Ashes to Ashes

[ursus arctos]

I hope that you are only applying that rule to professionals, as otherwise my time may soon be up.

[Vicarious Thrillseeker]

I hope that you are only applying that rule to professionals, as otherwise my time may soon be up.

A bowler who literally walks up to bowl. Like the extra centimetre makes a difference. I am beside myself

[ursus arctos]

Lefties are different, VT

[Vicarious Thrillseeker]

Don't I know it......

[Ray de Galles]

Is there a specific reason it's actually worse for a left arm spinner to overstep than another kind of spinner?

[ursus arctos]

I think that we tend to have slower run ups

I hadn't seen this before and am now willing to subscribe to VT's newsletters for crimes this egregious

[Ray de Galles]

It's not the first dismissal reversed due to a no ball from a spinner this series, is it? I'm sure I've been shocked to see another one recently, unless it was a T20 match I've watched.

[Satchmo Distel]

There's talk of getting the third umpire to give no-balls, but I'm still not sure how that helps the batsman to adjust his stroke, so it still does not stop the problem completely.

The real solution is to penalize the on-field umpires who are not doing this part of their jobs.

[Ray de Galles]

I think that we tend to have slower run ups

In terms of sporting techniques that I understand no more of however much I watch them, spin bowling is right up there with front row play in rugby.

The difference being that spin bowling is aesthetically very pleasing.

[Satchmo Distel]

Australia might want to get England in tonight, given the weather forecast, but they could also set up a scenario where they only have to bat once and can just focus on taking 20 England wickets back to back between the rain delays. OTOH with back to back tests, a follow-on becomes less likely, and they will want to tire out Archer and Broad for the finale.

[Vicarious Thrillseeker]

Is there a specific reason it's actually worse for a left arm spinner to overstep than another kind of spinner?

Not really, no. Any spinner coming in to bowl should be able to keep a bit of their front foot behind the crease.

[longeared]

This very much feels like a series-losing session.

[ursus arctos]

Especially so if Stokes is actually hurt.

[Ray de Galles]

England's jumpers are a lot nicer than Australia's.

[diggedy derek]

England have had an absolute shocker here. That drop by Roy was the classic 'fielding reflects the team mindset' situation.

[E10 Rifle]

Now I know more about what it must have been like to watch that 517-1 in Brisbane as an Australian. Will be surprised if Paine doesn't make a hundred here too, though they might want to put England in by the end of the day.

[E10 Rifle]

Will be surprised if Paine doesn't make a hundred here too

Heh. I'm claiming that one. Though all too little too late

[Hot Pepsi]

The little statistical tracker thing says England's best chance, by far, is to play for a draw. But it said that last time too.

[diggedy derek]

That may be true, but playing for a draw is difficult in cricket; if you restrict your ambitions to wanting to survive, you often simply become a sitting duck. But you certainly could make an argument that Australia's best chance of winning the Test might be to be bowled out quickly now.

[diggedy derek]

Overton is bowling in the high 70s miles per hour. England have been missing a slew of high quality or at least solid bowlers this series, Wood, Anderson, Tom Curran, a few others I've forgotten about no doubt also.

[E10 Rifle]

Tom Curran's unproven in Tests, but Wood and Stone have been missed

[diggedy derek]

Stone! Of course. I think Jake Ball has dropped off the radar, but he didn't make much a of case I think. Still, I've been very much enjoying Wood on BBC radio.

[E10 Rifle]

Labour party man and AFC Wimbledon fan, of course

[E10 Rifle]

Meanwhile, Starc has just twatted Broad for three consecutive fours

[E10 Rifle]

Make that four