Ashes 2023

[Filo]

11,600 v 3400 say Smith out

I try to be objective and I can't see how he isn't given run out

Bairstow has clearly moved the Stump backwards and Smith is still approx 2 inches out of his ground . Maybe one frame or two frames later and he would be categorically out ( although that calls for speculation )

If those flashing Bails were used it would have been out

[Spud]

Great start to the second innings this, putting the screws on Cummings.

[Branton Red]

Comparing these 2 teams on approach, performance and sportsmanship.

It would be an absolute travesty of justice if Australia win this series.

[tommy toes]

It's OK.
Warner will get a duck, then Khawaja and Labuschagne will bat for the next two days and put 95 on.

[Monkcaster_Rover]

Nailed on Broad gets Warner tomorrow. For old times sake.

[Donnywolf]

Weather could play a part.

Hope we skittle em

[BillyStubbsTears]

That has to have been the best Test series of all time. And to finish it off with a spell like that from Broad. Just legendary stuff.

[bigbadjack]

An amazing series and what an ending for Stuart Broad

[Filo]

Great afternoons cricket, well done Broady, special mention to Moeen and Woakes and what a catch by Bairstow, the Rain at Old Trafford robbed us of the Ashes and Australia have been out played in the series

[belton rover]

This is another reason cricket doesn’t do it for me. I’ve seen and listened to enough of this series to know that Australia going home with the Ashes makes a mockery of the sport.

[knockers]

It’s a game of fine margins and taking your opportunities!
The Aussies did enough and were lucky with the rain at OT.
It’s now up to England to carry on doing the good stuff and cut out throwing wickets away.

[BillyStubbsTears]

I wouldn't say Australia have been out played Filo.

They won the first two tests fair and square. Yes, probably the rain saved them at Manchester, but we'll never know. The closeness of the other 4 results and the fact that maybe 50 of 75 sessions have seen the advantage bob one way then another shows how tight the entire series has been.

It's been an absolute privilege to watch. Sport at its very best and most captivating.

[knockers]

I’ve listened to pretty much all of it on the radio and it’s been a great few weeks. I’ve even managed to get my none sport loving work colleague talking about it after a weekend.

[Filo]

I wouldn't say Australia have been out played Filo.

They won the first two tests fair and square. Yes, probably the rain saved them at Manchester, but we'll never know. The closeness of the other 4 results and the fact that maybe 50 of 75 sessions have seen the advantage bob one way then another shows how tight the entire series has been.

It's been an absolute privilege to watch. Sport at its very best and most captivating.

They won the 1st test through an early declaration from England, they cheated in the second test and won, lost tthe third test, got lucky with the rain in the Fourth tes when they were on the verge of a hammering, and lost the fifth test, so yes, I would say they’ve been outplayed, they should have won today from the position they were in after the rain, they crumbled when the pressure was on

[i_ateallthepies]

Australia were gifted the first two tests by England declaring too early, gifting their wickets recklessly and by not taking their chances in the field, nevertheless, they have managed to retain the Ashes in English conditions whilst looking the weakest Ausie side In decades.
England on the other hand went into the series on a transformation in their fortunes resulting from Bazball but not yet having tested themselves agains the best in the world.  It was plainly evident to anyone watching the first two tests that they quickly needed to learn and modify their methods to stand any chance of salvaging anything from the series and (I would suggest) even salvaging Bazball itself.  And how they showed they were good enough to do both of those things, absolutely blasting the Ausies in the last three tests and totally justifying themselves.

Comparing the two sides man for man it's hard to conclude that England are stronger than Australia who, as always have an immense bowling attack and bat right through their tail but what Bazball has done is somehow make the England team greater than the sum of it parts and to beat Australia at their own game.

[Donnywolf]

Great post iaatp

Hard to disagree with any of that

[Dutch Uncle]

Does anyone else think the Aussies were very much 'on their best behaviour' after the Carey/Bairstow incident?

I have never seen an Aussie side be less aggressive and in your face than in the 3 games after that - to the detriment of their effectiveness IMHO. It was almost as if they reckoned, or someone had said to them, 'that went too far and we need to do a PR job'. I might just be imagining it but it did strike me that there was a definite attempt to be very pally in the last three matches, and until that last innings Carey himself did not bat well. More mind games with Broad the stirrer as always 

[Filo]

Does anyone else think the Aussies were very much 'on their best behaviour' after the Carey/Bairstow incident?

I have never seen an Aussie side be less aggressive and in your face than in the 3 games after that - to the detriment of their effectiveness IMHO. It was almost as if they reckoned, or someone had said to them, 'that went too far and we need to do a PR job'. I might just be imagining it but it did strike me that there was a definite attempt to be very pally in the last three matches, and until that last innings Carey himself did not bat well. More mind games with Broad the stirrer as always 

I though Cummins carried on being a smug t**t in interviews

[i_ateallthepies]

I've avoided watching the Australian's interviews as their smugness grinds my gears but I suppose when you have been as dominant as they have for as long as they have it'd be hard not to be smug.

