Carlton Supporters Club

Boland... The lack of penetration is concerning.

Did you watch?

Boland's last spell he beat the edge over and over again but couldn't but a nick, Stokes couldn't lay bat on ball, and Boland didn't need to resort to the costly short rubbish like Cummins or Starc!

In that session where Wood and Stokes carted Cummins, Starc and Murphy all over the ground, why was wasn't Boland given a crack?

Is that what you meant to write?

I couldn't work it out either, if not for an "Umpires Call" Boland had Stokes done cold LBW, hitting the middle of middle stump, but courtesy of some fag paper thick virtual line on the pitch the batsmen get the benefit of the doubt because the system says not more than half the ball is inside the virtual line, thank the BCCI for that one!

I didn't realise the rules of cricket stated a percentage that has to pitch in line before it is deemed to pitch in line!

Then Boland beat Stokes and Ali, multiple times, but only bowled one bouncer in the entire spell, was Boland penalised for not towing the company line, who knows! But it was ridiculous cricket, and every time they start bowling short to Stokes it plays into his hands!

I suppose the NSWelshmen are slagging off Murphy as well for being carted, but reality is he had Stokes done two or three times in his first couple of overs if not for missed catches, those first few overs went for just 1 run an over. Then it was too late Stokes was off and running and making them all look pedestrian.

Then when the chance is there to bury the Poms, Smith and Labuschagne have melt downs, it was bizarre.

I'd be monitoring both teams for signs of Indian bookmakers!

Id ask why Marsh wasnt given overs when Stokes was going, everything he has been touching has turned to gold and his forte is short format cricket which is essentially what is being played now.
England cant expect a banged up Stokes to carry the team and I wouldnt be surprised if he doesnt play the next test if the Ashes are lost. He cant keep playing these whirlwind innings and is due for a low score soon, he played a tired sore shot to get out and even when he was dropped I didnt put it down to great bowling more him being forced to play big shots to try and get England some runs as the rest of his batsmen were contributing nothing and getting out.
We should win this test comfortably imo and we have the potential for a clean sweep if Stokes doesnt play again this series...