[Archived] The Ashes

[Scotty]

Don't worry - we'll p1ss it.

[SouthAussieRover]

Beautiful

Isn't she just?:

http://ralph.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=341725

[philipl]

England are going to have to bat incredibly well to build a lead of any size in these conditions. I wouldn't be surprised if that first evening session doesn't give the Aussies the upper hand in this match.

[DeadlyDirk]

Isn't she just?:

http://ralph.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=341725

Well I have no idea what Johnson's problem is, she's just improved my wrist action tremendously

[modes98]

England are going to have to bat incredibly well to build a lead of any size in these conditions. I wouldn't be surprised if that first evening session doesn't give the Aussies the upper hand in this match.

England are in control but the draw is odds on. 147 runs behind and 8 wickets remaining, even england can manage to get a decent lead.

[DeadlyDirk]

England are in control but the draw is odds on. 147 runs behind and 8 wickets remaining, even england can manage to get a decent lead.

Yeh almost certain to be a draw at this stage with no play at the moment and more weather to come.

The current odds have the draw at big favourite at 2/7, an England win at 4/1 and an Aussie win at 15/2.

With England only 2 down we effectively have nearly 3 innings to probably fit into 2 days play maximum. Can't see any other outcome unless Australia completley collapase again which is unlikely or if England some how end up with a first innings defecit.

Next inspection today is 1.30, not looking promising for much play today though, they said it's almost as bad as day 1, so perhaps a 3 or 4pm start if were lucky again. No wind and no sun to move the weather along they've just said.

Watch the odds quickly change after that report

[langhoblue]

If anyone interested there are still tickets available for the next test at headingley - the Yorkies put em for sale on their website yesterday

[Exiled_Rover]

This is why some people can't understand cricket - get out there and play already.

[pg]

You do realise its a summer game right?

I know you poms have a strange idea of what 'summer is' mind you....

[DeadlyDirk]

You do realise its a summer game right?

I know you poms have a strange idea of what 'summer is' mind you....

I expect the Aussies are all doing a rain dance in the changing rooms trying to salvage a draw!

[Exiled_Rover]

You do realise its a summer game right?

I know you poms have a strange idea of what 'summer is' mind you....

They should abandon play for the day at this point - they had no intention of going out there even though at worst it was 'spitting'. Now the weather has got much worse so there's almost no chance of any play.

[DeadlyDirk]

They should abandon play for the day at this point - they had no intention of going out there even though at worst it was 'spitting'. Now the weather has got much worse so there's almost no chance of any play.

You got your wish

Play abandonded.

Has to be a draw now. 1/8 on.

[Ozz]

Draw most likely-but it would probably only need the last two days full of play to get a result one way or t'other.

[Flopsy]

Got back from a very very very wet Edgbaston. The inspection at 2.30 was looking good as it hadnt rained for about two hours, then the heavens opened.

I did however get to meet Ravi Bopara and ask Shane Watson whether he was injured yet. He said no, with a laugh.

[DeadlyDirk]

Got back from a very very very wet Edgbaston. The inspection at 2.30 was looking good as it hadnt rained for about two hours, then the heavens opened.

I did however get to meet Ravi Bopara and ask Shane Watson whether he was injured yet. He said no, with a laugh.

Ah gutting you didn't get to see any play, did you get a full refund since there was no play or are you off there today?

Play due to start at 12, commentators still think there is enough time to force a result but I guess any chance of that relies on no more rain breaks really, still seeing it being a draw myself.

[AussieinUk]

I see Rudi is bang on form again..

Bell gets another life

[emerton]

I see Rudi is bang on form again..

Bell gets another life

that second one wasn't going over - regardless of what hawk eye showed.

[AussieinUk]

that second one wasn't going over - regardless of what hawk eye showed.

Agreed.. Never going over, don't care if it did hit Bell above the knee roll. The decisions over the last two tests (for both sides) have been disgraceful to say the least..

When is Watson going to bowl?

[DeadlyDirk]

I'm surprised we haven't seen Watson yet at all, bit odd.

The Bell decision looked out as clear as day but the more I see it the more I think it was going slightly over, not just from the hawkeye, but from the slow motion side angle they have just shown.

Yesterday was plum as could be though!

Here's an interesting one for you though, if the Bell decision today had gone to the referral system do you think they would have went for out or not out?

[nowthen]

I see Rudi is bang on form again..

Bell gets another life

that second one wasn't going over - regardless of what hawk eye showed.

It was going over.

You Aussies can't use hawkeye to show the umpire is wrong (i.e. Mitchell Johnson's dismissal in the 1st innings) and then disregard it when it doesn't back up what you say. Just because Warney thought it was out doesn't mean it was, he thought they were all out when he was bowling.

[AussieinUk]

Here's an interesting one for you though, if the Bell decision today had gone to the referral system do you think they would have went for out or not out?

If referrals were used and as the projected path of the ball is not used (I.e. Hawkeye) in the decision process, IMV it would have been out.

Draw is still on the cards.

Watson not bowling really confuses me atm. Either Aust have been caught short without a reserve batsman (something I alluded too a few days ago) or Watson is in the XI as a batter and not an all-rounder. Strange, as I was under the impression that the selection was for two reasons;

1. Replace Hughes as opener

2. Provide cover against Johnsons lack of form (another quick) in the attack

EDIT: I see Lee looks like a strong option for the fourth test.. Mix in Clark and McDonald and the options are there.

[philipl]

Idiot shot from Collingwood.

That is the stupidity running through the England batting that will make the difference between an easy Ashes win and a nail-biter.

[DeadlyDirk]

If referrals were used and as the projected path of the ball is not used (I.e. Hawkeye) in the decision process, IMV it would have been out.

Draw is still on the cards.

Watson not bowling really confuses me atm. Either Aust have been caught short without a reserve batsman (something I alluded too a few days ago) or Watson is in the XI as a batter and not an all-rounder. Strange, as I was under the impression that the selection was for two reasons;

1. Replace Hughes as opener

2. Provide cover against Johnsons lack of form (another quick) in the attack

EDIT: I see Lee looks like a strong option for the fourth test.. Mix in Clark and McDonald and the options are there.

I think Lee will add the much needed aggression which currently seems to be lacking from an unusual quiet Australian team, but I also think Lee will bring the best out of England and force them to be a little more focused and not perhaps show a touch of complacency which seems to be there in a few of the lazy shots that some of the batsmen have got out too over the course of the series.

They've just shown the highlights of the 2005 2nd test and it's really got the adrenaline flowing again, would love us to get back on top for the rest of the day and get a 100 run lead or so then hopefully bowl you out cheaply and knock off a quick 50 or so. In all honesty though it's quite precariously posied at the moment, 2 quick wickets have certainly brought down the odds of the draw, a few more quick wickets and Australia could find themselves in a lead and we might be the ones fighting to save the game.

Interesting test, still time for a result, will be a shame if more weather makes the draw a formality.

[jim mk2]

Fifty for Bell with perhaps the luck he needs to get his Test career going again.

Attractive batsman to watch when he is in form. Beautiful cover drive in the Vaughan class.

Poor, lazy stroke from Collingwood.

[brfcshabba]

Bell gone.

We will probably end up with the same total as the Aussies