Wish someone would have stopped our skipper from putting in the opposition, Australia love to bat first and this one looks gone already.
Wish someone would have stopped our skipper from putting in the opposition, Australia love to bat first and this one looks gone already.
Thought it was probably the right decision at the toss, muggy, cloudy, gloomy. England bowled poorly though. The overheads offered assistance throughout the day.
Decent day for Woakes taking three and having a couple of drops.
But excellent from Wood, definitely that extra bit of pace the attack had been so clearly missing in the first two tests.
Nice to see Woakes get a few poles.
Why are England playing a 5 dayer as if it's a white ball game. Scoring at nearly 5 an over is the way luck plays a bigger part and wickets fall. 57 to win with 4 wickets in hand should be easy but.............
Takes a Bear to win it!
Who takes us over the line with what appears to be a controlled innings - plenty of singles - Woakes of course to add to his match count of 6 wickets!!
On to Old Trafford. 2 changes for me Tongue for Robinson and I think they've got confront the Bairstow situation. Lacking form and bereft of confidence with the gloves - has to be Foakes.
Think Anderson definitely comes in on his home ground.
Not having Nathan Lyon is a real problem for Aus. If it doesn't come through Cummins or Starc it doesn't come.
SC_Bear, my thoughts exactly, now is not the time for risks, Bairstow has no form, the reverse of last season and Foakes is in form and we know he can bat. We also do not want a flat wicket as all Australia have to do is make a huge score and the Ashes are theirs. Woakes, what man, a controlled innings even though he did score quickly but didn't try and hit everything like he did in the first innings. I can relax now, Pheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeewwwwwwwwwwwwwww!
Do not forget the contribution from Moeen. He bowled an excellent controlled spell, going for just 2 runs per over, he then had the character to offer to go in at three to help the team,
Both our players showed a great deal of character and ability.
Yes, Moeen and Chris Woakes both played their parts. Let's hope for fine weather at Old Trafford and another exciting match.
Test cricket is not too bad, is it?
Weather looks poor for Old Trafford so the Australians might play safe and just look to bat as long as they can. If we need to win the last 2 Tests, then it does not look good and Stokes might regret certain decisions made in the first 2 Tests but of course he will not admit it.
Looks like the Bears' Pair are doing the business for England - 7 of the 8 wickets down by Mo and Wo!
And congratulations to Chris Woakes - Player of the Series!
Any chance that the ECB might announce that they are cancelling The Hundred and playing another three Tests to decide the Ashes series?
A very entertaining series. Any chance that the ECB will now reflect on: