Ben Stokes needs to be the hero now. 4/157
Stokes does not look comfortable here. He’s out of form with the bat and it’s a while now since he’s done anything of note with the bat.
164/5
Pope on his way. Full scale collapse mode now.
Buttler in the side as wicketkeeper for all the runs he seemingly offers even though he’s shit with the gloves, gets himself out for a duck, after costing a minimum of 100 runs with the gloves through dropped catches.
169/6
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Stokes should be at seven in any normal balanced side.
They’ll probably go back to Bairstow instead of Foakes as he theoretically offers more runs.
He should but there’s only three batsmen of test standard in the squad. Root who is world class and Malan and Stokes.
Malan batted beautifully all the way into the 70’s. As soon as Root went though, you could see a change in his demeanour and panic creeping in. He knew they were his wicket away from the inevitable collapse. The pressure building up over a 27 ball dot spell and he inevitably succumbed.
The new lad looks alright
My point also wasn’t that stokes should be batting at seven in this team, just that him at four shows how truly awful England are and how this ashes was is and will be a non contest.
Stokes is batting at 5, not 4 but you’re right, that’s still 2 places too high.
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They really must hate Foakes
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Stokes just going to have a swing now.
And he’s out. 220/9
9/220
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The only thing of interest left in this is whether the follow on is enforced. Australia have bowled 80 overs which is a lot to be enforcing it. If it wasn’t a day/night match, I don’t think they would, but I suspect they might just do it to get England out batting under the lights again.
Judging by the speed Warner ran off, looks like follow on not been enforced.
Be a good chance to get England’s old bowling attack to put some more miles on the clock. Tire them out ahead of the third test.
I’m in bed hungover. Can someone check @Little_Lord_Fauntleroy predictions for me.
i) Root will go for 60-65
ii) Malan will go for 77-82
iii) The Poms will be all out for 235-240
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Is lack of a full strength Barmy Army impacting England?
No. They’re just shit.
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He was out inspecting the pitch with his keys earlier and correctly deduced Lyon would get wickets bowling into the footmarks.