***Official*** 4th Test at the MCG

[vic_orthdox]

Should be fine to buy them and get level 1 seating tomorrow.

 

[oblongballs]

How good is it to see three of England’s biggest names really stand up with so much on the line?

There is nothing on the line. England have lost the series, not been competitive for more than a day in the last three tests combined, and looked hapless throughout apart from a few bright spots.

Winnings or most likely, drawing at the MCG changes none of that. Players at the end of their careers can still produce the odd good knock and Broad can always have a solid time every now and then. Don't let this paper over the cracks. England have some serious thinking to do.

As for now, it's good, doesn't say much about the future but Cook looked fluid and hopefully Root and co can go on to get scores to go 100-150 past Aus, which is doubtful as we all know England can collapse at any time.

 

[vic_orthdox]

Chris Rogers & Dirk Nannes have been interesting on Broad - talking about him losing his outswinger which makes him a less dangerous new ball bowler, particularly if there isn't much in the wicket.

 

[Victor Ian]

The mcg really disappoints me. For such an outstanding facility it seems we always get this more than meh pitch served up. Sure there will be a result but not due to batsman or bowler skill.
Bad times looming for Australia. Once Smith is not there to AB our other batsmen we fold like a house of cards.

 

[ImpatientLime]

that was one for the good guy(s). on ya cookie.

imagine the state of englands top order if he retires after this series. lol

 

[Burgey]

There is nothing on the line. England have lost the series, not been competitive for more than a day in the last three tests combined, and looked hapless throughout apart from a few bright spots.

Winnings or most likely, drawing at the MCG changes none of that. Players at the end of their careers can still produce the odd good knock and Broad can always have a solid time every now and then. Don't let this paper over the cracks. England have some serious thinking to do.

As for now, it's good, doesn't say much about the future but Cook looked fluid and hopefully Root and co can go on to get scores to go 100-150 past Aus, which is doubtful as we all know England can collapse at any time.

Ok

 

[Darwin Award]

Congrats to Cook on a fighting much needed century.Congrats also to Steve Smith for 'Wet Nursing' him to his ton as well ... Drops him on 66 and then puts himself on to bowl the last over of the day consisting of a full toss and other assorted rubbish.

Cook completes his Aussie Ashes grounds set of tons and also has scored centuries now in the 3 'biggest stages of world cricket' Lords/MCG/Eden Gardens (Kolkata)... On a few have done that.

 

[Starfighter]

Chris Rogers & Dirk Nannes have been interesting on Broad - talking about him losing his outswinger which makes him a less dangerous new ball bowler, particularly if there isn't much in the wicket.

Not to place myself on the level of a genius like Dirk Nannes, but I believe I had much the same point in all three previous match threads.

 

[Furball]

How good is it to see three of England’s biggest names really stand up with so much on the line?

With Root in particular, he's damned if he does and damned if he doesn't. He'd rightly be crucified if he breezed to his customary 70 before getting out playing a dumb shot, while the series has gone it's still important for him on a personal level to prove he's learned from his mistakes.

edit: it's also important from a team perspective that they don't just collapse mentally and lose 5-0 again. So while the Ashes have gone there's a fair bit in terms of personal and collective pride riding on the last two Tests.

 

[Jambomakaveli]

Watch a decent amount of cricket, more so as a gambler than a fan though. Placed a bet consisting of 6 selections, 5 have won. I’m left needing Australia to win the current (4th) ashes test match.

After day one I thought it looked good, but day two was obviously England’s.

I’m not really sure where it all leaves me.

The bookies have all 3 results pretty even, and basically I could back England draw no bet and effectively change my selection right now and then win the same amount if England win.

I was just looking for some knowledgable predictions when I came across this forum, and have really enjoyed reading this 4th ashes test thread.


My worry is that by the time Australia bat again, they may already be 100 odd behind, and then I could see it all resting on smiths second innings then. If he goes cheaply I’d say it’d be pretty much done.

I’m just looking from a bit of guidance and input from cricket fans more knowledgable than me.

Cheers

 

[Burner]

Why is it that this series they aren't really showing the wickets that have fallen as much as they used to in every other series?! Quite frustrating to watch if you miss a wicket. In series' where they showed them at a much higher frequency, I have never felt that they were showing them a few too many times so they should probably stick to that routine.

 

[JRC67]

Watch a decent amount of cricket, more so as a gambler than a fan though. Placed a bet consisting of 6 selections, 5 have won. I’m left needing Australia to win the current (4th) ashes test match.

After day one I thought it looked good, but day two was obviously England’s.

I’m not really sure where it all leaves me.

The bookies have all 3 results pretty even, and basically I could back England draw no bet and effectively change my selection right now and then win the same amount if England win.

I was just looking for some knowledgable predictions when I came across this forum, and have really enjoyed reading this 4th ashes test thread.


My worry is that by the time Australia bat again, they may already be 100 odd behind, and then I could see it all resting on smiths second innings then. If he goes cheaply I’d say it’d be pretty much done.

I’m just looking from a bit of guidance and input from cricket fans more knowledgable than me.

Cheers

I think a lot of people will be in a position to advise at stumps tomorrow. With England's ability to collapse they could still have a first innings deficit. My prediction is whichever team are batting at stumps will win, but that doesn't really help.

 

[Adders]

How good is it to see three of England’s biggest names really stand up with so much on the line?

It's the Ashes mate.......there is always plenty on the line no matter what the series scoreline.

 

[Tom Flint]

It's the Ashes mate.......there is always plenty on the line no matter what the series scoreline.

Lol yeah like australia aren't trying to win 5 nil.
And there isn't massive pressure on the english players not to lose 5 nil

 

[JRC67]

Lol yeah like australia aren't trying to win 5 nil.
And there isn't massive pressure on the english players not to lose 5 nil

I guess you could argue there is more pressure on England now as there was little expectation they would win. The real expectation was not to get white washed. Australian teams get benchmarked against white wash teams.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

How good is it to see three of England’s biggest names really stand up with so much on the line?

Broad did it just in time to save his career. Cook will go when he decides and to be fair Root has looked good all series without getting a big score which hopefully comes tonight.

 

[Burgey]

I guess you could argue there is more pressure on England now as there was little expectation they would win. The real expectation was not to get white washed. Australian teams get benchmarked against white wash teams.

I don’t think that’s so tbh. The last whitewash pre-2007 was in 1921.

 

[anaksr]

And people were asking for his blood to retire. Comon man he is only 33 and few years left in him. Its just that he is playing from ages as no one could either match and settle with him as opener in eng team. The relief on his face after scoring century was GOLD

 

[S.Kennedy]

I don’t think that’s so tbh. The last whitewash pre-2007 was in 1921.

Warwick Armstrong

 

[flibbertyjibber]

I don’t think that’s so tbh. The last whitewash pre-2007 was in 1921.

At it were you?