den

Brilliant series. Enjoyed every minute of it and didn’t want it to end. I still think England bossed the Aussies throughout. Australia spent most of the series hanging on to Englands coat tails. Why? Two reasons. Firstly this isn’t an Australia team to compare to previous Australia teams, although it’s still a bloody good one. Secondly, Englands positive approach throughout left them hanging on. All in all, watching the top players going head to head in any sport is just riveting. Was it Jim that asked why is Broad retiring? A lot of people will be asking that this morning, although to be fair he’d be nearly 40 by the time the Ashes come around again. What am I going to watch now?

The term “Bazball” is a bit poisonous when it comes to messageboard discussions. Bazball isn’t a thing, it doesn’t exist. McCullum and Stokes approach to test cricket is, if I understand it correctly allowing players the freedom to go out and express themselves freely and positively, to take the game to the opposition at all times, with no reproach for failure. They’re all professionals and will have to, Will want to, tailor their game to a winning approach. So forget the term Bazball and tell me why anybody would oppose that.

No I don’t count a game against Ireland. I keep saying it, barring the weather England would have been going to the oval 2-2 with a great chance of winning the ashes. Plus, on top of that having played the kind of attractive winning cricket that Boycott could only dream of. Why anyone would criticise the players, captain, coach or anyone else for the kind of approach and record under Stokes and McCallum totally beats me. I’ve been to a lot of test matches in my life. I’ve seen many of the greats. Enjoyed almost every minute of it. The cricket we’re seeing now is great to watch. Don’t take it for granted and don’t talk it down so much would be my view.

11 wins from 13 tests before the Ashes was very enjoyable. 2-1 down in the Ashes - which would have been 2-2 apart from the weather. I’m not sure where the idea that England aren’t winning test matches under McCullam and Stokes comes from.

They often will play in light rain, but umpires have to take into consideration the ability of bowling with a wet ball ( have you tried it) and also the pitch getting too wet.

Give me Stokes and McCullums approach to winning tests matches any day of the week. Some of you guys don’t remember the 5 day, 2 runs an over bore draws then?

I was there on Friday. As a member I’ve been on OT plenty of times in the last couple of seasons. for me the ground and stands have no flow to them. It’s just comprised of stand alone units. The point and the two hotels, while bringing in a shed load of dosh all year round, just look like they could be part of a business complex. They’re very nice inside I’ve no doubt at all but they look a bit lost to me. The money talks again with the temporary party stand. It allows for concerts and 8500 fans at test matches but it’s an ugly abomination of a thing when it’s up and leaves a huge gap of nothingness when it’s not. The building opposite the pavilion where the players and press are situated. What a soulless place that is. As for the Portaloos - well they’re disgusting places wherever they are. My mate used one at the end of play on Friday and said it was disgusting. You can imagine what it was like after around ten hours of use can’t you. So for me, I get completely why they have gone big on the corporate side of things. The overall design of the ground really could have been much better in my view. It looks more like a business park than an international sports stadium.

Well done to them? Theyve just suffered a hammering that wasn’t completed only because of virtually two full days of cricket washed out. That would have made it 2-2 with the momentum in Englands favour.

My guess is there’ll be no play at all today and the Aussies will retain the Ashes, having been given a hiding by England for the majority of the time. They should be mightily relieved if that’s the case.

I wouldn’t play Moeen at 3 - ever. He’s just technically not good enough there.

Trying to slow it down Gav.

Noooo!

😀yeah

Agony watching this.

I think the ashes have just gone.

My goodness

This pair have to get us to around 200 I reckon.

Oh dear

I’m well aware of Ducketts average. I’m looking at his technique.

Crawleys test average is 28.

Ducket’s just not good enough.

I would love to see the evidence that going along at 2 an over leads to success.

I’d love to know what you posters using the term “Bazball” actually think it is. for me it means getting ahead in every aspect of the game, of being positive in everything you do, of forcing the agenda and results. It doesn’t mean being totally reckless but getting that balance right is critical. If England go out today and play the old test cricket brand of going at 2 an over and taking no risks, the chances are they won’t get over the line. If they let the Aussies get on top of them, they’ll lose IMO. Keeping the run rate up is Englands best chance.

Aussies favourites for me. 250 is a long way away.

What a player Stokes is. When everyone before him look like they could get out at any ball, he comes in and makes it look easy. He’s played and missed a few times but so did all the Aussie batsmen. He can play the classical game and he can completely destroy the opposition. watch him get out now.