England declare!

[Bubblesofearth]

Didn't see that one coming. If we were 8 down with a couple of tail enders maybe but with Root in the zone it looks a strange decision. Aggressive, yes, but on day one with less than 400 on the board I'm struggling to agree with it.

What do others think?

boE

[Mike4]

Didn't see that one coming. If we were 8 down with a couple of tail enders maybe but with Root in the zone it looks a strange decision. Aggressive, yes, but on day one with less than 400 on the board I'm struggling to agree with it.

What do others think?

boE

No answers so far, so I'll have a go!

I've only ever taken the slightest passing interest in cricket but I can appreciate the concept of it being like 'chess on grass' (as they were discussing on the wireless earlier).

England declared at 393 for eight I think they said. My own thoughts are the three remaining batsmen (I refuse to call them "batters") are presumably the specialist bowlers so they are quite likely to get annihilated in a flash by the Aussie bowlers, so why subject them to the negative experience for possibly just a handful of runs? I guess the weather forecast makes a difference too.

Or have I got the wrong end of the stick?

Or the wrong stick, even?

[didds]

Robinson is a decent batsman for a tail ender - 17 not out off 31 balls shows he is capable.

Root was still at the crease (118 off 152) - one of the best batsmen in the world. (actually 6th ranked currently)

I could see an idea of protecting Anderson from any accidental injury when batting.

[Leothebear]

Stokes obviously tempted to get a wicket or two at the cost of another 30-40 runs at best.

I think he was wrong but I don't think his decision will matter. I can see Smith getting a mountain of runs on that pitch and he's bound to have one or two others scoring well. I truly hope I'm wrong but I can see Aus scoring 550-600 or so and then we're well in the poo. The conditions are what the Aussies are used to. I'm now worried.

Leo

[bluedonkey]

They needed as many runs as they could get. Aussies #3 and 4 are run machines on a track like Edgbaston. Wrong decision. We'll see!

[didds]

Top three ranked batsmen in the world at the moment?


Labushange
Smith
Head


Numbers 3, 4 and 5!

[Leothebear]

Stokes got Smith!

I'm now of the opinion that Stokes would have been advised of the expected overcast conditions for this morning. Hadn't thought of that!
It's now beginning to look like a brilliant move.

Leo

[tjh290633]

And Moeen Ali got Head. Good to see Jeff Thompson talking during the lunch interval. Didn't he have a sister Lilian?

TJH

[Bubblesofearth]

And Moeen Ali got Head.

TJH

Lucky Mooen

[Bubblesofearth]

Stokes got Smith!

I'm now of the opinion that Stokes would have been advised of the expected overcast conditions for this morning. Hadn't thought of that!
It's now beginning to look like a brilliant move.

Leo

And now not so much. If it was about the expected morning conditions then why not wait until overnight to declare? Just now an extra chunk of runs from Root looks like it would have been valuable.

IMO Stokes has to be careful not to let a bit of hubris colour his decisions. He's been riding the wave but this is the Ashes.

BoE

[mark88man]

I was at the T20 in a room full of people who seemed to know their cricket - and the decision was greeted with some dismay. especially with Root at the crease and presumably some tired bowlers to take advantage of.

Looking forward to todays play - god bless TMS

[Leothebear]

Now that declaration looks suspect. An extra 30-40 runs in addition to the 280 they've set Oz, might have made all the difference.

Are we likely to see Warner, Smith etc score lowly again? Odds must be with Australia. But this test match has been anything but dull - so maybe there are some fireworks still to come.

[Hallucigenia]

They needed as many runs as they could get. Aussies #3 and 4 are run machines on a track like Edgbaston. Wrong decision.

Labuschagne	c Bairstow	b Broad	13
Smith	        c Bairstow	b Broad	 6

Both scored no more than their #10 coming in as nightwatchman.

England need 7 wickets, Oz need 174 - this is heading for a repeat of Edgbaston 2005 isn't it? Could go either way.

[Leothebear]

Looks like the weather could intervene and make a draw the likely result.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2650236
An Aussie batting collapse please!

[Hallucigenia]

Looks like the weather could intervene and make a draw the likely result.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2650236
An Aussie batting collapse please!

They were talking about the forecast on TMS last night and they seemed quite relaxed about it - a possible late start but once the current line of thunderstorms have moved through then they should be pretty much clear to the close.

[Leothebear]

Bugger.

Great match.

That declaration will haunt Stokes. Cummings now an Aussie hero.

Bugger.

[Tedx]

<snigger>

[dubre]

The declaration may well haunt Stokes but at least it was worth a go. What really cost England the match was the omission of Foakes( who is competent with a bat). The reinstatement of Ali was also a shocker.

[Mike4]

Bugger.

Great match.

That declaration will haunt Stokes. Cummings now an Aussie hero.

Bugger.

But why did he declare? I've yet to read any coherent explanation, even though the team seemed unsurprised.

Be gentle, I've only just discovered cricket.

[Lootman]

That declaration will haunt Stokes.

An easy conclusion to draw after the fact. But both teams lost 18 wickets in the match. Oz just scored more runs.