Can categorically say that he absolutely is and could find you a dozen teachers that would say so (and much worse). As a sportsman though fantastic.

It was C4 in 2005 then it went exclusively to sky at some point before the next Test

2005 was the first bit of test cricket I properly watched. I remember it being the school holidays. I'd have been 13 and I think we still only had 4 channels so it was just by chance i put it on but after the first time I remember just getting up every day and going to put the cricket on. I wasn't the only one either. That was the moment to capitalise on the new found interest instead they took it off free to air TV and my interest in cricket became a passing glance at the big events. I'd say this series has done a lot to capture people's attention again and from my point of view it has been an entertaining series even when we've lost. Its a shame that the sports approach to time and scheduling has resulted in it fizzling out. Imagine what it would have done for interest in the sport if it was 2-2 going into a decider with momentum in the favour of the under dog. Now we're playing for a draw and the Aussies retain the ashes by default.

I get that as light is going down but the sun ain't going down at 630 at this time of year. One thing I don't get though is that it's claimed to be too dangerous for fast bowlers at a certain light yet at Lords(?) I watched as both teams chucked 85mph balls at batsmans bodies and head, why isn't that dangerous? Agreed. Needed to speed up. I don't like it regardless of who it benefits. I wouldn't want to win by default. As sports fans we surely want to see a game decided in play on the pitch not by the weather forecast in the dressing room. Imagine the football world cup gets postponed for whatever reason and they just decide its a draw. It wouldn't happen.

Again as an occasional cricket fan - test cricket will struggle to attract new fans if a test series, the apparent pinnacle of test series, can be decided by the weather. In no other sport would such a thrilling contest be allowed to fizzle out. This series should be 2-2 and set for the ultimate decider. Instead it fizzled out and England now playing for a draw. More flexibility needs ro be built into the timing. This time of year its light from 7am - 9pm yet we can only play 11-630 ( latest 730). When there was such heavy rain forecast for day 4 and 5 why are they not making them play the full 90 overs on the good days. Why are we wandering off for tea after two hours in the only weather window of the day. Why is there a pitch inspection at 12:15 and lunch taken at 12:20. In any other sport, if an event had been rained off it would be rescheduled. In any other sport every effort would have been made to get players on the pitch but cricket seems to be male every effort to keep them off it. It's a shame, the format of 5 day cricket is fantastic. The different strategies and scenarios that play out is griping. Letting it be decided by the weather is a compete disservice to the game

Yeah true that's been a huge issue as well. I just find cricket seems to be a giant exercise in finding as many ways to not be on the pitch as possible

What's with all the stupid breaks in cricket. It was clear there was limited playing time yesterday but they still took afternoon tea. They've been having drinks breaks galore and now they're taking lunch 5mins after the pitch inspection

Well my conclusion after checking several weather services is that weather forecasting is a crock of shite 🤣

A lot less optimistic about the weather today. Reckon there will be half an hour about 4 when it's not raining.

Back up to 60% rising to 80% by 1900. I've been told the met office app is one of the more optimistic ones so I'm choosing to ignore the others 🤣 Edit: Back up to 60% all day now boooo

Met office looks more optimistic for the afternoon...

What score will stokes declare on...

What do I know

Our top order is shite. Ali basically an opener at 3.

Didn't some guy on sky sports say we'd win by 4 wickets with woakes hitting the winning runs and we'd be done by tea. That ain't a bad shout at all!

From the POV of someone who doesn't wstch a lot of cricket this series has been absolutely thrilling to watch. I've been using the Father in laws sky go account to watch it but its a faff. If it was on free view I'd watch a lot more cricket. Its a shame sky dominate so much sport. On another note. Stokes was in the year above me at school. Absolute grade A cunt of a human being (teachers and students deacription) but my god what a fantastic sportsman he is.

As Warner was walking off my 10 month old looked up from bashing her various toys together and said "ta ta" and started waving at him 🤣. I think if she could have said "piss off you aussie prick" she would have

Imagine having the aussies at 80-4 and chucking it away....

Went for dinner at my parents the other day and my 7 year old niece piped up and said "can I tell a joke" so we all prepped ourselves for a terrible joke, fake laugh etc etc. Anyway it had us in absolute stitches coming from a 7 year old. Why do pumps smell? For the benefit of the deaf

https://www.ben-evans.com/benedictevans/2023/7/2/working-with-ai?utm_source=tldrai Fantastic read and perfectly articulates what AI will do and its impact on jobs etc

That's what I said. If you're attempting a run or batting out you're crease then fair enough but bairstow was doing neither. To me it's the same as in football not giving the ball back from a throw in after its been put out for an injury and then going on to score.

It's bad whoever does it. If we've done it before then we've no right to complain but it's still poor form. For me if you come out of your crease as part of your batting action or in an attempt to get a run then you're fair game for a stumping but if you're doing neither of those things it's a bit poor. That other clip posted of de grandwhathisface, I'd say is very different as he's down on his knees batting and has to come out of his crease to stand up. It's a different situation entirely, not saying it's right but they're very different.

One thing I like about cricket is everyone (well most people) playing within the spirit of the game. That said, as a leveller it would be hilarious to see Warner sent back first ball because of this

"In control" is subjective but I would have said if he's still falling he's not in control. Could he have turned round and passed the ball to someone stood next to him with out that ball touching the floor? Not a chance.

We all thought Dreams was going to have a spare Sunday looks like he's got his money worth