The Second Investec Ashes Test, England v Australia, Lords

[Pavilionaire]

Depends how the bowlers are feeling, as much as anything -Anderson was apparently knackered after Sunday - no point overcooking them.

Bresnan must be shot after his massive stint of 7 overs spread over 2 sessions. Ditto Broad and his 9 overs. How do they get through such a workload??

It's tea, have a Red Bull, then go again...

 

[larus]

There's no right or wrong answer to the follow on. Both views have their merits.

Rest the bowlers by batting, build a huge lead and leave loads of time to win the game.
or
Enforce follow on and gain a huge advantage if you win by an innings.

However, the pitch will not become a dust-bowl, but it may lose even more life, so batting last is not an issue. Anderson was meant to have been creamed at the end of the last test, but he was able to rest for most of yesterday, and hasn't bowled a huge amount yet.

All this assumes they don't get to 162....

 

[dougdeep]

Not a chance they'd enforce the follow on, why would you choose to take the risk of batting last on a dust bowl track?

Put them back in. Be proactive. They'll leave a tiny target if any at all.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

He'd never admit it, but I bet Cook would secretly LOVE Australia to be all out for 162.

 

[Phil B]

No way will England make them follow on .........

could cost Lords a fortune in paying back money raised for days 4 & 5 (and even 3 !)

 

[Bold Seagull]

Its not defensive, you generally need the follow on because you've scored a massive score batting all of day 1 and most of day 2, they've batted most of day 3 so the time is out of the game.

I don't see them sticking Australia back in if there is still 3 days or so left in the match. Bat for a day, build a lead up to 450+ then have 2 days to bowl them out on a wearing pitch.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

Its not defensive, you generally need the follow on because you've scored a massive score batting all of day 1 and most of day 2, they've batted most of day 3 so the time is out of the game.

I don't see them sticking Australia back in if there is still 3 days or so left in the match. Bat for a day, build a lead up to 450+ then have 2 days to bowl them out on a wearing pitch.

that's what I'd do. Means we all get two more days cricket to watch, instead of doing anything useful.

 

[Pavilionaire]

that's what I'd do. Means we all get two more days cricket to watch, instead of doing anything useful.

Alternatively, the follow-on could free up Sunday for the climax of the golf Open and Chris Froome in the TdF. Perfect!

 

[hans kraay fan club]

Alternatively, the follow-on could free up Sunday for the climax of the golf Open and Chris Froome in the TdF. Perfect!

Fair points

 

[Simster]

Looking forward to the ironic cheers when Australia get to 100.


But first things first, a couple of wickets for us to celebrate before then.

 

[knocky1]

No bat again and I can enjoy my day at Lords on Sunday. Put them in and I may miss out on going to all 5 home Tests.

 

[Titanic]

No bat again and I can enjoy my day at Lords on Sunday. Put them in and I may miss out on going to all 5 home Tests.

Don't worry... you will be just fine. Enjoy your day.

 

[Triggaaar]

As I said, give the bowlers a rest, get our batsmen in and get some scores under the top orders belt. We could still give ourselves 2 days to bowl them out. It's a hot knackering day which are bowlers have been out in all day batting and bowling.

No point following on with so much time still left in the match.

Exactly. It's boiling out there, give the bowlers a break.

No follow on please.

We need a bit of batting confidence ourselves. Nothing better on this wicket than starting a 2nd innings already 200 in the lead. Build a big total. then give yourself 4 or 5 sessions to bowl them out.

4 sessions! More like 6.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

Besides, I want to watch Angry Pattinson bowl again. See if he can get his ton 2nd innings.

 

[Ernest]

I can't believe how Australia are such a shambles, I wonder at this rate they are going to end up like the West Indies ? Unbeatable for years now distinctly average and superstars few and far between.

 

[Titanic]

EIGHT down.

First one for Jimmy.

Good low catch at slip.

104-8

 

[Phil B]

Whoa Jimmy, Jimmy .... 104/8

 

[Mellotron]

Day 5?? The Aussies will be lucky to get to the end of Day 3.

Last 10 overs - 5/1. They really are shit, let's just get this done now.

This. I don't understand why some DON'T want to turn the screw while we've got them. Why delay the inevitable? Get it done asap.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

This. I don't understand why some DON'T want to turn the screw while we've got them. Why delay the inevitable? Get it done asap.

Its about BULLYING them, Mello. Making them toil in the field for two days, while we take our lead past 450 IS 'turning the screw'.

 

[Pavilionaire]

Looks like our No. 10 is going to outscore all of their batsmen. Agar-esque batting from Broad there.