Didn't know about the new rule changes. I agree with the "grounded bat" one . but not sure about the no topping up of reviews after 80 overs. Beefy will be pleased with the no loss of the review if it was umpires call.
Reviews were brought in to reverse the real howlers. If a side doesn't lose a review for "umpires call" then it's probably only correct that they don't get any more reviews after 80 overs. Captains will be reviewing more because they know that they have that element of the ball hitting the stumps anywhere on their side.
Well I bloody enjoyed that! So great to see the Aussie bowlers dissing the pitch so soon. Very few short balls and the majority of those that were bowled were dealt with excellently. Vince, we all know he can look a Million$ but he has that airy fairy reputation. However the lad showed so much determination and application it was a joy to watch, and a couple of drives were exquisite. 2 runs an over is not a problem in the first session of a 5 day Test, it is a very good platform. Of course things may look quite different at Tea but at the moment it's advantage England and I give us 7/10 for that session which we undoubtedly won.
I don't like Ricky Ponting. Undoubtedly a great batsmen but a little shit of a man when he was Aussie captain. However there is one thing that I do love about him; that scar on his cheek that Harmi inflicted on him at Lords 2005!
They've now also just passed England's highest partnership of the entire 2013-14 series.
Good stat but also highlights how miserable it was four years ago!
Massively important to get off to a solid start like this. It sets the tone. When Cook went so early you had to worry it might be the batting equivalent of that wide by Steve Harmison, but this puts England in the match and, by the same virtue, in the series. An important first step when everyone has Australia as odds on favourites.
Even more pleasing to see it coming from two relative rookies and lesser lights. If one or two players like Vince step up and put in big performances it lifts the pressure on players like Root and hopefully frees them up to perform even better... hopefully.
Here comes the middle order collapse. What an idiotic way to get out after all that hard work.
Yes but we have Moeen and Bairstow in the middle order now so we shouldn't expect a collapse.
There are few things certain in life, but among them are death, taxes, and England batting collapses!
You're right though, no real reason to expect it these days, but I grew up on 90s and 00s ashes series and those kind of traumers leave scares that can never truly heal. Decent as these Aussie bowlers are they're not quite McGrath, Warne, Gillespie and Lee.
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On that note, kip for me. Eyes stinging. Wake up to 363-7, push it to 400+ then pile it onto them. That or 100 all out. Either or.
Good stat but also highlights how miserable it was four years ago!
And their wk has just dropped Vince on 68 off the bowling of Lyon. The look on Smith and Warner's faces...
Even more pleasing to see it coming from two relative rookies and lesser lights. If one or two players like Vince step up and put in big performances it lifts the pressure on players like Root and hopefully frees them up to perform even better... hopefully.
127-2
128-2
Vince 72*
Root 1*
Shame to lose that wicket just before the break but if you'd offered any England supporter two wickets at tea, I think they'd snap your hand off.
Vince gone for 83.
145-3
You're right though, no real reason to expect it these days, but I grew up on 90s and 00s ashes series and those kind of traumers leave scares that can never truly heal. Decent as these Aussie bowlers are they're not quite McGrath, Warne, Gillespie and Lee.