I thought we might struggle with Anderson out, but Broad stepped up to the plate and demolished the Aussies
Well, that's game over.
Congratulations to England for regaining The Ashes and to Stuart for a magnificent bowling performance.
It's odd though, isn't it? We demolish them at home and they demolish us away - same players, same skills and abilities. Is it just the conditions or is it a mindset, or a bit of both?
It's not great for the neutral nor the paying punters for Days 4 and 5. But to paraphrase the great Barry Davies:
"Where, oh, where were the Australians? But quite frankly, who cares?"
Other South Africa nobody can bat in 'foreign' conditions any more. Australia got battered on spinning pitches against Pakistan and have now got found out in swinging conditions here. The standard of batting in world cricket is appalling.
The online debate currently centres around the dominance of the one-day formats. They are exciting and enjoyable to watch, but Test cricket is more than just another format, it's a different game entirely.
Your technique needs to be sound and correct. Your mindset needs to be careful and patient. You don't go chasing after the ball, you get into position early and wait for it to come to you. Not every shot needs to be a scoring one.
You build your innings because you do get two chances (if needed), a lead is vital and scoreboard pressure can be decisive.
Christ, I sound like boring Boycott now, don't I?!data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
And I was correct.
It's great that England are doing so well, but one thing that I can't hear people mention is how utterly useless our top order batsman is. Lyth.
First Test
6 and 37
Second Test
0 and 7
Third Test
10 and 12
Fourth Test
14
Is he an amazing fielder or something, I must be missing the reason why he is in the team still?
He won't be after this match. Series won, perfect time to try someone else.
Unbelievable days cricket. With the way Broad bowled, if Anderson had been playing Australia could've been out for 20. Not to take anything away from Wood and Finn who also bowled well.
Root...the potential is there to be one of the best players ever.
Hi All,
Whoooa!! What A Sunny Day!! I am ecstatic today watching England absolutely humiliate, destroy & annihilate the Aussies - it is very sweet & poetic justice!!
Hopefully this Royal thrashing of Biblical & Historical proportions will chase the arrogance right out of them.
I hope this sticks with them mentally for a long time after all the nasty crap they have dished out to all the other teams over the decades.
Broad should be given an OBE/MBE for his performance!!
Suave!
Just catching up as away, but Jesus, what an opening day it seems we've had.
Got texts from a mate keeping me informed & people on the beach must have wondered why I was giving it large - lol