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4th test Manchester

The forecasts I've looked at for tomorrow have it at nearly 90% chance all day
The radar I looked at was the rain doing a little pirouette around manc from lunch, the universe wants a meaningful last game I tells you
Exactly that test. So many fuck ups. some were saying draw wasn't a decent result but we could be going into the oval at 1-1.
If we'd won the first this would be for four nil. England are living rent free in their heads and that declaration and Ali's finger got us here. They tried to be too clever and it backfired
 
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Always look back on the first test as the killer.

England made so many errors but nearly pulled it back
60 runs on the board with two tailenders in and an hour and a bit to play was criminal really.

Not withstanding Cummins heroism which was genuinley superb, the way he decided to just go for it. But the attack really should have responded to that, and didn't.

As has been case, weirdly with both sides, all series, if the batsmen ever get out in front neither side really seems to know what to do besides more of the same and hope it works.

Been a superb series but there's been more brain farts as a theme on both sides than any series I can recall.
 
60 runs on the board with two tailenders in and an hour and a bit to play was criminal really.

Not withstanding Cummins heroism which was genuinley superb, the way he decided to just go for it. But the attack really should have responded to that, and didn't.

As has been case, weirdly with both sides, all series, if the batsmen ever get out in front neither side really seems to know what to do besides more of the same and hope it works.

Been a superb series but there's been more brain farts as a theme on both sides than any series I can recall.
Agreed. It’s been great but in a weird bad sort of way

with the odd piece of magic from the batters and bowlers of both teams
 
Agreed. It’s been great but in a weird bad sort of way

with the odd piece of magic from the batters and bowlers of both teams
It's simultaneously i think what Test Cricket had needed in England while also being the epitome of how I don't want it to end up.

One series like this is fine if it leads to a gentle evolution. Will become boring if its the way the game continues to be played though, lacking nuance and precision and ebb and flow.

Fascinating psychological experiment though
 
I see the board has moved on from virology, international trade law and finding Nicola Bulley to meteorology
I did try to bring Cuisine in with corned beef toasties but it didn’t merit discussion
It's simultaneously i think what Test Cricket had needed in England while also being the epitome of how I don't want it to end up.

One series like this is fine if it leads to a gentle evolution. Will become boring if its the way the game continues to be played though, lacking nuance and precision and ebb and flow.
Fair comment this. I agree that there is a place for old school at the appropriate time
 
Something which could add even more spice and controversy to the series…

There’s half a chance tomorrow evening that we could have to make a small chase to win the test, but the Aussies could insist on bowling their quicks meaning we would need to go off for bad light. Given the umpires have based their decision to not allow our quicks to bowl today on a light reading, they’ll have little wiggle room if the situation arises.
 
I see the board has moved on from virology, international trade law and finding Nicola Bulley to meteorology
Maybe we can branch out to etymology. The etymology of meteorology is 'discussion of higher things' from the Greek 'meteos' meaning lofty.

Or, on an earlier theme, the etymology of bin is from an Italian word meaning 'cart of shit'.
 
Something which could add even more spice and controversy to the series…

There’s half a chance tomorrow evening that we could have to make a small chase to win the test, but the Aussies could insist on bowling their quicks meaning we would need to go off for bad light. Given the umpires have based their decision to not allow our quicks to bowl today on a light reading, they’ll have little wiggle room if the situation arises.
Would you ever want England to have non bowlers bowl? In a situation where doing so could lose them the Ashes? And do you think they would?
 
Exactly that test. So many fuck ups. some were saying draw wasn't a decent result but we could be going into the oval at 1-1.
The declaration with Root still in and the inability to finish off their tail in Test one. Then the mad hour of us chucking wickets away when we were well set on 180/1 in the first innings in Test 2.

I was more pissed off about the latter tbh. It was just f***ing brain dead and ridiculous. Then Duckett came out and shrugged his shoulders when being called out on it which irritated me even more.
 
Something which could add even more spice and controversy to the series…

There’s half a chance tomorrow evening that we could have to make a small chase to win the test, but the Aussies could insist on bowling their quicks meaning we would need to go off for bad light. Given the umpires have based their decision to not allow our quicks to bowl today on a light reading, they’ll have little wiggle room if the situation arises.
Did they not allow our quicks to bowl? Or say they would offer the light to the Aussies if we bowled them? I could not tell. It always used to be that the light got offered to the batsmen. I am not up on the latest rules but has that now changed to make it the umpires decision to play or not?
 
The declaration with Root still in and the inability to finish off their tail in Test one. Then the mad hour of us chucking wickets away when we were well set on 180/1 in the first innings in Test 2.

I was more pissed off about the latter tbh. It was just f***ing brain dead and ridiculous. Then Duckett came out and shrugged his shoulders when being called out on it which irritated me even more.
Especially given this test has demonstrated they can bat safely while still maintaining aggression and strike rate
 
I think with the costs involved and the huge advances in helmet safety , once the lights are on, the game should be played no matter what

and that would be my opinion if it was England facing someone like Mitchell Johnson or Brett Lee
 
I see the board has moved on from virology, international trade law and finding Nicola Bulley to meteorology

We’re nothing if not adaptable 🤷‍♂️
Radar changing constantly it’s impossible to predict. Earlier had a clear afternoon for tomorrow but now the suggested period without rain wouldn’t even be long enough to dry the pitch. Better off not looking coz it either devastates me or gets me hopes up :lol:

I’m sick of looking at it, the BBC weather wife this morning said the rain should clear up in the morning allowing for a good couple of sessions atleast - now I’m back to thinking we might not get ANY play.
Did they not allow our quicks to bowl? Or say they would offer the light to the Aussies if we bowled them? I could not tell. It always used to be that the light got offered to the batsmen. I am not up on the latest rules but has that now changed to make it the umpires decision to play or not?

They said that they would take us off for bad light if Stokes bowled our quicks. The light is no longer offered, now the umpires simply call it.
 
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