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

[Gob]

If the rain is the solution to not to see an open bus parade of Stokes and McCullum, its the price we have to pay

 

[loterry1994]

If the rain is the solution to not to see an open bus parade of Stokes and McCullum, its the price we have to pay

they get a parade over there here we get bloody nothing when we win

 

[Spark]

hows aus batting mate still think it’s not an issue? Top 4 struggling again got in and Nicked off let’s see how marnus goes

Yeah I still think conceding 600 runs in three and a half session equivalents is the biggest concern. Even if they make 400+, which they should have, we'd still be ****ed if this game went full length because that's just not Test standard.

 

[Adorable Asshole]

If the rain is the solution to not to see an open bus parade of Stokes and McCullum, its the price we have to pay

They are gonna parade either way because moral victory.

 

[loterry1994]

Yeah I still think conceding 600 runs in three and a half session equivalents is the biggest concern. Even if they make 400+, which they should have, we'd still be ****ed if this game went full length because that's just not Test standard.

there batting yesterday annoyed the hell out me as well. You had uzzy and smith for example got in faced decent amount of balls done some hard work then wood comes in like his first balls of his spells and takes the wicket it’s been the story all series . If they was 2-3 down they’re probably saving this test only thing saving them now is rain

 

[Son Of Coco]

Ermahgaaad! Who will think of the children!?

Jonny giving himself a wristy here. Especially as we all know he's had a fair few goes at it himself. If he could hit a barn door with a shovel, the shoe might be on the other foot.

As for the comments about giving him a break with his keeping. He took the job, and angled for it as far as I'm aware, so while it's evident his leg is possibly causing issues, it's not like they don't have another bloke who can actually catch waiting in the wings.

Hypocritical Wahhhhing

 

[White Ball]

How’s that rain coming along

 

[Spark]

there batting yesterday annoyed the hell out me as well. You had uzzy and smith for example got in faced decent amount of balls done some hard work then wood comes in like his first balls of his spells and takes the wicket it’s been the story all series . If they was 2-3 down they’re probably saving this test only thing saving them now is rain

I didn't watch it tbh and was mostly expecting them to get rissoled, in Tests like these where you've been absolutely destroyed in the field the usual thing that happens after that is a massive collapse.

 

[Spark]

As for the weather it does sound like the likely scenario now is that this game is done. I'm by no means an expert on weather models but when they're this stable for this long (it's basically the same forecast as we were getting a week ago) that usually means the forecast is quite reliable; the macro-level atmospheric dynamics must be pretty locked in.

 

[Spofforth]

that’s all it is and as it’s Broad hated in Australia it’s not the done thing to praise him

As an Aussie, I don't really hate any pom cricketers (don't know them well enough either way) but I'm especially fond of Broad. Underrated cricketer and went up in my estimation (genuinely) after the "middled it to first slip, so pretend nothing happened and supply your best poker face" incident. One of the funnier moments in cricket that.

 

[loterry1994]

I didn't watch it tbh and was mostly expecting them to get rissoled, in Tests like these where you've been absolutely destroyed in the field the usual thing that happens after that is a massive collapse.

this pitch has had no demons at all though. Some these wickets were absolute nothing balls wasn’t much swing yesterday as well for England

 

[Bahnz]

I imagine there's some epic AccuWeather vs. Met Office feuds in the realm of weather prediction guys.

Accuweather is a pretty ghoulish outfit. They’ve spent years using government data to make their business possible and repackaging it to the public for sale at a profit, whilst simultaneously lobbying for undermining the national weather service in various ways. Trump appointed the CE to the head of the US equivalent of the met office, and he proceeded to make all manner of minor regulatory changes to the profit of his company and the detriment of public weather forecasting services.

 

[Woodster]

I’ve been listening to a few snippets of Bairstow's interview and press conferences last night hitting back at criticism over his performances by suggesting people have never asked how his ankle is and how difficult it is returning from such an injury. All of which I’m sure is true, it seemed a bad break and one that I’m sure does take some recovering from but it does raise the question whether that return to cricket or easing back into the game should be done in the heat of an Ashes battle?! I think pundits, reporters, etc, are entitled to question performances without giving too much leeway to the fact someone is carrying or returning from an injury lay-off, surely when you’re representing England in an Ashes contest it’s not unreasonable to expect that player to be fully fit?!

