4th Test at Old Trafford, Manchester

[Woodster]

This is an unacceptable acceptance of a situation from England. They’ve written off any hope of actually getting Smith out and don’t have the patience and/or the discipline to try and force him to get himself out.

This is the kind of situation where you need people to stand up, make something happen, instead we’re just jogging in and bowling medium pace (yet still trying a short ball policy!) and in the field the only things we’re making happen is mistakes!! The Ashes are on the line here!!

 

[Spikey]

forrest made his ton at adelaide yeah? wasn't a bad knock tbh

two 50's and then a 100 after he forced ponting into retirement iirc

 

[Ulzan69]

Sam Curran dropped Paine on 49

Smith(521) kick out # 1;Stokes (513) from Leading runs (test) scorer in 2019

It's took Smith only 4 innings of 3 test

142
146

80

155 not out

Still 48 overs left in day 2

 

[StephenZA]

it's almost as if neither team is actually good bar a few exceptional individuals/bowlers

This is unfortunately the most notable factor I have observed...

 

[ajdude]

Sam Curran dropped Paine on 49

Smith(521) kick out # 1;Stokes (513) from Leading runs (test) scorer in 2019

It's took Smith only 4 innings of 3 test

142
146

80

155 not out

Still 48 overs left in day 2

give us peter forrest stats please

 

[Spikey]

*joe roots spends a minute neatly organising his off side field*
*steve smith clips one through the legside for two*

 

[Spark]

Once again: they bowl three overs of good line and length stuff, Smith plays and misses a few times, gets square up a few times... and they give up on it. Bizarre.

 

[King Pietersen]

Just totally lost it here. Just stick to a plan FFS, and take your chances. Both of these should be gone by now, so frustrating.

 

[ajdude]

two 50's and then a 100 after he forced ponting into retirement iirc

last peter forrest post but i forgot he was in the test squad for the tour to the windies soon after! holy moly

 

[OverratedSanity]

it's almost as if neither team is actually good bar a few exceptional individuals/bowlers

Judging the two teams on just the 3 and a half tests so far, Australia are most definitely a good team. You can make fun of Australia's reliance on Smith all you want, but they played 4 basically perfect days of cricket in the one test they've lost so far without Smith in the team. They've bossed this series and the only reason it's tied is because one guy from the opposition decided to play one of the top handful of knocks in the history of cricket.

 

[stephen]

Smith's first match innings average is now 94.9. This dwarfs his average in the other three innings which are 65, 51 and 31 respectively. Basically don't ever bowl first to him.

 

[OverratedSanity]

Smith's first match innings average is now 94.9. This dwarfs his average in the other three innings which are 65, 51 and 31 respectively. Basically don't ever bowl first to him.

Jeez what a downhill skiier.

 

[Spark]

Judging the two teams on just the 3 and a half tests so far, Australia are most definitely a good team. You can make fun of Australia's reliance on Smith all you want, but they played 4 basically perfect days of cricket in the one test they've lost so far without Smith in the team. They've bossed this series and the only reason it's tied is because one guy from the opposition decided to play one of the top handful of knocks in the history of cricket.

Yeah I think I was a bit harsh given that Australia's bowling attack is top quality, which in theory is half the side. The batting has been a two-man show though.

Still reckon we should probably have won at Lord's too. England were so, so there for the taking in that 4th evening.

 

[stephen]

Smith's going to make 200 before Paine gets his 50 isn't he?

 

[ajdude]

oh i'm guessing they're extending the second two sessions because of the rain yesterday? was expecting tea to be 15 minutes ago

 

[SillyCowCorner1]

C'mon Paine, it's only a run away

 

[King Pietersen]

This round the wicket short ploy to Smith is so ****. Have looked like getting him out bowling a consistent line and length outside off, so why we continue to just abandon it and go back to bowling **** short deliveries is beyond me.

 

[ajdude]

streaky but good on him

 

[TestMatch]

Steve Smith makes no sense.

I've watched him for hours, and I still don't understand how he does it.

 

[SillyCowCorner1]

Ahh, there it is.

That should boost his confidence.