2013/14 Ashes thread

[DungBeetle]

England are so negative.

[malt vinegar]

they are by nature a negative side for a while now

but if they had gone out last night and today playing all kinds of shots and been 220/7 at tea they would have been getting even more grief for that

[Tal]

Just. Keep. Batting.

It's not a bad wicket and we can be in good shape come Lunch on Sunday, assuming tomorrow's overs are restricted. Then, we can be in a position where we can't lose the test, which would be horribly deflating for the Aussies.

We are a long way from that, but digging in for a bit isn't a problem, as lo g s we remain disciplined. Put away the bad balls but don't go wafting outside off.

[DungBeetle]

It's not just the batting.  It's also slowing the game down in the field.   Cook is a horrible captain imo.

[Tal]

Horrible is harsh. He's too cautious but he's got a fragile batting lineup, made mostly of plodders and an attacking bowling lineup who might go for a few if it's not doing anything. When firing, it's an excellent side and if both sets are firing, it's as good as any team in the world, but it isn't quite happening with the bat right now.

[malt vinegar]

dont think cook is a good captain seems to depend on instruction from flower alot

slowing the over rates down and losing overs out of the day pisses me off now

they should be punished with runs for the oppostion 10 runs per over down on what it should be at the end of the innings

should have to make up any overs lost from previous days out of the lunch breaks in there own time

[DungBeetle]

Can't agree.  Clarke has a fragile batting line up.  Cook has a line up full of 40+ averages over extended samples.

[TightEnd]

Can't agree.  Clarke has a fragile batting line up.  Cook has a line up full of 40+ averages over extended samples.

Only one of whom has been in any form all series

the slow, low,dry pitches haven't helped either batting side but especially those players out of form as its so difficult to time your way back into form.

this pitch, if it were in sri lanka, would be criticised as killing test cricket. its lifeless

Only England's eccentric team selection allowed Watson to get a flyer and let Australia get a reasonable total quickly

Wouldn't have got 492 that quick if tremlett or bresnan was the third seamer, or panesar on form the second spinner

[DungBeetle]

But as I say, it's not just the batting - the over-rate is what gets me more. 

[TightEnd]

But as I say, it's not just the batting - the over-rate is what gets me more. 

easily solved if they get fined runs onto the opposition total if overs are below say 15 an hour. Up to the ICC

[DungBeetle]

Yes please!

[horseplayer]

The more i watch  the more im sure England will win in the winter

the faster pitches are talior made for our batsman and after batting on these slow dry things all summer they will be in heaven.

as said this is backed up by the averages (cook averages 12 or so more away from home)

[Tal]

But as I say, it's not just the batting - the over-rate is what gets me more. 

easily solved if they get fined runs onto the opposition total if overs are below say 15 an hour. Up to the ICC

Runs fine should be percentage based, tho.

[buzzharvey22]

this could be fun!! this is probably englands best start to an innings this series? wonder if they'll realise its due to being more aggro?

[outragous76]

What a joke!

This is an absolute disaster for world cricket right here!