[the ashes] test 3. Manchester

[Wise Man Says]

That's got to be the target tomorrow, if we get to 328 it would take a monumental fuck up on our part to lose this test from there. The Aussies wouldn't have time to add more than about 100 to our target while still allowing themselves time to bowl us out. That's before the rain even comes into it.

My worry is those 34 runs, the pressure will be huge first thing tomorrow.

Agreed.

Mind, it shouldn't be the end of the world if we follow on. The Aussie bowlers must be tiring and the weather will help us. We could still bat it out IMO but it makes it far easier for us if we avoid the follow on.

We haven't played well at all here though, that much is obvious.

 

[elder]

Big first hour tomorrow.

If we save the follow on, that takes at least a session out in which they can't bowl at us. Add that to the weather and we're fine.

yeah prior, broad and swann need to do a job for us. i've looked at the forecast on the beeb it doesn't look too bad, a few showers predicted... what's the craic over there?

 

[chelt_mackem]

yeah prior, broad and swann need to do a job for us. i've looked at the forecast on the beeb it doesn't look too bad, a few showers predicted... what's the craic over there?

Well they're exactly the right sort of players to tee off as soon as we hit 328. I know we'll probably remain firmly in our shell, but a bit of a swing of the bat once we're safe from the follow on could be the perfectly timed kick in the bollocks we need to inflict on the Aussies.

 

[Wise Man Says]

Well they're exactly the right sort of players to tee off as soon as we hit 328. I know we'll probably remain firmly in our shell, but a bit of a swing of the bat once we're safe from the follow on could be the perfectly timed kick in the bollocks we need to inflict on the Aussies.

You're optimistic fella. 328 all out would do me.

 

[elder]

You're optimistic fella. 328 all out would do me.

it would be great if we could bat until lunch. we've scored really slowly which could bite us in the arse if we do have to follow on as it will mean we'll have to both score runs and keep wickets if we're to save the game.

it's been an interesting game as i think all bowlers have bowled well yet batsmen have also been able to score due to the fairly benign pitch. they're all expecting much more turn to come so really any result could still be possible.

 

[Steak Pie]

Correct and i still would not have him anywhere near the squad. He got lucky today.

Well, in all honesty, cricket isn't your game.

People wanting Compton in for Bairstow are wrong, but that's an opinion. People wanting Root moved down the order to accommodate Compton are wrong, but that's an opinion. Tremlett in the side, that's an opinion.

If you think that England's best batsman in a generation, who has just played a match saving innings, shouldn't be in the squad, then you are a complete and utter moron. I'm from Consett, I'm embarrassed for you.

Given your track record, I'd suggest sport isn't really for you.

 

[Mainze]

Correct and i still would not have him anywhere near the squad. He got lucky today.

You do know he is England's leading run scorer in all formats of all time don't you?

A quick blast from Prior in the morning should see us past the follow on hopefully.

I would quite like to see us retain the Ashes watching the Australian team staring out of their rain soaked dressing room window tbh

 

[mackembhoy]

Correct and i still would not have him anywhere near the squad. He got lucky today.

Just seen this but absolute bollocks i'm one of the biggest KP slaters going and even noe he has 23 tons and 31 half centuries he should be second to sachin if he had a brain.

 

[elder]

Just seen this but absolute bollocks i'm one of the biggest KP slaters going and even noe he has 23 tons and 31 half centuries he should be second to sachin if he had a brain.

he looked poor when he first came in but as soon as he hit that first boundary that was it, he clicked into gear and ran the show. got a let off with the lbw that wasn't referred but otherwise looked quality.

he's the type of player that makes you watch the game, the type of player we were craving for in the dark days of the late 80's and 90's.

i suppose he himself knows full well that he needs to keep performing to keep his spot, especially after the strauss debacle.

the one thing i do know is that the aussies are shit scared of him as he can take the game away from them in a session, so that shows you his value.

 

[consettsafc]

Well, in all honesty, cricket isn't your game.

People wanting Compton in for Bairstow are wrong, but that's an opinion. People wanting Root moved down the order to accommodate Compton are wrong, but that's an opinion. Tremlett in the side, that's an opinion.

If you think that England's best batsman in a generation, who has just played a match saving innings, shouldn't be in the squad, then you are a complete and utter moron. I'm from Consett, I'm embarrassed for you.

Given your track record, I'd suggest sport isn't really for you.

That old chestnut is over a year old now, it is an opinion, and typical of most on here is that if someone has an opinion that differs to yours you throw insults about.

 

[chelt_mackem]

You're optimistic fella. 328 all out would do me.

