I'm surprised that Mitchell Starc doesn't have a better bowling average. He seems to obtain left-arm inswing more often than Johnno does.

His ability to bowl well with a red ball is only about four Tests in. Before that, all over the shop. The average will come down.

 

[eradicator]

And Lyth is gone

 

[Markhor]

Both openers gone, Australia could have this wrapped up by tonight.

 

[James]

Once again we are 3 down before bringing up the team 50.

Surely now there have to be changes. This top four is proven to not be good enough.

 

[Chrish]

"Immigrant" is more appropriate than "import".

To an extent the CC became a breeding ground for mediocrity in the 1980s. The two-division Championship rectified that to some extent. Recently it has produced Cook, Root and Stokes, and I would argue that KP - originally an off-spinning tail-ender - was almost entirely a product of the Notts system.

Yes wrong choice of words sorry.. The point I was making is "too much Cricket" theory doesn't add up if we consider it for batsmen rather than bowlers. Because, it should certainly not stop them from producing batting talents..

 

[MarkCooper]

Well, its going to be 1-1 which is the same as 0-0 so the first two Tests don't count! hehe

 

[ali bubba]

Lyth and Ballance aren't good enough. Bell is done. We aren't winning the Ashes with that top 3.

 

[JaDed]

Wow England are so toothless 52/4

 

[JaDed]

Wow never seen a dumber run out!! Stokes????

 

[Convict]

He actually crossed the line

hahahahahahhahahahahah

He needs a running coach

 

[Markhor]

Of course England, you're trying to save the game chasing 509 - and you have a comical runout.

52-5. This is embarrassing.

 

[Markhor]

He needs a running coach

Here's the man for the job

 

[Big Mac]

Bloody hell Stokes, what's with the terrible running in all the games today

 

[Markhor]

Bob Willis will be in MURDEROUS mood on The Verdict tonight.

If its anything like this rant it'll be must see TV:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bYhZDeIUo1Q" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Big Mac]

Bob is the best

 

[Man Of Steel]

Where are all the English well wishers now? Talk na!

 

[trogger]

Shows how a bowlers figures don't always tell the impact he is having on a game, along with his cook wicket stokes bell ballance all really could be credited to johnson instead he has just the one to his name.

 

[Markhor]

Oh Moeen.

 

[Man Of Steel]

The real Johnson is back!

 

[cricketindiafan]

Johnson has 299 wickets. Has chosen the perfect time and place to get to 300 wicket landmark