Ashes to Ashes

[Satchmo Distel]

If Australia get away with it, it will be because they are by far the better side, but if these were two evenly balanced teams, it would be a crazy decision.

[Etienne]

It really is an odd one. If Lyon's finger is bothering him, an extra day's rest would have helped too.

[Ray de Galles]

It's already looking like a mistake, 50-1 in a little over an hour - the quickest 50 England have managed all series.

[Rogin the Armchair fan]

It almost smacks of Australia wanting to test themselves to the limit, given the Ashes can't be lost.

[Ray de Galles]

That doesn't sound like this Australian team or captain though, they seem to know their frailties and are happy to win tests in an unflashy manner.

[E10 Rifle]

It's a very grassy looking day-one pitch mind, and a bit cloudy. Can see the attraction for Paine.

Not sure I'd have dropped Starc for Siddle, though the former was a bit up and down at Old Trafford.

And Root's been dropped by Siddle

[Satchmo Distel]

So far, it's another flashback to 1997-2001: Australia fucking up in dead rubbers.

[Etienne]

This really isn't a dead rubber. Yeah, Australia have retained the Ashes, but there's a huge difference between winning and drawing the series. Vastly more than winning 4-0 or 3-1.

[E10 Rifle]

Too early to say they're fucking it up either. Two quick wickets after lunch and they're on top

[ad hoc]

Too early to say they're fucking it up either. Two quick wickets after lunch and they're on top

This. I mean I know why Ray's trying to jinx it, but I'm not sure about the others

[RobW]

Too early to say they're fucking it up either. Two quick wickets after lunch and they're on top

Yup, already Vaughan is being unbearable and thanking Tim Paine for putting England in. It's as if he wasn't watched the series.

[Etienne]

Well, the match is still pretty balanced, but if you put a side in and they are 86-1 at lunch then it's not gone to plan. Even 95-3 would be below par for a team that's chosen to bowl.

[Etienne]

I wonder if Australia are trying to ensure Root is still captain in two years time.

[Satchmo Distel]

Another drop.

[Ray de Galles]

Well, the match is still pretty balanced, but if you put a side in and they are 86-1 at lunch then it's not gone to plan. Even 95-3 would be below par for a team that's chosen to bowl.

Well exactly, though I think 95-3 would be a good return! Nobody's saying Australia have lost the match in the first morning (or trying to jinx England) but given the fragility of top orders in this series to give England what is probably the most comfortable opening session yet has to be deemed a failure of tactics. A hat trick of drops from Root doesn't help either.

[Nocturnal Submission]

Another decent knock from Burns. Hopefully that's one of the openers' slots filled for the foreseeable future.

Surrey are missing him, mind you.

[Gangster Octopus]

The collapse is on.

[Ray de Galles]

...and off...and on again.

[Kevin S]

Australia are only going to have to bat once, aren't they.

[E10 Rifle]

3-1 it is then. 2010-11 in reverse

[Ray de Galles]

England should declare now and knock over the Aussie openers before the end of play.

[slackster]

I’m off to this in the morning (£105 for a ticket, ffs!). Looks likely we could be watching Smith bat nearly all day, but I’m hopeful we’ll see him get a duck instead and ruin his series average.

[Rogin the Armchair fan]

He could get a pair in this test and still average 95.9 for the series.

[RobW]

All out for 294. Marsh finishes with 5 wickets. Utter wankers.

[Ray de Galles]

Mitch Marsh getting his five-fer was very sweet.

Edit ; ah, cross-post with RobW - clearly conflicting sentiments too!