England v Ireland & Australia Test Cricket 2019

An unbeaten century by Ben Stokes led England to 258/5 declared, setting Australia a target of 267 to win in 48 overs.

Fucking hell Archer is a beast nearly knocked out the guy who replaced steve smith for concussion

Some conclusion now in the last session. Archer 'talked the talk', and he is certainly 'walking the walk' England slight favourites now for me, but draw a very close second.

As good as anything served up in' 05 in many ways this match!!

(18-08-2019 14:57 )aaron Wrote:  An unbeaten century by Ben Stokes led England to 258/5 declared, setting Australia a target of 267 to win in 48 overs.

It was always a long shot that the Aussies would 'take the bait' well above 5 rpo. Certainly not now with 3 down for 49

On the bright side of things, we're not 2 down with three to play and I would say Archer has to start in at Headingley

So a draw in the end, and given the match overall, a fair result for sure! The substitute for Smith showed that he should be given a place in the next match. Not an opener, but with Warner so badly out of touch, is he the one to give way??

(18-08-2019 18:45 )babelover48 Wrote:  On the bright side of things, we're not 2 down with three to play and I would say Archer has to start in at Headingley

Archer is nailed on for the series, not just Headingley!!

It would be so spooky if we won there again like we die in '81!!

The only difference to then is that we wouldn't be 500/1 to win it

Dominic Cork made a sensible point - yes he did honestly - about Denly up to open, and Roy swapping places with him. Not sure it is the only option, but logical all the same!!

I'm thinking it would probably make Roy more comfortable dropping down but where would Root come in? And should England take Ali to Headingley when he is so out of form and given Headingley's record, to me, it's never really been a good spinners' wicket?