[drewks]

I share most UK people's views about the Aussie 'spirit' when playing sport - pushing the boundaries of what is fair/acceptable, and going past that mark, obviously, very often.
BUT! I've got to say that the Aussie captain, Tim Paine, was unbelievably balanced and fair with his comments made so soon after the game.... to the point of even dismissing the lbw goof by the umpire at the end.
Fair play to the bloke.
Has the Australian mentality changed in the aftermath of the Ball Tampering Scandal?

[themaclad]

One thing about Stokes his spell with the ball on Friday was excellent

[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

I share most UK people's views about the Aussie 'spirit' when playing sport - pushing the boundaries of what is fair/acceptable, and going past that mark, obviously, very often.
BUT! I've got to say that the Aussie captain, Tim Paine, was unbelievably balanced and fair with his comments made so soon after the game.... to the point of even dismissing the lbw goof by the umpire at the end.
Fair play to the bloke.
Has the Australian mentality changed in the aftermath of the Ball Tampering Scandal?

Nah, Paine's just a nice guy generally (his remarks about Edgbaston notwithstanding). After the scandal, his selection as skipper probably was an effort to improve the image of the Aussie team, but I think sooner or later their media will either demand that he toughen up or call for his head. History suggests that Nice Aussies just don't prosper.

In fact, it's one more eerie parallel between 2019 and 1981 that he's quite reminiscent of Kim Hughes in his affability and sportsmanship.

[Lord Snooty]

Yes. I liked Kim Hughes. Good sportsman, as you say.

[Lord Snooty]

Anderson out for the rest of the series.

[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

That's a blow. We're likely to be pushing Broad, Archer, Woakes and Stokes to their very limit now in the last couple of Tests.

Got to wonder whether this is the beginning of the end for Jimmy in Test cricket. He's done well to carry on till 37, but time always comes knocking on the door sooner or later.

[themaclad]

Men's Ashes: England v Australia, fourth Specsavers Test (day two of five)
Australia 497-8 dec: Smith 211, Labuschagne 67, Paine 58, Starc 54*
England 23-1
England trail by 474 runs
Scorecard
Steve Smith's relentless double century demoralised England and put Australia in prime position to retain the Ashes after two days of the fourth Test at Old Trafford.

Smith remorselessly worked his way to 211 - taking advantage of being dropped by Jofra Archer on 65 and dismissed off a Jack Leach no-ball on 118 - to lead the tourists to 497-8 declared.

His third century of the series took his tally of runs to 584 and average to 194.66, all despite having missed the third Test because of concussion.

Even with the brilliance of Smith, England may have had the chance to chip away at the other end had Australia captain Tim Paine not been dropped twice in his 58.

Instead, their tired attack was flogged by Mitchell Starc's 54 not out as the tourists, who at various points could have been 246-6 or 273-6, surged towards a declaration.

England were given a difficult 10 overs to bat and lost Joe Denly to Matthew Wade's superb reaction catch at short leg to close on 23-1. Rory Burns has 15 and nightwatchman Craig Overton three.

All is not lost for the home side - the placid pitch should provide no obstacles as they bid to bat well into Saturday in order to get close to the Australia total.

However, because Australia have such a large score on the board, any sort of England collapse could see the Ashes secured with a Test to spare.

[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

Headingley suddenly feels a long time ago.

[0762]

Prob the best batsman in the world at the current time, badly missed from a Oz pt of view during the last test due to a nasty "ball hit" on the side of his head, and making up for lost time.

[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

Frustrating day. After losing the nightwatchman early doors, Burns and Root did all the hard work, but then three wickets in the last hour have swung it right back to Australia.