No chance 260 in front now if they are all out for only 100 more that will be a 360 run lead. Australia will be lucky to get 150
Difficult pitch with the new ball by the look of it we just need to ride it out and get 200 plus tomorrow and it won't see day 5 with root and swann heavily involved on day 4.
agree about t20 having an effect, batsman throwing wickets away cheaply chasing runs, wheres the new boycott
Can't understand why we didnt turn the screw. Had the chance to make them bat on with every chance of another collapse. At best the Aussies would have been tryingto make a bit of a lead. Now we have simply put ourselves under a bit of pressure.
We should still win from here but I would always force the follow on. An innings defeat would be demoralising for them.
No! The only sensible decision. The pitch is playing well still; the weather is set fair for the next couple of days at least; the bowlers and fielders need a rest from the heat; a lead of anything over 400 will be nigh impossible for the Aussies batting last. I wouldn't have fancied England batting last with, say 150-200 to get on a turning wicket! Right decision every time this one.
Had to bat again. It's not gone our way 2nd innings but 180 will be enough to slaughter Australia. Easily done. Simply cannot believe how bad Australia are - total shambles
31-3 ... that could have been Australia dead and buried. I'd have made them bat again when losing the ashes was staring them in the face.
Fair point but Cook, Trott and KP didn't get much rest from the heat, maybe part of why they got out. Should have forced the follow on, rested tonight then come back fresh tomorrow to skittle over what could have been only 6 or 7 crumbling aussie wickets. I honestly don't think we would have needed to bat, 3 batsmen's confidence dented further maybe? An innings win would lift everyone and destroy them.
Just a thought I had earlier, but does anyone think that the head of the ECB might have asked Cook not to enforce the follow on. If we bat again, it should at least go into the 4th day, but with a follow on it could be finished within 3. The refunds to paying customers would have cost them a lot of money...