Cricket

Enough of a delay to limit the Aussies to around 40 overs would be nice so they feel they have to get a move on if they're going to win. And enough 'atmosphere' to have the ball swinging round corners and darting off the seam. Would be worried about a damp outfield ruining the ball, though.

Is vulgar chanting really acceptable from the stands?

2pm re-start?

Bazball, I love it for the risk and excitement.. but it needs to be tempered with some cool and calculating heads if England are to unseat the talent of Khawaja and co from the crease

Chanting at cricket is for wankers. Especially wankers who wear football tops, build beer snakes, bring beach balls, sit in the Hollies, think the Barmy Army is anything more than a support group for lonely divorced men, play trumpets etc.

agreed, it is shit..

I have always admired Australia for their tenacity in cricket, just need to win the psychological battle of hearts and minds.

In 2005 Aussie mate said that when you’ve been handing out the medicine for so long, you have to be man enough to take it too.

Bazball has unsettled the Aussies.. England need to improve in the field though

oh yeah, fancy dress too...

fuck that, how am I gonna throw a sickie and be in the ground?

So hoping Australia get three hours uninterrupted to chase down 281 target, will want to play for a win, not a draw..

They will have plenty of time, no more rain forecast. Should get at least 5 hours play I reckon = 70 overs, plenty of time to chase

Superb.. 50 over shoot out being discussed by commentators.

Use those reviews wisely.

Hmm. Would rather they had less time. More than 70 overs and they can grind out a result; less than 50 makes it imperative they take at least a few risks.

Let's hope the conditions make the ball sing and we get in among them early to induce a bit of panic.

Outside covers are off...

Outfield looks sticky. Could frustrate the Aussies, if good shots don't go for boundaries?

Yeah, I quite enjoy fun. I know it’s frowned upon to let the working classes into first class teams but it’s a bit much to prefer us not to attend.

2.15pm start
no confirmation no. of overs

#edit 67 overs being discussed among commentators.

52 overs plus 15 in the last hour
that’s circa 3 runs per over
No panic then from Aus

That'll delight Australia. Plenty of time to get the required runs without taking risks.

Guess we're gonna need all bowlers performing at their best, fielders taking chances and the ball behaving badly.

They’ll remember how cheaply they lost their last 4 wickets on Sunday. Only 3 away from that same situation.

Edgbaston 2005: England got 407 first innings.
Edgbaston 2023: England got 393 first innings.

Edgbaston 2005: Australia start their second innings chasing a target of 282
Edgbaston 2023: Australia start their second innings chasing a target of 281

Edgbaston 2005: Australia were 3-82 in their second innings.
Edgbaston 2023: Australia were 3-89 in their second innings.

Don't know how it is in Brum, but it's muggy as anything here. Hoping Anderson and Broad do some Anderson and Broad stuff.

67 overs seems to set it up perfectly. All down to what we have in the bowling. No/minimal Moeen is a problem that hopefully the weather has mitigated.
Come on the auld fellas.

Goddam this is exciting.

Anderson and Broad to bring happy and joyous attack to a sticky field

Right, bricking it...

Hint of swing.

Yes!

That f*cking trumpet...

Who has live coverage at work?
Who is WFH tuning in to TMS?

WFH tuning in to TMS?

This