*Official* Fourth Test (Old Trafford, Manchester) 19-23 July

[91Jmay]

Honest question for you guys what’s been the bigger issue this series for Australia their batters or the bowlers?

Batters have chucked away some serious positions of dominance. The 5 down collapses have been awful and lots of set blokes not going on.

The bowling plans have been very ordinary to say the least but feel their bowling has won them games not massively convinced their batting has outside of Smythe one innings

 

[CartyDurham]

The only respite for the Aussie attack is they'll not be bowling again for close to a week, minimum.

They came in with a nine day break here

I feel the turnaround for them plus the extra test they had , has really affected Cummins in particular

 

[Burgey]

Honest question for you guys what’s been the bigger issue this series for Australia their batters or the bowlers?

Of these two it’s batting. It’s a different game if you post 400-450, as was shown at Lord’s compared with Leeds and here

 

[loterry1994]

Let’s be fair we are three days in and Australia are desperate for rain to save this game

England have all the momentum now and even if this is rained off, I can’t see anything but an England win at the oval

Cummins , Starc look spent forces in this game with the quick turnover and the Aussies are relying on Mitch marsh here to guard the tail

Come the Oval what attack will Australia deploy ?

Boland has been hit out of the side , Green is steady but he won’t be bowling a team out

Starc and Cummins look shattered , Murphy is too raw to throw in

they are desperate for this to be a draw

all you need is a great session or two and the momentum changes quickly England showed it this test everyone thought this would be close. You just need one guy to go big or someone to take a fifer and the pressures on

 

[Burgey]

England have all the momentum now and even if this is rained off, I can’t see anything but an England win at the oval

That’s not really how sport works though. On that logic England couldn’t have won at Leeds.

 

[WICFan]

Honest question for you guys what’s been the bigger issue this series for Australia their batters or the bowlers?

Batting.

They lost Lyon which has affected the bowling.

The batting hasn't lost that equivalent, they've just been poor.

 

[CartyDurham]

all you need is a great session or two and the momentum changes quickly England showed it this test everyone thought this would be close. You just need one guy to go big or someone to take a fifer and the pressures on

ive seen this with England at home for years

the test team don’t play championship red ball anymore so the start of a series is always difficult

this year even more so with smith and labuschagne coming over early and that world champs test

England were more like the touring team as Australia had more red ball play in their legs already

for me the really big turning point was Lyon limping off ,

that’s been highlighted how crucial his role is in these last two tests and why the Aussie seamers have been going at over 6 an over for the last few innings, they are worn out

so be it if it rains and they retain the ashes, well played just

I still think England will win at The Oval

 

[Fuller Pilch]

If there is less rain than feared, can Marnus bat and bat? He's good enough and Green is capable of something special.

 

[Gob]

This may comeback to haunt you

forecasting in the uk is not the greatest

this is a long way from over

Do you mean UK based forecasters or forecasting UK weather?

There are many global weather forecasters making the same prediction

 

[chunksafc]

Another very enjoyable day watching going test cricket. Hopefully the weather plays nice over the weekend.

Even more enjoyable watching a Durham lad in Wood bowling

 

[CartyDurham]

If there is less rain than feared, can Marnus bat and bat? He's good enough and Green is capable of something special.

When is Green going to show that thought ?

he has not shown anything so far in this series and looks a bit bewildered at times

 

[CartyDurham]

Do you mean UK based forecasters or forecasting UK weather?

There are many global weather forecasters making the same prediction

Anything in the uk these days is worth taking a huge bowl of salt with it

we will get play in the next two days. For me 60 overs worth will be enough

 

[CartyDurham]

Have a good day or night all wherever you are

I’m off to watch a bit darts and golf

 

[Gob]

If there is less rain than feared, can Marnus bat and bat? He's good enough and Green is capable of something special.

Not for two days. Most people are under the assumption that tomorrow is gone and probably a one afternoon session possible on Sunday in that case it's touch and go with added Australian batting

If there is any play tomorrow in addition to Sunday, England win easily

 

[loterry1994]

Here’s our main forecast lads the Brokies

 

[Burgey]

Anything in the uk these days is worth taking a huge bowl of salt with it

Particularly their cricketweb.net/forum members

 

[CartyDurham]

Here’s our main forecast or lads the Brokies

Bit blurry for me when I expand it

I’ve seen it now

 

[WICFan]

They came in with a nine day break here

I feel the turnaround for them plus the extra test they had , has really affected Cummins in particular

Yeah but I think physically and mentally they will appreciate getting out of the firing line.

England may have a couple of decisions to make with their attack as well. Robinson or Tongue may come into consideration for Anderson or Broad.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

I see Carey conceded 15 byes. Did he keep poorly in the 1st innings or was it due to bad (very wide) bowling punishing the keeper?

 

[CartyDurham]

Here’s our main forecast lads the Brokies

I’ve had a look on mine and took evens the draw

if it rains and England drift to odds against I get on them so at the worst I will get my money back