I had to chuckle at the reactions, and no, I didn't think it would be that close. I guess my prediction was scuppered by Agar. He could well be a star of the future, as an all-rounder.

 

Can't believe it ended up that close in the end. Even more surprised than me was my aussie friend.

 

The extra runs from Broad having cheated made the difference. Forgive me if I decline to celebrate; a cheat is not a win.

 

Some people walk some don't...that's cricket.

Hopefully there are swings and roundabouts and the aussies win the next test.

 

Some might say that it made up for Trott being given out LBW, when he'd clearly hit it. It's swings and roundabouts, so get over yourself.

 

The test scoreline says differently.

 

Quite.

 

There are plenty of sports where the officials get it wrong. Outside of the world of cricket and snooker you just don't see sportsmen and women give up on a game unless told to do so by a referee, these are the only 2 sports I can think of where "win at all costs" doesn't seem to apply.

The aussies will have to be more sensible with their use of appeals. No sense in wasting hawk eye opportunities because sooner or later you may need one.

 

Yes. Too many teams use DRS in hope that an umpire has made a mistake, rather than what it was designed for - as in eliminating "howlers". England have been frugal, a little too frugal in Joe Root's case. Had he revued his second innings dismissal, he'd have been not out. Still, I guess that's the inexperience of a 12 year old, LOL.

 

First blood to England! Great job guys.

Now for the spectacular Aussie fight-back to make it hinge on the last match

 

And then another 5 tests in Oz starting in november......there's never too much of Ashes cricket...

 

well said 69...test match cricket like this one has been is the best game in the world..fascinating stuff!

 

If the remaining nine tests are anywhere as good as the first, we'll all be in for a treat.

 

I am a stout Protea fan, but The Ashes is like the Grail, you are interested even when it has nothing to do with your team.But then again it's cricket and I LOVE cricket even got an app on my phone which only checks on cricket

 

From what I've seen of your posts here and in the stories section, you seem a decent guy, so I'd like to bid a belated welcome to you.

 

Heyessey, I agree with you here because I have just got in from a day's cricket and have been playing for the last 35 years or so. The batsman knows when he has edged it. So why do all batsmen not walk when they have edged it?
I personally think you are confusing the laws of cricket with the spirit of cricket.

An absolute gem of a contest and long live the Burnley Express!

I am still hoping for a whitewash!

Welcome to the cricket thread. We met all the Proteas when they were in The Netherlands before the Champions Trophy. A good crowd!

Test Cricket truly the king of sports!

Thinskin

 

Wow thanks meforyou, it is good to be noticed as a decent guy

With it being a gentleman's game, I always found it best to just walk when you edged it. You don't have to be happy about it, but it does give you a good rep. Sadly my career got cut short by a knee injury

That would be a testament to how the mighty have fallen in the Australian pov

I wish I could only once partake in a Test match and you met the Proteas, meh I haven't even had the guts to write fan-mail to my hero, much less even try to meet anybody famous.

 

Take part in a test match!!

These days if I have to run three, I have to give away a maiden over just to get my breath back!

Thinskin

 

Yeah that is kinda the problem, I can bat, but bowling (which I totally love) is out of the question...for now. I just have to lose the weight I gained after breaking my knee (only around 40lbs or 20kgs to go) and get to a person who can tell me what to do to strengthen my knee again and perhaps then I can get back into the cricket scene...but I doubt I will ever reach my full potential ever again.

 

Potential is something that other people talk about when you are a teenager. That has gone now. You are talking about enjoying a contest of bat against ball which is something you can do at any age.

Best of luck with your recovery.:rose: BTW when my back gave up I taught myself to off-spin, I still manage about 10-15 wickets a season.....and I am skipper because I can set a field.

Thinskin