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Cricket => England Test => Topic started by: IlfordEagle on December 27, 2017, 05:21:41 PM

Title: 4th Ashes Test
Post by: IlfordEagle on December 27, 2017, 05:21:41 PM
Have to say England have had their best day yet albeit 3 Tests late!! An excellent performance to get the last 7 wickets for 67 inc a well deserved first for Curran (not bad getting Smith after missing out on Warner!). At last our best 2 batsmen got runs quite comfortably & so so good to see Ally get what looked a classy ton, much more like his old self. I haven't heard/seen any comments from The Ego about this innings & don't suppose I will as Ally did well.
Tomorrow gives us a chance of a good total & lead if at least 1 of the big 2 bats long.
Title: Re: 4th Ashes Test
Post by: nat on December 27, 2017, 06:38:25 PM
All too late.
Title: Re: 4th Ashes Test
Post by: bwildered on December 28, 2017, 07:24:00 AM
Test cricket, still got to perform has the Aussies would have no hesitation of nothing else . A sublime double ton for Cook, some textbook drives ( still got to get runs whoever your facing ) .
Now past Lara in test runs scored, and now shares 9th wicket partnership with Broad for England at MCG, breaking the previous being Beefy and JK .
A lead, but can we knock them over for a second time ?
Title: Re: 4th Ashes Test
Post by: Oldhasbeen on December 28, 2017, 07:58:40 AM
My money would be in a draw, but great work by Chef & Broad to get us on top. At last, something to smile about!

A few other early-morning thoughts:

Astonished to see both Malan and Vince not appeal after getting edges - I can't even recall this having happened once before, can anyone else?

And Khawaja's "catch" to dismiss Broad - come on you umps, are you serious?

Obviously Starc's absence is a big factor - Bird looks more like an English-conditions bowler to me - but we were due for a bit of luck after losing so several bowlers to injury (and Stokes to stupidity)

Moeen's looking like a man who's mentally shot. On the evidence of today maybe he should be batting at 10?  ;)
Title: Re: 4th Ashes Test
Post by: IlfordEagle on December 28, 2017, 09:36:44 AM
Wonderful innings by Ally much like his old/normal self, just shows that form is temporary but class is permanent, surprisingly good support from Broad. We have a good chance to win if we can get over psychological 500 & get some early wickets particularly Warner & Smith. Agree re Khawaja's 'catch' which always looked iffy, could do worse than play Crane at Sydney, interesting choice between Curran & Overton if the latter is fit.Two good days in a row, can we make it 3??
Title: Re: 4th Ashes Test
Post by: Valentines Park on December 28, 2017, 12:48:11 PM
surprisingly good support from Broad.

Broad always looks a classy bat he just doesn't like the short stuff.

Hopefully his daddy ton has put paid to all this talk of Chef being finished as a test batsman.
Title: Re: 4th Ashes Test
Post by: Andy on December 28, 2017, 02:49:37 PM
Yep, quelle surprise, their best seamer's injured and the other had some TESCOS turkey, suddenly it's a different series. If we'd have taken Stone Cold Stokes in the first place, we might've had a competitive series.

Chefs done enough to stay in for another two series and break that appearance record. Good for him, but we need a replacement.
Title: Re: 4th Ashes Test
Post by: bwildered on December 29, 2017, 06:10:27 PM
Batting practice for the Aussies tomorrow ( fifth day ) , unless a clatter of wickets by tea . Would England chase a target,  and risk also getting knocked over cheaply and end up hanging on ?
Title: Re: 4th Ashes Test
Post by: Andy on December 29, 2017, 11:45:15 PM
Batting practice for the Aussies tomorrow ( fifth day ) , unless a clatter of wickets by tea . Would England chase a target,  and risk also getting knocked over cheaply and end up hanging on ?

You wrote that as if England had a choice?
Title: Re: 4th Ashes Test
Post by: bwildered on December 30, 2017, 06:29:47 AM
If the Aussies captain had been knocked over early one never knows, even good sides get into trouble.
Can see Crane getting a game in the final test in place of Moen . At least they have stopping another whitewash, only grey this time .
Title: Re: 4th Ashes Test
Post by: Oldhasbeen on December 30, 2017, 07:33:01 AM
No whitewash is some relief, but bloody glad I didn't sit through the last 2 sessions today.
Can't see any point in playing Moeen for the next one. Biq Q is whether to play a front line spinner at all - maybe gamble on Wood?
Title: Re: 4th Ashes Test
Post by: Andy on December 30, 2017, 12:34:19 PM
Why take Crane if you're not going to play him? I suspected Leach might have been slipped in for the final test, I reckon Ali will come back, make a quick century against a weaker team and take a few wickets then he'll still be around for another year.