Ashes 4th: Wednesday July 19-Sunday July 23, Old Trafford

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Re: Ashes 4th: Wednesday July 19-Sunday July 23, Old Trafford

Looking at the weather forecast day 3 will be critical to the outcome of this test. Days 4 and 5 are forecast for all day rain. The morning session today could see some rain but the rest is clear skies. We'll need to bat patiently today and protect the wicket at all costs to ensure we've got plenty in hand come days 4 and 5. I hate playing for the draw, especially in the hope of rain, but that's the best we've got given this shambolic effort.

[lemmon]

Re: Ashes 4th: Wednesday July 19-Sunday July 23, Old Trafford

Looking at the weather forecast day 3 will be critical to the outcome of this test. Days 4 and 5 are forecast for all day rain. The morning session today could see some rain but the rest is clear skies. We'll need to bat patiently today and protect the wicket at all costs to ensure we've got plenty in hand come days 4 and 5. I hate playing for the draw, especially in the hope of rain, but that's the best we've got given this shambolic effort.

I also think there's a risk batting too defensively as well. I think the longer we stay in deficit, the more England can ramp up the pressure. Best case scenario, we can run through the last 6 wickets for 100ish runs, bat well and by the end of day three we're not too far behind the game.

The old adage that every run England gets now is worth two, is absolutely true.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Re: Ashes 4th: Wednesday July 19-Sunday July 23, Old Trafford

I also think there's a risk batting too defensively as well. I think the longer we stay in deficit, the more England can ramp up the pressure. Best case scenario, we can run through the last 6 wickets for 100ish runs, bat well and by the end of day three we're not too far behind the game.

The old adage that every run England gets now is worth two, is absolutely true.

True. That last statement hurts given how many cheap runs we've given up this test and last. Our concentration levels lately have been poor.

[ledge]

Re: Ashes 4th: Wednesday July 19-Sunday July 23, Old Trafford

If Australia lose this test can you imagine the two opposite attitudes in the rooms .
Strange thing is it will be 2-2 and Australia will be in panic mode and England in total confidence mode.
This is the most important test to win or draw for Australia.
One thing is for sure Todd Murphy will play.

[Bornadog]

Re: Ashes 4th: Wednesday July 19-Sunday July 23, Old Trafford

I think it has been a poor decision to bring Green back in and we would have been better off having Nesser play. The bowling has given us nothing in this test and Starc is now an issue with his sore shoulder.

To top it off Marsh had Crawley twice in Leeds yet didn't bowl to him till he got his century.

Can't see us winning at all, and a draw is dependent on the weather.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Re: Ashes 4th: Wednesday July 19-Sunday July 23, Old Trafford

I think it has been a poor decision to bring Green back in and we would have been better off having Nesser play. The bowling has given us nothing in this test and Starc is now an issue with his sore shoulder.

To top it off Marsh had Crawley twice in Leeds yet didn't bowl to him till he got his century.

Can't see us winning at all, and a draw is dependent on the weather.

Yeah im not sure why Green came back in. His bowling has been very underwhelming and hasn't done much with the bat.

Our tactics in general have felt haphazard and amateurish. Our only hope is rain.

[jeemak]

Re: Ashes 4th: Wednesday July 19-Sunday July 23, Old Trafford

Two different days, none of the Australia batsman got the sort of scores they should have and while England bowled well it was hardly the bowlers beating the batsman regularly and frustrating them into bad shots. Lots of starts and no application witch is typical under McDonald. On Day 2 England batted well and of course Crawley went on with it.

Baring a lot of rain it looks like we could be heading into the last test at 2 all.

Not just under McDonald. It's an issue with Australian bats generally.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Re: Ashes 4th: Wednesday July 19-Sunday July 23, Old Trafford

Not just under McDonald. It's an issue with Australian bats generally.

It's been an issue since the golden generation.

[GVGjr]

Re: Ashes 4th: Wednesday July 19-Sunday July 23, Old Trafford

Not just under McDonald. It's an issue with Australian bats generally.

Well, when questioned he seems okay with it. Silence is acceptance

[GVGjr]

Re: Ashes 4th: Wednesday July 19-Sunday July 23, Old Trafford

Well things went to script again with some decent starts but no one going on with it. Marnus needs to build a big score and its a chance for Marsh, Green and Carey to get in and make some big runs.

[lemmon]

Re: Ashes 4th: Wednesday July 19-Sunday July 23, Old Trafford

Pretty much continual rain forecast for days 4 and 5 - which is our only hope. Reckon they probably need another 30 overs at us to finish this out

[GVGjr]

Re: Ashes 4th: Wednesday July 19-Sunday July 23, Old Trafford

Pretty much continual rain forecast for days 4 and 5 - which is our only hope. Reckon they probably need another 30 overs at us to finish this out

I don't get why our batsman won't apply themselves with a genuine gritty attitude.
We need the two at the crease now to bat for a long period if we are to save it.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Re: Ashes 4th: Wednesday July 19-Sunday July 23, Old Trafford

Well done to Marcus and Marsh for digging in. Shame Marcus lost his wicket though.

Rain predicted for most of the final day. Let's hope that's the case. It's our only hope.

[jeemak]

Re: Ashes 4th: Wednesday July 19-Sunday July 23, Old Trafford

If it is a washout I’m looking forward to the outcry from the English.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: Ashes 4th: Wednesday July 19-Sunday July 23, Old Trafford

If it is a washout I’m looking forward to the outcry from the English.

Well it’s their ****ing weather!