*Official* Third Test at Old Trafford

[grecian]

Swann-Root-Swann 'til Lunch for me.

 

[Ruckus]

clarke just doesnt really get out when he makes 100's anymore does he

 

[MW1304]

This is Clarke we're talking about. Declares about two hours before most people even start thinking about it.

There have been situations where it would be remotely understandable, but this is the first innings on a wearing pitch. I understand you have to win every game but there is so much time left in the game it is ridiculous. Best chance you have of winning, in anyone's book, is getting a massive score and bowling us out twice. England would be delighted if you declared before tea.

 

[wpdavid]

What on earth would be the point? Pitch isn't going to get any better for batting, just get as many as you can.

Quite so. I can't see that Clarke is considering a declaration this side of tea, at least whilst he and/or Haddin is still in.

 

[Spark]

There have been situations where it would be remotely understandable, but this is the first innings on a wearing pitch. I understand you have to win every game but there is so much time left in the game it is ridiculous. Best chance you have of winning, in anyone's book, is getting a massive score and bowling us out twice. England would be delighted if you declared before tea.

I agree. But you always have to factor in a solid probability of a surprisingly early declaration when it comes to Clarke.

 

[wpdavid]

Swann-Root-Swann 'til Lunch for me.

Me too. Root's been under-bowled, given that spin's accounted for 4 out of 5 wickets and our quicks have barely threatened.

 

[dermo]

brad haddin or bryan adams?

 

[Cabinet96]

Quite so. I can't see that Clarke is considering a declaration this side of tea, at least whilst he and/or Haddin is still in.

That's what people say every time Australia have got a few runs, then they just declare when no one is expecting it.

 

[NUFAN]

Me too. Root's been under-bowled, given that spin's accounted for 4 out of 5 wickets and our quicks have barely threatened.

With right handers at the crease, I don't think its that big an issue. Swann really has only bowled well to the lefties this Test.

 

[Spark]

That's what people say every time Australia have got a few runs, then they just declare when no one is expecting it.

Precisely. Even after we learned to expect it he's taken us by complete surprise more than once.

 

[Son Of Coco]

i have it on good authority from a professional lip-reader that Anderson just said "Only one of us is going to rack up a century today pal" to Haddin.

 

[Spark]

Okay this is a little silly

 

[The Battlers Prince]

Why was England bothering with that fiasco? They weren't leaking runs. An over with Swann not the worst thing that could happen to them

 

[Cabinet96]

Fussing over breaks is one of the stupidest and oddest things about cricket.

 

[Cabinet96]

Precisely. Even after we learned to expect it he's taken us by complete surprise more than once.

I'm going to put it out there that I'd be very surprised if Australia are batting after Tea. They'll either be bowled out, or they'll declare.

 

[Swingpanzee]

Good Session of play. Fun to watch.

 

[Spark]

I'm going to put it out there that I'd be very surprised if Australia are batting after Tea. They'll either be bowled out, or they'll declare.

That'd make sense, yeah. Might as well use all your resources to try and squeeze out a few more

 

[Maximas]

good even session that, but it has really only entrenched Australia's hold on the game, all depends on how we bowl now

 

[NUFAN]

I'm going to put it out there that I'd be very surprised if Australia are batting after Tea. They'll either be bowled out, or they'll declare.

Yeah same. I think the Aussie think tank will think lets get 4 overs at England before tea. So that will be about 20 overs left for us to bat.

The issue I have with this is that yesterday afternoon appeared the best conditions for batting.

 

[Son Of Coco]

Anderson positively injured imo.

An injured heart perhaps?