[Archived] The Ashes

[T4E]

Wonderful catch by North, superb reflexes.

Cook now has a massive role to play.

[RibbleValleyRover]

Bopara gone.

Collapse on the cards?

[T4E]

Was the ball that got Bopara a no ball? Very very close if not.

[AussieinUk]

Bopara out to Hilfenhaus. Stupid stroke by Bopara.. He needs to be moved down the order.

[DeadlyDirk]

1-1 all to play for at The Oval???

Not a good start that's for sure, Ravi has been found out it would seem against better opposition, he certainly hasn't got the runs required in the series anyway.

[jim mk2]

Good old England. One bad session and the series is over.

Said we would need the extra batsman.

[Guest Kamy100]

2 very stupid shots have cost England. Aussies coming back strong.

[DeadlyDirk]

Good old England. One bad session and the series is over.

Said we would need the extra batsman.

I'm normally optomistic and would say it's just one session but unless the middle order produce something magnificent were going to struggle to get to 200 which will only give Australia more confidence. Have to wonder just how freely Prior can bat as well after his back trouble. He might be batting a lot earlier than they hoped!!

[ffan]

Hilfenhaus delivery that got Bopara was a legal one.

[Exiled_Rover]

Bell's gone now too, (Please don't use that word again)ing terrible batting this morning. We're going to rue not bringing in a batter.

[AussieinUk]

Another down, good bowling by Midge

[jim mk2]

Pathetic performance by England's batsmen.

Test cricket is a game of patience and application, something they do not understand.

[DeadlyDirk]

I have to say I'm very much enjoying playing Ashes 09 on the PS3, shame about the dross I'm watching at the same time on the sky player.

[AussieinUk]

Colly out! good bowling from Clark.. Glad he is back in the Aust line-up.

All four pace bowlers now have a wicket.

[RibbleValleyRover]

Collingwood gone.

Prior in now, can he play with those spasms?

[DeadlyDirk]

I've said Clark should be in from the start (Or at least someone to give consistency and control) puts so much less pressure on the likes of Johnson (Who seems to be returing to form over the last test and this one) at the other end.

So was I being ambitious when I said we'd struggle to get to 200? Perhaps 100 maybe.

Could do with a double ton from Cook and some others to stick around now, simples.

Collingwood gone.

Prior in now, can he play with those spasms?

Hey steady on, the rest of our batters aren't that bad! ............... Oh right you said spasms, sorry thought you said something else.

[Exiled_Rover]

Bloody hell! Well here's hoping we get lucky with the weather like the Aussies were when we were on top. The England dressing room needs to be doing their rain dance right about now.

[T4E]

Morning from hell.

Lets call it off now and head to the Oval. Winner takes all.

[den]

Strauss has just shown how to come into a big game totally unprepared and lose a test match in the first hour.

Football before a game - no concentration - Strauss laughing at the situation when Collingwood is trying the gloves for size. Truly awful approach.

[RibbleValleyRover]

Johnson bowling a lot better so far, looking like the Johnson that is fourth in the test rankings. Clark just bowls in the right areas and keeps it tight so metronomic. Australia should have played him from the start.

[American]

I'm just learning the game, but even to me this doesn't look good for England...

[Plastic Head]

Absolutely ludicrous team selection.

Why have we got a no-mark New Zealander and a Pakistani picking the team.

Surely Bopara should have gone by now. The KEith Andrews of test batting, totally out of his depth.

Prior at 6 not good enough. Collingwood is not a number 5 test batsman either.

What good is Swann going to be in this test?

1-0 up we should have been packed with in-form batsmen, make sure we have something to bowl at.

Now we go to the Oval at 1-1 with probably a draw our best option and the Ashes gone.

Our bowlers have done reasonably well but the batsmen simply not good enough with the exception of the openers.

Manager and selectors fired please.

[RibbleValleyRover]

Lot of cricket to be played yet, though Australia are in a very decent position.

[Plastic Head]

Lot of cricket to be played yet, though Australia are in a very decent position.

Most of the cricket to be played will be Australia batting.

[jim mk2]

Why have we got a no-mark New Zealander and a Pakistani picking the team.

Stupid comment.

England will get a right slating in the papers for this peformance, and deservedly so.

Cricketing mate has tickets for Sunday - will it last that long ?