The Ashes Tour 2015

[Creag]

Strange England bowling performance today... bit of swing first up, as expected, but they have lacked aggression.

It's all fine to be creative with the field placing but you need your bowlers to back you up. And they have not!!

9 overs to the second new ball, let's see what that brings.

I was just about to ask if it was a flat track or the bowling. Once again I am immensely grateful to you. Thank you.

For England's sake I hope it brings a little venom to the afternoon. For Australia, Warner will be kicking himself - or so he should be - for missing out. Regardless, this has been a wonderful partnership at a decent rate of scoring.

 

[Creag]

One eye on CricInfo and the other tearing shreds into my keyboard in another of many rants I have had to do today...

 

[Creag]

Good grief, sire, get a hold of yourself!



Ben Stokes gets to grip with an appeal, England v Australia, 2nd Investec Test, Lord's, 1st day, July 16, 2015 ©Getty Images

 

[Creag]

"Arguably, this is a far worse test pitch than Cardiff. At least that had something for the bowlers. This one appears to have nothing (although England haven't bowled particularly well, either)." I don't think England have bowled that badly, James. These two have batted superbly

by Andrew Miller

 

[MickeyD]

First day pitch always has something for the bowlers... but they did not use it.

 

[Creag]

You're on the money, MickeyD. If nothing else, the first hour should have been the time to cashed in most.

 

[MickeyD]

You're on the money, MickeyD. If nothing else, the first hour should have been the time to cashed in most.

Must give Warner and Rogers their due though... they attacked the bowling and set the tone.

 

[Creag]

Unless England get 5 or 6 wickets before the close, Australia will have laid a superb platform for the match. And like you said ^ the openers' attack was critical to this outcome. Kudos!

 

[Creag]

"Ok .. now i'm curious," says a curious Nithin. "Why do you keep calling people old chap, old boy etc. ? Do they even talk like this in England any more ? " Quite so, old boy. Gnasher even greeted me with a cheery "what ho!" this morning

Clearly it's easier to post these comments than the English nightmare that today has become

 

[Dan C]

Unless England get 5 or 6 wickets before the close, Australia will have laid a superb platform for the match. And like you said ^ the openers' attack was critical to this outcome. Kudos!

They'd be lucky to get 2 wickets on day one.

 

[MickeyD]

They'd be lucky to get 2 wickets on day one.

I'd bet my house on that

 

[Agent_Smith]

A massive response to the first test humiliation by Australia. So what is the plan now? Bat for another entire day and really grind England to powder by making them field for two days? Then leave themselves 3 days to bowl England out twice? Or maybe bat until tea (or just after) then put the England openers under the cosh for about 10 or 15 overs tonight. After two days in the field, the last thing Cook and Lyth would want is to have to face the music tonight.

Should be a great day's play.

 

[MickeyD]

I'd go for the Tea time declaration as well...

Cautious first hour and then the taps will be opened.

 

[Creag]

No one say anything about anyone for the next 5 minutes please

 

[Creag]

Of course, comments about the inept fielding of Broad are condoned

 

[Creag]

And there it is... 200 up for the great Steve Smith! Man alive, this fella is solid and consistent in scoring big runs. His first double and at the hallowed Lords. He has a big future ahead of him if he remains consistent... he has only just turned 26.

 

[MickeyD]

Aus 505/5

Smith 204*
Nevill 27*

 

[Creag]

I'd go for the Tea time declaration as well...

Cautious first hour and then the taps will be opened.

And the taps appear to be opening now

 

[MickeyD]

And the taps appear to be opening now

550 by Tea ??

Easy

 

[Creag]

If they aren't chasing it, then they should be bowling now that Smith has gone. So it should be their target.