*Official* Second Test at Lords

[Craig]

With inclement weather predicted over the next two days, the folly of England not enforcing the follow on is about to be laid bare. Australia, in my view, will get away with a draw with some help from the weather Gods.

And people said we would lose days of play in Cardiff due to rain.

 

[Craig]

So want to punch MacGill and Matthews right now.

 

[Athlai]

Australia only need a RR of 3.5 to win this, looking likely.

 

[Uppercut]

Jeez how dumb is Strauss? Why declare now and give the Aussies half an hour to prepare? Play isn't starting till 1115 so why not declare at five past? What benefit does annoucing it now have?

He has to do it now so that the Aussies can decide which roller to use.

 

[four_or_six]

So excited. Would absolutely love a couple of wickets this morning.

 

[JBH001]

So play is starting half an hour after the scheduled start? Is it still cloudy and overcast? Hope it is, but not so much that it starts raining again. Its a fine line...

 

[Athlai]

Hope Hughes gets in the runs.

 

[AlanJLegend]

Have England declared or not?

The Cricinfo commentary says they have, but the people on my television apparently don't know this.

 

[duffer]

Declared. Let's get it on.

 

[JBH001]

Still no Sky, Athlai?

 

[Neil Pickup]

If Australia chase this then credit to them...the clouds aren't going away any time soon.

 

[Athlai]

Still no Sky, Athlai?

Had it for the first match but no dice this time round, did catch some cricket last night at a pub though. Saw Ponting grass that easy catch, got a bit of a cheer.

 

[Uppercut]

If Australia chase this then credit to them...the clouds aren't going away any time soon.

Haha, wow. Australia have been totally outplayed in this game, but it's almost comical how conditions have conspired against them on every day of the match.

 

[.matt]

If Australia chase this then credit to them...the clouds aren't going away any time soon.

If those clouds rain then it's all good, if they just sit there then Australia is in trouble.

 

[superkingdave]

He has to do it now so that the Aussies can decide which roller to use.

They'd have 10 minutes, that's always been the rule...why has it changed now?

 

[Uppercut]

Only because play was rescheduled I guess. No matter, if England fail to win this it won't be because Strauss declared too soon before the start of play.

 

[JBH001]

Haha, wow. Australia have been totally outplayed in this game, but it's almost comical how conditions have conspired against them on every day of the match.

Yeah. Man, luck can be such a part of the game. 95% chance of clouds and the rain forecast is minimal in terms of showers - so nothing major. Still, if Australia have had the worst of Lady Luck in this series, after all they lost part of day 4 in Cardiff too due to rain, it may turn back around as the series progresses.

 

[Neil Pickup]

Haha, wow. Australia have been totally outplayed in this game, but it's almost comical how conditions have conspired against them on every day of the match.

I'd be amazed if England's follow-on shout wasn't heavily influenced by the forecast.

 

[Lillian Thomson]

So play is starting half an hour after the scheduled start? Is it still cloudy and overcast? Hope it is, but not so much that it starts raining again. Its a fine line...

I've just had a txt from a mate on his way to the game who's stuck in traffic two miles from St Johns Wood and it's absolutely peeing down there.

 

[Pizzorno]

Please please please don't open with Broad. Please Strauss, use your head.