Ashes 2023

They’ve just said that we are now slight favourites to win so perhaps you’re right for a 5 day finish.

 

Very odd to have a team as favourites when they're still 250 runs behind.

 

True but I think they are on the money given how we know the middle order can bat when going aggressively. Even if we go to tea tomorrow- which we won't- that leaves us all of day 4 to get them out and still have a reasonable chance of chasing 230-50 ish on Day 5? On this display we could chase 250 in a day if we wanted to go for it, and you know now that we will.

 

I mean Green is going to cost them 50 every half dozen overs at this rate.

 

Pope fell to the trap. We are still well on top.

 

That is truly pathetic cricket.

It's difficult to criticise how we're playing because it's been very successful over that period of time.

But there's got to be a compromise. We're scoring at over five an over. There's three men out for the hook shot.

Thick.

And Root, that's horrible too.

Edit: Lucky boy.

 

Pope seems to get a free ride in this team, yet again failing to go on.

 

Cameron Green with 5 no balls and the rest of the bowlers not one between them. He's only one behind Ollie Robinson now who had six. Poor standard if you can't keep your foot behind a line.

 

Root hardly lucky it was a no ball... I thought Pope did well, added a decent amount and didn't take all day to do so. Green then threw one down the boundary to finish... Still stand by my prediction.

 

It's complete stupidity. I'm all for playing positive cricket but reign it in a little. We're in a strong position but if we lose a couple of more quick wickets here then there could be trouble.

 

I would argue Sibley getting half a century off 200 balls as we played a turgid draw on the same ground against an NZ team we could have chased and beaten well was pathetic cricket but what do I know?

 

Yep.

That's why I said there's got to be a compromise.

Both things can be pathetic.

 

Fair dos, I like the balance but I can see what you mean. Still though I think we would be crucifying Jimmy and Robinson if they were down to 5.5 per over just to try and catch Marnus out on hook shots?

 

Careful! I'm watching it now!

 

Turned into a bit of a farce. All fielders behind batters nearly every bowl short.

 

All depends on how he played it I guess. If he was hooking compulsively and looking like he could get out at any time, then I'd be up for it.

 

Well done Ben!

 

Ben changes the equation completely compared to Burns/Sibley.

 

No comment.

 

Poor shot at that time. You're so close to a Lords hundred play sensibly and once you're on the honours board, go back to playing that way if you must.