Anyone for cricket?

[MadAsHell 4,212]

Game slowly slipping away.

Time for Watto to turn this game with the ball.

[Hellaintabadplacetobe 4,294]

Game slowly slipping away.

Time for Watto to turn this game with the ball.

Id say shes all over. Cant see us scoring 300 in the 2nd dig and they currently lead by over 250 with 7 wickets in hand. Dissappointing effort thus far.

[MadAsHell 4,212]

Id say shes all over. Cant see us scoring 300 in the 2nd dig and they currently lead by over 250 with 7 wickets in hand. Dissappointing effort thus far.

Think your right.

Don't know what's been more disappointing so far in this test. Our erratic bowling, inability of our batsmen to go on after getting a start of Haddin's keeping?

At least there's plenty of room for improvement!

[Biffen 12,943]

Great catch by the skipper!

Now get Root early!

Thats been my mantra for decades.

[MadAsHell 4,212]

Probably let them get 100 runs to many. But the one thing we have on our side is time. 2 days to make 412.

If Rogers and Warner can see off the new ball then we are a slight chance. But a few early wickets and it will be curtains.

[Macca 16,972]

History tells us that it's a tall order for the Aussies but I'd expect us to make at least 300 (which is only 112 runs short of the target)

We'd need a lot of things to go in our favour and I suppose you just never know - England would have wanted to bat us out of the match and they haven't quite done that ... a 470-500 target would have been their preference.

If we can get to 3-250 we're in with a chance - on this wicket, that's a bit of an ask.

[titan_uranus 25,020]

It's absolutely time to drop Watson. Useless with the bat, and he's only bowled 13 overs in the entire match. That's not enough to keep his spot as an all-rounder, and his batting is nowhere near it.

Mitch Marsh is in form. It's time to make the switch and stick with it.

As for the Test, I have no doubt England will be disappointed with having been bowled out so quickly, leaving us two full days to, theoretically, slowly work down the target (which I'd have thought is 50-100 lower than what they'd have hoped to set). However, we're not going to score 400 runs batting last on this pitch, so the Test is gone.

Haddin's dropped catch on the first morning was always going to be huge. I don't think I'm being melodramatic in saying I think he dropped the Test.

[MadAsHell 4,212]

Smith out, now 3/101 and pretty much game over unless Clarke & Voges can put on about a 200 run partnership.

Warner was a bit stiff with the LBW, and England have had the rub of the green with those decisions this match. Watson got a similar one in the 1st Innings, where as we missed out on Lyth very early in their 2nd Innings.

And you're right TU. Haddin's drop on day 1 is going to be the match changer in this test.

Attention to turn to Lords now. Will Starc be right? Mitch Marsh will surely come in for Watson unless he somehow manages to score a match winning ton. And if Starc does miss, you'd think Siddle would have to come in ahead of Cummins due to his accuracy as we struggled in that department this match.

[MadAsHell 4,212]

unless Clarke & Voges can put on about a 200 run partnership.

Clarke gone, lost 3/9. Game over!

This is getting ugly. Only heartening thing is we smashed England in the first test in 2005 and they came back to win 2-1. So lets hope history repeats!

[JV7 2,351]

This was predictable... Whenever we are set a decent total we are rolled for under 200. We always capitulate in these big run chases after losing the first couple wickets

Edited July 11, 2015 by JV7

[titan_uranus 25,020]

Moeen comes on for the last over before lunch, Warner and Smith cruising, and he takes Warner out.

We've now lost 4/9 with our iffy middle order yet again not standing up when needed. Voges has played one outstanding innings but it was against the West Indies and he hasn't done anything of note since. Clarke doesn't look fully fluent, Smith's thrown his wicket away twice with poor shots. Watson and Haddin are both out of form with the bat, I can't see either of them making a respectable score.

I'd drop Watson for Mitch Marsh and bring Siddle in to replace Starc. Voges gets another chance but Shaun Marsh is in better form and we're going to be 1-0 down in a few hours, we can't afford to lose more Tests. If Voges isn't performing that one century he made shouldn't be the only reason he's in the side.

[MadAsHell 4,212]

Moeen comes on for the last over before lunch, Warner and Smith cruising, and he takes Warner out.

We've now lost 4/9 with our iffy middle order yet again not standing up when needed. Voges has played one outstanding innings but it was against the West Indies and he hasn't done anything of note since. Clarke doesn't look fully fluent, Smith's thrown his wicket away twice with poor shots. Watson and Haddin are both out of form with the bat, I can't see either of them making a respectable score.

I'd drop Watson for Mitch Marsh and bring Siddle in to replace Starc. Voges gets another chance but Shaun Marsh is in better form and we're going to be 1-0 down in a few hours, we can't afford to lose more Tests. If Voges isn't performing that one century he made shouldn't be the only reason he's in the side.

Agree with everything you say there TU except Smith throwing it away twice goes.

