The Ashes

[kirky]

No doubt that Steve Smoth is an exceptional player of enormous character. To be able to come back and play with ultra concentration after what he went through with the ball tampering fiasco and then getting concust in this series, the man is somethingh special.

And apparently our vey own Sir Geoff is indeed getting the recognition he so richly deserved many moons ago. Arise Sir Geoff! https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/49641823

[crewearpley40]

sir andrew strauss.
well deserved -wonderful catch 2005
exeptional captain
but in our hearts for his charity work in memory of his late wife Ruth

[Newportnobby]

Glad to see Sir Geoff getting richly deserved rewards.

I was about to say I agree with everything that has been said regarding the English batsmen. Except Mick went and said he wouldnt want to return to Boycott type batting! I beg to differ - exactly what England needed yesterday was an impossibly slow player who doesnt play shots and stays in. Geoff fits that bill perfectly.

@kirky I couldn't agree more. The problem is he used to do it even when it wasn't required

[Bealman]

Unlikely, but not impossible, I guess.....

[kirky]

Unlikely, but not impossible, I guess.....

Now I'm not sure which piece you are finding unlikely George, but if Stephen Smith needs only 303 to equal Bradmans record, I for one will be rooting for him. A colleague of mine at school told me he backed Smith to be Australia's top scorer in this test - no surprise there - but that he got 2/1 odds. Not bad odds at all considering the man's record.
Good luck Steve.

[Philip.]

Problem is, if England keep batting the way they are at the minute, he may not need to score 303 

[Newportnobby]

It seems many of the English batsmen have learned nothing, although Marsh's bowling has been terrific. Root rode his luck more than once and I think Buttler finally decided to have some fun and to hell with the consequences but he's still there.

[Bealman]

Just as I went to bed last night, Root had been lucky when the Aussies stuffed up two catches.

I'll "catch" up this morning! 

[guest311]

Sorry, we can't go to war today ....

cntrl - alt - del didn't work 

oh for the days when it was a case of flick four switches, press four buttons, and the Vulcan was ready to go 

What about the "bang" as the pyro charges started the engines double quick 

Really wish I could have witnessed a Vulcan do a QRA....

Skyline2uk

don't know if you've seen this


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=js3AWp1AM94

[Skyline2uk]

Sorry, we can't go to war today ....

cntrl - alt - del didn't work 

oh for the days when it was a case of flick four switches, press four buttons, and the Vulcan was ready to go 

What about the "bang" as the pyro charges started the engines double quick 

Really wish I could have witnessed a Vulcan do a QRA....

Skyline2uk

don't know if you've seen this


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=js3AWp1AM94

I have now!

Great stuff.

Skyline2uk

[Newportnobby]

Meanwhile, back at The Oval I was so sorry for Denly who fell 6 runs short of his first test century. Joe Root giving catching practice to the slips was not a pretty sight

[Bealman]

Well, as Bealman finishes his last beer at Figtree bowling club, England are leading by 386 at start of play.

Looks like a possible draw!

Weather looks lovely, by the way! 

[Bealman]

England just hit a six!

[port perran]

All set up nicely for today.

[port perran]

Aussies 2 down already!