4th Test at Old Trafford, Manchester

[Burgey]

Good session for england there. Well batted. we were pretty persistent without being at our best. Need another 10-15% out of Lyon and more like Starc’s last three overs from him. Couple of wickets we’re back to favourites.

 

[Arachnodouche]

On a pitch as dry as this, never count out the possibility 4 days of really boring batting-dominated cricket followed by utter madness on day 5

Hence, Aus need to arrest matters well in advance. England seem to hold their nerve better in those scenarios of late.

 

[Burgey]

This thought now scares me. I've already lived through losing a thriller that should never have been lost, losing a Test Adelaide style could be the end of me as a cricket fan.

Pretty tough session. Both sides (barring a few Starc overs) did quite well.

That can only happen if england makes 500, which will take them into day five to get to at this rate anyway. Otherwise, it requires a bit of a clatter of wickets tonight or tomorrow morning by england and Australia setting 350 or so on day five then a collapse. Pretty unlikely either way imho. If there hadn’t been so much time lost then could see a last day collapse deciding it, but I think draw is the heavy fave now.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Good session that. Need a repeat.

 

[social]

Joe,

It’s red and round

 

[morgieb]

That can only happen if england makes 500, which will take them into day five to get to at this rate anyway. Otherwise, it requires a bit of a clatter of wickets tonight or tomorrow morning by england and Australia setting 350 or so on day five then a collapse. Pretty unlikely either way imho. If there hadn’t been so much time lost then could see a last day collapse deciding it, but I think draw is the heavy fave now.

Yeah, you're probably right. If Smith wasn't playing I could see Australia collapsing for about 100 leaving England a chase of about 200-ish if they get dismissed for 400 this this innings, but with him there I suspect Australia can get to safety relatively comfortably (and if England get to 600, there'll be **** all time to bowl Australia out again)

 

[Spark]

Yeah tbh my post was much more aimed at pointing out that Australia could definitely make a late push for victory on Day 5 if the wicket really starts to rag even with only two sessions to bowl rather than Adelaide 06. A lot of Indian Tests are like that.

It's also worth pointing out that England are still a ****load of runs behind.

 

[Tom Flint]

This is about the time the Australian fielding side of 18 months ago would have really made hay

 

[Burner]

Is today the day, Joe

 

[Tom Flint]

Never write off an England collapse mind you

 

[Burgey]

Yeh they haven’t motored yet. And I can’t see them really pushing hard until at lest the follow on is averted. I mean, why would they? If they collapse here and lose the Ashes are gone.

 

[GIMH]

How good would it be if we just batted all of today and tomorrow to level the score then Adelaided the Aussies though? morgieb would never post again.

 

[zaremba]

Commentators are being very discreet about it, but they’re having a serious crack at Archer here by contrasting this effort from Cummins before the break with what England dished out when it was most needed in Australia’s innings

Fair comparison. Archer very disappointing, while Cummins has stuck at it well. Long summer etc but Jofra’s not doing it right now. Can’t see him getting dropped for the Oval but I can see him getting injured there

 

[GIMH]

Fair comparison. Archer very disappointing, while Cummins has stuck at it well. Long summer etc but Jofra’s not doing it right now. Can’t see him getting dropped for the Oval but I can see him getting injured there

One bad innings, a bit harsh to say 'not doing it right now. Was averaging 13 in the series going into this.

 

[Spark]

Don't think I've ever seen Lyon bowl as many short wide balls as in this series for a long time

 

[Maximas]

Trescothick's cough lollies left out of that conversation I see

 

[quincywagstaff]

Don't think I've ever seen Lyon bowl as many short wide balls as in this series for a long time

Really struggled to England playing him off the back foot constantly in past few Tests.

 

[hazsa19]

Damn Cummins is a joy to watch. Whenever he’s in a spell it seems like a case of just getting through it unscathed.

 

[SillyCowCorner1]

Oh bother

 

[Spark]

ffs