4th Test at Old Trafford, Manchester

[Spark]

Well now I'm even more confused.

 

[SillyCowCorner1]

There's a highlight if there ever was one.

 

[Spark]

He’s got it arse about unless his openers told him they needed a bit longer to recharge. Leach leaking runs like this makes me reconsider Lyon’s effort, given he at least never let them get away.

It’s like he tried to have a bet each way - dry the game up and slow it down to make a draw more likely while hoping to jag another wicket, but Leach has let him down a bit (and Overton to a far lesser extent imo).

I don't think Root gave Leach any options at all tbh. How do you bowl to a field like that?

 

[SillyCowCorner1]

You bowl to his legs, he will always kill you there.

 

[Spikey]

Good god that shot

 

[Spark]

That's an insane shot

 

[SillyCowCorner1]

Okay, so where's the leg slip Joe?

 

[Compton]

Is Root even the captain anymore?

Stokes got them fired up pre-innings, and seems to be doing a lot of the trying to keep them motivated.

Root’s a quality batsman, but I’ve never seen anything from him to suggest he’s a captain.

 

[Burgey]

Want to see one more hundred from Smith. Reckon his series has already reached absurd levels, now I want to see some really obscene numbers by the end. Will have to motor though.

He’s taking the piss I reckon. Why would Broad say a word to him there? Must be the hardest bloke to bowl to, but I don’t think spurring him on to concentrate harder is the answer tbh.

Can he jag another big score here? Would be remarkable if he does.

 

[SillyCowCorner1]

Talking about vertical bat shots

 

[Compton]

Leach is leaking runs. England playing as though they don’t have a plan, here. They’re not attacking, but they’re also conceding runs pretty quickly.

 

[Burgey]

No point going on about it of course but Anderson has been such a huge loss, Archer first change would make such a difference.

Yeah the drop off is huge. Been a big difference between the two sides, the pressure Australia has kept on has made. Massive difference

 

[Compton]

How good is Ponting on comms btw? As a UK-viewer he’s been a massive breath of fresh air.

 

[vcs]

So much for Smith's supposed weakness to left arm offspin...

 

[Maximas]

About time Wade didn't completely duff a sweep shot attempt

 

[Burgey]

Wade really needs to settle the **** down here. They’re doing it really well without him going stupid

 

[Spark]

omg stokes almost smith'd smith

 

[Compton]

Wade really needs to settle the **** down here. They’re doing it really well without him going stupid

He can’t help himself, the longer he’s out there the more you see it building inside him

 

[Arachnodouche]

To be fair, England are going to lose if they try to chase whatever they are set. Headingley was do or die, this isn't quite that. Maybe they've resigned themselves to a stonewalling day out tomorrow and then fight at the Oval.

 

[harsh.ag]

Stokes da man