Ashes third test

[Andreshotboots]

I understand the sentiment but it’s not quite as simple as that. If we’d have played a few Boycott innings are you confident we’d be 2-0 up?

We've had the Australians on their knees at times, and through sheer crazy shot selection have not only let them back in, but changed the games completely.

By Boycott type innings I mean a bit of steel, a bit of a willingness to be hard to get out, a knowledge of when to dig in, a reading of the game situation. The first test is a prime example. The Aussies had just lost their spinner, and they tried their last remaining roll of their dice by going to the short stuff, and several of our batsmen fell for it, completely changing the game..

I have no doubt at worst, this series should be 1-1.

[Andreshotboots]

Same been happening all series, how many drops have we had 16 is it.

Think we've literally dropped twice as many according to the stats.

[summitclaret]

Baz will be delighted atm. Run rate is nearly 5 per over.

[equinox]

We should still see this out.

[kentonclaret]

Think we've literally dropped twice as many according to the stats.

Dropping so many catches isn’t “unlucky” that’s down very often to poor technique. Cricket has 3 major disciplines in batting, bowling and fielding. No good just being competent at 2 of the 3.

The ball not quite carrying or dropping in between fielders has an element of luck in it.

[equinox]

Come on lads, Broad can hold his own remember and he's certainly not short of bottle if he's required.

[4:20]

Tense as heck. Can't keep my eyes off it. Brook and Woakes calming the nerves a little.

[Conroysleftfoot]

We should still see this out.

Yes we should, but can we? Very similar situation to the Aussies at Edgbaston, they managed to get the runs.

[Casper2]

If Root catches Marsh on 12 we win !!!

So maybe practice more and play less golf

[alwaysaclaret]

Yes we should, but can we? Very similar situation to the Aussies at Edgbaston, they managed to get the runs.

Big test of character for these 2

[equinox]

Does nobody post when there's nothing to moan about?

[expoultryboy]

Quite a few of us on here and most test cricket lovers in the uk , have said you must play your specialist wicketkeeper. For his sake and the teams , Bairstow must be left out for the next two . Come on England , I've no nails left !!

[equinox]

Come on Harry, get the last 30 on your own lad, you deserve a ton.

[Conroysleftfoot]

I don't believe it.

[sjb]

Oh ffs Brook

[Clive 1960]

Another twist.

[expoultryboy]

They're brain dead .

[alwaysaclaret]

I've been going to say for the last 10 overs or so that this is the best example of a sensible innings from brook that we've seen all series, ably assisted by woakes after he's first 2 overs, but then another mindless shot out of the blue from brook, one loss of concentration and it's in the balance again, why can't we just carry on playing simple cricket.

[FCBurnley]

Can a bowler have bowled as badly as Starc and got 5 wickets ( only 2 with good deliveries)

[alwaysaclaret]

Don't know if I can watch

[ElectroClaret]

11 to win.

[criminalclaret]

I physically feel sick. Why do they do it to us?

[Taffy on the wing]

Before lunch Brook slashed at a ball outside off stump taking the edge but not carrying to Carey.

Happens to both sides. Bairstow lucky with the first inside edge but not the second an over later.

Just my impression of what i've seen so far. The fact that we have dropped catches & Australia have held theirs, probably has something to do with it.
We're going to win a bloody test match Vs Australia!

[Rileybobs]

Pretty routine win this.

[RVclaret]

Love Mark Wood.

[ElectroClaret]

A boundary will do it.

[Taffy on the wing]

Pretty routine win this.

Nice cast!

[daveisaclaret]

Superb win against the best team in the world.

[Andreshotboots]

Watching England is like watching your footy team play 2-2- 6

[alwaysaclaret]

Get in, love it

[Bosscat]

Well done Woakes and Wood getting it over the line

[criminalclaret]

Bloody hard work but finally got there.

Headingley Ashes are Botham 81, Stokes 19 and now Wood 23. He was sublime..

Let's make Old Trafford a cauldron!!!

[dougcollins]

Well done Woakes and Wood getting it over the line

Brilliant from Brook.

[expoultryboy]

Never in doubt , need a lie down . Old Trafford here we come .

[Vintage Claret]

Phew!

[FCBurnley]

Phew

[RVclaret]

Stokes first innings saved us then a big one from Brook today.

Do have to wonder if Bairstow will get another chance after this.

[Conroysleftfoot]

Phew

[FCBurnley]

Great innings by Brook and Woakes

[criminalclaret]

Pretty routine win this.

Let's be honest, had any team not knocked of 251 out od potential 180 overs it would be embarrassing. But it's England and we all know they are capable of that

[summitclaret]

Well done in the end, despite some atrocious batting from several. Wood, Woakes and Brooks and Crawley did it.

[RicardoMontalban]

Let's be honest, had any team not knocked of 251 out od potential 180 overs it would be embarrassing. But it's England and we all know they are capable of that

If only it were that simple. Never underestimate the pressure of test cricket, and that is in no way just an England thing. The pressure and mental drain that these matches generate is so intense that even the most chaseable target becomes unattainable.

[alwaysaclaret]

A few with a claim, but wood 24 and 16, and 5 for 34 has arguably won the match

[equinox]

That 6 from Wood WTF!

[Silkyskills1]

Let's be honest, had any team not knocked of 251 out od potential 180 overs it would be embarrassing. But it's England and we all know they are capable of that

Are you suggesting 251 on a pitch that offered something to the bowlers is easy?

[Taffy on the wing]

Stokes first innings saved us then a big one from Brook today.

Do have to wonder if Bairstow will get another chance after this.

Shouldn't!

[jrgbfc]

Another great Test match at Headingley. Absolute joke that both Headingley and OT miss out next time. Two tests in London and one in Southampton out of 5 is poor.

[Andreshotboots]

If only it were that simple. Never underestimate the pressure of test cricket, and that is in no way just an England thing. The pressure and mental drain that these matches generate is so intense that even the most chaseable target becomes unattainable.

I'd also assume many posters on here haven't faced a piece of rock hard leather going at your head at the best part of 90mph..it's far from simple..

[criminalclaret]

Are you suggesting 251 on a pitch that offered something to the bowlers is easy?

Easy? No.

Doable with the right patience and tactics with unlimited amount of time? Absolutely.

You saw that at the end when they were tipping away at the singles.

The only partnership 50+ for England this match was Brook and Woakea for the 6th wicket, read into that what you wish.

[Lip]

I'd also assume many posters on here haven't faced a piece of rock hard leather going at your head at the best part of 90mph..it's far from simple..

And in the good old days without a helmet to protect them.