Australia was so unlucky after the way they played in the 1st innings with Michael Clarke getting to to 180+,Australia should've won that but the lousy English weather wins again

The one thing that this Test highlighted was how much of a mess the ICC and the MCC have made of the game.
I won't go into the debacle that is called the DRS again (which some people reckon stands for "Don't Refer, Stupid!") as that's something that the ICC need to address urgently, but the MCC need to have some more people look at scenarios before changing Laws.
What I am specifically referring to is the situation that occurred on the 4th evening. The umpires were concerned about the light, to the extent that they suggested to Cook that he bowl spinners if they wanted to stay out there. Now, that was their first error, as it was drummed into us that you DO NOT suggest that to the captain. The mere sight of the umpires coming together should tell the fielding captain that the light may be a problem, so they don't need you to coach them. Having said that, it's the umpires' primary concern to look after the safety of the players, no argument there. HOWEVER, the Australians were scoring freely, and if the umpires had a concern about the fielders'safety, they surely would not have suggested bowling spin. So, instead of offering the light to the batsmen, as was the Law until 2010, the umpires just called play off. You cannot blame Clarke for being livid at the decision, even though rain stopped any chance of a resumption not long after.
The fact is, the game needs to go back to being simple. I don't mind the technology for run-outs, stumpings and obvious errors, but when 49% of the ball is hitting the stump on a referral and it is rejected because it's not 51%, and the fielding side loses a referral because of it, then maybe there is a problem?

4th Ashes test is about to begin England has won the toss & is batting first


England Team is unchanged from 3rd Test

Australia Team Changes:

In:
Jackson Bird

Out:
Mitchell Starc

That'll teach Starc to score runs and take wickets!

Seriously, Bird is a class act and should do well.

I don't get dropping someone who made it past 50 in the last test i'm all for Jackson Bird coming in they should've dropped Nathan Lyon

4th Ashes Test:Stumps Day 1 England 9/238,Nathan Lyon gets 4 wickets

Australia ends Day 2 at 5/222 with Chris Rogers on 101 no

Interestingly, Rogers is only the 17th oldest debut Test centurion, but the 2nd oldest Australian.
Obviously, such things as wars, bans and late recognition for countries come into it, but I think it's still an amazing stat.

I thought Australia had a chance with David Warner & Chris Rogers in the 2nd innings with Australia at 7/187 needing 299 for victory England have won this

Someone on the BBC website described it as a 'collapse of English quality'. I remember those days so well & never thought I'd see an Aussie team follow suit.

The Australian batting their are no words for how badly they are batting

Australia with 2 overs to go in the day 9/211

It's all over now!

Just read about the Ashes series going between women atm in England the Australian women are doing much better at beating England than the men

Perhaps we should swap the teams...

If you put Ellyse Perry in the Mens side she would go OK

I've seen wet tissue paper with more substance than our middle order. So who will play in the last test? My predictions:

Faulkner in for the injured Watson.

Hughes to replace Khawaja. I have a lot of time for Usman but I think he needs to get settled back on Australian wickets - he looks out of his depth at the moment.

Hopefully Harris will be fit.

Matthew Wade needs to come in,i agree with Faulkner

There seems to be a problem with the way batsmen are being developed in First class cricket and State cricket. Maybe too much pyjama game and 20/20. They don't seem to have the grit to grind out a big score.

The womens one off Ashes test ended in a draw

It's an interesting format for the women's matches. Points are awarded over all the games, including the one dayers and 20/20, and whichever team has the higher number wins the Ashes.

If it was applied to the mens Ashes series England will be winning by a landslide

I thought they already were...

This link was all Rossian's idea!

I wish I could remember who was saying this .. all I can remember is that is was a past Australian captain .. but he was saying that with all the different forms of cricket at the moment it is splitting up the top players so he doubts that we'll have the teams of the past with multiple world class players.

If you enjoy listening to podcasts then the "World Cricket Show" is a good one. It's the only one I've found that isn't by past international players (a good thing!) .. it's just a couple of blokes from Guernsey talking cricket. Bit of a laugh.

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This made me smile