1st Ashes Test England v Australia June 16-20 1930hrs @ Edgbaston

[BG32]

We started the 4 innings so well too, if Smith was not out too it’d be comfortable

 

[Jibroni]

It's been a great test but get the feeling England will regret declaring there 1st innings. Khawaga looks unbreakable out there.

 

[western royboy]

England in the box seat - weather around tomorrow and overhead conditions in their favour with the Hollies Stand acting as extra men on the field put us firmly as underdogs.

 

[t_94]

Got a 7/100 feeling about it unfortunately.

 

[philreich]

I can't wait to see Carey win this match with a reverse sweep!

"News this morning of many reports of heart attacks across Australia......."

 

[M Malice]

Only chance is if Headball comes off tonight.

 

[Manbearpig77]

Absolutely bonkers test match. I have a bad feeling we'll lose, but it's been a cracker so far.

Smith and Marnus need to step up after this. Appalling returns from the world's #1 and #2 batsmen.

 

[philreich]

Maybe a captain's knock from Cummins - wouldn't be a bad time for it!!!

 

[Happy Mastenator]

I do enjoy catching up this morning. Everyone so disappointed in smith and Marnus. Everyone obviously given up on Warner who can’t blunt a new ball if his life depended on it!

 

[the_interloper]

Only chance is if Headball comes off tonight.

I'd tend to agree, I'd be a bit more confident if Marnus and/or Smudge weren't out. Still a fair few runs to peel off on a day 5 pitch, should be a good finish anyway

 

[Southerntakeover]

I'm sure this sounded a lot more clever in your head before you typed it out.

Got a prediction?

 

[western royboy]

I do enjoy catching up this morning. Everyone so disappointed in smith and Marnus. Everyone obviously given up on Warner who can’t blunt a new ball if his life depended on it!

We were 0/60 - Warner was going well remembering that Bairstow missed Usman early - I can cut Warner some slack because I’m not big in his replacement.

If we were to win which I think is unlikely - the Poms would have to look closely at Bairstow

 

[M Malice]

I'd tend to agree, I'd be a bit more confident if Marnus and/or Smudge weren't out. Still a fair few runs to peel off on a day 5 pitch, should be a good finish anyway

I don't think we can creep up on this target at 2.5 runs per over, if so Broad and/or Anderson will eventually get you.

 

[the_interloper]

I don't think we can creep up on this target at 2.5 runs per over, if so Broad and/or Anderson will eventually get you.

Yeah I tend to agree with that, going to have to get after it, Head the key for that as you said. Starc might have been handy as well, he might have been able to add a quick 30

 

[dumb]

We've had to do things the hard way all test. Be an epic win if we pull this off.
Another sneaky 20 from Boland would be amazing. Has had a win by 2 wickets or lose by 2 runs feel since the start of our first innings.

 

[saint_]

Smith without a 4th innings fifty since 2016!

Woah nice pick up. Steve Smith has never scored a century in the 4th Innings. He has an average of 28 compared to say Ricky Ponting who averaged 50.

 

[AJ_2000]

First hour is key. If Boland can hang around for 20-30 minutes it will be super useful.

BBC said worst of the weather should be through early. Sunny periods with the chnaces of storms later. Take that with a grain of salt, weather is super variable.

Game is on an absolute knifes edge. Quick wickets and England hold the advantage. Lose one wicket in the first session and the Aussies are in the box seat.

 

[The hands of stone]

Bar Broad Englands attack is pedestrian .
Anderson has lost his zip , Ali bowls door knobbers and Robinson needs very favourable conditions .
So normally I would think this is a tough ask but still very much game on.

Would feel confident 2 down . This partnership is a big one . If they can eek another 20-30 out thats a great result.
Feel we need a special innings from Head/Green to win with the long tail .

Has set up a cracking series . If Australia lose this , they will win at Lords .

 

[AJ_2000]

So many variables have lead us to this point.

The early declaration - England would kill for another 40 runs.

Bairstow - has given back every run he's scored with missed chnaces. England would be a mile in front of those were snagged

The tail - Australia getting skittled for 4/14 compared to the 2/96 (and who knows how much more and 4/77.

Ali - 2/170 off 40 overs. Bowling a Jaffa every 10 overs hasn't been dangerous to tie the Aussies down. Has been the guy to get Australia going when run scoring is tough. Scored 18 & 19. If he bowls a few overs it could be enough to ignite our run chase.

 

[gtrxuone]

Been a fantastic test in Birmingham. Have the feeling an early wicket,puts the Poms in the box seat.

 

[grumbleguts]

Been a fantastic test in Birmingham. Have the feeling an early wicket,puts the Poms in the box seat.

There is a nightwatchman out there, so not too bold a call there.

 

[BGman]

This Test is turning into a pretty exciting one with victory in the lap of the gods. Tho with Steve Smith gone and 173 still to score I have the Poms just in front. Strap yourself in for a wild ride tomorrow.

 

[Visions]

With humid conditions forecast for tomorrow, hopefully intermittent showers/storms save us and we go to the second test even.
Because l can see us knicking it everywhere to the slips even on a so called road of a pitch.

 

[BGman]

What has happened to the the Marnus Labuchagne mogo. He has passed 50 only once in his last four Tests, 63 in the final India match. His other scores have been 21, 3, 33, 26, 41, 0, 13.

 

[kickazz]

Marnus had a good run of luck there for a while - getting dropped, bowled off no-balls, etc.