Ashes Second Test

[FCBurnley]

Just like the Smith non catch. What a cheat again

[Bordeauxclaret]

Third catch this series. I’ve got sympathy for the Smith one as he couldn’t be sure so no problem with him claiming it. The third umpire should have given that not out.

The other two are disgraceful.

[Taffy on the wing]

Big reprieve for Duckett.......he has to make it count!

[sjb]

Don’t know why Pontings whinging

Because he's an Aussie

[sjb]

Absolutely disgraceful from Starc.

[FCBurnley]

Clearest no catch ever. Great pic if Starc smirking and showing the finger. How stupid did he look

[Darthlaw]

When Starc ‘caught’ it they’d had a 50% success rate of getting players out so might as well appeal.

Not in the spirit of the game like, but they can always cry about it on TV later…

[RVclaret]

Ponting is a proper muppet isn’t he

[Bordeauxclaret]

Ponting is a proper muppet isn’t he

I thought he was unhinged for the last 30 mins of play. Just repeated the same thing about Green being in Stoke’s head.

Usually good value.

[Andreshotboots]

I thought he was unhinged for the last 30 mins of play. Just repeated the same thing about Green being in Stoke’s head.

Usually good value.

He was correct, Stokes looked very uncomfortable against him and was even outside his own leg stump at times..it's nothing to do with fear though, it's complete lack of mobility due to his knee.

People who've not played the game will have no idea just how quickly that ball is travelling and how little time you have to react, and that's with full mobility and movement..

[Bordeauxclaret]

He was correct, Stokes looked very uncomfortable against him and was even outside his own leg stump at times..it's nothing to do with fear though, it's complete lack of mobility due to his knee.

People who've not played the game will have no idea just how quickly that ball is travelling and how little time you have to react, and that's with full mobility and movement..

He might have been. It was the sheer amount of times he said it that was the issue.

[Ampth7]

He was correct, Stokes looked very uncomfortable against him and was even outside his own leg stump at times..it's nothing to do with fear though, it's complete lack of mobility due to his knee.

People who've not played the game will have no idea just how quickly that ball is travelling and how little time you have to react, and that's with full mobility and movement..

100% this! He really needs to get that knee fixed, assuming it’s fixable? No doubting his character and determination, but he really looks like he’s playing on one leg which will not be good for the strong leg in the long run.

[TheFamilyCat]

100% this! He really needs to get that knee fixed, assuming it’s fixable? No doubting his character and determination, but he really looks like he’s playing on one leg which will not be good for the strong leg in the long run.

He'll probably be fit enough for The Hundred and next year's IPL though.

[Bordeauxclaret]

He wasn’t fit for the last IPL.

Although he’d have probably tried to play a few if he wasn’t focussed on England.

[Milltown1882]

He'll probably be fit enough for The Hundred and next year's IPL though.

The guy smashed out a 12 over spell back to back today and you’re having a jab about the white ball stuff?

[warksclaret]

Big call for the selectors next game. Can see Jimmy Anderson missing out-he is a shadow of his old self, quite understandably at his age,and can see Wood coming in.We are very short of pace compared to the Aussies, who have exploited our early order batsmen Even fielding Jimmy not looking sharp. Suspect Crawley could go to, and maybe Pope as well. Plus surely we have a spinner we can bring in

[Milltown1882]

Big call for the selectors next game. Can see Jimmy Anderson missing out-he is a shadow of his old self, quite understandably at his age,and can see Wood coming in.WeE are very short of pace compared to the Aussies, who have exploited our early order batsmen Even fielding Jimmy not looking sharp. Suspect Crawley could go to, and maybe Pope as well. Plus surely we have a spinner we can bring in

I think we’ve seen the last of Anderson in Test cricket here.

If Pope’s injury is serious it’s the perfect opportunity to bring Foakes back in, open with Brook he’s got the best technique in the squad (this test aside).

Wood and Potts in for Anderson and Robinson.

I desperately want us to find a way to get Sam Curran in at 8, left hander who can bowl multiple variations and can hold a bat.

No doubt the only change will be Wood for Anderson and if Pope is injured he’ll be replaced by Lawrence.

[scouseclaret]

Ponting is a proper muppet isn’t he

At least Ponting is an Aussie sticking up for his side. What the hell was Strauss on???

[Bin Ont Turf]

Bazball is boring when we lose Ben!

[Andreshotboots]

I think we’ve seen the last of Anderson in Test cricket here.

If Pope’s injury is serious it’s the perfect opportunity to bring Foakes back in, open with Brook he’s got the best technique in the squad (this test aside).

