Cricket......

[gemmerbal]

Jip, we are alike then. I did go to trials during my schooling years but being from Strand/Somerset West i had almost no chance competing with the big CT schoolboys. Plus this was at a time when my complexion didnt help (1990’s). I did manage to share a pitch with some impressive international players though at club level. But it still only makes me a club cricketer at best.

 

This is the beautiful game [emoji846]

 

Have had a love affair with cricket since I was about 8 years old. Even wanted to be a professional player until I realised how limited my ability was. Still follow the game as close as I can. It's an amazing sport if you get down to the basics of it.

[gemmerbal]

Its always funny when it happens to someone else. Root was “uprooted”, square in the nuts from a Starc delivery. Makes my eyes water just looking at that box [emoji24]

 

[emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]

 

Edited September 6, 2019 by gemmerbal

[Mntboy]

Jip, we are alike then. I did go to trials during my schooling years but being from Strand/Somerset West i had almost no chance competing with the big CT schoolboys. Plus this was at a time when my complexion didnt help (1990’s). I did manage to share a pitch with some impressive international players though at club level. But it still only makes me a club cricketer at best.

 

This is the beautiful game [emoji846]

 

 

That makes you a fair way better than me, even though I was probably my school's best bowler I was far from being a big fish in the Southern Suburbs/Peninsula pond.

['Dale]

Bad light / stumps

More overs lost

 

200/5 and England looking wobbly

 

New ball due in 6 overs

 

The weather gods continue to disrupt ⚠️

[gemmerbal]

Nah buddy. We love the game that makes us equal.

 

Good days cricket all in all i reckon. Hazlewood for me is probably their best bowler thus far in the series. Tall lanky chap, good pace and he bowls proper line and length, that to me is quality. He doesnt get involved in the short stuff too much. I like him. Cummins also good determination, maybe not as consistent although having said that is he not currently the nr1 test bowler? Starc in form and the poms will have almost no chance.

 

Like i said earlier, if this English side wins the Ashes they would have burgled it.

 

If enforcing the follow on becomes an option, would you make them bat again? I always like the idea because you are more in control of the game. But this wicket will be tough to chase on if theres a 150 target on the board. Also depends on the overs spent in the field i reckon. But the poms cant bat defensively, so i would probably enforce it if it comes down to it.

 

That makes you a fair way better than me, even though I was probably my school's best bowler I was far from being a big fish in the Southern Suburbs/Peninsula pond.

[Mntboy]

Nah buddy. We love the game that makes us equal.

 

Good days cricket all in all i reckon. Hazlewood for me is probably their best bowler thus far in the series. Tall lanky chap, good pace and he bowls proper line and length, that to me is quality. He doesnt get involved in the short stuff too much. I like him. Cummins also good determination, maybe not as consistent although having said that is he not currently the nr1 test bowler? Starc in form and the poms will have almost no chance.

 

Like i said earlier, if this English side wins the Ashes they would have burgled it.

 

If enforcing the follow on becomes an option, would you make them bat again? I always like the idea because you are more in control of the game. But this wicket will be tough to chase on if theres a 150 target on the board. Also depends on the overs spent in the field i reckon. But the poms cant bat defensively, so i would probably enforce it if it comes down to it.

 

 

I must admit I quite like the Aussie bowling unit in this test. Aussies in a rather remarkably good situation ito fast bowlers. They actually seem like a good bunch people. Like you I feel the English a tad suspect under scoreboard pressure and I'm certain that the Aussies could very well manage to put them under hefty scoreboard pressure.

 

And thanks for the kind words!

[eddy]

Warner LBW Broad 0

 

And his average now dips below 10 for the series and approaching his IQ.

 

Could not be happier.

['Dale]

Smith 81*

 

He must be doping ⚠️

[Mntboy]

Gemmerbal and I might, and I stress the might, get some egg on our faces. Overton and Leach making the Aussies work hard. Aussies need 2 inside 16 overs!

[Mntboy]

Crisis averted. Aussies retain the Urn. A crushing 185 run defeat to do so!

[Vetplant]

What a finish!

 

Three overs ago I thought Eng will save this one. Brilliant captaincy by Paine to bring on Labush who got the breakthrough immediately, and then a killer ball to finish it!

['Dale]

It takes a team

Smith however, has been the distinctive force

Runs set up targets for bowlers to bowl to 

Edited September 8, 2019 by 'Dale

[Mntboy]

It takes a team

Smith however, has been the distinctive force

Runs set up targets for bowlers to bowl to

Smith has been incredible and is very deserving of his Man of the Match award. Will also probably win the Man of the Series award as well. That said the Aussie bowlers have been fantastic as well generally converting the scoreboard pressure that Smith has help provide with able support from Labuschagne. And that has been the biggest difference between the two teams. So yes agreeing with you but also pointing to England's flaws as well.

[Vetseun]

Smith 81*

He must be doping ⚠️

Woudnt suprise me. He has cheated before

[gemmerbal]

Haha, it got quite tense at the end there but it was always asking a lot of the tail to survive for that long. Lyon was struggling, apparently he has a cut on his spinning finger. Starc was average and as usual it was Cummins and Hazelwood that got the job done. Cummins is turning into quite a bowler, if you consider he has been the only shining light for the Aussies since the Sandpaper debacle. I like his relentlessness. (Can you tell i used to be a bowler?)

 

I must admit, not a huge Stokes fan (for various reasons) but walking when you knicked it was pretty damn admirable considering what was on the line. Reminds me of that box Broad knicking one to first slip a couple of years ago and standing his ground. That was a joke. Still one of the worst guys to walk when he is out and always referring, just adding more reason why i dislike him in particular.

 

I was at Newlands when Stokes and Bairstow tore our bowling attack apart a few years back. We started drinking and subsequently i didnt see much, i couldnt stand our attack being taken apart like that. Still was quite a special knock from Stokes. I reckon he is a better allrounder than Flintoff and Botham. But he’s still a pom haha.

 

Labooshane probably the find of the tour for the Aussies. His Aussie accent needs a bit of work though, boytjie from Klerksdorp and all. One of many ex Saffas to have made a mark for a country other than the one they were born in. But kudos to him for making his mark.

 

 

Gemmerbal and I might, and I stress the might, get some egg on our faces. Overton and Leach making the Aussies work hard. Aussies need 2 inside 16 overs!

Edited September 9, 2019 by gemmerbal

[eddy]

Warner LBW Broad 0

And his average now dips below 10 for the series and approaching his IQ.

Could not be happier.

 

Have mixed feelings :

 

Warner c Bairstow b Archer 5

 

He survived for 7 balls and managed a thick edge through the slips for 4 which broke his admirable series of ducks, but his average dropped further to just over 9 in 9 innings since he bullied a new team member into egregious cheating.