Given the performance levels this series snd the consistent bad captaincy decisions from Root, I'd say that avoiding the whitewash was more than we've deserved. One good innings from 4 tests so far. Batting has been woeful. Bowling only marginally better.
Utter debacle. 0 for 2. Just get this **** show over with. Australia deserve this by a country mile. The England team, bar Stokes' heroic innings have been consistently 2nd best in bat and field.
Yes a real shame we won't be able to take it to the final game. Smith is the difference. Cummins too. You can see why they are the best batsman and best bowler in the world. We were and still are a poor test side. Looks like it will be a while before we get to hold the ashes again.
Was just about to post that. Surviving for 90 overs should be doable. The problem is we tend to have a mini-collapse after losing a wicket!
I don't think our batists know how to protect their wickets. They are all about big shots and all or nothing, gung ho action. Great for the short version of the game, but this line up is eminently not suited to the Test version of the game.
I have been following on the radio, cos, well i'm old skool innit. I think it was Strauss who said they lack the skill to play a basic forward defensive shot.
Jason Roy showing why he will never be a test batsman without a solid defence. Brilliant one day batsman, but his test career is surely over.
Just get it over with so we can rip into this pathetic side for their complete lack of brains and character.
What is this battist nonsense anyway? Or batter for that matter? Is it some gender neutral claptrap in case we offend a potential transgender, Zimbabwean No.6? Or is it something driven by the southern hemisphere? An antipodean conspiracy? Whatever, it's b.llocks. I'm firmly in the 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' camp. What was wrong with batsman? Or, given the rise in prominence of the women's game, batswoman? If our putative Zimbabwean No.6 wants something more neutral then she/he could be a batter or battist. I doubt that batsperson would go down well. Anyway, while I'm in ranting mode, what is all this other old b.llocks surrounding, e.g., 4/207 being the new 207/4. Definitely an antipodean conspiracy that one. So, while accepting that we might be getting stuffed on the pitch, we could at least insist that we use the time-honoured, old-country terminology, especially on our own patch. Starting with the journos. Or, put another way, eff off you antipodean tw.t with your bronzed pecs, Bonsai beach and a melting Christmas cake. We speak the pwoppa lingo. OK.
Blimey wasted 5 minuets looking at an LBW when Overton hit it and the ball was outside the line .. Good news for us though.
Surely Leach isn't going to deny the Aussies again!? Be great if we hold on for the draw and then win at the Oval. The reaction of the Aussies would be interesting to say the least...
Embarrassing series all round from England. Cowardly batting, awful selection and the worst captain of modern times. Joe Root isn't a captain, never has been. He's barely a batsman at the moment.