If we do get a couple of wickets tonight then it won't be but if we do then it could prove fatal. It's certainly brave and sends a message to the Aussies that we are controlling this game. However, personally, the way that Root was batting I would have preferred to see if we could get another 50 or so on the board. As I said above my fear is that, in scoring so quickly, we have removed any pressure on Australia to do so in the match.
Australia finish at 23-0 with no scares, it looks a reckless declaration.
And even if we get one of the openers out tonight, they're not the main danger to us anyway. It's getting Labuschagne, Smith and Head out cheaply which is key.
Declaring when Root is 118* and playing immaculately and we are scoring quickly created great theatre, but we could have sacrificed 30-50 runs as Robinson looked comfortable out there.
Day goes to Australia imo, but not by a huge margin. Fortune favours the brave so I don't mind Stokes trying something different, although it's not what I would've done.
Comments
Good declaration.
We ain't going to die wondering
And it's f****"g mental!!
Australia finish at 23-0 with no scares, it looks a reckless declaration.
Eng 43%
Aus 37%
Draw 20%
Let's hope they're 1 or 2 down at the close.
Andy Zaltzman
Cricket statistician on Test Match Special
The last time Jimmy Anderson bowled in a home Test match and didn't take the new ball was against the West Indies in 2009.
We've gone from a possible 450 overnight lead to a 379 lead.
But this is Bazball or whatever they call it.
Like it or not it's how we are going to play this series.
Aus 40 %
Draw 19%
We've gone from a 25% lead to a 1% lead.
Brain dead.