[Archived] The Ashes

[jim mk2]

Bell finally out leg-before.

He has a technical fault in that he leans too far to the off side, causing him to over-balance and play round his front leg. He needs to stand much straighter.

Just like me when I played for England.

[brfcshabba]

Just like me when I played for England.

Was that the bodyline series?

[DeadlyDirk]

I think it's now obvious why Watson hadn't bowled earlier

[DeadlyDirk]

Really wish I could have been there today, what a day's cricket, the evening session is getting even better with a few confrontations, the crowd are terrific today and seem to be getting louder and louder.

You can't beat test cricket, this is what it's all about whatever the outcome may be in the test.

I think the interest and passion is really building now in this series.

EDIT: I think Warney must have read my post, he pretty much just quoted it word for word haha

[T4E]

Agreed DD, it doesn't get any better than this!

England all out for 376, a lead of 113. Superb batting from Broad, creamed a quick fire 55 after tea to set this up nicely.

[DeadlyDirk]

What a ball from Swanny, bye bye Ricky!!

Come on England!!

[brfcshabba]

One more before the close will do nicely

[Exiled_Rover]

England have had a great day, we've lost so much time in the game.

[T4E]

England have had a great day, we've lost so much time in the game.

Shame isn't it, this is a result wicket and we're probably not going to get one.

As much as I love test cricket, it is a bit of a turn off. Why don't they provision a reserve day for cases like this?

[AussieinUk]

Shame isn't it, this is a result wicket and we're probably not going to get one.

As much as I love test cricket, it is a bit of a turn off. Why don't they provision a reserve day for cases like this?

I agree T4E, but until the ICC gets tougher on scheduling, there is no way of including an extra 12-16 days in the calender.. Cut down on the number of ODI's might be start...

I wish we could go back to the day of six ashes tests.

[Flopsy]

what, like the 5th day?

Maybe Ponting and Nielsen not (Please don't use that word again)ing around at the start of today trying to prove a square foot of pitch was too slippy to play, whilst using trainers, instead of spikes might have helped.

[pg]

Watching Shane Watson bowl is like watching a lame horse on his last trot before he gets shot.....

[Nate]

This is great watching this unfold. I'm not a massive Cricket fan, but serve Australia right.

[modes98]

Got my tickets for tomorrow and I am very happy with the state of the game. 4 wickets in the morning would be nice.

[Flopsy]

if we're to win, we need 6 before lunch, and not for a lot. Weather will be excellent for bowling this afternoon

[Guest Kamy100]

Result is most certainly possible especially if we get the full 98 overs. England are quite capable of getting the Aussies allout for 250, however if the Aussies can get through the morning session they could push on in the afternoon session and get a lead of 250 they could put England in for the last session and it is not beyond the realms that we could see one of the famous English batting collapses.

[RibbleValleyRover]

Looks like Australia are going to pay for fielding a very sub standard bowling attack. Hilfenhaus has been the only one who will probably come out with some credit out of this series. Should have played Clark, if he isn't taking wickets at least he is accurate and keeps the runs down.

If England take a couple of wickets early then its looking like a win.

Maybe its just me but this series so far hasn't excited me, perhaps its because i prefer an even contest and a hard fought victory. This England team aint as great as the media likes people to believe, but with this Australian bowling attack they haven't been really tested.

[Exiled_Rover]

I agree T4E, but until the ICC gets tougher on scheduling, there is no way of including an extra 12-16 days in the calender.. Cut down on the number of ODI's might be start...

I wish we could go back to the day of six ashes tests.

Warne had a good idea on Saturday when the Sky boys were filling time hoping for the rain to stop. His idea was to cut ODIs entirely out of the schedule and replace them with Twenty20 matches. This would give the players more time to do their own thing (like play for their counties for example) and it'd also give the powers that be more flexibility in arranging matches.

He was saying that the Ashes tour next year is ridiculous - several Twenty20 matches, 5 tests then 7 ODIs. It's cricket overload - the ODIs won't be sold out as the teams will have played each other far too much and the shine rubs off.

[jim mk2]

Maybe its just me but this series so far hasn't excited me, perhaps its because i prefer an even contest and a hard fought victory. This England team aint as great as the media likes people to believe, but with this Australian bowling attack they haven't been really tested.

There was nothing more tense, nervous and exciting than England's escape in Cardiff and the victory at Lord's when Flintoff bowled his socks off on the final morning.

This is a very even contest. How close do you want it at 1-0 ? One bad session by England and the series will be 1-1.

I have not read anywhere the press have said this is a great England team. Plus England's batsmen don't need to be tested - they get themselves out anyway.

Apart from that , good post.

Similar to your tripe on the political and football messageboards.

[RibbleValleyRover]

There was nothing more tense, nervous and exciting than England's escape in Cardiff and the victory at Lord's when Flintoff bowled his socks off on the final morning.

This is a very even contest. How close do you want it at 1-0 ? One bad session by England and the series will be 1-1.

I have not read anywhere the press have said this is a great England team. Plus England's batsmen don't need to be tested - they get themselves out anyway.

Apart from that , good post.

All comes down to individual opinion Jim, i haven't found myself glued to the TV like i was in 2005, finding the series pretty boring. There may be people out there who are really excited about it, just hasn't been for me.

I don't see how it is an even contest, the Aussie bowling attack is garbage, I could score off them. The England Batsmen have hardly been tested, only Hilfenhaus has on a consistent basis made them play. If you aren't taking wickets you need to keep it tight and frustrate, something they cannot do.

Similar to your tripe on the political and football messageboards.

I love you too Jim

[jim mk2]

All comes down to individual opinion Jim, i haven't found myself glued to the TV like i was in 2005, finding the series pretty boring. There may be people out there who are really excited about it, just hasn't been for me.

I don't see how it is an even contest, the Aussie bowling attack is garbage, I could score off them. The England Batsmen have hardly been tested, only Hilfenhaus has on a consistent basis made them play. If you aren't taking wickets you need to keep it tight and frustrate, something they cannot do.

I love you too Jim

If you find this series boring you must have attention deficit syndrome. 2005 was exceptional but this is a good contest between 2 evenly matched teams.

I can only repeat that England's batsmen can find numerous ways of getting themselves out against the most ordinary attack.

As a former club cricketer who played to a reasonable level I can guarantee that you would not score runs against a first-class bowling attack. Club players just cannot see a ball bowled at more than 80mph.

[Iceman]

This is good stuff from Clarke and North. Clarke has been a bit Icemanesque in his shot selection. A bad session by England in the next test, and Australia could be back in it. If you give the Aussies a glimmer of hope, then they will make you pay.

[AussieinUk]

Shame that North has just thrown his wicket away for 96.. Good effort and valuable partnership.

Dec should be coming as soon as Clarke gets out or his ton.. Leaves about twenty overs.

[T4E]

Clarke just edged to Anderson off a no ball.

He's having a bit of luck here.

[AussieinUk]

Clarke just edged to Anderson off a no ball.

He's having a bit of luck here.

What about the ball knicking the off stump and no movement on the bails

EDIT: Congrats to pup. Declared draw