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Pattinson ruled out of the series with a back fracture & Pietersen doubtful for the third test.
Bird in for the Aussies? Is that a gamble or will they properly throw the dice and pick 2 spinners?
Compton to return? Taylor to step up? What do we think?
Wasn't there an aussie (A few years ago) who said the ashes should changed to 3 tests, as England weren't good enough to play 5.
At this rate they'll need to make their own - to mourn the death of Australian cricket
It can’t get much worse for them at the moment however cricket is a funny game and it would only take a decent knock from a couple of their batsmen to make the next test interesting, it was Root in isolation that made the last test so one sided. Difficult to see them pulling themselves together though as to compound there poor ability the organisation has been disastrous – they have gone about the DRS process like school kids!
With a victory of well over 300 runs and being bowled out for under 150, think it was slightly more than the root show.
It can’t get much worse for them at the moment however cricket is a funny game and it would only take a decent knock from a couple of their batsmen to make the next test interesting,
This. I think we're getting a little carried away. Remember how close the first test was. Clarke is capable of big scores (though he needs to man up and promote himself up the order).
England are still comfortably the better team but Australia could nick a result if 'we' get complacent. The series is surely beyond them though.
it was Root in isolation that made the last test so one sided
Ian Bell will be delighted that the ton he scored when England were 28-3 was of no value in your eyes.
I think we're getting a little carried away. Remember how close the first test was.
As i said after the first Test; England's batters still had improvements to make, and the bowlers more so - in T1 only Anderson really bowled with any prolonged penetration, Broad and Swann misfired and Finn missed completely. In T2, where all 3 quicks bowled well and didn't release the pressure, and Swann was back to near his best, Aussie had no answers. I could only see it being harder in the rest of the series for Australia, their batters (Clarke aside) don't have what it takes, and a combined total of 363-20 on a decent batting pitch suggests to me that weather permitting, a whitewash is a distinct possibility.
Aye I agree with all that, I just think one (pretty much) innings defeat doesn't necessarily mean as much as some are making out. It is true that you don't feel England are anywhere near firing on all cylinders yet, especially in top order batting. Cook, Trott and KP (plus Prior) are certainly capable of much bigger totals.
I had tickets for Old Trafford but I'm now meant to be moving house the next day so I don't think I can go. 🙁
The series so far has been defined by poor batting on both sides. If you look down the scorecards you see mediocrity punctuated by the odd stand out performance and in many cases tail end players contributing significantly above their station. My point is that when there is such inconsistency it does not take much to swing it around.
The bad news for the Aussies is on the bowling front we started ok and looked to be really getting in to stride at Trent bridge where as they started ok but were really made to suffer at Trent bridge and they were knackered at the end of it, literally.
My point is that there is plenty of historical evidence that England's batters are underperforming compared to their past levels, and will turn that around. I don't think Australia's batters are capable.
Interesting view from I think Gower, that Australia have to stick with this bunch for the series now, which is effectively lost, and see if they do have capability. If they chuck them out now, they'll never know.
Finn and Onions out. Pietersen a fitness doubt. Tremlett, Panesar and Taylor in the squad.
Don't think Tremlett's in the frame yet unless someone is injured. Surrey are sitting out this round of county games so it's a chance for the setup to look at him, I don't think they'd willingly risk him - I don't think he's proved his fitness for a 5d game quite yet.
So for me it'll be no change barring injuries (KP or a bowler) unless they get to OT and find a raging bunsen in which case Bresnan for Monty.
Bold move by England. Very pleased to see tremlett back in the fold. Taylor has his chance now. If he bats well he could displace Barstow if/when KP returns. What about monty? Who would you drop to play him? Bresnan?
[url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/23516909 ]ROFLCOPTAZ![/url]
I hope he's not right, though....
Taylor in for K.P only change in my opinion. Bit of rain around, no point playing Monty. Root can bowl a few if it is turning.
5-0
Michael Clarke has to say that.
My mates are going tomorrow! So jealous.
Meanwhile, in Australia...
"and over to the cricket, where Shane Warne has been called in................to provide guidance to the Australian team"
Had me worried for a second there.
