[Archived] The Ashes

[AussieinUk]

Starting to Look like the bowler who destroyed SA and is 3rd in the test rankings.

Indeed. Strange thing is that Johnson seems to come into his element, late on sunny afternoons.. WI, India, NZ, SA and England are all examples..

[T4E]

My God, fantastic work by Simon Katich. Absolutely awesome.

[ffan]

England bottle it again.

[ABBEY]

lame assed pussies.

[jim mk2]

Another poor effort by England's batsmen on a fast-scoring, placid pitch. At 100 - 1 a target of at least 450 should have been attainable but a combination of poor shots and lack of patience has again cost them dear.

Hope I'm wrong but I cannot see an England win from this point.

[ffan]

Hope I'm wrong but I cannot see an England win from this point.

If you think Ponting and co are going to let this get away from them, your wrong.

Aussies have this, all too easy. Collingwood is finished.

[Guest Kamy100]

The first 2 sessions of tomorrow are going to be crucial. England somehow have to get to 350, anything above that would be a bonus and then need the bowlers to really fire. Swann could play a crucial role. If Aussies are still on top come at the close of play tomorrow then it is game over but this series has shown that this Australian side if put under pressure (ala Lords & Edgbaston) is capable of crumbling.

[Nate]

The first 2 sessions of tomorrow are going to be crucial. England somehow have to get to 350, anything above that would be a bonus and then need the bowlers to really fire. Swann could play a crucial role. If Aussies are still on top come at the close of play tomorrow then it is game over but this series has shown that this Australian side if put under pressure (ala Lords & Edgbaston) is capable of crumbling.

Agree with you there Kamy. Australia just have to play it cool. No stupid shots.

[RibbleValleyRover]

Won't really know what a good score is on this pitch until Australia bat. Amazing to see the pitch crumbling so quickly, just wonder if Australia regret not picking a specialist spinner.

Lot of pressure on the England side to get enough runs for Swann to play with, will be surprised though if they get more than 350.

[nowthen]

Worried about today, match could easily be put beyond England. Big expectations on Swann who has bowled poorly this series and it looks like a two spinners pitch. Selection of Monty in the squad when they had no intention of picking him in his current form is looking more stupid by the minute. Rashid or Keedy should have been in there.

[Flopsy]

This means that Bell will get a first ball next up, but i thought he and Trott played well, Strauss played a stupid shot, Collingwood, Cook, Prior and Fred need slapping for their shots.

Watson bowls pies.

Its game on if, and its a big if, England bowl well.

Anyone see Murray Goodwin's knock down at Taunton? 340 odd n/o from 350 balls out of a score of 700+. Somerset should be severely fined for such a godawful wicket

[LeftWinger]

I’m relatively happy with the current position. With England needing a win, the nightmare scenario on the first day was Australia batting and being about 400-4, or England being all-out for 102 again. This is a position they CAN win the game from – particularly with the pitch starting to turn this early. Hopefully Broad can hit a few quick boundaries this morning and give the bowlers a few runs to play with. I certainly don’t think it will be easy batting last on this wicket and I think the game is very much in the balance – despite what people say on here. I’d probably say Australia were favourites, but only just…

[Ozz]

Broad will be out fourth ball this morning. It's then going to be like watching a car crash happen as England unravel against a better batting side.The end.

[T4E]

Duck for Jimmy :(

[Ricky]

3 lbw decisions not given, the last one was the best shout.

[RibbleValleyRover]

Swann getting some decent turn and bounce.

Really glad that Warnie has retired, he would destroy us on this pitch.

[Jim J]

well done Stuart Broad

[RibbleValleyRover]

Have to question some of the shot selection by the Aussies batsmen here.

[SouthAussieRover]

Harsh decision against North there.

[Flopsy]

makes up for Watson's non LBW

Get in Chin!

109/6 Swann gets his 2nd

[SouthAussieRover]

No doubting that Katich was out.

[SouthAussieRover]

Or Haddin.

[Flopsy]

Bugger me sideways a fivefer for Broad 111/7 are you England in disguise?

[T4E]

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.

Sir Stuart Broad.

[Iceman]

The weather have certainly changed, the complexity of this game. Horrible conditions to bat in today