Ashes Thread 2023

[RVclaret]

Bairstow been brilliant but dies by his sword there

[Conroysleftfoot]

Every time we look like getting on top the Aussies get a wicket.

[Buxtonclaret]

Come on, Mo Jo

[fatboy47]

We'll be lucky to get 350...well below par.

[Buxtonclaret]

Going to be a good watch this, Mo & Lyon.

[Bosscat]

Mo go

[fatboy47]

Mo gone.

[Buxtonclaret]

Done him.
Not the outcome we wanted.

[sjb]

We'll be lucky to get 350...well below par.

It may well be but you can't tell until both teams have batted.

[Conroysleftfoot]

Got to admire Joe Root, against one of the quickest bowlers in the world and he reverse sweeps!!!

[Vanders1994]

That ramp for 6 that root pulls off is unbelievable, this kind of cricket will keep bums on seats and hopefully keep test cricket alive

[fatboy47]

It may well be but you can't tell until both teams have batted.

Very true.

[fatboy47]

Hope Robinson can stick around now.

[Clive 1960]

On a flat wicket we have given the Aussies the upper hand by giving our wicket away.

[Bordeauxclaret]

Some negative people on this thread.

You’ll have to get used to this attacking approach. It’s not changing.

[Buxtonclaret]

Got to admire Joe Root, against one of the quickest bowlers in the world and he reverse sweeps!!!

It's also surreal that he seems to have time for a cup of tea before he does it!

[AlargeClaret]

On a flat wicket we have given the Aussies the upper hand by giving our wicket away.

You’re right about the flat track, but we should put 400 up which is decent if not the 500+ we’d have liked .

[Buxtonclaret]

Brilliant 100.
Good lad Joe.

[RVclaret]

100 up for Root, fantastic knock once again

[nil_desperandum]

Root showing us how easy batting is on this track.
If Australia bat steadily without taking undue risks you can see them making a big score.

[nil_desperandum]

So we didn't even make 400!!!!!!
Let's hope the gamble pays off.

[Quickenthetempo]

Stokes obviously thinks he has enough

[Buxtonclaret]

393 / 8 declared!!

[RVclaret]

Very entertaining day so far.

Be even more so once Broad gets his usual wicket of Warner tonight.

[FCBurnley]

Not seeing under 400 enough unless they think the pitch will deteriorate for the last couple of days. Going to be an interesting 4 or 5 overs

[Buxtonclaret]

Not seeing under 400 enough unless they think the pitch will deteriorate for the last couple of days. Going to be an interesting 4 or 5 overs

You'd think it'll get faster.

[LeadBelly]

Brave declaration rather than looking for another 20-30 runs.
If they get at least one wicket this evening it'll be vindicated, a couple would be a delight.

[Quickenthetempo]

Not seeing under 400 enough unless they think the pitch will deteriorate for the last couple of days. Going to be an interesting 4 or 5 overs

Just divvy up the runs needed from each batsman to match our score.

2 players 100
2 players 50
4 20s
Bits and bobs

Not that easy.

[FCBurnley]

Looks like Jimmy is in team for his batting !!!!

[Buxtonclaret]

Should make them bowl all these "lost" overs.

[FCBurnley]

Aussies let off the hook

[Taffy on the wing]

Interesting times these.......was gobsmacked at the declaration.

[Roosterbooster]

I think Stokes was being aggressive for the sake of it

I'm all for taking the match to the opposition and setting out to win. But there's a time to do it. And I'm not sure the time is on Day 1, with less than 400 on the board, in good weather, on pretty much the longest day of the year, and with Root still at the crease

[Cleveleys_claret]

Amazing how many people know better on here

[Quickenthetempo]

Amazing how many people know better on here

They have just been brought up differently cricket wise.

And this is a thread to air your opinions.

[Flying Without Ings]

Stokes wasn’t lying when he said it would be entertaining regardless of the result. This formula hasn’t let us down so far.

[Bin Ont Turf]

Could have easily been all out for 150, but with skill and making our own luck we got a good score.

It's not purist test cricket, it's mental test cricket and the declaration was pure mental.

I like it, it's great.

[TheFamilyCat]

I think Stokes was being aggressive for the sake of it

I'm all for taking the match to the opposition and setting out to win. But there's a time to do it. And I'm not sure the time is on Day 1, with less than 400 on the board, in good weather, on pretty much the longest day of the year, and with Root still at the crease

That was my thought too. This series could be settled by very fine margins, sacrificing 30, 40, 50 or even more runs could decide this game.

[JR1882]

Aggressive move, wonder if he is factoring in the potential for quite a bit of rain on Sunday.

[TheFamilyCat]

That was my thought too. This series could be settled by very fine margins, sacrificing 30, 40, 50 or even more runs could decide this game.

Just to add, the commentators were keen to say the pitch offered the least movement since records began. I can't see why anyone would want to bowl on it until they had to.

[northeastclaret]

Really enjoyed the sky coverage today. Didn’t manage to see all of it but found the punditry excellent as every commentator was a very experienced ex international. Not one when I was watching was a commentator that just described what you could clearly see yourself, wonderful.

[Roosterbooster]

Amazing how many people know better on here

Tuffers thought it was a bit odd too

[Elizabeth]

This type of approach to Test cricket has been truly exhilarating since Stokes took the lead but surely he has over egged this one.
I love mind games so it gets my approval regardless of the result of this first Test. Plenty more Tests to come

[fatboy47]

Good decision to declare...do what the opposition don't fancy.

Nowt wrong with the declaration..trading a handful of runs for a 4 over crack at them before the close.

But if there's a man I'd back to pick up a wicket in that period then it'd be Anderson all day long. Baffled me tbh.

[Burnley1989]

I think Stokes was being aggressive for the sake of it

I'm all for taking the match to the opposition and setting out to win. But there's a time to do it. And I'm not sure the time is on Day 1, with less than 400 on the board, in good weather, on pretty much the longest day of the year, and with Root still at the crease

I felt the same, Root could have put another 50 on. It’s entertainment first now with England, will just take a while for your traditionalists to get used to (I include myself)
I guess we will no longer have those boring sessions that you usually get in a test match

[Spijed]

Good decision to declare...do what the opposition don't fancy.

Nowt wrong with the declaration..trading a handful of runs for a 4 over crack at them before the close.

But if there's a man I'd back to pick up a wicket in that period then it'd be Anderson all day long. Baffled me tbh.

You get the impression Anderson has been picked in the hope he'll manage to bowl at some point, as though they know he's not fully fit.

[fatboy47]

You get the impression Anderson has been picked in the hope he'll manage to bowl at some point, as though they know he's not fully fit.

I hope you're wrong obviously but I'm baffled by them not going with him last night. Broad and Robinson barely troubled them.

[gandhisflipflop]

Genuine question here. But could the declaration have the weather forecast in mind? Overcast conditions today so a good day to get the Aussies batting, as well as the potential for rain Sunday Monday?

[CleggHall]

A silly declaration with Root batting so well, could cost up to 50 runs.

[Vanders1994]

Overcast conditions all day today, declaration does look to have been based on weather conditions and that's why jimmy was held back last night