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Any chance of rain? I have some aussies coming over for Dinner on Saturday and wondering if there will be anything to watch.
Warner back so either 100 or a fight I reckon. Could be more interesting or just another self destruct roll over and die despite being given heaps of chances by some bad England play.
Well, it's started well for them...
🙂
All quiet so far...
30 mins and no wicket? I'd be asking for my money back. Is it a coincidence that the TV signal has just started playing up?
<benaud>Good morning everybody</benaud>
May as well join the conversation again, mornin all 😀
30 mins and no wicket?
Bloody amazing innit?
may have a nice couple of cold ones and see how this progresses.
I've been out-voted by wife and foetus, so got other stuff on the telly at the moment 🙁
I said about 18 pages back that 50 runs per wicket is a bench mark for a good score, Aussies are on track here for a big number. This could be interesting. Anyone praying for rain yet?
Edit: the mockers are back. I see Rogers getting a ton here no problem.
I said about 18 pages back that 50 runs per wicket is a bench mark for a good score, Aussies are on track here for a big number. This could be interesting.
well, Watto was 31 runs short of your target. At least he wasn't LBW for once!
Is this more flattery to deceive or are they actually batting well?
Still dont think they can pout perform England in any match though I think they will get at least one draw and may even earn one
First wicket at 76-1 which is a comfortable rate, we’d need to get another before the 100 is up for things to drift towards Englands favour. It’s like Boykers says, stick two wickets on any score and it doesn’t look so good.
I see the miserable Yorkshire man has had a pop at Old Trafford this morning – I wonder if that is his contribution to Yorkshire day?
Gents, I can confirm the best place to watch cricket is poolside somewhere hot! Too many waves to snorkel inshore so it's pool for the day with the cricket on.
Ooh, that's 77 for three. (Beers that is 😉 )
OOOOO second go
no idea how he went for that! DRS seems to be very broken
Aaaaaaaargh, un-be-****in-lievable!! This DRS shit be broken... 🙁
Bizarre again. How can that happen? This is supposed to be the pinnacle of (test) cricket and things like this (keep) happen(ing).
Bad luck Aussie.
that ball spat off the middle of the pitch!
I’m just following on tinternet but that sounds like a bad call, Aussies will be sick. Edging ahead on the Uwe patented run-rateometer and there back below par due to a dodgy DRS call. Game on, Game on!
Take your boot off Clarkey or Rogers! 8)
From tehBeeb text feed;
Appalling decision. I want us to hammer the Aussies, but not like that.
I agree.
It’s like Boykers says, stick two wickets on any score and it doesn’t look so good.
[quote=CaptainFlashheart ]From tehBeeb text feed;
Appalling decision. I want us to hammer the Aussies, but not like that.
I agree.
True but I reckon it will even out again
yes it may even out but every single test has had some howlers with the DRS so what this means is the same number of appalling decisions to each team
Its not helping when they do stuff like this, the catch that never was , the stumping and not set up for trott
Poor very poor
if this continues we might actually feel sorry for the Aussies 😉
Take your boot off Clarkey or Rogers!
You're just sore because it's the one unsporting tactic you've not had a go at first 😆
if this continues we might actually feel sorry for the Aussies
STEADY ON!!!
First umpire's warning for you there, Junky.
It'll be your match fee next.
There's definitely confusion as to how the DRS works, just listening to our 'in studio' commentators here in Oz and they're raving on about the Third Umpire making a bad decision, but my understanding is that the on-field umpire still makes the final decision?
but my understanding is that the on-field umpire still makes the final decision?
Correct. The third umpire gives the information to the on field umpire, the on field umpire then decides whether there is enough evidence to overturn his original decision
Righty-o, I'm off to bed, g'night all, enjoy your days cricket watching 🙂
It's moments like these I miss Richie Benaud's dulcet tones in the commentary box - it's twchoo for one twenty twchoo 🙂
Rodgers is rooted!
and out
plumb
If that had been Watto he'd have been reviewing 😆
he would have but it was his captain at the other end "on yer bike son" was the reply 😉
Come on, lets get the punchy bogan in, then I can laugh at the inevitable reception he'll receive, then go to bed
ooof - that was close
what is the point of having it , it showing it is hitting the wicket and still going Not out ?
