The Convicts Return

[philipl]

I'd have been very happy to take 319-7 for today at start of play.

It was absolutely certain that at least one Aussie bowler was going to produce something out of the top drawer. I was certain McGrath was going to bowl something like that immortal spell Michael Holding produced on a batting heaven at The Oval (8-52 I think) but Warne was yet again the man of the innings.

I doubt we will get above 350 all out and expect we will be facing a first innings deficit. Whether it is a potential match losing deficit depends on England taking their chances- Australia took their's today.

The Ashes are still in the balance. I feared we could have lost them today so on that basis, it was a decent day's work.

[Manchester Blue]

It's a very good point that has been made about waiting to see what the Aussies do on the pitch before reading too much into it. Edgbaston was supposed to be a batters paradise but the the Aussies just got above 300, OT didn't give much help to the bowlers and again the they struggled. At this stage of the game we have more runs than the Aussies have mae in any 1st innings in the series. My only slight worry is that we are a bowler light in effect. However as has been pointed out Harmison is due one and this pitch could well suit him. An interesting day awaits.

[neekoy]

Good recovery by England but I think Australia can be happy at the moment as long as they can knock over the tailenders early

Fifth day Australia needing to chase 130 in one session

[SouthAussieRover]

I managed to make it to the tea break before I fell asleep.

Well done to both teams on another gripping day's play.

[neekoy]

Ha Ha same here, I am struggling at work today though. Think an early mark is in order

How many Brits made it to work yesterday?

[pg]

Once again, everyone is in denial.

Taking into account the state of that pitch (i.e. a batsman's paradise) and the forecast for rain later into the test, England are in the box seat.

If they manage to scrape together 350 for the first innings, it will take a miracle for the Australians to win it from there. Now a couple of times this series they've almost managed miracles...but they've always fallen short.

I'm still amazed that people think that the Australian batsman can put together 5-600 when most of them are struggling to average over 30 in the four tests so far.

Losing Jones is a big blow for England...no doubt about that... but I'm sure Harmison and Flintoff will cause enough problems to make sure that the Aussies don't have much (if any) of a 1st innings lead.

[SouthAussieRover]

Current forecast

http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/5day.shtml?world=0008

[pg]

Latest I heard was :

Saturday & Sunday - sunshine and showers.

Fri 30% chance of rain

Sat 60%

Sun 30%

Mon 10%

Really, Australia had to skittle England for less than 300 to have a decent chance of winning the in the equivalent of four days.

Edited September 9, 2005 by pg

[philipl]

There will be shower interuptions on the week-end but I don't think they will amount to much. Bad light if there is cloud cover is likely to curtail play even if the spinners are operating.

However, at worst, we are looking at a four and a half day test.

As I have already said, I feared England would lose the Test and Ashes on Day 1. They haven't- it is still wide open.

Now the battle is joined and England have survived a day of Warne bowling at the top of his ability, there is enough character (as well as ability) in this England team that they ought to make sure from here that Australia can only win if they produce one of the greatest performances of all time.

All the tactical problems are with Australia even if they skittle the tail to reduce England to an all out total of sub 350.

How do they approach the batting? The Aussies have been giving cheap wickets away this Series so do they go high tempo in the knowlege they are likely to see the wickets falling regularly or do they take advantage of the benign pitch and wait for the bad ones to hit?

If I were them, I'd go for occupation of the crease knowing the runs will come. It might take until Sunday lunch (after shower breaks), but that is the surest way to force England to have to fight a rearguard action in their second innings.

In contrast, for England this morning, a gung-ho swinging of the willow if one or more of the tail-enders get their eye in for an hour or so could all but put the Ashes out of reach. Warne gets the wickets but his stats also show he's there to be hit into the gas holders as well. Thus far, all the Aussie quickies have dissolved under the pressure of big hitting.

I fear the tail will be told to be cautious and a sub-350 figure is inevitable.

[Manchester Blue]

Once again, everyone is in denial.

Taking into account the state of that pitch (i.e. a batsman's paradise) and the forecast for rain later into the test, England are in the box seat.

If they manage to scrape together 350 for the first innings, it will take a miracle for the Australians to win it from there.  Now a couple of times this series they've almost managed miracles...but they've always fallen short.

I'm still amazed that people think that the Australian batsman can put together 5-600 when most of them are struggling to average over 30 in the four tests so far.

Losing Jones is a big blow for England...no doubt about that... but I'm sure Harmison and Flintoff will cause enough problems to make sure that the Aussies don't have much (if any) of a 1st innings lead.

345674[/snapback]

Fair point re the Aussie batting which I made earlier, they haven't score 350+ in a 1st innings so why will they now. Despite what a few made out the pressure is definitely on them so it will have an effect. I don't think the weather will have much of an impact to be honest although the forecast changes by the hour.

Got half a day today so looking forward to some decent cricket watching.

[pg]

So who's coming out to Australia for the rematch?

[jim mk2]

Weather will be OK for the weekend. It never rains when England need it !

[SAS]

its bloody raining up here though ffs

[Cheshireblue]

How many Brits made it to work yesterday?

345673[/snapback]

The vast majority of us. You see, we have a work ethic over here, and a sense of right and wrong. It's what sets us apart from you lot.

[pg]

The vast majority of us. You see, we have a work ethic over here, and a sense of right and wrong. It's what sets us apart from you lot.

345702[/snapback]

So this planned open-topped bus parade running through Marble Arch for the victorious England squad...

...presumably the only people watching the parade will be ex-pat convicts throwing empty VB cans at them

[Flopsy]

The Aussies have to come out and attack - therefore gives our bowlers a chance (can we sub Pierterson now so he cant drop any more bloody catches)

I think that as well as Harmy and Flintoff aiming for the batsman's throats that Vaughan will use a tactic that worked really well in South Africa, which is bowling wide of the off stump - this means the batsmen have to reach for the ball if they want to score and therefore increase the chances of them buggering it right up. Also it keeps the score down significantly. Looking at cloud cover this afternoon so we might well get some swing for Hoggard.

Harmy's due a half century with the bat too.

[SouthAussieRover]

Bye bye Jones

Jones b Lee 8-325.

[adopted scouser]

That's the 400 gone then.

[Flopsy]

Come on the wheeliebin

[SouthAussieRover]

Wakey wakey umpire Koertzen.

[Flopsy]

makes up for Collingwood yesterday - it pitched outside the line Mr Umpire sir

[SouthAussieRover]

Hoggard out c Martyn b McGrath

[Flopsy]

this is fun isnt it

[SouthAussieRover]

England all out for 374.

[Flopsy]

Nice to see the Tail wagging for a bit

Gutted that Harmy didnt get his 50

(Giles was never LBW put it makes up for that turned down caught behind)