*Official* First Test at Swalec Stadium, Cardiff

[scorpiogal]

Ahead. Shame about the 90% chance of rain tomorrow, hopefully there'll be some play at least.

Just when it's my only chance to look at the cricket as well. Desperately hoping there's some play.

 

[Hoggy31]

You wonder why it took so long for Strauss to give Colly a go, seems like he's just gone through the motions as a captain in this game.

Everyone who has some common sense knew this is exactly the sort of pitch that was going to be served up. So even if he can't captain on his feet the backroom staff should have got it into his head that on slow pitches you don't just keep bowling guys like Broad because unless he moves it laterally he's going to be totally ineffective. Medium pace is favoured the most (particularly if it's little cutters), they're awkward to get away and their off-cutters will bite on the pitch.

I'm sure if he came on and looked pedestrian you'd be into Strauss for bowling him ahead of 5 specialists.

The rain on Sat night here is gun imo, won't miss **** all (Y).

 

[Woodster]

Another frustrating partnership with Clarke and North, both have batted very well. North looks very organised, obviously familiar with English (/Wales) conditions and looks very unflustered. Clarke has excelled through the offside, as he usually does. If there is any area I think he can be exploited, that's a wide-ish delivery outside off on a full length, he tends to throw everything at it and it can go aerial through gully/pointish region. Quite risky though, and his driving has been very good today.

Not been overly impressed with Strauss' captaincy today, and Stuart Broad has been poor with the ball.

 

[Howsie]

You must love watching Ian Bell then Ben. He always looks superb on the way to scoring 36, then also chucks his wicket away. Given the harsh way Ian Bell's been treated, I'd have thought getting to 36 and looking good was a bad thing, obviously not........

Man we need a hat-trick, well 2 actually. Just being milked for runs atm. We're so going to lose by an innings.

So true lol. Looking good getting to 36 means nothing, and like I've already said he didn't look that great.

 

[Redbacks]

Go and watch Ryder bat, he hits the middle of the bat more then anyone of seen. But you don't see anyone harp on about it.

Straw man

 

[superkingdave]

Lovely Rain

 

[oitoitoi]

any locals around to give us their opinion on this rain? will it stay?

 

[ripper868]

**** rain....curse Britain, move somewhere with less rain.

 

[Hoggy31]

****, wanted a Johnson ton before stumps.

 

[Uppercut]

any locals around to give us their opinion on this rain? will it stay?

According to the BBC's map it's only a little passing drizzle. The forecast for the next two days has also improved. But not much.

 

[zaremba]

[raindance.exe]

 

[King Pietersen]

Sky have just confirmed it. Pietersen > Ponting..........

 

[ripper868]

Australia have just confirmed it Australia Runs > England Runs (with 6 wickets in hand)

 

[Burgey]

Sorry but North's technique is crap. If we get some seam friendly wickets in this series, Id be very surprised if he manages to last through the entire series.

Yeah, he's no Alistair Cook or Ian Bell, but we' re trying to make do. And so is he.

 

[GIMH]

If Australia had a proper climate like us they'd have never beaten us 5-0

 

[ripper868]

If Australia had a proper climate like us they'd have never beaten us 5-0

And if england had weather other than rain, they'd have lost a lot more series then they've drawn

covers coming off!

EDIT: that should read they would have lost alot of the series they have drawn

 

[Hoggy31]

Hurry up, can't take Mo and MacGilla on my screen for this long.

 

[ripper868]

Hurry up, can't take Mo and MacGilla on my screen for this long.

flick to rage on ABC, have been some good tunes on reently

 

[Woodster]

Yes quite an interesting comparison with KP, his career to date, and Ponting's first 53 Tests. Ponting had 9 centuries in that period, compared to KP's 16. So if he continues to grow as a batsman, and learn from mistakes he has made, he could develop into one heck of a batsman.

 

[Burgey]

If Australia had a proper climate like us they'd have never beaten us 5-0

Good one mate.

Should it keep raining, I'm looking forward to hearing the commentators say "It's a psychological boost for Australia that England are celebrating a draw", like they did after the third test in 05 when the Chinless Mintman was leading England.

Won't happen of course.