https://news.sky.com/story/former-england-footballer-trevor-francis-britains-first-1m-player-dies-12926665 The first £1m pound player has sadly passed away, Trevor Francis., apparently suffered a heart attack whilst on holiday in Spain.

@jim mk2 You've been asked a question, in response to you claiming Stoke and McCullum should be considering their positions. Just in case you've missed it.

I wonder if they shared the coverage, the reason why I'm questioning it, is because I spent many hours during the rain delays, this series, watching/listening to Botham, Bumble and Willis commentating on Sky during the 2005 Ashes series. All cricket should be free to air for me.

It was certainly on sky in 2005 too, but your point still stands. You can catch up on BBC each night during this Ashes series, I also think C4 had some coverage.

The 2005 Ashes series was probably the best ashes series in living memory, the way the game was played, respectful and aggressive and England obviously won, which helped! The entire nation stood as one during that series, the love for English cricket went viral before most people understood the context of the word. This series, despite the result, is another watershed moment for me, the nation is once again in a cricketing frenzy and we must build on its popularity. Bazball is here to stay, its produced some phenomenal test cricket, that Crawley innings will live with me forever! Onwards and most definitely upwards.

Bazball is most definitely here to stay, this has been a phenomenal series, the most exciting English test team ever and we’ll make it 2-2 at The Oval. New Zealand up next, then the World Cup and a tour of West Indies, we are hoping to be in Grenada 🤞

Well I am sure, although Anderson and Broad seem content right now to carry on. Can you imagine the impact Archer would have made had he been fit, he’s the future, but can he regain his fitness.

They won this in Australia den, we have to win them back and whilst I also believe they’re lucky, this is why we love cricket as much as we do, the many variables. We have closed that gap, our future is bright, but well done to Aussies, that 2-0 lead was too much to pull back sadly.

Match abandoned, Aussies retain the ashes, well done to them.

Went to see Richard Ashcroft on Friday night, still full of arrogance, swagger and still has that exquisite blues voice. Courteeners and Blossoms on Saturday night, both excellent too. Sunday…..rest day…..

I’ve been in that stand a few times, never had to wait for a pee that I recall, also been in the same stand for a concert, same experience. A general point, when sitting in that stand, if your overwhelming experience is the toilets queue, I’d move elsewhere. 8000 fans singing Jerusalem or classics like Living on a prayer are surely more memorable moments.

Like many sporting event locations around the country. A full Blackburn End and toilets are a nightmare. I was on the Holte End recently, lovely side of the ground at Villa Park, full of character, but the toilets were a nightmare.

🙏🙏

Great effort by all concerned, you should be very proud.

It certainly helps in you’re looking at the right day…..But the wider point stands Dom. Hammering it done right now in Trafford.

Hope!

@wilsdenrover I’m going to give you a glimmer of hope:

No chance wilsden, this is set I’m afraid, looking in every direction it’s raining.

Not looking good,

Spot on chaddy, you called it right a while back.

What we have witnessed today is a phenomenal day of test cricket, the likes of which I'd like to say we'll probably never seen again, but with this side we probably will! The assembled side and philosophy Stokes and BM have put together is like nothing test cricket has ever seen before, Crawley scoring nearly 200 runs on his own in a day, let that sink in. I for one can't wait for tomorrow, despite a bit of rain around.

Brilliant 100 by Zac Crawley, in quick time too, against the best bowling attack in the world. The smart money was always on him getting to grips with test match batting, he’s technically superb at times, although that wafting at wide deliveries often has my heart in my mouth! Come on England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Moeen Ali passes 3000 Test runs after hitting back to back fours just before lunch. Not content with that, he has also passed 200 test wickets during this series, only the 16th player ever to achieve this double feat! A tremendous effort.

We’ve made light work of that, now let’s push on under sunny skies and warm temperatures, perfect batting conditions. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

We’ve just driven over Woodhead Pass and Manchester is bathed in early morning sunshine, a real picture. Clean up these final Aussie wickets and lets get after them. Come on England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏏