*Official* Third Test at Old Trafford

[Expressway76]

Watching the highlights, just seen KP's dismissal. This is getting beyond a joke now. I'm not angry because he's an England plaer, he was lbw for 60 odd. But...there's a hot spot. It's not massive, but it doesn't need to be massive. Is this guy blind? Does he need glasses? Do they need better tv's for the 3rd umpires? It's not DRS it's the people using it.

As for the state of the match, Aussies still well on top. I think we need 400 to be relatively safe. Even if we avoid the follow on, say 190 behind, Australia only have to bat for 3 hours to get a 300 lead. England will still be required to bat for 4 sessions to save this test.

This post reads like someone who hasn't seen the weather forecast for the next 2 days.

 

[hazsa19]

This post reads like someone who hasn't seen the weather forecast for the next 2 days.

There's been plenty of days this year where rain has been forecast and not arrived.

 

[L Trumper]

Gotta agree re KP. It was so far from a classic knock it's funny that people are calling it such. Really didn't look convincing but they were important runs for him and England - and he should be applauded for making him when he wasn't at his best

Can't help but laugh at this stuff from the press conference though or wherever he was talking for this cricinfo article. England v Australia, 3rd Investec Test, Old Trafford, 3rd day : Kevin Pietersen avoided surgery to play Ashes | Cricket News | Australia in England - The Investec Ashes | ESPN Cricinfo

Can just imagine the players back in the changing room rolling their eyes at him. Most of them are going to managing injuries throughout their career and dealing with pain every day. You don't here Bres or Swann talking about their elbows. We wouldn't of known about Cook's back were it not for Swann letting slip.

wtf are you on about? Broad and Swann goes on about their injuries. Have you actually seen the interview ? If his teammates are rolling their eyes for that, they need their heads check in,

 

[grecian]

wtf are you on about? Broad and Swann goes on about their injuries. Have you actually seen the interview ? If his teammates are rolling their eyes for that, they need their heads check in,

Well they aren't are they, so let's not carry on down this route, we had enough of this last year.

 

[andyc]

Good day's play. Very unlikely England will win though, but the draw seems the most likely unless rain stays away.

TBF Clarke's the kind of captain that wouldn't shy away from setting England a very chaseable total, especially given that we need to win it to stay alive.

But seems as though rain's going to **** it up for everyone anyway.

 

[grecian]

TBF Clarke's the kind of captain that wouldn't shy away from setting England a very chaseable total, especially given that we need to win it to stay alive.

But seems as though rain's going to **** it up for everyone anyway.

Well we'll wait and see on the weather, Monday's forecast looks pretty bad, but TBF the forecast has been bad for every day so far, and so far nothing.

Not saying it won't rain, it's Manchester after all, but I'm not so certain it will happen so badly.

 

[Adders]

TBF Clarke's the kind of captain that wouldn't shy away from setting England a very chaseable total, especially given that we need to win it to stay alive.

But seems as though rain's going to **** it up for everyone anyway.

Yeah it is damn shame the weather is going to intervene here.

It could have been a fascinating end to this test, especially if Eng can eke out another 100 from the tail. No doubt at all that Clarke is the sort of captain that would risk a loss here in order to go for the win.......he's probably the only one in International cricket that would and I have incredible respect for him because of it.

 

[Ruckus]

the rain could work out both ways. If it's sustained, proper rain then obv that's not going to be good in terms of a result, but if it just ends up being a few sporadic showers then that could work in favor of Aus. It's still a pretty flat wicket, and any overhead assistance could be quite useful and dangerous for Eng given they still have a big deficit.

Do people think we should enforce the follow on if we can take it? On one hand, we would potentially know what to chase, and with players like Warner in the side (who HAS to move up the order second innings) that could be a big advantage if time is sparse. But on the other hand, I fear a bit for our bowlers, especially Harris who was already stiff yesterday, if they have to go straight back at it with no break.

 

[Hurricane]

I guess if you knew it wasn't going to rain you could bat again and give your bowlers a rest. Weather complicates it.

 

[Adders]

Do people think we should enforce the follow on if we can take it? On one hand, we would potentially know what to chase, and with players like Warner in the side (who HAS to move up the order second innings) that could be a big advantage if time is sparse. But on the other hand, I fear a bit for our bowlers, especially Harris who was already stiff yesterday, if they have to go straight back at it with no break.

As Hurricane said, the forecast really does **** that up for you. No rain and you'd bat again and try and put on a quick 150 in a session or so which at least gives your bowlers some respite. As it is now enforcing the follow on probably gives you the only realistic chance of winning but that could come at a massive cost, not just this series but the next as well.........if only you had 3 Siddles <run in all day etc>

I'd back Eng to get past the follow on point though so that decision should be taken out of his hands.

 

[Burgey]

Definitely enforce the follow on if the opportunity arises.

Didn't see last night - was out on the cans. How did Lyon bowl?

 

[The Battlers Prince]

With only a few days between this and the next test really puts Bird and Faulkner in the mix. I think rotation will move Harris out and/or possibly the big heart Siddle.
I hope he keeps his banana diet going though

 

[Riggins]

He bowled quite well until KP started playing him with his dick, then started to struggle a bit to give it the necessary loop, bowled a bit flat. Think he'll be much more difficult if the pitch can get a few to spit early and he can afford to toss it up a bit more.

 

[NUFAN]

This is going to be a useless post, because I'm not sure what we should do with the possibility of rain seeming likely. If its likely to be a stop-start sort of day, if we have the chance, bowling again would be a decent option I guess. I think it will be hard for us to get 3 for under 33 though, so its likely we will bat. Perhaps Warner and even Starc could be promoted up the order.

 

[Riggins]

Yeah a change of order would be interesting. Where's Glen Maxwell when you need him!!

 

[The Battlers Prince]

I think if quick runs are required I opener could definitely be the kind of thing Clarke would do with Warner.

 

[Hurricane]

Like Nufan I am just sharing some thoughts here - One thing in Aussies favour if they do bowl again is that they have 5 bowlers plus smith as a part timer. This may make the decision easier.

 

[Adders]

One thing in Aussies favour if they do bowl again is that they have 5 bowlers plus smith as a part timer. This may make the decision easier.

Not really, if they do bowl again they will be chasing wickets, quick wickets......Harris, Siddle and Starc are the most likely to deliver. Clarke will have to go on the attack and that wont involve Steve Smith or even Watson bowling much.

 

[benchmark00]

Not really, if they do bowl again they will be chasing wickets, quick wickets......Harris, Siddle and Starc are the most likely to deliver. Clarke will have to go on the attack and that wont involve Steve Smith or even Watson bowling much.

The Australians like their chances of trapping Cook LBW by getting one to straighten down the line. They think Watson is one of the most likely to do this so Watson would probably bowl first change, and it wouldn't even surprise me to see him open.

 

[benchmark00]

Brumbeh - I haven't had a chance to say this yet, but I concede.

Phil Hughes does have a big nose.