Reckon his dismissal this innings was just a good ball, had to play.. Threw it away in the first innings though.

And I agree re: our shaky batting. Even if we do bring Shaun Marsh in for Voges, he doesn't fill me with a heap of confidence either.

[MadAsHell 4,212]

Batting to save the match and Haddin tries to slog Ali over cow corner first ball he faces off him, only to hit it to short mid wicket.

Lucky he's got some credits, because that was horrible, he's had a shocking match!

Nevill will be a chance to debut this series after Haddin's performance in this match.

[Macca 16,972]

The next test is in 5 days and we'd want to get our act together in a hurry - we seemed to have played as if we came in under prepared. We've been thoroughly outplayed on every day of this match (have we even won a session?)

If Starc is out injured I reckon they'll play Cummins over Siddle (as long as Cummins is not too much of a risk due to a lack of match fitness) Siddle doesn't inspire but he does offer a decent line and length. We also need a 5th bowler with strike ability so Mitch Marsh may well be preferred over Watson.

Edit: And Watto is out LBW again (and in the same way) - egads. I'm loathe to ever single out one player in a team sport but he'd now have to be facing the axe. However, I'm not convinced that Voges should be an automatic choice either. Also, it should be remembered that the selectors will often give any given player the first 2 tests of a series as a way of proving or establishing themselves.

We haven't had too many players put their hand up in this test in all reality. We need to re-group and we need to do it quickly.

.

Edited July 11, 2015 by Macca

[MadAsHell 4,212]

Watson out LBW for a change. But I'm not going to point the finger squarely at him. Having said that he's underperformed for a long time!

Have we seen him for the final time at Test level? Mitch Marsh surely must come in.

Tea on Day 4: 7/162

Praying for a miracle they can survive till stumps and it rains all day tomorrow. But there's less then 1% chance of that happening.

Will make my calls for Lords now:

OUT: Watson, Starc (if injured)

IN: M. Marsh, Siddle (if Starc misses, accuracy at Lords valuable)

Haddin & Voges under pressure also with both Nevill & S. Marsh in the winds.

Edit: Tea score/changes.

Edited July 11, 2015 by AngryAtCasey

[jazza 1,323]

Batting to save the match and Haddin tries to slog Ali over cow corner first ball he faces off him, only to hit it to short mid wicket.

Lucky he's got some credits, because that was horrible, he's had a shocking match!

Nevill will be a chance to debut this series after Haddin's performance in this match.

That slog to cow corner has been Haddins best and only shot for a decade.

Watto is stiff as we dont get enough reviews for him to use.When was the last time in 100 innings that he has saved a match .

Johnston back to the scene of his worst pie throwing days.

clarke missus having a baby,so he gets a pass.

Warner still battles with playing a long innings unless hes in the mood.

So the moral to the story after the collapse would be to drop Voges.

[MadAsHell 4,212]

Good to see the tail show some fight towards the end. But we were completely out played this test. The three main areas where we lost it were:

1. Haddin dropping Root.

2. Poor bowling in Englands first innings.

3. Failure to convert starts in our first innings.

We can rebound for sure. But not ideal to give England that sort of confidence first up.

[titan_uranus 25,020]

Agree with everything you say there TU except Smith throwing it away twice goes.

Reckon his dismissal this innings was just a good ball, had to play.. Threw it away in the first innings though.

And I agree re: our shaky batting. Even if we do bring Shaun Marsh in for Voges, he doesn't fill me with a heap of confidence either.

He was fiddling at a ball well outside off. He should be better than that.

S Marsh at least is in form. The only reason Voges is playing is because he made a century against the worst side in Test cricket. He has very few credits in the bank and I don't think he'll make it through the series (at his age, if he's not making runs, he shouldn't be playing).

Batting to save the match and Haddin tries to slog Ali over cow corner first ball he faces off him, only to hit it to short mid wicket.

Lucky he's got some credits, because that was horrible, he's had a shocking match!

Nevill will be a chance to debut this series after Haddin's performance in this match.

How many credits does Haddin have? He hasn't made a century since 2013, he's only made it to 50 once since the last Ashes series (18 months ago). He's also dropping catches.

Like Voges and Watson, not sure he'll make it to the end of the series.

Good to see the tail show some fight towards the end. But we were completely out played this test. The three main areas where we lost it were:

1. Haddin dropping Root.

2. Poor bowling in Englands first innings.

3. Failure to convert starts in our first innings.

We can rebound for sure. But not ideal to give England that sort of confidence first up.

Agreed. It's not as bad as the result seems. However, if we don't get a few things right at Lord's we can kiss the Ashes goodbye.

[MadAsHell 4,212]

Watson & Haddin out.

Mitch Marsh in & Nevill to debut.

http://www.news.com.au/sport/cricket/ashes-2015-shane-watson-dropped-for-second-test-at-lords-with-mitchell-marsh-selected-for-australia/story-fndpt0dy-1227442241402

[jazza 1,323]

Watson & Haddin out.

