BBC detailed forecast looks a little better than that. A couple of showers this pm but may be able to make up most of the time later. Friday is iffy but most of the rain goes through before play so should stop 1pm/2pm but the pitch may be too wet to play of course. Saturday and Sunday look good. With our batting line up there's plenty of time for a result. My guess is that both games will see a result so we will need to win both.
Well Broad has the walking wickets that are their openers. Warner must only be in the team for his slip catching and just being a pain in the backside.
Yes the 2 at the wicket are the 2 key wickets. Get those before lunch and we are really in business. If they are still there at lunch, they are on top.
Pitch is supposed to be the best for batting there has been yet. Probably more to do with the batting not being very good!
They seem to be finding it pretty easy at the moment - 33 runs from 7 overs. 6 4's in the last 3 overs.
Need to get these two soon or I fear they will get too many. Pitch is turning as well so don't want to be chasing too many 4th innings
118/2. 90 run partnership now. We are going to have to bat really well to get anything out of this game... Archer bowling mid/low 80s ???
A perfect storm really. This Australia team is average. But our inability to get Smith out is a big issue. Then, when we do manage to get him out of their lineup, it allows them to bring someone in who we also struggle with who otherwise would have been unlikely to feature.
Got Head out but Smith is still there after Archer "dropped him" ( good height but very quick C and B chance ) Got to restrict them to 350 or less?
I think they would be strong favourites to win if they get to 350. In my view a score of 250-275 would leave the balance about 50/50 and they are on track to get a lot more than that.
Wade out now due to an awful shot. The annoying thing is, Smith aside, maybe Laubaschagne as well, they are a terrible batting side, worse than England. Will we ever get Smith out?
Just me that finds Smith incredibly tedious to watch? Undoubtedly one the best ever, but he's so boring to watch.
Smith now out, caught........off a no-ball Smith now 125 no. "500 runs in the series for Smith ... for the third consecutive Ashes series".
To escape with a draw it's going to be really important that we don't follow on. With the Aussies on 305/5 a total of 400+ is looking likley which means 200+ to avoid the follow on.
Yet another drop. We really don't want these ashes do we ? We seem to have given up this match already on day 2. 125 run partnership so far helped by drops, no-ball wickets etc. Stokes must be wondering what was the point of that knock...