Root or bust.
England Cricket Winter 2017/18 - Ashes & NZ
- Thread starter ArmchairCritic
- Start date
Root or bust.
Not sure. This attack has been rather wasteful, thus far.
Tbh Vince has already exceeded expectations this tour.
Hazelwood has been very poor so far.
Impressed by these two thus far.
Evening lads.
Evening lads.
Good to see this partnership settling down a bit here.
Good 1st session for England, only loss 1 wicket, pitch is on the slow and low side, need Stoneman and Vince to kick on with a big 100+ partnership and set England well on there way to a 450+ 1st innings score
100 partnership up! Rattling along at more than two an over.
Well played Vince and Stoneman. Root will be happy to not have to come in with us on less than 100 for a change.
Very impressive stuff by both of them. Could've scored a bit faster but it's a test match so doesn't really matter.
Argh. Just before tea too. Decent knock from Stoneman though, worked hard for it.
Fantastic fielding by the GOAT.
Brings the game right into balance.
Brings the game right into balance.
and that's the trouble in scoring slow when the pitch is relatively flat. Two quick wickets and it's 145/3 after 60
Well I was pleasantly surprised with what I’ve just woken up to. Could have been a lot worse 
Yeah, need to get some runs on the board by stumps. Don't want to end the day's play without any substantial run making. Pointless by Vince getting himself run out. A first inning's total of 400 should seal the match for whichever side makes it. The Kookaburra hasn't swung for the first 20-30 overs at all. Doubt the second new ball will swing today either. Day 4 and 5 will be different though.
It was stoneman taking the puss tbf. Vince was doing fine.
The Aussie commentators talking over a review. fecking idiots.
Its just not summer without channel 9 commentators being all stupid.
Also fantastic ball to get rid of Root.
A good day for England has quickly turned into a not such a good day
I think Moeen gets withdrawal if he doesn’t hit a six for a little while.
He seems to have woken Malan from his coma too.
Yep, if they can navigate their way through these last overs and put on a few run I’d be pretty happy. Famous last words probably
Yeah keep Anderson away from the crease and it won’t be the end of the world.Yep, if they can navigate their way through these last overs and put on a few run I’d be pretty happy. Famous last words probably
Surprised they took the new ball there.
Only 3 balls bowled with the new ball before they have gone off due to bad lighting. Stupid to let them start the over if you’re not going to let them finish it
That batting line up needs a world class batsman in the form of Kallis, Dravid, Ponting or KP. Imagine Trott in his prime at 3 with Root in his usual 4 spot. You would put money on at least one of them clicking in a day and piling on runs whilst negotiating tough spells without losing their wicket doing anything silly. But then, these types of players don't come up all too often.
I'm sure the ECB are scouting the SA schools cricket games to find some new batsmen.
Not a bad card to wake up to. Though it must have felt a little deflating losing Root late in the day I'd say it's pretty nicely balanced from here. If Malan and Ali can put a partnership on we could put ourselves in the driving seat but obviously a couple of wickets put the Aussies in control.
It's a shame I'm unable to take it in live. Fair play to the pros staying up all night to watch/listen
It's a shame I'm unable to take it in live. Fair play to the pros staying up all night to watch/listen
Oooh you cynic!!
It's been a slow day and the smart money is surely on the draw, especially if there are going to be interruptions. I think I would have taken that score if offered at the start of the day. Yes the runs have been slow in coming but the first day of the first Test is always about laying down a marker and I think we've said to their bowling attack (which a lot of people thought would go through us like a hot knife through butter) that they won't have it all their own way - the batsmen, including the new guys will stand up and be counted.
It was good for England that Vince and Stoneman got good scores as we already know what Cook and Root can do and they will get their fair share of runs as they always do.
Overall happy with the day although if pressed for a negative maybe we're a bit short of runs.
Bit weak in the bowling department but not a hopeless XI
Strauss
Smith
Trott
KP
Lamb
T Creig
Prior
D’oliveira
I Creig
Curren
Durnbach
Good day for Australia on the back of those two last session wickets. England will do well to get beyond 350. Confident now that Australia's Gabba fortress will remain intact.
Good thing i wasn't listening to them.
Really good batting lineup that.
You really see in situations like this the value Stokes brings to the side. They just look weaker in all 3 departments without him. Aussies will definitely be happy given how average Hazlewood and Starc looked even though the pitch was quite benign. Don't see how the Aussies get through 5 Test matches with these 4 man attacks, just an injury waiting to happen.
Would have bitten your hand off for a day like that if offered it earlier so no dramas for me. Hope we can survive the new ball and get to 350 odd.
There was a suggestion from one cricket journo last week that Starc or Cummins would get a rest for the Adelaide test next week as that test will favour good swing bowlers. We'll have to wait and see on that. It'll depend on how long England can keep Australia in the field for.
The first hour tomorrow will be massive. New ball in hand and a couple of wickets away from a tail that will likely contribute little.
The Vince run out was frustrating as England were in control at that point.
The Vince run out was frustrating as England were in control at that point.
Taking a run there was too risky anyway. No need for it as Vince was well set and on his way to a century. Day might have panned out differently if he stayed in but it's history now.
Would have snatched your hand off for a 1st day like that. Very even going into what will be a huge 1st session tonight. Silly run out but impressed with Vince and Stoneman.