4th test Manchester

[Voice of fair play]

I think the main point is we have seemed to have learnt in the last few games

Like I said earlier mate, Root pulled his first ball for four and Crawley played loads of risky shots, difference in this test they did not get out to them.

If they did it would have been called reckless, you take the rough with the smooth.

Only person who I saw really reign it in and adapt was Brook

 

[Jap Stammer]

Ah well. Another one bites the dust.

Rain, unfortunately, is part of the game in this country, but it saddens me that the team that has been negative from the off, reactive and defensive throughout, is walking away with the prize.

England can take a lot of positives and plaudits from the way they have played but, ultimately, their failure to do some of the basics has cost them. Hopefully, they can iron out these faults and go on improving both themselves and the 'bazball' system.

 

[rentaghost]

They’re world champions. They’ve got an excellent pace attack. In Khawaja, Smith, Labuschagne and Head they’ve got four world class batsman. They’re a very good side and won the first two Tests to make this outcome overwhelmingly likely by playing better cricket than we did. The weather has got them out of jail in this test but we weren’t / aren’t guaranteed to win at the Oval.

They’ve deservedly retained the Ashes based on the balance of play so far and now we have to stop them winning them outright for the first time in over two decades

It’s high level sport with tiny margins. It’s about grasping your opportunities and winning the key moments. Australia did that in the first two test matches better than us with catching the cricket ball being the main difference.

 

[Sea to Shining Sea]

Like I said earlier mate, Root pulled his first ball for four and Crawley played loads of risky shots, difference in this test they did not get out to them.

If they did it would have been called reckless, you take the rough with the smooth.

Only person who I saw really reign it in and adapt was Brook

Pulling a ball for four is quite different to attempt a reversing ramp. There wasn’t a great deal of premeditated stuff this test unlike in the first two (particularly the first). The running down the track and swiping was far less prevalent.

Most of the pundits have commented on the adaptation to approach between this test and earlier in series.

 

[Voice of fair play]

And it wasn’t in the first two tests. The catching cost us without a doubt but to only score 398 on that pitch first innings was poor. I don’t blame the declaration or its timing but we shouldn’t have been more than 5 down on an absolutely flatty. And we were 5 down because we tried to be too clever when we had the foot on their throats. We played some equally silly cricket at Lords. It’s cost us the Ashes

I think in this test we played some high risk shots in a similar vein and no doubt if players got out would have been called reckless.

But because we didn’t it’s called sensible the approach in this test not that much difference imo.

As I say Brook changed but others played same way just did not get out this time

 

[rentaghost]

Like I said earlier mate, Root pulled his first ball for four and Crawley played loads of risky shots, difference in this test they did not get out to them.

If they did it would have been called reckless, you take the rough with the smooth.

Only person who I saw really reign it in and adapt was Brook

I agree. When Crawley is out on the drive it’s always ‘reckless’. He did little different in this test match.

 

[Sea to Shining Sea]

It’s high level sport with tiny margins. It’s about grasping your opportunities and winning the key moments. Australia did that in the first two test matches better than us with catching the cricket ball being the main difference.

Yes, the catches were the fine margins. I mentioned earlier in the series that England don’t win the ashes when we don’t catch everything.

But, I don’t think that first test should have been decided on such fine margins. We should have achieved a total similar to the one in this test given how flat it was and the batting conditions. The declaration shouldn’t have had to be considered. Losing 8 wickets that day was not good batting.

 

[rentaghost]

Pulling a ball for four is quite different to attempt a reversing ramp. There wasn’t a great deal of premeditated stuff this test unlike in the first two (particularly the first). The running down the track and swiping was far less prevalent.

Most of the pundits have commented on the adaptation to approach between this test and earlier in series.

I don’t know. I’m more critical of us in the second test than first. We were much the better side in the first test but couldn’t catch a cold.

 

[Voice of fair play]

I agree. When Crawley is out on the drive it’s always ‘reckless’. He did little different in this test match.

Exactly we played this test very similar vein to the first two, it wasn’t as if the team changed their approach for this test, just did not get out to the same shots they did in earlier tests

 

[GordonMuchallNo1Fan]

I’m not sure the Aussies would have been happy with them watering the pitch with the match not finished like…

Not the point I was making. Point I was making is the groundstaff were straight on the pitch once it was off. They sat for 25-30 minutes this morning when it stopped raining and did absolutely sod all. Piss poor but this isn't something new with cricket in this country.

 

[LJP1786]

Just got home. Shitter but never mind.

Still desperate to win at Oval and get this to 2-2.

Not too many had us winning this so to go 2-2 and miss out at OT will be a canny result all in. Don’t want it to end 3-1 or it’ll feel lopsided in their favour.

 

[Sea to Shining Sea]

Exactly we played this test very similar vein to the first two, it wasn’t as if the team changed their approach for this test, just did not get out to the same shots they did in earlier tests

Most of the watching pundits disagree

 

[sonson]

They always unearth players. Sometimes they just come from nowhere. Smith came into the side as a future Warne-esqu leggy without any real fanfare as a batsman beyond being useful down the order. Turns out he’s amongst the conversation for the best ever.

We’ve a few heading into the twilight too so winning the next one down under may be the last chance for a few of ours.

They let more people play cricket in Australia, which funnily enough leads to more talent being availble when you don't limit who can play to people who go to the "right" school and people from Yorkshire

 

[rentaghost]

Exactly we played this test very similar vein to the first two, it wasn’t as if the team changed their approach for this test, just did not get out to the same shots they did in earlier tests

There’s been a little change not by Crawley imo but certainly Brook has adapted his game after being a bit daft at Lords.

 

[JackL]

I think in this test we played some high risk shots in a similar vein and no doubt if players got out would have been called reckless.

But because we didn’t it’s called sensible the approach in this test not that much difference imo.

As I say Brook changed but others played same way just did not get out this time

It's definitely been reined in across the board to varying extents, when you go through the reel of dismissals especially at lords. About time too, it was nonsensical but I feel like they've found a good balance now

 

[Voice of fair play]

Yes, the catches were the fine margins. I mentioned earlier in the series that England don’t win the ashes when we don’t catch everything.

But, I don’t think that first test should have been decided on such fine margins. We should have achieved a total similar to the one in this test given how flat it was and the batting conditions. The declaration shouldn’t have had to be considered. Losing 8 wickets that day was not good batting.

Yeah that’s fair point no doubt we should scored more in the first test similar to how they should have in the first innings of this test.

But I have certainly not seen a massive change in the approach of Crawley and Root in this test the two who got most of the runs to their approach in the first two tests.

Not really sure what them two done differently this test??

Apart from the obvious of not getting out!!

 

[LJP1786]

There’s been a little change not by Crawley imo but certainly Brook has adapted his game after being a bit daft at Lords.

Brook has done very well since Lords. Positive signs for a young man.

Be interesting when we go down there, with this approach. If we get our noses in front, could be very interesting.

Enjoyed pretty much every session so far (that’s been played), plenty to learn but lots of positives too.

Really think we’ll be all over the last test to ensure they don’t win it outright.

 

[Randy Ostrich]

Que Sara

still think England will win the last test personally.

will it be a walk off into the sunset for Anderson and Broad?

happened a lot over decades , The Oval sees retirements

A year ago, I'd have said Broad would retire before Anderson. Now, Broad looks rejuvenated and Anderson looks shot.

 

[Sea to Shining Sea]

A year ago, I'd have said Broad would retire before Anderson. Now, Broad looks rejuvenated and Anderson looks shot.

I don’t think Anderson looks shot. He just hasn’t taken wickets. His speeds are about the same and his control is about the same. He’s had periods in the past where he hasn’t taken wickets but come back.

 

[hudson88]

Ah well. Another one bites the dust.

Rain, unfortunately, is part of the game in this country, but it saddens me that the team that has been negative from the off, reactive and defensive throughout, is walking away with the prize.

England can take a lot of positives and plaudits from the way they have played but, ultimately, their failure to do some of the basics has cost them. Hopefully, they can iron out these faults and go on improving both themselves and the 'bazball' system.

Entertain or win then.

You’re spot on with the failure to do the basics, there’s been too many times where we’ve created chances but dropped them, or been ahead with the bat and lost wickets at crucial points to reckless shots.

However, it’s better than sitting trying to absorb everything and let them dictate play.