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DD wrote: Wouldn’t this be one of the greatest ever victories in Ashes history if they can pull it off? What a class act Steve Smith is after being taunted relentlessly by the poms with “We saw you cry on the telly”. It might be the poms crying in their beer tomorrow. Lol

DD, I don't think those booing English "supporters" (more likely, transplanted soccer hooligans) are particularly bright and they're not doing their team any favours because Steve Smith is probably using the continual taunts as motivation.
Instead, they should be booing the medicos who passed James Anderson as fit or the selectors for taking such a foolish risk by including Jimmy.
I'd imagine the MCC will probably instruct the crowd controllers to evict any members who "say boo" at the Lord's Test.
While obviously frustrated by Smith's dominance, I think true English cricket fans appreciate him for the unorthodox genius he is.
Michael Vaughan, on the ABC's match coverage via Test Match Special, said Smith is the best batsman he's seen during his time in the game.
I always enjoy the TMS team's coverage, particularly the work of Phil Tufnell and the great Geoffrey Boycott, my favourite English cricketer from a good few years following the game.
Mike, I agree with you about the team adopting a Steve Waugh-like ruthlessness on Day 4.
Evidently, the weather is tipped to be better than what we're getting here, so let's hope the Aussie bowlers have 10 unplayable deliveries in them.
I'm also wondering whether England will tell Jason Roy to go out and his play his natural game, with a guarantee that he's in the team for the series.
The To and Froms need 128 runs per session - stranger things have happened (but not many).

Channel 9 are over the moon with the Tv ratings. Last night 1 million tv sets tuned into the Block+Cricket on 9 Gem.Split 50\50 between both shows.

Dream first session for Australia. 4-85 and all the bowlers were spot on. Still a lot of work to do and Stokes will fight tooth and nail as he has on numerous occasions in the past. He just needs someone to hang around with him for a few hours. Lyon has a great chance of bowling Australia to what would be a sweet victory.

I think I can see some Poms crying on the telly! Haha

Just outstanding by Australia. They just obliterated England on their fortress. Whatever you think about Langer, he has done wonders with this team in 18 months.
Every player contributed something to that win. Bancroft 2 failures with the bat but took a great catch at short leg to dispose of Root.

mikeh wrote: Just outstanding by Australia. They just obliterated England on their fortress. Whatever you think about Langer, he has done wonders with this team in 18 months.
Every player contributed something to that win. Bancroft 2 failures with the bat but took a great catch at short leg to dispose of Root.

Only thing I would question Mike is Smith’s two innings probably wallpapers over a few cracks in the batting line up. Top order has been a problem for a long time. Davey, Banners and Ussie all failed.

DD wrote:

mikeh wrote: Just outstanding by Australia. They just obliterated England on their fortress. Whatever you think about Langer, he has done wonders with this team in 18 months.
Every player contributed something to that win. Bancroft 2 failures with the bat but took a great catch at short leg to dispose of Root.

Only thing I would question Mike is Smith’s two innings probably wallpapers over a few cracks in the batting line up. Top order has been a problem for a long time. Davey, Banners and Ussie all failed.

In strictly mathematical terms, Smith scored 286 runs and we "only" won by 251, DD.
That said, we declared at seven wickets down last night with the England bowling attack on its knees.
I doubt we'll again get such a low return from the top three batsmen, though I thought Ussie batted beautifully in making 40 on Saturday.
Of course, we had the luxury of England being one bowler short for much of the match and still suffering from a World Cup "hangover".
While I expect the To and Froms to be far more competitive at Lord's, I think Justin Langer is far too shrewd to allow his team to let their guard down.
Cummins and Lyon are the spearheads of our attack and got the rewards, while Pattinson and Siddle bowled well without luck.
It will be interesting to see if Starc replaces one of the latter pair at Lord's, as England has shown a susceptibility against left-arm pace.

Actually England were in effect 2 bowlers short given that Moin Ali was so ineffective. Can't see Moin playing at Lords given his clueless batting against Lyon. Smith papered over a few cracks for sure but Englands batting appears to have even more problems with their underperforming group, particularly Butler and Bairstow who appear to be suffering from World Cup hangover.
Starc really must come in at Lords,such is his record there, the unlucky bowler will probably be Siddle who did everything that was asked of him but I think Australia need to go for the jugular and try for a 2-0 scoreline which will be very hard for England to recover from. I think all the fast bowlers will have a role to play during the series given the back to back tests and the likelihood that we won't go in to the tests with a 5th bowler like Marsh or Neser. Wouldnt be surprised to see Hazlewood play the 3rd or 4th test.

Beasley Hutton wrote: It is going to be near on impossible to take 10 wickets tonight on that pitch which is offering very little for the quickies as it is placid and slow.
Our only hope will be if Gary The Goat can finally shake his 4th Innings/5th Day demons as the one thing the wicket is doing is turning.
Was an enjoyable nights viewing though thank god for Steve Smith whilst Wade cashed in which was good to see.

I dare say those Demons have been exorcised!!
That was a superb spell of off spin bowling by Gary The Goat last night.

Totally agree mikeh....Aust should pick the bowling attack for each specific ground....Starc or Hazlewood in for Siddle....Siddle did his job....but for Aust to win the series it will be on the back of a squad effort....batting wise the openers will get a 2nd chance....Warner will get a 3rd chance most likely.....Uzzie most likely till test 3... Head and Wade are safe for the series me thinks....tho you never know....as for Smith he is safe for the next 5 years atleast....Lords will suit Aust with their tall quicks......Eng will bounce back....but their bowling stocks do look bare compared to Aust.