2013/14 Ashes thread

[gherkin]

Picture fail - https://twitter.com/NeilMCarter/status/355288863956156416/photo/1

[tikay]

There you go Mr gherkin.

Click to see full-size image.

[Tal]

Belly's gonna get ya!

[BorntoBubble]

Was there yesterday atmosphere was lacking both days I was there Aussies making a good effort. Really think we miss billy and his trumpet to coordinate the crowds songs! Miss step in my eyes to ban his trumpet!

Anyway we batted so well yesterday looks really tough out there, they won't chase this but we should just keep batting. If we get the opportunity I would declare halfway through the afternoon session. Obviously this is an ideal world because more than likely we will be bowling before lunch. But the opportunity to put another 20/40 overs into the Aussies will be priceless later in the series!

Great innings from belly and broad yesterday.

Broad should not have walked, no chance. Good luck changing his mind on that it is not cheating not to walk the umpires are there to give the decisions not the batsmen. When this is getting compared to a fields men dropping a catch that's a different kettle of fish. The fielder claims the catch or in some cases will be asked by the batsmen did you catch it where he will say yes or no. Broad does not get asked at any point did he hit it, it's his choice to walk or not. Simples. Loved his poker face though!

[Woodsey]

Am there again today, could only get a single ticket for myself, but better than nothing I guess 

[Marky147]

Lad just posted this next door regarding Broad's  non dismissal...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01cnth3

Boycott loves it

[Tal]

So, we know Cook and Flower like to be cautious and make sure they don't lose.

England now lead by 286 at 11.30. This is a wicket that England should fancy their bowlers will take ten wickets on and the Aussies won't fancy trying to bat it out for a draw.

If we assume 340 for lunch and then having a slap, could be 400 by 3pm easily, either declaring or all out. Would we not be very disappointed to see England batting until tea?

Seems to be no need to give the Aussies a chance to save the game.

England need to think like the great chess master, Akiba Rubenstein: don't give your opponent a sniff; it's so much harder for them to fight if they have nothing to fight for.

[horseplayer]

not a chance in hell of a declaration tal and no need for one imo

there attack look tired to me and swann and fresh english attack will be different on this pitch

[Tal]

not a chance in hell of a declaration tal and no need for one imo

there attack look tired to me and swann and fresh english attack will be different on this pitch

There is 0% chance we lose because they chase 430 and that's where we will be by tea.

There is maybe a 5% chance they bat four sessions and save the game.

[horseplayer]

i very much doubt we will bat to tea though

[Tal]

i very much doubt we will bat to tea though

Well, quite. By definition, you only declare if you aren't getting bowled out

[horseplayer]

it was unlikely anyway with 4 wickets left this morning?

England 1.33 as i type which looks about right to me

[Tal]

Interesting, as Sky had them at 2/7 this morning before play began.

So, let me rephrase: if we are broadly in agreement that 300 is too much for this batting lineup to chase against our bowlers on this wicket, why don't we have a slap for an hour, either get out and set 330 or take our pads off during lunch having set 350?

[horseplayer]

Not going to be far of setting them 330 at this rate anyway

I am a massive fan of Flower so will trust his judgement on this one

[Tal]

To be fair, the circumstances of the match so far have meant we are ahead of schedule. We more commonly find ourselves in this position about 2.30/3pm.

What a pressure knock from Bell that was. Should be a match-winning performance.