Cricket

[Gav]

Bad shot selection more like, although a few balls have kept low.

We look scared, its like men against boys, the Aussies are bouncing around snarling and we just look scared to death.

Need a partnership or we'll be out for under 200 here.

[AllRoverAsia]

Bad shot selection more like, although a few balls have kept low.

We look scared, its like men against boys, the Aussies are bouncing around snarling and we just look scared to death.

Need a partnership or we'll be out for under 200 here.

Yep, need Root to stay, he's started looking more confident after that dodgy start. Ballance looking ok.

Ding dong Bell? I hope the lad comes good but it's been a while. Cook - don't ask me.

[SouthAussieRover]

Looks like a decent wicket now.

[den]

Australia's day. 400 would be a reasonable score on that pitch I reckon. Great to see the English batsmen take the game to them though. Hope we stay just as positive with bat and ball throughout the series. Saddest sight today was Bell. He's a good player but God knows what he was trying to do today.

[jim mk2]

It's a 450 minimum pitch, very placcid with nothing in it for the bowlers. Anything less is below par. Losing Buttler near the end was a blow. Bell has been out of form for so long I don't know why he was selected.

[Baz]

Decent day for England, shame to lose Buttler so late for a poor shot.

England need to get another 40+ runs to give the Aussies a target to think about. Great recovery given the start of the day.

[chaddyrovers]

Root's innings was very good and he was very aggressive.

But I will be happy with getting over 400 total.

Pitch is slow and will suit our bowlers and didn't suit the pace of Johnson and Starc

[Gav]

The Aussies catching was laughable, Root could and should have gone early, that would have been a disaster.

Good to see Ben Stokes attacking from the off, aggressive and going after the Aussies.

Today was definitely Englands, they need to get up to 400 and this has draw written all over it.

[pg]

I wouldn't want to bat last on that pitch.

It's England's game to lose from here.

[chaddyrovers]

The Aussies catching was laughable, Root could and should have gone early, that would have been a disaster.

Good to see Ben Stokes attacking from the off, aggressive and going after the Aussies.

Today was definitely Englands, they need to get up to 400 and this has draw written all over it.

catches win games Gav.

I think this pitch will turn alot on day 4 and 5. Ali will be crucial and Anderson and Wood with their reserve swing bowling

[matt83]

My concern is still can we get them out twice. In my opinion jimmy is the only decent bowler we have and the Aussies will just look to see him off then go to town on the rest. Broad not the man he was and even in his pomp he would do nothing for several innings then suddenly get 7 wickets. Stokes is meh. Ali is not a bowler. And wood is still very green and not exactly been inspired by him but not writing him off either.

For years I've felt regardless of what anyone else in the team does unless jimmy performs in at least one innings we won't win.

Edited July 9, 2015 by matt83

[chaddyrovers]

Mark Wood is good bowler at reserve swing and this pitch look like his type of bowling will be crucial

[K-Hod]

My concern is still can we get them out twice. In my opinion jimmy is the only decent bowler we have and the Aussies will just look to see him off then go to town on the rest. Broad not the man he was and even in his pomp he would do nothing for several innings then suddenly get 7 wickets. Stokes is meh. Ali is not a bowler. And wood is still very green and not exactly been inspired by him but not writing him off either.

For years I've felt regardless of what anyone else in the team does unless jimmy performs in at least one innings we won't win.

Absolutely Matt, we need a big performance from Anderson.

[den]

I'm sure Ricky Ponting played Al Capone in boardwalk Empire

[ABBEY]

And the Aussies slate broad for cheating !!!!!

[Gav]

Always good to see Warner get out, great catch by Cook.

[pg]

Gee its a bit flat in here. Is having the Ashes on every two years dulling the excitement?

I must say this is the least excited I've been for an English Ashes series since I began watching them in 1985.

[Gav]

Come back in 10hrs time when people are awake, it's not rocket science

Edited July 10, 2015 by GAV

[chaddyrovers]

We bowled well at their key players in Warner, Smith and Clarke.

Stopped them from being too attacking against us.

[jim mk2]

Gee its a bit flat in here. Is having the Ashes on every two years dulling the excitement?

I must say this is the least excited I've been for an English Ashes series since I began watching them in 1985.

3rd series here in 6 years - it's getting boring to be honest. With the way they played I'd have preferred New Zealand to be here all summer.

[matt83]

3rd series here in 6 years - it's getting boring to be honest. With the way they played I'd have preferred New Zealand to be here all summer.

That's just 3 home series in 6 years it's 5 in total 2009, 2010/11, 2013 and 2013/14 and 2015. Far too much. Problem is the ecb and Australian equivalent only see sell outs and $£$£

[den]

308 all out. England brilliant this morning. Jimmy superb. Tough for the Aussies now.

Be nice to see Lyth show something. Not been impressed so far.

Edited July 10, 2015 by den

[chaddyrovers]

Very impressive today were England bowlers.

Lets hope Cook and Lyth both get good scores in the second innings

[Al]

Cook owes it to England to make a lot of runs. It's largely down to him that Pietersen was dropped. He has to make up for that.

EDIT - Ooops! Out again cheaply. Wonderful captain!

Edited July 10, 2015 by Al

[Gav]

Cook had no need to play at that, wide ball, silly shot.