ASHES 2023 - 2nd TEST JUNE 28 - JULY 3, LORDS

[GVGjr]

Re: ASHES 2023 - 2nd TEST JUNE 28 - JULY 3, LORDS

We're in a great spot, but Carey and co have to bat with Smith and drive this to 450+.

If we can get to 450 it would be a terrific spot for us and particularly making sure Broad and Anderson have to bowl a lot more.
With a short turnaround to the 3rd test (3 days I think) making their older bowlers work hard could mean one or both of them would need to be rested.

[GVGjr]

Re: ASHES 2023 - 2nd TEST JUNE 28 - JULY 3, LORDS

Not sure why we didn't declare before the end of play, more insipid captaincy by Cummins.

Warner surprising many with how well he is batting, proving the naysayers like BAD wrong.

Warner looked like he could have gone on with it but it was probably an innings that means he won't get dropped for the series.

[Sedat]

Re: ASHES 2023 - 2nd TEST JUNE 28 - JULY 3, LORDS

I think you have to give HUGE credit to Warner and Khawaja for the way they played that first session. Sent in, green pitch, dicey overhead conditions, a four-seamer attack that includes two of the best bowlers in these conditions to ever live - I think every Australian side to tour the UK since '05 loses four wickets in that first session and we're probably all out for 180.

They rode their luck, and England's bowling was okay rather than very good, but that's exactly the kind of response you're looking for from an opening pair with a combined aged of 70 and 12,000+ Test runs between them. They were absolutely exceptional I thought, and you have to give credit to Warner for the way he played while his Test career hangs by a thread. I thought it spoke a lot to the benefit of experience and 'doing it your own way' - Khawaja was happy to leave the ball alone and occupy time, while Warner was a bit more inventive and took what was given to him. I particularly liked the way they attacked Tongue - I think that was a really smart decision with Broad and Anderson already having bowled long spells.

I thought England bowled very poorly most of the day and especially in the first session - far too short with their lengths and didn't attack the stumps and pads anywhere near enough. They also bowled too many rubbish 4-balls (intermittently between the good ones) that were suitably punished and took the pressure off all day.

Ussie and Warner dug in brilliantly in tough conditions early and laid the perfect foundation for the rest of the batting order.

[lemmon]

Re: ASHES 2023 - 2nd TEST JUNE 28 - JULY 3, LORDS

I thought England bowled very poorly most of the day and especially in the first session - far too short with their lengths and didn't attack the stumps and pads anywhere near enough. They also bowled too many rubbish 4-balls (intermittently between the good ones) that were suitably punished and took the pressure off all day.

Ussie and Warner dug in brilliantly in tough conditions early and laid the perfect foundation for the rest of the batting order.

Reckon that's fair. I thought Broad and Anderson were good in their first spells - a bit surprised by Anderson's lack of penetration, but I thought Broad posed some good questions to both lefties. Robinson was rubbish and he really needs to find a yard. Not sure what to make of Tongue yet, he's nippy rather than genuinely quick and bowls some good stuff, but there's a lot of inconsistency in there as well. Reminded me a bit of Wes Agar - would be a much better player if he had an extra 5kms of pace.

[Bulldog Joe]

Re: ASHES 2023 - 2nd TEST JUNE 28 - JULY 3, LORDS

I thought England bowled very poorly most of the day and especially in the first session - far too short with their lengths and didn't attack the stumps and pads anywhere near enough. They also bowled too many rubbish 4-balls (intermittently between the good ones) that were suitably punished and took the pressure off all day.

Ussie and Warner dug in brilliantly in tough conditions early and laid the perfect foundation for the rest of the batting order.

I think some credit due to the batsmen, especially Warner.

Warner changed his batting position and upset the lengths of Broad in particular. Balls that were previously getting him out were dispatched for runs.

The ball that got him was a pearler and not from Broad.

When we were sent in I thought 3 down at lunch would be par and all out for about 280 would be a good result.

We are way ahead of anything we could have anticipated.

If we go on past 400 it will put the pressure on Bazball.

[Bornadog]

Re: ASHES 2023 - 2nd TEST JUNE 28 - JULY 3, LORDS

I think some credit due to the batsmen, especially Warner.

Warner changed his batting position and upset the lengths of Broad in particular. Balls that were previously getting him out were dispatched for runs.

The ball that got him was a pearler and not from Broad.

When we were sent in I thought 3 down at lunch would be par and all out for about 280 would be a good result.

We are way ahead of anything we could have anticipated.

If we go on past 400 it will put the pressure on Bazball.

Credit also to Ussi, facing 70 balls to ensure a solid start to the innings

[GVGjr]

Re: ASHES 2023 - 2nd TEST JUNE 28 - JULY 3, LORDS

Credit also to Ussi, facing 70 balls to ensure a solid start to the innings

He did his best to set himself to support Warner who was scoring quickly. Good ball got him out, no harm there.

[Bornadog]

Re: ASHES 2023 - 2nd TEST JUNE 28 - JULY 3, LORDS

He did his best to set himself to support Warner who was scoring quickly. Good ball got him out, no harm there.

Was a good ball, and he totally misjudged the inswinger

[GVGjr]

Re: ASHES 2023 - 2nd TEST JUNE 28 - JULY 3, LORDS

Was a good ball, and he totally misjudged the inswinger

It seamed back didn't it? I'm working off not enough sleep though

[jeemak]

Re: ASHES 2023 - 2nd TEST JUNE 28 - JULY 3, LORDS

It seamed back didn't it? I'm working off not enough sleep though

I think it nipped and swung latish.

[Bornadog]

Re: ASHES 2023 - 2nd TEST JUNE 28 - JULY 3, LORDS

I think it nipped and swung latish.

My point was why did Ussi just lift the bat instead of playing it.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Re: ASHES 2023 - 2nd TEST JUNE 28 - JULY 3, LORDS

My point was why did Ussi just lift the bat instead of playing it.

He thought it was going past his off stump but it nipped back in very late so he didn't have time to react. Warner went out in a similar manner. They were 2 excellent deliveries from Tongue.

[GVGjr]

Re: ASHES 2023 - 2nd TEST JUNE 28 - JULY 3, LORDS

My point was why did Ussi just lift the bat instead of playing it.

Hit the top of the stump. Had he played and feathered it too the slips you could argue he should have left it.
The ball hitting the top of the stumps is a real challenge for batsman.

[whythelongface]

Re: ASHES 2023 - 2nd TEST JUNE 28 - JULY 3, LORDS

Travball > Bazball

He has become an exceptional batsman - not necessarily technique wise but his ability to score, and score quickly. He rides his luck but he is fun to watch. I reckon the English could learn from watching him bat.

[whythelongface]

Re: ASHES 2023 - 2nd TEST JUNE 28 - JULY 3, LORDS

How good is Smith
]

There have been some absolutely fantastic batsmen over the last 40 years that I have been watching cricket but it is hard to go past Smith as the best. Richards, for mine, was a legend and faced Lillee and Thommo in their prime and then there were Lara and Tendulkar and Ponting. Probably the only thing against him is that maybe the bowling hasn?t been as good as in years gone by.