The Ashes

[Hawkeye]

Ohhhhhh, Smith nearly gone there!!!

 

[Carmona]

All kicking off at the Gabbatoir. The England 2 down already. That Smith though.

 

[CHANCE]

There's meant to be rain on Sunday which might stir things up a bit.

 

[keamoresouth]

England got the full force of the Gabbatoir today. Tail collapsed for 50 runs in total. Australia set to win before lunch later on tonight, 114-0 needing 56 more runs.
Bowling attack has been the difference as the pitch has changed. Batting has been pretty much on par in the first innings for each side but the Aussies showing better in their second.

Adelaide next and England with plenty to think about over the next 4 days

 

[RebelBhoy]

A good test match. A proper test match pitch too.

 

[keamoresouth]

A good test match. A proper test match pitch too.

I agree. Enjoyable stuff watching bowlers making batsmen work.

 

[keamoresouth]

England might wish they showed as much fight on the pitch as off it going by the story breaking over the last 12 hours or so:
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2...cal-altercation-between-bairstow-and-bancroft

 

[SoundMan]

Apparently the bop was just a bit of playfulness that happened weeks ago. All played down this morning in the after match talk by the pundits.

But Geoff Boycott bemoaned the fact that over 4 wickets Englands top two batsmen could only manage something like 75 between them compared to Australias top two getting 250 between them off two.

Winning by 10 wickets given that at times England were well in it must be seriously disappointing. Not enough variation in attack and batsmen off form?

 

[keamoresouth]

England need 200 more runs* to win this 2nd test.
Australia scored 442-8d in the first innings but collapsed in the 2nd.

Both captains will reflect on some decisions that have turned this test one way and then the other.

(*EDIT: 183 runs)

 

[keamoresouth]

Stumps on Day 4:
England 176/4, need 178 to win

Australia 442/8d & 138
England 227 & 176/4

Cracking test match so far, can't wait for the final day