The Ashes

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

^^^

The weather should be better today but they can't rule out some brief interruptions.

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

Smith's a bit of a tedious bore really!

[Jack the Stripper]

England hasn't got anyone half as good as Smith   

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

^^
Well not with his consistency anyway.

Today the English reply was solid if a little slow, but  some quick wickets just before the close was irritating but frankly expected! 200 for 5 needing 298 to avoid the follow-on mark... not a guarantee, it depends which Stokes we get!

[Jack the Stripper]

Just for you Kilo incase you missed it 

 

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

Well done! You won the Ashes... but we won the World Cup!!

The difference between the teams was Smith, I'm not sure you would have won without him.

[Jack the Stripper]

Smith and our bowlers and you can throw in great captaincy too 

You didn't win the World Cup. You were awarded the World Cup on a flawed system/technicality

Australia has won 5 World Cups btw 

[Zzzptm]

So that's 33 wins for Australia and 32 for England.

Australia even wins at winning.

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

The fifth and final test started yesterday. England need to win this one to tie the series, although Australia have retained the Ashes as they are the holders.

After the first two innings England have a 69 run lead. Neither team had a really good score (294 and 225 respetively) and to be honest if it wasn't for Smith (80) Australia could be a lot further behind than they are. But we all know that England can easily seize defeat from a winning position, so I'm not getting my hopes up yet!

[Zzzptm]

BTW, I'm starting to get Cricket scores in my news feed! Google is watching me!

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

England's 2nd innings was okay, but promised more when they were 214 for 2, but the final total of 329 meant a 396 run chase for Australia in the last innings. That's a big total to chase for the win but they have nearly 2 days to do it. And while I expect Smith to get another big score, will he run out of partners before they get there?

[Jack the Stripper]

I can't see Australia chasing this total down, particularly now losing 2 early wickets. They are not a great 4th innings chasing team, which begs the question, why on earth did Paine send England into bat after winning the toss? He handed them back the advantage by doing so.
The golden rule is, when in doubt, you always bat first.

Another thing Australia is really poor at is the DRS, it straight up cost them the 3rd test and a series win and they've been equally poor at their reviews in this test.

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

^^^
I'll feel more confident once the 3rd wicket falls... preferably Smith!


EDIT: Just as I posted, Labuschagne was stumped. While it wasn't Smith, Labuschagne has been the only other consistent batsmen in the last few tests.

[Jack the Stripper]

^^Smith & Wade are gonna have to make centuries each if they are gonna have any hope.

England are bowling well.

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

Whoah! Smith went cheaply (23)... I'm looking out the window for airborne pork and blue moons!!