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Time to put the distractions of T20, The Cricket World Cup 50 over capers & even Women's Cricket et al aside and enjoy Proper Protestant Christian Cricket in it's finest form, Ashes Test Cricket. Petitioning the Pope whining about a sticky wicket isn't an option.

Steve Smith scores centuries in both innings at Edgebastion & Australia moves towards a second innings lead beyond 250 runs...

Masterful Smith, it hurts.
Declare this evening (uk) time ?

The wicket's still looking good. I think a draw is the most likely result. Amazing display by Australia to get into a winnable position, though.

England need 398 runs, Australia need to take 10 wickets. The highest winning run chase at Edgbastion is (I think) by Sth Africa against England and less than 300 runs. Based on previous results the probable result in this game will be a Draw or an Australian victory. However if England can score the required runs to win that would give them a huge psychological advantage as well as a valuable one to nil lead in a five test series

It's a hell of a task for England to win it from here. Not impossible, but I'd be extremely surprised. It's a shame we lost Anderson so early in the test, but luck always plays a part and we had a few fortunate moments as well.

If I was England I'd play for the draw, and then try and figure out how to get Smith out for the next one.

The pendulum swings towards Australia... is Stokes in heroic mood today, do you think?

Appears not! Long way to go for England from here at 7 down

Time for an unlikely hero... and there's perhaps no-one quite as unlikely as Moeen...

Any thunderstorms forecast?

I'm watching it on TV & England got to 101 for the loss of 7 wickets. Currently Woakes (29) & Ali (2) are batting & score is 132 for 7. It looks like Australia will win and get a one to nil lead in the five Test series. The Barmy Army aren't quite as cocky on day five as they were on the first day.

Ali dismissed for 4 runs, caught off Lyon (8th wicket).. & bang Lyon strikes again, Broad gone first ball, a golden duck & Lyon's 6th.wicket this innings (9th wicket).. ... Jimmy Anderson survives the Hat trick ball from Lyon.. 136.for 9

Australia win by 251 runs. Hoorah. Cummins took four wickets and Lyon got six (& now has 350 Test wickets?) So that pair performed wonderfully. Siddle & Pattinson bowled well, particularly Siddle.

Well, that was a limp ending... and the next test is at Lord's which isn't exactly our most successful ground. England need an almighty kick up the backside!

Time for some positive spin...

The opening game of the 2005 Ashes saw Australia win the toss and bat first. After the first innings their wasn't much in it. In the second Australia posted a monster total and England... didn't. Australia won by well over 200 runs.

So, clearly England are well on course for a repeat of the 2005 Ashes triumph!

Might have a full stock of bowlers for next match.

Octavious wrote: ↑

Mon Aug 05, 2019 3:42 pm

Time for some positive spin...

The opening game of the 2005 Ashes saw Australia win the toss and bat first. After the first innings their wasn't much in it. In the second Australia posted a monster total and England... didn't. Australia won by well over 200 runs.

So, clearly England are well on course for a repeat of the 2005 Ashes triumph!

Huzzah!

Archer to have "Sandpaper" Smith out first ball!

Twice

Poor old poms...

Well I think Steve Smith was dismissed twice at about 140 odd runs in both innings, so that might be something the Pommy bowlers.can exploit in the Lord's Test match, an apparent vulnerability as he approaches the 150 run mark...