England cricket team

[TightEnd]

because it is mainly there to eliminate howlers from an umpire, although often not sued like that by teams

in tennis its in or out, with cricket there are a lot of really tight judgement calls an umpire has to make, in tennis if its in and called out its a mistake  .

in cricket its there to support the umpire not help the player

[Woodsey]

because it is mainly there to eliminate howlers from an umpire, although often not sued like that by teams

in tennis its in or out, with cricket there are a lot of really tight judgement calls an umpire has to make, in tennis if its in and called out its a mistake  .

in cricket its there to support the umpire not help the player

Tennis is more black and white as you know where the ball landed. Cricket they are often predicting the trajectory of the ball so a lot more chance of error, so it's a computers best guess basically.

[TightEnd]

Anderson suspected torn intercostal muscle

Uh Oh.

[WotRTheChances]

I've not read the exact laws of cricket, but, having played my whole life, my understanding of the law is that umpires shouldn't give LBWs if they there is an element of doubt (so they shouldn't be giving out decisions where they think it's probably clipping leg stump). As such, balls that are missing the stumps by 1mm and given out are actually quite bad decisions, as benefit of doubt should be given to batsmen in the first place. Likewise if it's hitting by >1/2 the ball, it should really have been given, but perhaps it should need to be more than that. Certainly isn't as black and white as tennis, where a ball is either in or out, no 'benefit of doubt' comes into it.

[Tal]

Three one-sided games, where, barring the odd, brief spell of talent, the quality of bowling and batting have been mediocre at best.

With the bat, neither team has dug in as a unit when facing any sort of adversity. Wickets have fallen in clumps not through momentum but through carelessness. In Birmingham, the top order has played the short ball like they were dealing with Walsh and Ambrose in Antigua. Nathan Lyon has been made to look like Saqlain Mushtaq. At Lord's, England rolled over with all the grace and delight of a nappyless infant and haven't batted any better here.

They have been flattered by poor bowling. No line or length. No building of pressure when even the bloke in the David Gower mask dressed as a nun who's had a dozen IPAs can see there's a little bit in the air and on the ground to create all the variation you need.

In 2005, every ball was contested. No quarters given. No single jogged. Five hard fought tests.

This has been an awful advert for Ashes cricket.

[arbboy]

Three one-sided games, where, barring the odd, brief spell of talent, the quality of bowling and batting have been mediocre at best.

With the bat, neither team has dug in as a unit when facing any sort of adversity. Wickets have fallen in clumps not through momentum but through carelessness. In Birmingham, the top order has played the short ball like they were dealing with Walsh and Ambrose in Antigua. Nathan Lyon has been made to look like Saqlain Mushtaq. At Lord's, England rolled over with all the grace and delight of a nappyless infant and haven't batted any better here.

They have been flattered by poor bowling. No line or length. No building of pressure when even the bloke in the David Gower mask dressed as a nun who's had a dozen IPAs can see there's a little bit in the air and on the ground to create all the variation you need.

In 2005, every ball was contested. No quarters given. No single jogged. Five hard fought tests.

This has been an awful advert for Ashes cricket.

Great summary that Tal.  Was just saying similar to someone this afternoon.

[vegaslover]

because it is mainly there to eliminate howlers from an umpire, although often not sued like that by teams

in tennis its in or out, with cricket there are a lot of really tight judgement calls an umpire has to make, in tennis if its in and called out its a mistake  .

in cricket its there to support the umpire not help the player

Tennis is more black and white as you know where the ball landed. Cricket they are often predicting the trajectory of the ball so a lot more chance of error, so it's a computers best guess basically.

Same for Tennis as cricket. 3mm give for Hawkeye in Tennis.

As Rich and Mark have said, the review system is there to get rid of the howlers, unfortunately too often the reviews are tactical.

[horseplayer]

Did you not see the Anderson bowling performance in the first innings or Finns in this?

They both would have troubled any batsman from any era. The first two wickets mj got this morning would have got anybody as well.

Feared this would be the reaction if England were competitive or god forbid even looked like winning.

Come on England very proud today could have easily faltered today.

[77dave]

Any opinions on the new coaching team so far

[Tal]

Did you not see the Anderson bowling performance in the first innings or Finns in this?

They both would have troubled any batsman from any era. The first two wickets mj got this morning would have got anybody as well.

Feared this would be the reaction if England were competitive or god forbid even looked like winning.

Come on England very proud today could have easily faltered today.

There have been moments of brilliance but they have been sporadic, not supported by the other end and massively helped by woeful batting decisions (here, terrible choices on off stump location and terrible negotiation of the short ball).

I'll be delighted if we roll the aussie over tomorrow and then twice more because I'm an England fan. But, as a cricket fan, I want so much more.

[Woodsey]

because it is mainly there to eliminate howlers from an umpire, although often not sued like that by teams

in tennis its in or out, with cricket there are a lot of really tight judgement calls an umpire has to make, in tennis if its in and called out its a mistake  .

in cricket its there to support the umpire not help the player

Tennis is more black and white as you know where the ball landed. Cricket they are often predicting the trajectory of the ball so a lot more chance of error, so it's a computers best guess basically.

Same for Tennis as cricket. 3mm give for Hawkeye in Tennis.

As Rich and Mark have said, the review system is there to get rid of the howlers, unfortunately too often the reviews are tactical.

Yeah but the ball lands where it's gonna land in tennis, no element of predicting future trajectory unlike cricket.

[TightEnd]

Tal, so many of the batting line ups on both sides are out of form. Beyond Rogers, Smith, root and occasional knocks $ron moeen and stokes nothing is happening.must be the weakest aus middle order in a Long time. The aus bowling attack hasn't fired together either

[Tal]

Tal, so many of the batting line ups on both sides are out of form. Beyond Rogers, Smith, root and occasional knocks $ron moeen and stokes nothing is happening.must be the weakest aus middle order in a Long time. The aus bowling attack hasn't fired together either

I agree. Without sounding like a Brummie Boycott, they are out of nick but it doesn't stop them digging in.

As grumpy as I sound about this, watching Ricky Ponting smile with gritted teeth whenever Lord Garrrr sends a little josh his way is worth the entry fee alone

[horseplayer]

It didnt look a weak middle order pre the ashes so maybe we should get some credit.

Thought Shane Warne was disgusting today on comms, suggesting Cook had slagged of Clarke regularly (no such evidence) and constantly referring to how Haddin (his best mate) should be playing. Certainly his views give you a great indication as to who he hates, mildly dislikes and loves in the Aussie camp.

Even argued with the Clarke captaincy away stats (that i posted pre series) as being "misleading" (how?!!) and that he is not in bad form. Pointing by contrast was excellent very balanced and able to be critical of people you can tell he respects and possibly even likes.

[Tal]

It didnt look a weak middle order pre the ashes so maybe we should get some credit.

Thought Shane Warne was disgusting today on comms, suggesting Cook had slagged of Clarke regularly (no such evidence) and constantly referring to how Haddin (his best mate) should be playing. Certainly his views give you a great indication as to who he hates, mildly dislikes and loves in the Aussie camp.

Even argued with the Clarke captaincy away stats (that i posted pre series) as being "misleading" (how?!!) and that he is not in bad form. Pointing by contrast was excellent very balanced and able to be critical of people you can tell he respects and possibly even likes.

Has Punter done commentary in Oz before this or have Sky just struck oil? He's a real Gary Neville. Suberb.