*Official* Third Test at Old Trafford

[Tangles]

I'm not getting excited yet. We had 1 good day and Clarke hit a ton. We were always a chance of a draw if he could do that. If he goes big then who knows. Be interesting to see how we bowl on this pitch.

 

[Riggins]

Did he actually miss a Test though? IIRC he flew back to Australia, dumped his missus then flew back and scored a ton.

yeah he missed a portion of the one day matches but neither of the test. flew in a few days earlier and scored 160 odd.

 

[Top_Cat]

It's died down a bit since everybody sat down and looked up to him with the same wide-eyed "do something!" learned helplessness that they did with Allan Border, but in the height of the Lara days it was absolutely venomous. Most of the press (and us) took Katich's side after he throttled him, he was derided as soft and whipped when he bunked off a Test to tell Ms. Bingle she was out of line and he was booed on his captaincy debut. I was watching TV and it was completely discernible.

Has never been booed in Adelaide, if I recall correctly.

Get the feeling he PO'd one of Coward/Conn/Dorries/etc. early days.

 

[wpdavid]

I didn't think it was that much of a road. Yeah batting conditions aren't tough but England bowled fairly poorly

Sounds fair to me. The 'par' score was shooting up and down like a whore's drawers yesterday, but Aus will end up well over anyone's par if they avoid disasters in the first hour.

My guess is that Harris and Siddle will pose greater threats than Lyon in England's first innings but by Day 4 any old twirler could bag a fivefor on this pitch.

 

[Maximas]

I think Lyon is very good against non-SC batsmen, he troubled SA at times and this will show how much he has progressed in the last few months.

 

[wpdavid]

I think Lyon is very good against non-SC batsmen, he troubled SA at times and this will show how much he has progressed in the last few months.

Sure - my previous effort looks less respectful towards Lyon than I intended. But I just think that Harris & Siddle will pose more of a threat if England get to bat today. That being said, if Aus bat for two more sessions, the pitch may well have deteriorated enough for Lyon to come to the party in their first innings as well.

 

[NUFAN]

If England get to bat? Is there rain about? If we get close to 90 overs today, England are definitely batting and I think its perfectly reasonable to expect our quicks to take the wickets. I wonder if Smith will come on when Bell comes out to bat..

 

[GIMH]

Better bowling conditions today then, no excuses.

 

[wpdavid]

Better bowling conditions today then, no excuses.

Will you be able to watch much of it today?

 

[Maximas]

Sure - my previous effort looks less respectful towards Lyon than I intended. But I just think that Harris & Siddle will pose more of a threat if England get to bat today. That being said, if Aus bat for two more sessions, the pitch may well have deteriorated enough for Lyon to come to the party in their first innings as well.

Yes, I wasn't meaning to target your post or anything, was just a general observation, by tomorrow Starceh would have run all over the pitch as well, which will help both Lyon and Swann.

 

[Kylez]

Reckon Warner's innings today is going to be an all or nothing one.

As per usual.

 

[Arachnodouche]

However you cut it, Australia need a lead of 150 at the least, making provisions for probable collapses in the second innings. Big day for all eleven to stand up

 

[Spark]

Only test he's missed since 06/7 is the last test in India

 

[NUFAN]

However you cut it, Australia need a lead of 150 at the least, making provisions for probable collapses in the second innings. Big day for all eleven to stand up

Australia to make 360, England all out 166 and Australia 3/76 at stumps.

 

[Burgey]

THE CHAMP IS HERE!!!!!! z

 

[Riggins]

SMIFFFEH!! What a shot!! *


*please stop trying to play through the covers it worries the **** out of me.

 

[BeeGee]

Beautiful shot from Smith. This kid's the goods.

 

[Riggins]

i want to buy a dog and call him smiffey.

 

[Riggins]

someone get thommo a froffy.

 

[Dan]

Smith seems to get drawn in outside off, particularly the ball after he's hit a boundary. Concerning, but as long as he's making runs I don't really care.