The Cricket Thread, Mark 2

[SirFozzie]

Holy shit what a finish, England beat Australia by 14 runs as Australia's last stand falls just short (the final wicket partnership in the two innings nearly provided half of Australia's runs in total)

 

Been watching it on Willow TV... talk about drama, as the last wicket was under review.

[Zheroen]

Thought it was a good match overall, not to mention the tension with England almost running out Australia for the last wicket before the lunch break, but I felt the actual last wicket was kind of dubious for such a close call that seemed fairly inconclusive with the hot shot replay.Wish it was shown on ESPN3 in HD and I didn't have to rely on a dodgy stream, though.

[SirFozzie]

Well, willow is like $8 a month through YouTube, so the stream quality is really good, but I hear ya.

[adamsie]

The tension in the match was great such a pity it ended on drs after all the controversy with Trott, Broad and Agar.

 

hope this isn't as close as Australia get to a win this series.

[SirFozzie]

So far in the second test, the story is England rebuilding from near disaster, and Australia failing to. It's up to Haddin and Agar again..

[SirFozzie]

So, Aussie tempers are flaring after another close call (that admittedly looked like it should have gone to the Aussies) goes against them. It's not like England need the help, but the last decision caused a bit of a flutter as someone with access to CricketAustralia's Twitter feed posted "That decision sucked ass. #bullshit"

 

The offending tweet was later deleted and Cricket Australia's investigating.

[The Natural]

Graeme Swann's dismissal of Chris Rogers yesterday is one of the funniest I've ever seen.

[SirFozzie]

Graeme Swann's dismissal of Chris Rogers yesterday is one of the funniest I've ever seen.

 

Bad delivery, bad swing, bad decision, bad decision not to review.

 

It was a comedy of errors

 

edit: Reminds me of this "delivery" from Phil Tufnell

 

[SirFozzie]

And England lead is 566 with two full days to play. Expect a declaration overnight (shame, would love to see Root go for 200.) to give England two full days to bowl the Aussies out.

[adamsie]

They don't need two days to get them out so they should let him go to 200 or till he gets out.

 

Next test the Aussies should play Klinger for the hell of it since he's making runs in England

[The Natural]

They don't need two days to get them out so they should let him go to 200 or till he gets out.

 

Yeah, I think they'll let Root go for 200.

[adamsie]

Yeah, I think they'll let Root go for 200.

he when for it and only added two runs and they declared, now i hope Aussies can make it to 200

[SirFozzie]

Well, they did, making 235 in their second innings, which means they lost by a mere 347 runs.

[Death From Above]

Haven't followed cricket that closely in a few years.

 

Boy have roles been reversed in England/Australia since just a few years ago.

[SirFozzie]

Well, Australia now has 10 days to think about the shitkicking they just took as the third test (where England can officially retain the Ashes with a win or a draw) doesn't start till August 1... although it looks like Kevin Pietersen is doubtful with a calf injury

[SirFozzie]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-23505588

 

38 charged in IPL Spot Fixing scandal

[adamsie]

Well i guess we'll never get a test in this series without DRS umpire making bad decisions.

 

also great to see australia bat out the whole day pity about the rain that's be forecast

[SirFozzie]

Be a shame if England won the Ashes not on the field, but due to the weather.

[SirFozzie]

Big partnership for england right now, Pietersen and Bairstow are just about 80 runs short of the follow on target.. they do still have Prior and Broad left to bat, but these are England's best two batsmen left. Pietersen's already reached his century, but will he resist the urge to play one shot too many? Another 100-150 runs here could make it hard for Australia to build a big enough lead to declare and bowl England out, especially if the weather does not cooperate.

[SirFozzie]

Bairstow out for 22, with England 50 runs short of the follow on target, I think they'll still get there (prior averages about 40, Broad about 25), but it's getting close to squeaky bum time for England.

[SirFozzie]

They finally got Pietersen, England finish the day 294 for 7, 233 behind Australia. Tomorrow morning,  the Aussies will need to break the Prior/Broad partnership, and then pick up Swann and Anderson cheaply (england need 34 to avoid being asked to bat again immediately). With rain in the forecast both Sunday and Monday,m it's starting to be now or never for Australia.

[SirFozzie]

England survive, currently at 366 for 9. Now, every over they bat out will be a growing problem for the Aussies, the lead is 161 (and shrinking slowly), the Aussies will have to race out and bat up a lead as quickly as possible and gamble that they will have enough time to bowl England out again.

[SirFozzie]

and.... I spoke too soon. England all out for 368, and Australia basically sprint to the lockerroom to get ready for batting. Expect some fireworks that wouldn't look out of place in an one day game or even a twenty20 game.

[SirFozzie]

Unfotunately, we continue to have a bit of the (Cricket) Ump Show, as the umpires decided unilaterally the level of light was too low, and ordered the teams off, costing Australia a half hour or so of scoring before rain came. Australia finish the day 172 for 7 (they spent their wickets in trying to get more runs.), lead of 331, but with Day five apparently going to be a rain fest, it may not happen for Australia

[SirFozzie]

And despite the Aussies getting three fairly quick wickets (including Pietersen), the only winner in this Test is the rain, which will deliver the Ashes back in Englands hands... until the end of the year at least.. Good battling by the Aussies, if not for the rain they may have had a shot, and talk about "5-0, 5-0" has been put in the rubbish bin