With some stuff you may have some doubt however we know it was out and hitting so why not out?
Seems pointless tbh
they are giving them out when they miss and in when hit LBW - WTF is the point of RDS i not to make the correct decision?
Righto. Bed time here. I wonder what will await. Even match so far.
Well done Aussies! Been out golfing and they were 100ish for 2 when we started so glad that we can have a proper match desire the crazy umpiring early on. Now lets see what we are made of? Proper test cricket perhaps?
Will be interesting to see how England respond when facing a large total
Good to actually see a game of cricket occurring for a change!
Missed most of yesterday due to work. Seems like the DRS system went even flakier yesterday, but is it really the DRS or the people operating it.
Khawaja: yes the on field umpire made the final call, but did the off field guy give him strong enough support. According to a mate there was fresh air visible between bat and ball.
The lbw that showed 49.9% hitting: that's the rub, benefit of the doubt. But does seem odd.
And then another outright bad onfield decision for Broad hitting middle of middle but all the reviews used up.
Well batted Clarke. Nice to see a bit of fight, but as i always say, both sides have to bat once to see if it's a good score or not. It certainly isn't a bad one, to be fair, but a lot's going to rest on whether Clarke and Smith can push on. It'll be interesting if one or two go quickly, England get tails up and Australia could still not get 400. On the other hand - it's well set up for the punchy one to get all aggressive and he could if he comes off then we could be looking at them getting 400-odd well before lunch.
Time for Captain Cook to strap on the kit and make plans for a long stay.
Next hour could be critical......
Well got a right ribbing down the [s]Pub[/s] LBS for friday beers, apparently I was running the DRS.....
Game on, lets see if we can bat properly not just for fun once we knock em over.
Should make for a good night Saturday 🙂
Well got a right ribbing down the [s]Pub[/s] LBS for friday beers
Not another bunch of whinging Aussies? Seem to be prevalent at the moment.
Not another bunch of whinging Aussies? Seem to be prevalent at the moment.
Well, who else do you expect to see behind the bar(s)?
😉
it was more the whinging, rather than them being aussies 😉
lol one of them is a Pom (many years removed)
Punchy bogan time
Release The Warner 🙂
[quote=zokes ]Punchy bogan time
and with that Shane Warne turns up for Sky
One good innings does not win you the ashes. Even if they make 500+ it will not mean the bogans are suddenly a good cricket team after years of mediocrity.
Do you think he drives a Torana?
Even if they make 500+ it will not mean the bogans are suddenly a good cricket team after years of mediocrity.
To be fair, that would mean that they'd been mediocre at cricket for years, which they haven't
Short, and not so sweet...
Commentators (Warnie and Bumble) have lost the plot - I fancy a root, ha ha 😀 ... What the? Why did Warner review that?? Looked like it was almost done to wind the crowd up??
MrSmith, you're a muppet 😉
Why did Warner review that??
Because even advertising socks convincingly appears to be beyond his extremely limited intellect?
He really is a f-wit 😆
MrSmith, you're a muppet
And the pugilist Warner isn't ? 🙁
If the tail fails to wag then 400 looks par for this wicket, the bogans can't afford to bat for 2 days in a 5 day game that they have to win (we only need to draw) and post a big 500-600 total unless they think they can skittle us out and make us follow on? Strange things happen in test matches though 😕
Are you Australian MrSmith?
If the tail fails to wag then 400 looks par for this wicket
You think the Pom's are going to get 5 wickets for 20 runs eh?
I do fear what your batsmen might do on this pitch, but fingers crossed a bit of luck goes our way when we bowl, we're due some 😉
You think the Pom's are going to get 5 wickets for 20 runs eh?
It's happened before
we're due some
You won the toss, what more do you want?
True enough... Keep perspective and all that
You think the Pom's are going to get 5 wickets for 20 runs eh?
Been done before 8)
Unlikely but i still wouldn't write England off. I think some people are forgetting that England are 2up and just need a draw to retain the ashes. I guess the bogan fans need something to cling to though.