Cricket

Woke up this morning to Root out, then Stoneman done over by the Third Umpire and the gloom set in. Checked back an hour later and what do you know? Someone has shown some balls and actually played test cricket.

I work at a boys school that goes big on cricket as PE. There's almost zero interest in this series however which makes me think that the decision in 2005 to take test cricket off terrestrial TV is coming home to roost.

I see Nathan Lyon has been ending some more careers. Naughty boy.

Sledging ammo in the bank right there.

YJB ya beauty!

get in just tuning in great too see two centuries :)

bollox, ill tune out again

Yeeesss, Chris Woakes!!! That was a bit tight though! One brings two... Come on....

Aussie captain complaining? Come on umps, tell him where to go.

Gah! Both teams shelling catches in this game. What's up?

Two wickets short of a good bowling performance. Batsmen capitulating again was disappointing. But after the first two tests, I'd have taken a 200 lead at the end of day 2.

Well played Steve smith. Ashes going to the ozzies.

Why Plunket wasn't in this squad I dont know esp after Stokes being a twat.

Is this going to be the series that ends Broad and Anderson? Worry is, we don't seem to have anyone coming through.

Given recent second innings woes, I realise this is somewhat hopeful but a draw seems pretty likely...

Ha ha ha ha ha.

;-)

Anderson and Broad are still good bowlers in English conditions where the ball swings and seams about, but the English "attack" has been found out a bit here esp at waca and the gabba where pace and bounce makes a big difference, Anderson is still a class act as we saw with his 5'for in the previous test where he got so.e movement.
There will be bowlers to come through, I dont follow the county game enough to reassure you though.

The batting has been poor as well Cook and even the reliable Root are well off where they should be.

If it looked bad on telly, imagine seeing yesterday's play unfold from the Northern Perimiter at the Waca, close to lots of Aussie fans. Their dismal 'banter' consisted of shouting 'priiiiivate school' at Stuart Broad.

The pints of XXXX don't really allow for proper drowning of sorrows but I'm still having a great trip and firing up the barbecue every night.

The cracks outside the left handers' off stump means we won't get many second innings. This is going to be a huuuuge defeat unless two right handers can get together and dig in.

Oooof yesterday must have felt a long day.
Dig in for the draw!!!

Vaughan seems to think a heavy defeat. Enjoying the BT Sport coverage except for that prat Graeme Swann. Wont be staying up tonight to watch.

England look dead and buried here.
Mitch Starc wow

That ball was all about the pitch which is starting to misbehave big time.

He's not all that - despite what he and the Aussie media would have you believe.

Hats off to Vince for keeping his eyes on the pitch when Starc came to stare him down after the wicket.

Unlucky for Vince, pray fro rain

Dont think the rain will save England. :(

My brain is still trying to process that Starc delivery. What the fuck.

Hit the eastern side of the Grand Canyon in the middle of the pitch. But unplayable. I think Starc would like to take that crack around in his pocket for the rest of his career.

Channel 9 are calling it 'one of the balls of the century' as they replay it on loop and get into a big froth.

Forgot to mention something else about the Aussie 'fans'. The ground was half empty at 4pm in both Saturday and Sunday despite Australia being well on top. They all scarpered after Smith got to 200. Most odd. I think T20 is perhaps a better fit with their intellect.