On the Bairstow stumping, I said at the time it was stupid of him but nevertheless I let the Aussie attitude wind me up but now having had time to cool down I can only blame Bairstow, it was stupid on his part and the excuse that it was an unspoken rule is just bollox, the Aussies played to the rules.  There has to be a finite moment when the ball is unequivocally dead and Jonny was playing to his own rule.

[Dutch Uncle]

I will agree with you pies, but IMHO one consequence must be that the expression 'that's not cricket' can never be used again. Cricket has lost the moral high ground.

[i_ateallthepies]

Agreed, D.U.

[danumdon]

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned the loss for the Aussies of the off spinner, Lyon for a great deal of the series.This is a bowler who has allowed the Aussies to dominate for such a long time by tying an end down while the fast bowlers take a break and spell each other from the other end.

The fact they lost his services must of played havoc with their bowling strategy, the young kid who came in was not really trusted and was taken for runs in quite a few spells.

Shame really as they will no doubt use his absence as a major factor in not winning the series, it would of been nice to not allow them any get out clause.

They've also proved once and for all that the term "whinging pom" could not have been more ironic.

[Dutch Uncle]

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned the loss for the Aussies of the off spinner, Lyon for a great deal of the series.This is a bowler who has allowed the Aussies to dominate for such a long time by tying an end down while the fast bowlers take a break and spell each other from the other end.

The fact they lost his services must of played havoc with their bowling strategy, the young kid who came in was not really trusted and was taken for runs in quite a few spells.

Shame really as they will no doubt use his absence as a major factor in not winning the series, it would of been nice to not allow them any get out clause.

They've also proved once and for all that the term "whinging pom" could not have been more ironic.

We can counter that with losing our main spinner Leach, and also Pope leaving us with a problem at nr 3. Stand in Moeen was hampered by injury & blisters as well. I think the sides were even on that score.

[Dutch Uncle]

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned the loss for the Aussies of the off spinner, Lyon for a great deal of the series.This is a bowler who has allowed the Aussies to dominate for such a long time by tying an end down while the fast bowlers take a break and spell each other from the other end.

The fact they lost his services must of played havoc with their bowling strategy, the young kid who came in was not really trusted and was taken for runs in quite a few spells.

Shame really as they will no doubt use his absence as a major factor in not winning the series, it would of been nice to not allow them any get out clause.

They've also proved once and for all that the term "whinging pom" could not have been more ironic.

I never quite understood the term 'pom' for a Brit. It supposedly stands for 'prisoner of his/her majesty' for prisoner immigrants from the UK. But surely all these and their descendants are long Australian and not British?

[scawsby steve]

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned the loss for the Aussies of the off spinner, Lyon for a great deal of the series.This is a bowler who has allowed the Aussies to dominate for such a long time by tying an end down while the fast bowlers take a break and spell each other from the other end.

The fact they lost his services must of played havoc with their bowling strategy, the young kid who came in was not really trusted and was taken for runs in quite a few spells.

Shame really as they will no doubt use his absence as a major factor in not winning the series, it would of been nice to not allow them any get out clause.

They've also proved once and for all that the term "whinging pom" could not have been more ironic.

I never quite understood the term 'pom' for a Brit. It supposedly stands for 'prisoner of his/her majesty' for prisoner immigrants from the UK. But surely all these and their descendants are long Australian and not British?

I didn't know that, DU. Any idea as to why the Yanks call us "limeys"?

[Dutch Uncle]

According to Wiki:

Limey" (from lime / lemon) is a predominantly American slang nickname for a British person. The word has been around since the mid 19th century.

The term is thought to have originated in the 1850s as lime-juicer, later shortened to "limey", and was originally used as a derogatory word for sailors in the British Royal Navy. Since the early 19th century, it had been the practice of the Royal Navy to add lemon juice to the sailors' daily ration of grog (watered-down rum).

Edit: It is amazing how many phrases originate from the Navy - 'son if a gun' and 'freeze the balls off a brass monkey' being two

[i_ateallthepies]

Not heard that one, Dutch.  My understanding of the term Pom was that it was based on the idea that Brits have a complexion like the inside of a pomegranate.

[Dutch Uncle]

Not heard that one, Dutch.  My understanding of the term Pom was that it was based on the idea that Brits have a complexion like the inside of a pomegranate.

tbf pies, both have been suggested as origins of 'pom'

[Dutch Uncle]

I wouldn't say Australia have been out played Filo.

They won the first two tests fair and square. Yes, probably the rain saved them at Manchester, but we'll never know. The closeness of the other 4 results and the fact that maybe 50 of 75 sessions have seen the advantage bob one way then another shows how tight the entire series has been.

It's been an absolute privilege to watch. Sport at its very best and most captivating.

I saw a stat somewhere , forgotten the exact number, but it was something like before this year in the history of all Ashes tests since 1877, only 25 had been decided by 3 wickets or less, or 50 runs or less. 4 out of 5 of this series have been added to that. That summarises for me how close this series has been, and 2-2 not an unfair result.   

[BillyStubbsTears]

Not heard that one, Dutch.  My understanding of the term Pom was that it was based on the idea that Brits have a complexion like the inside of a pomegranate.

I read a book recently that said it came from the fact that "immigrant" sounded like "pomegranate" to the earlier settlers. And most of the 19th century immigrants were British.