Ok, Stokes is continually carrying an injury but if his performance drops it’s never an excuse and he never expects a free ride because of it.

 

[wpdavid]

As an Aussie, I don't really hate any pom cricketers (don't know them well enough either way) but I'm especially fond of Broad. Underrated cricketer and went up in my estimation (genuinely) after the "middled it to first slip, so pretend nothing happened and supply your best poker face" incident. One of the funnier moments in cricket that.

Admirable sentiments. I suppose I just feel morally obliged to point out that he actually middled it to the keeper, who redirected the ball to first slip. But your assessment of Broad is spot on.

 

[Spark]

I’ve been listening to a few snippets of Bairstow's interview and press conferences last night hitting back at criticism over his performances by suggesting people have never asked how his ankle is and how difficult it is returning from such an injury. All of which I’m sure is true, it seemed a bad break and one that I’m sure does take some recovering from but it does raise the question whether that return to cricket or easing back into the game should be done in the heat of an Ashes battle?! I think pundits, reporters, etc, are entitled to question performances without giving too much leeway to the fact someone is carrying or returning from an injury lay-off, surely when you’re representing England in an Ashes contest it’s not unreasonable to expect that player to be fully fit?!

Ok, Stokes is continually carrying an injury but if his performance drops it’s never an excuse and he never expects a free ride because of it.

I really don't like Bairstow and stuff like this is why. He's absolutely awful at accepting legitimate criticism and has constantly across his career suggested that entirely fair commentary on his play is out of bounds, and seems to take it personally.

 

[Spofforth]

2-1 into the oval would be a riot. that means the max would be a 2-2 which AUS will happily walk take considering the insipid performances of the past fortnight.

Not seeing why any Aussie would be happy with 2-2. A wash out draw here and a win at the Oval for 3-1 would be acceptable. Not like the pom t20 batting line up will do that again, even against our insipid "best in the world" pace attack. Just gotta hope we can overcome Woakes/Wood who are obvious quality for one match.

A lot hinges on the weather for the next couple of days of course.

 

[Spark]

this pitch has had no demons at all though. Some these wickets were absolute nothing balls wasn’t much swing yesterday as well for England

Sure but at that point it's not about conditions but mentality. I've seen teams shot out in 40 overs in absolutely roads after getting hidings like that. I really expected to wake up to the game being all but over.

 

[loterry1994]

I’ve been listening to a few snippets of Bairstow's interview and press conferences last night hitting back at criticism over his performances by suggesting people have never asked how his ankle is and how difficult it is returning from such an injury. All of which I’m sure is true, it seemed a bad break and one that I’m sure does take some recovering from but it does raise the question whether that return to cricket or easing back into the game should be done in the heat of an Ashes battle?! I think pundits, reporters, etc, are entitled to question performances without giving too much leeway to the fact someone is carrying or returning from an injury lay-off, surely when you’re representing England in an Ashes contest it’s not unreasonable to expect that player to be fully fit?!

Ok, Stokes is continually carrying an injury but if his performance drops it’s never an excuse and he never expects a free ride because of it.

Got more respect for him now seems To grown a bigger set since the run out

 

[honestbharani]

I really don't like Bairstow and stuff like this is why. He's absolutely awful at accepting legitimate criticism and has constantly across his career suggested that entirely fair commentary on his play is out of bounds, and seems to take it personally.

I think he is a nice enough lad but quite self-centered. But if this is what gets him to tick as an international cricketer and the England management are fine with it....

 

[loterry1994]

Not seeing why any Aussie would be happy with 2-2. A wash out draw here and a win at the Oval for 3-1 would be acceptable. Not like the pom t20 batting line up will do that again, even against our insipid "best in the world" pace attack. Just gotta hope we can overcome Woakes/Wood who are obvious quality for one match.

A lot hinges on the weather for the next couple of days of course.

yeah No one here’s celebrating a tied series. The poms might have a parade though if that’s the case