Pitch inspection at 11. They're so slow.

Red and Blue Army!

I don't think you're wrong. The Met Office is forecasting a 90%+ chance of rain until 6 in Manchester.

Fed up of some of this rain nonsense. Pitch inspection followed by a 45 minute wait until play starts and if there a drop of rain, it’s all over again.

Is it too obvious to cover the whole pitch rather than just the wicket? Just need some kind of pole to raise it in the middle and all the water will run off. Keeps the pitch dry, can whip it off in 10 mins and play.

The Aussies were lucky with the weather, but we’ve benefited in the past and being 2-1 up they’ve earned the right for a bit of luck, all those what ifs from the first two tests that we lost, the rain wouldn’t have been such an issue now if they’d gone the other way. Ben Stokes still a bit snappy when questioned about declaring so early in the first test.

I think they got a couple of selections wrong, Ali is a debatable one but Bairstow as wicketkeeper I think has cost us.....eight catches dropped by a keeper isn't a statistic that beats the world number one team. I think this has proven a series too far for Anderson....and I think sentimentality has cost us on that front.

But while I think we all regard Bazball as entertaining I think this was a series that was there to be won.....and they aren't admitting they've blown it....they simply shouldn't have lost both of those first two tests.

What I find a little irritating is Stokes's attitude.....I'm not that happy when my captain shrugs his shoulders. He's a good player but there seems less nous then I'd like in a captain.

Edited by Stirlingsays (24 Jul 2023 8.06am)

'Who are you and how did you get in here? I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith.' (Leslie Nielsen)

Nah, there's often a lot of great drama in hanging in for a draw. It's part of Test cricket. Some kind of protocols need to be put in place to ensure a minimum amount of play takes place - perhaps 360 overs.

More efficient pitch covers/rain turnaround, starting early/finish late if there is poor weather forecasted, have a potential day 6 if required. All seem simple solutions to me.

Having rain wipe out almost 2 days to effectively end what has been such a fantastic series is a bad look for cricket. The game must evolve and improve to avoid this type of situation again.