3rd Test at Headingley, Leeds

[GIMH]

Imagine if England had Archer, Broad, Anderson and Leach to come instead of Archer, Woakes, Broad and Leach. That's part of why I think dropping Woakes for Anderson is a bad idea.

Because there's no reason to assume we'd be chasing a lower target if Anderson had played rather than Woakes

 

[hazsa19]

Imagine if England had Archer, Broad, Anderson and Leach to come instead of Archer, Woakes, Broad and Leach. That's part of why I think dropping Woakes for Anderson is a bad idea.

At the risk of getting into this, if Anderson plays Australia don’t get anywhere near 170 in the first dig here.

 

[social]

Might have rolled Australia for 100 in the first innings in that instance though.

And with Smith we make 500

 

[Flem274*]

only goodareasshane will get this but i think there's some slight resemblance between manly labia shane and ritchie stanaway

 

[hazsa19]

Couldn’t have hoped for any better than that from an England pov.

 

[Spark]

That was, aside from Lyon's last few hours, a pretty dreadful hour of bowling. So undisciplined.

 

[morgieb]

Very good partnership between these two. Bowling didn't hurt but they're batting very well regardless.

That last half an hour gives me a bit of confidence, but England are close enough that another decent partnership is gonna make it tough to get six wickets. Need to go back to basics, Lyon looked really good and Cummins was doing better in his second spell.

 

[Uppercut]

The tension is so thick. I'm not sure the crowd cheering every boundary are helping England. Reminds me why getting close to a big chase is so much more common than actually doing it.

 

[morgieb]

That was, aside from Lyon's last few hours, a pretty dreadful hour of bowling. So undisciplined.

Our equivalent of that Woakes/Stokes spell on Day 1. Makes it even.

This is going down to the wire probably.

 

[GIMH]

And with Smith we make 500

Bears zero relevance to Stephen's original point though

 

[vcs]

Australia still marginal favorites but it's going to be a right old slog getting these last few wickets I think. The crowd and the English dressing room will have a lot of belief and no one's going to gift their wicket away.

 

[Spark]

The tension is so thick. I'm not sure the crowd cheering every boundary are helping England. Reminds me why getting close to a big chase is so much more common than actually doing it.

Yeah people talk so much about the pitch, but not at all about the psychology. Completely different to ODI chases because the fielding captain has so many more tools at his disposal.

 

[GIMH]

Can't help but feel Stokes using up all those balls without scoring has worn the bowlers down a little. Hard to maintain the same level of intensity 100 overs in.

Still, I'm surprised the odds now seem to favour us so heavily. If we get to 50 away with these two still there that's the point I will make us favourites.

 

[NotMcKenzie]

Definitely England's session there. From what I saw, we turned in another one of those clueless bowling performances we did against India, and 15 leg-byes out of 82 runs in the session seems a pretty appropriate judgment too.

 

[Uppercut]

That was, aside from Lyon's last few hours, a pretty dreadful hour of bowling. So undisciplined.

Lyon bowling so well is huge. Otherwise you're thinking it's almost England's to lose. 4 man attack with 100 overs in the field, 2nd new ball been and gone, lineup only 4 down with a strong tail. First innings you'd expect 130 more runs 9 out of 10 times.

 

[Cabinet96]

And with Smith we make 500

Strange post. No one is making the argument that playing Smith would've hurt Australia's chances, like they are with Anderson.

 

[straw man]

This match is a lot of fun.

Also, seven of England's players have the first initial J. This must mean something, I feel.

 

[Flem274*]

This match is a lot of fun.

Also, seven of England's players have the first initial J. This must mean something, I feel.

j for jammy rite?

 

[morgieb]

Lyon bowling so well is huge. Otherwise you're thinking it's almost England's to lose. 4 man attack with 100 overs in the field, 2nd new ball been and gone, lineup only 4 down with a strong tail. First innings you'd expect 130 more runs 9 out of 10 times.

Yeah, I'm definitely feeling less pessimistic with Lyon doing well. Obviously this is still very much on but he's looking good for a match-winning spell.

One disadvantage though - no left-handers after Stokes until Broad. And it's not like you can expect too much out of him and Leach.

 

[quincywagstaff]

If Australia lose this, that 2nd new ball bowling will be up there with Devon Malcolm in 5th Test in SA in 95/96 as the worst match-defining new ball bowl balling in memory.

Just startling how much Hazelwood & especially Pattinson lost the plot considering how well Oz have bowled in this series until then.

Cummins & Lyon pulled it back a bit but if England get the target down to under 100 without another wicket, they're favourites.