The Ashes. 1st Test

When In Rome

Outrageous. Useless ****s. Should have bowled those out for 150. Instead staring defeat in the face. Glad I won't be around to see day two and three, anyway it'll be over by day four. Pathetic.

faiz0

Absolutely fantastic knock from Smith that - an Ashes classic.

When In Rome

Yeah, great.

cR4cKF0x 5TevE

Smith's knock was truly exceptional, hard to say what more England could have done.
Wait til England have batted - never call a game until both teams have batted, big knocks from 2 of England's batters and could post 400 .

When In Rome

Optimism admired. I've seen us bat.

gavinl1967

Agreed. Respect.

When In Rome

Respect my arse, what is wrong with you?

England fans saying Smith was excellent really riles me. Okay he was and I like the guy but let's have it right, can you imagine Man U fans gushing over a Salah wonder goal or having a beano when Liverpool won a cup? Course not, sandpaper over it all you want but I saw Smith's magnificent century as bloody annoying and it undid all Broad's handiwork

Nice idea mods making this a dedicated thread.

gavinl1967

Because I'm a cricket fan.  And also because, despite being a ball-tampering cheat, Smith is still a fantiastic batsman.  To come out on the first day of an Ashes test and play the way he did, after everything he's been through over the last year (granted, it was self-inflicted), with 90% of Edgbaston baying for his blood, deserves (IMO) respect.

This doesn't mean I wasn't hoping he'd lose his wicket every ball that was bowled

When In Rome

I get all of that and can lean some way towards it. My main point IS that a lot of the rivalry is lost when we start crossing the line with this 'respect / applause' towards counterparts.

Anyone imagine us at Plough Lane with 3,500 out of an 8,200 crowd saying "oh jolly well done" when Wimbledon scored?

I like Smudger a lot actually and respect what he has been through.

But on the other side of the coin there's always - don't cheat in the first place.

Respect needs to be earned.

If others want to wet themselves over his century, carry on.

faiz0

This isn’t football though, as cricket fans we are far more appreciative of what the opposition players do. Smith’s knock yesterday was genius. England were unlucky in being a bowler down but they really didnt do too much wrong.

Anyway, I’m at the game today. Hoping for a Root ton and displays from Stokes and Buttler. England are going to need a decent lead if they’re to win this.