Second Ashes Test, Lords

[Bornadog]

Re: Second Ashes Test, Lords

I think the issue with Bancroft is that it's a technical frailty rather than a form thing. His foot comes across his body and is heavy down the wicket, and that squares him up to anything fourth-stump line.

Once a side finds a way to exploit your weakness - as we saw with Handscomb and Finch - the only way to rectify it is generally to go back to state cricket and spend time re-working your technique. Bancroft had a really good opportunity to do that through his suspension but it doesn't look like there's been a change in how he plays.

Khawja looks really good this morning - I think he's in very great touch. He gets into these spells of real fluency when he's at his best, I think he's close to that.

So far Bancroft has faced 61 balls for 13. I just hope Khawaja can go on with this good start.

[westdog54]

Re: Second Ashes Test, Lords

Man Aleem Dar is having a mare this series.

Aussies are in strife

[Sedat]

Re: Second Ashes Test, Lords

Is there a worse umpire going around than Aleem Dar? How the fark did he not give that out?

[FrediKanoute]

Re: Second Ashes Test, Lords

Bancroft - unlucky, but didn't look great at all;
Khawaja - made it look easy until he decided to poke at a ball going across him
Head - plumb....good ball from Broad

Big half hour now!

[FrediKanoute]

Re: Second Ashes Test, Lords

Is there a worse umpire going around than Aleem Dar? How the fark did he not give that out?

I agree. then follows up by not giving Head out when it was plumb.

On the Bancroft decision, surely he gets the benefit of the doubt, surely its high. Poor decision.

[Grantysghost]

Re: Second Ashes Test, Lords

Is there a worse umpire going around than Aleem Dar? How the fark did he not give that out?

It's possible it was hitting one of the other stumps....not middle. You have to be sure.

[lemmon]

Re: Second Ashes Test, Lords

That's a really poor shot from Head. Come forward to that and it's a pretty regulation defensive stroke.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Re: Second Ashes Test, Lords

Until we can find both another top and middle order batsman who doesnt have the ability to throw away their wicket we're only going to be able to challenge good bowling teams purely off the back of Steve Smith, and that is very unfair to expect him to always bail us out.
Head is most infuriating, as I think he out of Bancroft or Khawaja looks tlmost the part.

[westdog54]

Re: Second Ashes Test, Lords

https://www.news.com.au/sport/cricket/steve-smith-finds-a-different-way-to-entertain-cricket-fans/news-story/6ab7c86d7d84e3231121519d28f56b36

Just had a look at a compilation of Steve Smith's "leaves" from yesterday.

He's taking the piss out of the bowlers, more or less daring them to give him something worth hitting.

[Twodogs]

Re: Second Ashes Test, Lords

https://www.news.com.au/sport/cricke...21519d28f56b36

Just had a look at a compilation of Steve Smith's "leaves" from yesterday.

He's taking the piss out of the bowlers, more or less daring them to give him something worth hitting.

OK, that's an interesting array of leaves. I love the way he wanders off to the legside yacking away to himself and continuing to wave his bat around after the last couple.

[Twodogs]

Re: Second Ashes Test, Lords

Kerry O'Keeffe (and probably Twodogs) would have been genuinely excited to see such a difficult chance taken

Can you imagine of sub continent tracks having the likes of Bancroft and Labuschagne around the bat for Lyon?

Bancroft needs to peel off a century soon to stop the wolves nipping away at him. 50's or 60's won't be enough for so many people

I love seeing those sort of chances gobbled up. Those catches are often the difference between winning and losing.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: Second Ashes Test, Lords

If Smith gets to 54, he's the highest scorer in all three match innings from both sides. I can't even guess when the last time an Ashes series started with one batsman scoring the highest score in the first three match innings.

[Bornadog]

Re: Second Ashes Test, Lords

If Smith gets to 54, he's the highest scorer in all three match innings from both sides. I can't even guess when the last time an Ashes series started with one batsman scoring the highest score in the first three match innings.

Heading towards another century if the others can stay in

[westdog54]

Re: Second Ashes Test, Lords

How is it that Pat Cummins looks more comfortable at the crease than half of those ahead of him?

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Re: Second Ashes Test, Lords

Opportunity missed by Paine. As good as he's been in steadying the ship, he's missing his lines and could find his poisition vulnerable come Australian summer, should say Carey show form.
The scene was set for him to make a mark with his batting, and he failed. It was set for him to stay with Smith and guide us close to England's score, and he threw it away.
Mind you, England have found a player in Archer. Windies must be soewing that their set up has seen him choose to play for the Poms.