Wood and Potts in for Anderson and Robinson.

I desperately want us to find a way to get Sam Curran in at 8, left hander who can bowl multiple variations and can hold a bat.

No doubt the only change will be Wood for Anderson and if Pope is injured he’ll be replaced by Lawrence.

I completely agree, although I think Jimmy will play at Trent Bridge as it's the best ground in the country for swing bowling.I think that will be his last Ashes test match.

On a side note what a massive loss Archer was. The Aussies showed today they're not exactly infallible facing the short stuff either..

[johnnyjones]

I completely agree, although I think Jimmy will play at Trent Bridge as it's the best ground in the country for swing bowling.I think that will be his last Ashes test match.

On a side note what a massive loss Archer was. The Aussies showed today they're not exactly infallible facing the short stuff either..

Could not agree more, Jofra used in short spells a bit like Mitchell Johnson was for the Aussies back in the day could have been a game changer

Anyone thinking the vice captain will be dropped is on glue unless its an injury that keeps him out, as for the opening bat Crawley has never impressed and I am convinced that if he wasn't Key's mate he would have been dumped by now, not sure who we replace him with tbf, maybe a wildcard pick of Salt

And finally never ever write off Jimmy

[fatboy47]

Where's Stop Oil when you need them?

[fatboy47]

When your entire batting order feel its OK to treat an ashes test match like a scratch game on the village green, it's maybe time to look at the leadership rather than singling out individuals.

Where Anderson's concerned, personally the handful of players who are taking the thing seriously are the ones I'd be retaining.

[Spijed]

If England lose this test where will that leave Stokes and McCullum going forward into the next games?

[Quickenthetempo]

If England lose this test where will that leave Stokes and McCullum going forward into the next games?

Exactly where they are. It's a 5 Test series.

Are you really suggesting sacking a captain with the highest win percentage England have probably had?

[claretonthecoast1882]

If spijed was the boss of a big company I am convinced he would be sacking someone soon as they had a bad day even if they had had a brilliant 12 months prior

[nil_desperandum]

Third catch this series. I’ve got sympathy for the Smith one as he couldn’t be sure so no problem with him claiming it. The third umpire should have given that not out.

The other two are disgraceful.

Tbh and on reflection, it's more a question of Starc not fully understanding the rules.
Did he "catch" the ball cleanly? Yes.
Had he completed the catch, i.e. was he stationary when he put the ball on the grass? No.
He would know from 20/20 cricket that if you take a clean catch but then your momentum takes you over the boundary rope then it's 6, unless you throw the ball back into play and it's caught by someone else.
This was exactly the same. He caught the ball comfortably, but his momentum took him down to the ground, and his brain and experience didn't tell him that he would be grounding the ball if he landed on it as he did. The umpire was 100% correct, but I'm not sure it was cheating. It's just that players don't study the detail of rules in the manner that umpires do. (Even Strauss - presumably having watched multiple replays - was completely wrong).
Many players will have learnt from this.
Smith's was less clear cut.

[Bordeauxclaret]

Let’s not forget Starc was one of the bowlers who had no idea the ball was being tampered with by his own players.

[burnleybonzo]

I get the feeling the Sky commentary team support the opposition more than England. Nasser always seems to revel in England doing badly. I am guessing that Sky's coverage is for a global audience hence the number of Aussies and South Africans on screen. Just wonder if it is reciprocated when we are Down Under? Bumble is much missed.

[JarrowClaret]

Tbh and on reflection, it's more a question of Starc not fully understanding the rules.
Did he "catch" the ball cleanly? Yes.
Had he completed the catch, i.e. was he stationary when he put the ball on the grass? No.
He would know from 20/20 cricket that if you take a clean catch but then your momentum takes you over the boundary rope then it's 6, unless you throw the ball back into play and it's caught by someone else.
This was exactly the same. He caught the ball comfortably, but his momentum took him down to the ground, and his brain and experience didn't tell him that he would be grounding the ball if he landed on it as he did. The umpire was 100% correct, but I'm not sure it was cheating. It's just that players don't study the detail of rules in the manner that umpires do. (Even Strauss - presumably having watched multiple replays - was completely wrong).
Many players will have learnt from this.
Smith's was less clear cut.

Exactly I thought I was going mad when I saw professional Cricketers arguing it was out. I was thinking about what would happen if instead of grounding the ball when sliding he had just slid over the boundary, it would have been 6 so how is this different? Why they couldn’t see I don’t know. They had Rehan Ahmed fielding earlier whist over the boundary to use as an example as well different circumstances accepted.

