*Official* Third Test (Headingley, Leeds) 6–10 July

[CartyDurham]

I can’t remember the exact stat but TMS basically said before that for 1-4 and 7-11 it’s Aus’s worst batting Test since the 1920s

That’s another amazing stat . Looks like wicket 5 and 6 are the key, marsh and head ?

 

[CartyDurham]

Thought they went on iPlayer straight away?

Been on Sky since the game finished , they showed all the days played highlights

 

[CartyDurham]

Forget cricket, The Ashes is the pinnacle of sport. I live in Poland and was trying to explain the significance to a co-worker. I was searching for some point of comparison and realised there isn't one in another sport. There's no particular reason these series should be so special, yet magically they nearly always are.

Possibly Germany v England in soccer. Djokovic v Federer in tennis , Ali v Foreman in boxing , New Zealand v Australia in Rugby Union

 

[CartyDurham]

I'd pick Tongue ahead of Anderson based on who I think would give the Aussies the most problems.

If we play Broad and Woakes, then Jimmy is in that mould, so isn't going to add a whole lot that they wouldn't. I'm not writing Jimmy off but he just didn't look right in the 1st two tests. If he's back to 100% full fitness then obviously he comes into the equation.

Tongue though, has that extra bit of pace and that caused the Aussies plenty of issues at Lords.

He bowls about 5mph quicker than the likes of Broad and Co and that would mean we could bowl Wood in really short sharp bursts.

I think Jimmy will play but as much as I love him, I'd go with Tongue.

The irony will be seeing Tongue possibly running in from the end named after Jimmy Anderson

 

[CartyDurham]

I'm not brave enough to predict the result at Old Trafford.
However, if it is 2-2 after that match, I will predict that the excitement going into the 5th test will be almost unparallelled. Possibly as much as going into the 5th test in 2005, which is the only one I can remember that would be close.

I think 2009 was possibly 1-1 going into the oval ? Then broady had one of his spells which won the game , added to by Jonathan Trott on debut scoring a ton

 

[Fuller Pilch]

It'd be even more as England would have to win at Oval this time

Not sure about that. England hadn't held the Ashes since Oz won it in 1989, so 2005 was a really big deal.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Possibly Germany v England in soccer. Djokovic v Federer in tennis , Ali v Foreman in boxing , New Zealand v Australia in Rugby Union

NZ vs South Africa in rugby union is a much bigger deal than NZ v Aus.

 

[AndyZaltzHair]

Where is the thread for fourth test? @G. S. Kohli

 

[AndyZaltzHair]

Where is the thread for fourth test? @G. S. Kohli

never mind didnt know GIMH is new GS Kohli

 

[CartyDurham]

NZ vs South Africa in Rugby Union is a much bigger deal than NZ v Aus.

I’m not really up with my rugby union these days. it sort of ended with Jonny Wilkinson

 

[Michelle Fivefer]

I wouldn't play Jimmy or Robinson at OT. I'd go Broad, Wood, Woakes and Tongue, assuming Stokes isn't going to bowl much, if at all.

If we play 4 seamers, who would you pic

Bit tough to leave out a bowler at the ground where he has his own end…

 

[Michelle Fivefer]

Did anderson have the most missed chances off his bowling in the first 2 tests?

I don’t remember but it wouldn’t surprise me,

 

[CartyDurham]

Trying to like your post Fuller pitch but it’s saying “the post doesnt exist “

strange as I could read it about the Bledisloe cup

its disappeared altogether now

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Smith 190 @ 31.66 and Labuschagne 144 @ 24 are key stats. How they go in the next 2 tests may determine the result.

 

[CartyDurham]

Bit tough to leave out a bowler at the ground where he has his own end…

I’m getting strong vibes that Anderson is on the brink of retirement . Just a feeling , over the last few days and he’s hardly been mentioned and the impact of Wood and Woakes has been immense this match

Robinson could miss out as well.

I really wanted Anderson to walk out in the sunset at the Oval but if that’s going to be a decider, I don’t think he will play

 

[CartyDurham]

Smith 190 @ 31.66 and Labuschagne 144 @ 24 are key stats. How they go in the next 2 tests may determine the result.

What happened to your post on the rugby? I was reading it , then it’s disappeared

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Trying to like your post Fuller pitch but it’s saying “the post doesnt exist “

strange as I could read it about the Bledisloe cup

its disappeared altogether now

I started to write a post about the Bledisloe Cup but then deleted it. I felt bad interrupting an Ashes thread with facts about rugby.

 

[CartyDurham]

I started to write a post about the Bledisloe Cup but then deleted it. I felt bad interrupting an Ashes thread with facts about rugby.

Match over now though , should be ok .

I did read it though and realise that I’ve seen some of those games on Sky , early morning , in the past

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Basically the BC is contested annually and we've held it since 2003. Sadly it is a bit of a non-contest these days.

*,After this post expect Australia to win the Bledisloe back this year.

 

[Michelle Fivefer]

I’m getting strong vibes that Anderson is on the brink of retirement . Just a feeling , over the last few days and he’s hardly been mentioned and the impact of Wood and Woakes has been immense this match

Robinson could miss out as well.

I really wanted Anderson to walk out in the sunset at the Oval but if that’s going to be a decider, I don’t think he will play

I certainly believe this is his last season, and I’d love him to end it at The Oval, the scene of so many farewells. So emotional! But you may be right, Carty, he might not get the chance. Have to wait and see.