WTC and Ashes 2023

[John S]

Murphy dropped for Green. No other changes.

Trafford has traditionally spun so I can't help feeling this is a mistake. Both for the test and Murphy's career. I don't think Green demands selection frankly.

Forecast is improving however and we only just lost to them despite conditions going their way all match which makes me more confident.

Hoff in for Boland.

Think some of the rationale is weather forecast, and not likely to be a spinning wicket, and head will be able to send some tweakers down.

I sort of agree with you - Green's not exactly tearing up before he got injured.

 

[Sword of Justice]

Hoff in for Boland

Apologies, I suppose it was so expected I didn't even register it.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Manchester - BBC Weather

14-day weather forecast for Manchester.

www.bbc.com

I still think with the way the games have been played there will be enough time for a result. Especially when the English have to win the match. Friday & Sat look the worst.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

I think we've opted to bolster the batting and avoid any major collapses. It's the safer option but not necessarily one that will win us the test match. I think Pat's said to England: go ahead, make all the running here lads.

I'm not a fan of having no spinner, but England barely have one either.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Yeah I would have liked murphy to play but I hope Head does get a few overs. I just don't think the English Batters will be able to help themselves. He's better than a part timer unlike Marnus when he has a crack.

 

[notdeadyet]

how long is a selector's term ?

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

We're batting first. Stokes sent us in and you can see why. With the weather forecast he wants to see if he can get 20 wickets in a hurry and take the conditions out of the equation. It's up to us to bat at least today and hopefully into tomorrow to reduce their chances.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

299/8. Warner, Labs, Smith, Head & Marsh all got to 30 but no-one kicked on past 51 so I think they'll feel they lost at least two more wickets than they should have.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

So many starts. If one of them had gone onto a 100 we start putting it out of reach but it’s even right now. Best scenario would be we somehow get to lunch day 2 and add 50. Just make them start thinking of the clock

 

[Dctarget]

So many starts. If one of them had gone onto a 100 we start putting it out of reach but it’s even right now. Best scenario would be we somehow get to lunch day 2 and add 50. Just make them start thinking of the clock

That's a very very tall order for the tail

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

I know.

Starc has been out there for 70 balls... If these 2 can occupy the crease and just take every run on offer who knows. Cmon Starc get to 45 and Cummins a solid 30 and the hof to get us 10

 

[John S]

If we were 5/6 down for a tick over 300, that'd be Australia's day. It's a pity no one really kicked on.

 

[Sword of Justice]

A lot of the press are slanting towards giving England the honours for the day based on the deck but I'm not unhappy with 300 given the scores in this series so far. I do however remain pissed we dropped our spinner as there's purchase there.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

I want more runs because I feel like England would be comfortable batting for a day and just equalling a score and declaring to make it a shoot out.

The weather doesn't look to be bad enough to get a no result. Day 4 looks to be the worst and a bit of rain on 5. This game is going to be very far ahead of schedule by the end of Day 3

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Frustrating. If we were 5 or 6 down at stumps I'd be stoked with being sent in and having that total on the board after day 1. I feel we're at least 50 runs short of where we need to be, but we at least avoided being shot out for 200.

 

[John S]

I also think that England sending us in, trying to win before any rain probably wanted us all out for under 300 - so I think its 55/45 Aus/Poms and still in the balance.

 

[Dctarget]

Feel like I’m gonna wake up to England declaring at 7/450 with Root on 140

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Yeah I've got that feeling too DC.

Need a wicket here boys. We can't let these hacks get away from us.

 

[John S]

Im feeling similar. Feeling a bit nostalgic thinking about better batting in the past from Aus

 

[John S]

Stop bowling short!!!!!