Off Topic The Ashes

I love Joe Root. I’d even go as far as giving him a kiss on the forehead.

 

Yes he is head and shoulders above our other batters. Malan is giving him help this time as well.

 

Nice to see a bit of fight (not from Burns obviously, because he's ****e) and to take the game into the 4th day. I mean we'll still lose, probably by 10 wickets but at least it won't be a complete humiliation

My prediction: Root and Malan out in 1st 10 mins of day 4. England collapse, Aus set 3 to win

 

I honestly thought we’d have already lost this so pleasantly surprised this morning when I got up!!

Let’s just hope @TopCat_SMB is wrong with his 10 minute prediction!!!!

 

Nice to see a bit of fight. See off the new ball and see what happens.

 

Twitter is loaded with Indian cricket fans desperate for England to fail. It’s as if we ran over their puppy or something!!

 

Is you 1st or 2nd name Cassandra by any chance

 

Everyone always wants England to fail. At everything!

Including it should be said many English people, who are usually found lurking on the far left wing of society. You will almost never ever hear a left winger say they are proud of their country these days. You would once upon a time, but I can't remember the last to even hint at it.

 

Bollocks I generally vote Labour and i am very patriotic, love my country (not necessarily royalty) and want us to win all sports.

It is every persons democratic right to vote how they wish, but saying lefties don't want to win sporting events is rubbish.

Many right winners do not want England to win cos non-whites are in the side. Look at the stick some players took after the Euro penalty shoot-out.

 

I'm laughing because it is the most England thing to do

 

Fair enough . I wasn't thinking of normal people though. I was thinking of the more prominent types who love to keep banging on about the past and how terrible we always were!

Another day of that from Root would be nice anyway!

 

Yep I am a big Root fan!

 

If we make them bat again it’s a far better position than most thought would happen (me included) if we can get a draw or win from here, then it’s got to be one of the best ashes wins in history!

 

I'm not totally convinced by our bowling attack especially if Stokes is not fully fit! I think the best we can hope for is a draw but we need Root and Malan to stick around till lunch at the least and hopefully the rest of the team to stick around with a big enough score to maybe put them in for the last hour/hour and a half and hopefully put them under pressure for the final day. A lot of hopes in there but as you said its a better position that it looked like after the 1st day.

 

Sorry but even though they batted very well I have little confidence we can draw this game. 220 odd for 2 can easily (with us) end up being 350 all out.
A batting collapse is what we do best. But I hope I'm eating humble pie soon!

 

350? It can end up being 250 man!!! And I’m an optimist!!

 

Totally agree mate but I didn't want to come across as too glum!

 

Me anarl.

I watched him at Durham one Saturday, maybe nine or ten years ago. Durham and Yorkshire were both excellent at the time. Colly declared and set Yorkshire a stiff 300 plus in day after some weather problems.

I expected us to win as we had a really good bowling attack and were at home. Root opened, scored a big ton, took everything thrown at him and Yorkshire won.

Root was ridiculous , just outstanding. He had been talked about by then, but anyone there knew they were watching a great in the making.

Really hope he gets his ton, ( make it a double Joe!) , and England can get a result here.

 

Tempted to stay up tonight but got a really busy day tomorrow… Hmmm

 

We won the league that year