Rob Smyth's Blog, page 53
July 7, 2023
The Ashes 2023: England v Australia, third Test, day two – as it happened
Ben Stokes smashed five sixes and Pat Cummins took six wickets before Australia finished another dramatic day on 116-4, a lead of 142
“Looking forward to today, any news on Ollie Robinson?” asks Shaun Holmes. He was on the field doing some stretches of his back just now, so looks like he’s trying to come good. He could do with not having to bowl until tomorrow, I’d say. Memo to England’s batting.
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July 6, 2023
The Ashes 2023: England v Australia, third Test, day one – as it happened
Mitch Marsh (118 off 118 balls) and Mark Wood (5 for 34) were the stars of a pulsating opening day at Headingley
England
Zak Crawley
Ben Duckett
Harry Brook
Joe Root
Jonny Bairstow +
Ben Stokes *
Moeen Ali
Chris Woakes
Ollie Robinson
Stuart Broad
Mark Wood
Australia
David Warner
Usman Khawaja
Marnus Labuschagne
Steve Smith
Travis Head
Mitchell Marsh
Alex Carey +
Mitchell Starc
Pat Cummins *
Todd Murphy
Scott Boland
July 1, 2023
The Ashes second Test: England chasing 371 to beat Australia on day four – as it happened
Australia are closing in on a 2-0 lead in the Ashes after England ended a surreal day on 114-4, needing another 257 to win
They did get the square covers down eventually, now they’re rolling them up again. Still 18 minutes before the scheduled start, might yet get going on time.
Jonathan Liew to finish, who spent most of yesterday looking extremely perplexed, and most of this column sounding the same way.
Continue reading...June 30, 2023
The Ashes 2023: England v Australia, second Test, day three – as it happened
Australia blew away England’s lower order at Lord’s before extending their lead to 221 with eight wickets remaining
Test Match Special overseas link? Go on then.
“I’ve mellowed overnight on this, but I’m still a bit irked by that hour,” writes Guy Hornsby. “I think I can be on board with this brand of cricket, but not to the exclusion of all else surely? How many hooks are ok to a field feeding that plan, before it gets brainless? Surely you have to read the game too, as Stokes did when he came in? If we’ve learnt from it today and can bat positively and get past Australia then it could turn the series. Surely egos aren’t so fragile as to have to assert themselves in all scenarios? This team has been outstanding and breathless and inventive, and they are still learning. We’re all here for the ride, but if they take anything into today it’s that pressure can be applied in many different ways, and plans aren’t binary.”
Continue reading...June 28, 2023
The Ashes 2023: England v Australia, second Test, day one – as it happened
England were insipid in the field, but Australia batted brilliantly to reach 339 for five after losing an important toss at Lord’s
1st over: Australia 4-0 (Warner 4, Khawaja 0) Four slips, James Anderson with the ball under cloudy skies, and the over has most things. A beaten edge as Warner flays, a middled shot for four through as Warner goes after width, and a ball that comes in to hit the pad.
Players out on the field and we’re ready to go.
Continue reading...June 25, 2023
Women’s Ashes Test: Australia set England target of 268 to win on day four – as it happened
Ash Gardner put Australia in the box seat with three quick wickets to reduce England to 116 for five, still needing another 152 runs
20th over: Australia 84-0 (Mooney 34, Litchfield 42) Cross gets us underway and Mooney starts with an immediate single to get Litchfield on strike. Litchfield is a little more cautious, defending back for three balls before taking a single of her own. No signs of concern about these looming storms just yet, just easing into the day to start with.
Here’s how the pitch is looking for day four – you’ll spot the beautiful blue sky Tor referred to in the background also!
Continue reading...June 22, 2023
Women’s Ashes Test: England v Australia, day one – as it happened
Ellyse Perry was out for 99 as Australia had the better opening day, although England found some late wickets at Trent Bridge
No Lanning, no crisis
Australia will miss Meg Lanning, because she’s a genius, but her absence is not the scary prospect it would have been a few years ago.
Continue reading...Women’s Ashes Test match, day one: England v Australia – live
The teams
There are likely to be three Test debutants: Lauren Filer for England, Phoebe Litchfield and Kim Garth for Australia. Garth played 114 times for Ireland before moving to Australia in 2020.
Test match Trent Bridge, 22-26 June
1st T20 Edgbaston, 1 July
2nd T20 The Oval, 5 July
3rd T20 Lord’s, 8 July
1st ODI Bristol, 12 July
2nd ODI Rose Bowl, 16 July
3rd ODI Taunton, 18 July
Continue reading...June 20, 2023
Scotland 2-0 Georgia: Euro 2024 qualifier affected by rain delay – as it happened
Callum McGregor and Scott McTominay continued Scotland’s great start to qualification in a game that finished at 11.20pm
Topical pre-match music
Steve Clarke speaks
We need to be on the front foot tonight, we need to create chances, and putting Billy [Gilmour] in midfield should give us better control in that area.
The lad from Napoli is a really good player, Kvaratskhelia. They’re a good side – they’ve got a number of other good players and their coach has got them very well organised.
Continue reading...June 19, 2023
The Ashes 2023: England strike late as Australia chase 281 to win first Test – as it happened
England require seven wickets to win on day five, while Australia need 174 runs for victory after what has been an enthralling day four
And last on our list of links, one of the great mysteries of the OBO. I am only its servant, so who am I to question?
Behold, the Test Match Special overseas listening link.
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