[Longsidelenny1882]

As the saying goes once a cheat always a cheat upthecolne

[Mondsley]

I completely agree, although I think Jimmy will play at Trent Bridge as it's the best ground in the country for swing bowling.I think that will be his last Ashes test match.

On a side note what a massive loss Archer was. The Aussies showed today they're not exactly infallible facing the short stuff either..

Unfortunately there is no Test at Trent Bridge! Headingley, Old Trafford then the Oval.

[Spijed]

Exactly where they are. It's a 5 Test series.

Are you really suggesting sacking a captain with the highest win percentage England have probably had?

And do you think using the same tactics have any chance of beating the Australians if we need to come from 2-0 down?

[taio]

If England lose this test where will that leave Stokes and McCullum going forward into the next games?

Probably making a change or two to the team. Nothing knee jerk I'd hope. It's been close.

[TheFamilyCat]

Tbh and on reflection, it's more a question of Starc not fully understanding the rules.
Did he "catch" the ball cleanly? Yes.
Had he completed the catch, i.e. was he stationary when he put the ball on the grass? No.
He would know from 20/20 cricket that if you take a clean catch but then your momentum takes you over the boundary rope then it's 6, unless you throw the ball back into play and it's caught by someone else.
This was exactly the same. He caught the ball comfortably, but his momentum took him down to the ground, and his brain and experience didn't tell him that he would be grounding the ball if he landed on it as he did. The umpire was 100% correct, but I'm not sure it was cheating. It's just that players don't study the detail of rules in the manner that umpires do. (Even Strauss - presumably having watched multiple replays - was completely wrong).
Many players will have learnt from this.
Smith's was less clear cut.

I'm surprised nobody on commentary made this point. Had the angle of his slide taken him into the boundary "rope", it would have been a boundary. So by the same ruling, the catch wasn't completed while he was still sliding.

[Rileybobs]

Probably making a change or two to the team. Nothing knee jerk I'd hope. It's been close.

Obviously going two down in the series makes this a near impossible task - but there have at least been encouraging signs that we are capable of winning one or two of the remaining tests.

[taio]

Obviously going two down in the series makes this a near impossible task - but there have at least been encouraging signs that we are capable of winning one or two of the remaining tests.

Shouldn't throw the baby out with the bath water by overreacting. They are obviously strong favourites today but our players will believe we can win as I do.

[Rileybobs]

Shouldn't throw the baby out with the bath water by overreacting. They are obviously strong favourites today but our players will believe we can win as I do.

I’m expecting the wickets to tumble to be honest, but by the same measure it wouldn’t be a great surprise if we pulled this off. Losing Root obviously a huge blow.

[alwaysaclaret]

I’m expecting the wickets to tumble to be honest, but by the same measure it wouldn’t be a great surprise if we pulled this off. Losing Root obviously a huge blow.

Me too, but key for me is survive the first hour and anything is possible.

[taio]

I’m expecting the wickets to tumble to be honest, but by the same measure it wouldn’t be a great surprise if we pulled this off. Losing Root obviously a huge blow.

Clear outsiders here but we can do it. Let's see how much the ball swings this morning.

[JarrowClaret]

I’m expecting the wickets to tumble to be honest, but by the same measure it wouldn’t be a great surprise if we pulled this off. Losing Root obviously a huge blow.

They only have 3 bowlers plus a few overs from head and smith whilst they are favourites and I would expect the Aussies to win, get past the first hour with 0 wickets down and it will become interesting.

[Longsidelenny1882]

If they haven’t won bye tea time watch for the sandpaper to be passed about upthecolne

[equinox]

Stokes creates these situations on purpose to make himself look like the super hero when he smashes a six to win the test in fading light.

[Quickenthetempo]

And do you think using the same tactics have any chance of beating the Australians if we need to come from 2-0 down?

Of course we have a chance. We should have won the first Test.
We only beat the Aussies when Stokes went berserk in the last home series.

We are up against it this Test because our two best players in Jimmy and Root have struggled.

[alwaysaclaret]

More bad umpiring

[alwaysaclaret]

Was clearly a noise from the bat as well

[alwaysaclaret]

Same old aussies

[RVclaret]

Starc got the ball moving all over the place. Wonder why the likes of Anderson struggled.

[Gunfury]

Seriously how are these so called international standard umpires giving these decisions? There was an obvious double noise and deviation onto the pads.He even took his time to think about it before giving him out before it was overturned

[alwaysaclaret]

Against any other team ducketts shot there would have gone for 4,Travis head has saved quite a few runs this test