Mitch Marsh in & Nevill to debut.

http://www.news.com.au/sport/cricket/ashes-2015-shane-watson-dropped-for-second-test-at-lords-with-mitchell-marsh-selected-for-australia/story-fndpt0dy-1227442241402

After 100 innings he gets dropped.

Wonder what was in selectors heads pre first test.

[MadAsHell 4,212]

After 100 innings he gets dropped.

Wonder what was in selectors heads pre first test.

Suspect they figured it would be his final series anyway, so thought they might give hima farewell series.

With us 1-0 down and him falling LBW twice yet again, they had no choice but to bite the bullet early, and fair enough too!

[Macca 16,972]

I reckon England will be happier with Nevill & Mitch Marsh in the side as opposed to Watson & Haddin ... we've lost a lot of experience in one hit and suddenly our middle order and late middle order looks suspect . Clark is still a bit more vulnerable at 4 rather than 5 and a batting order of Voges, Marsh and then Nevill is hardly going to make England all that fearful.

Make no mistake, they'll be going all out for a win and we'll need to bring our A game in order to win. Lose this and we can just about kiss the Ashes goodbye. The red herring is that Stokes & Wood are excellent exponents of reverse swing so their attack will once again be a handful. They bat deeper and have a settled side who know how to play in their home conditions.

We were comprehensively outplayed in Cardiff and it will take a major turnaround for us to win this test. They've got their tails up and we need to improve big time. What is going to most interesting is the state of the pitch - the Aussies shouldn't be expecting a lively track - white, flat, dry & a bit on the dead side is my tip.

Obviously hoping for the best but I can't say I'm all that confident.

[Coup Cooper 610]

As most seasons, this is the time of the year I turn to cricket.

My thoughts.

Keen as mustard for the Lords Test.

Glad Marsh is in, I think he'll do better with the bat than he does ball.

Hope Haddin works out his business.. But it'll be nice to have a keeper who moves his feet when he bats and presumably.. When he keeps too!!

[MadAsHell 4,212]

I reckon England will be happier with Nevill & Mitch Marsh in the side as opposed to Watson & Haddin ... we've lost a lot of experience in one hit and suddenly our middle order and late middle order looks suspect . Clark is still a bit more vulnerable at 4 rather than 5 and a batting order of Voges, Marsh and then Nevill is hardly going to make England all that fearful.

Make no mistake, they'll be going all out for a win and we'll need to bring our A game in order to win. Lose this and we can just about kiss the Ashes goodbye. The red herring is that Stokes & Wood are excellent exponents of reverse swing so their attack will once again be a handful. They bat deeper and have a settled side who know how to play in their home conditions.

We were comprehensively outplayed in Cardiff and it will take a major turnaround for us to win this test. They've got their tails up and we need to improve big time. What is going to most interesting is the state of the pitch - the Aussies shouldn't be expecting a lively track - white, flat, dry & a bit on the dead side is my tip.

Obviously hoping for the best but I can't say I'm all that confident.

Funnily enough, I think our batting looks a bit better now with Mitch Marsh & Nevill there now instead of Watson & Haddin. Although we will miss their experience no doubt.

Still think we can bounce back qucikly. Especially if we win the toss and bat first and make a decent total. We saw in the last sereis out there in 2013, that the two tests we batted first (3rd test & 5th) we had them on the back foot the whole time, and if it weren't for rain would have likely won both tests. If enough pressure's applied to England they'll fold I have no doubt.

Bowl in the right spots, build an innings with the bat and hold your catches and we win without much fuss. That I'm confident of!

[Macca 16,972]

Funnily enough, I think our batting looks a bit better now with Mitch Marsh & Nevill there now instead of Watson & Haddin. Although we will miss their experience no doubt.

Still think we can bounce back qucikly. Especially if we win the toss and bat first and make a decent total. We saw in the last sereis out there in 2013, that the two tests we batted first (3rd test & 5th) we had them on the back foot the whole time, and if it weren't for rain would have likely won both tests. If enough pressure's applied to England they'll fold I have no doubt.

Bowl in the right spots, build an innings with the bat and hold your catches and we win without much fuss. That I'm confident of!

Glad you're confident mate ... the Poms will be, that's for sure. A bit surprised that Lehmann described the first test debacle as a "hiccup" ... did we win even one session in Cardiff?

Nevill is playing his first test and he may be more worried about not making a mistake.

There's pressure on Voges to perform - he doesn't get the same luxury of patience that a younger player would get ... he was brought in to make runs from the get-go and the time is nigh.

Mitch Marsh is playing his first test in England and it won't be easy for him either. I reckon he's got a lot to offer but unlike Voges, we need to be patient with Mitch.

If our top order doesn't perform, we could easily go 2 nil down. Bayliss has got England playing with confidence and aggression.

I still believe we can win of course but we'll need a number of things to go our way.