It would do me too. But if these 2 can be the ones to get us to 328, I would love to see them stick the boot in by teeing off, frustrating the Aussies and making them desperate to start their second innings. Ultimately though, I'd take a dodgy wide at 327-9 to get us over the line.

 

[Steak Pie]

That old chestnut is over a year old now, it is an opinion, and typical of most on here is that if someone has an opinion that differs to yours you throw insults about.

Nope I can handle different opinions, as I posted. But when people post up outright stupidity they deserve to be insulted.

And that Olympic thread will never get old. :-D

 

[sonson]

Just seen this but absolute bollocks i'm one of the biggest KP slaters going and even noe he has 23 tons and 31 half centuries he should be second to sachin if he had a brain.

That's why I say he's overrated. People still talk about him as though it's 2005, and that he has potential to fulfill, but he dosen't anymore cos he's too old now. He could have been one of the best ever. Every time he gets in he takes the game away one way or another, but unfortunatley he's also entirley predicatble and good bowlers know that if they can tempt him he'll go for it without fail every time. In the last series against SA each ball to him was an exact replica and every time he went for it despite the obvious dangers.

As a result he tends to get in against poor sides but rarely in big tests, because he dosen't seem to want to do the work to grind something out against a more savvy attack. He unquestionably has the ability to do it but not the temperament. England could have won far more games that mattered if he'd had that to his game.

 

[mackembhoy]

Anyone else watch that master class, feck me I could hardly see the ball.

Sometimes we are over critical of these players when they're facing speeds like that

That's why I say he's overrated. People still talk about him as though it's 2005, and that he has potential to fulfill, but he dosen't anymore cos he's too old now. He could have been one of the best ever. Every time he gets in he takes the game away one way or another, but unfortunatley he's also entirley predicatble and good bowlers know that if they can tempt him he'll go for it without fail every time. In the last series against SA each ball to him was an exact replica and every time he went for it despite the obvious dangers.

As a result he tends to get in against poor sides but rarely in big tests, because he dosen't seem to want to do the work to grind something out against a more savvy attack. He unquestionably has the ability to do it but not the temperament. England could have won far more games that mattered if he'd had that to his game.

I was smashed mate , why the fuck I came on here after being out is anyones guess. I agree with a lot of what your saying.

He's still an incredible player regardless

 

[Connolly_31]

That old chestnut is over a year old now, it is an opinion, and typical of most on here is that if someone has an opinion that differs to yours you throw insults about.

There's opinions and then there's stupidity. Imagine if Cook/Flower dropped our highest run scorer and most talented player, there would be uproar. Do you want to be the Cricket Board WUM? Sorry fella, Essex boy has that tag.

 

[BIG BAZ]

cracking shot

 

[Steak Pie]

That's why I say he's overrated. People still talk about him as though it's 2005, and that he has potential to fulfill, but he dosen't anymore cos he's too old now. He could have been one of the best ever. Every time he gets in he takes the game away one way or another, but unfortunatley he's also entirley predicatble and good bowlers know that if they can tempt him he'll go for it without fail every time. In the last series against SA each ball to him was an exact replica and every time he went for it despite the obvious dangers.

As a result he tends to get in against poor sides but rarely in big tests, because he dosen't seem to want to do the work to grind something out against a more savvy attack. He unquestionably has the ability to do it but not the temperament. England could have won far more games that mattered if he'd had that to his game.

Eh?

The thing you could level at Pietersen (if you were being massively picky) is exactly the opposite to what you've posted, ie, he's rarely battered the poor sides and saves his best for the big games. His record against Ozzy is phenomenal.

Last series against the Saffers, massive 180 odd at Headingley.
Last winter, massive 180 odd in India.
Last Ashes, brilliant double hundred in Adelaide.
2005, Ashes on the line. Series winning 150 at The Oval.

 

[Wise Man Says]

Two boundaries for Prior, ha'way we can knock these runs off.

 

[BIG BAZ]

Positive start

 

[sonson]

Eh?

The thing you could level at Pietersen (if you were being massively picky) is exactly the opposite to what you've posted, ie, he's rarely battered the poor sides and saves his best for the big games. His record against Ozzy is phenomenal.

Last series against the Saffers, massive 180 odd at Headingley.
Last winter, massive 180 odd in India.
Last Ashes, brilliant double hundred in Adelaide.
2005, Ashes on the line. Series winning 150 at The Oval.

4 big memorbale scores in 8 years rather proves my point. Amla managed nearly as many in our last series against them. When was the last time KP put two big scores together one after another?

You should list the amount of times he's got out in low double figures or less now.