***Official*** Australia in England (The Ashes)

[FaaipDeOiad]

Jason! Haha, what a moment.

 

[SirBloody Idiot]

Did they take the new ball mid over?

 

[SirBloody Idiot]

Jones gets six. Dizzy gone.

 

[Shane Warne]

Jones gets six. Dizzy gone.

With a ball that was going over the top.

 

[Scaly piscine]

Hmm the taff was pretty good with the new ball there...

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

142 is way too many, you'd think. It would take an absolute miracle of a performance from Australia to win it, best hope is a long stretch of defensive batting or rain to draw it.

I suppose if England got bowled out for 150 or less there's hope, but it's a big if.

 

[Knopfler]

Dizzy might be at now, and he might be bowling rubbish, but I ask.......

Is there any other batsman in the Australian team with a better defense?

 

[social]

Excellent bowling by Jones.

Six by Gillespie was about the shot of the summer - not a slog but a beautifully executed pull into the stands.

England way in front but hopefully the Aus "batsmen" will be embarassed into action by Warne and Dizzy in 2nd innings.

 

[Shounak]

Gillespie just spritned off. Left McGrath behind.. WTF??

 

[Adamc]

Excellent knock from Gillespie, worth a lot more than the number next to his name on the scorecard. Australia's top order could learn a thing or two from that.

 

[superkingdave]

142 is way too many, you'd think. It would take an absolute miracle of a performance from Australia to win it, best hope is a long stretch of defensive batting or rain to draw it.

I suppose if England got bowled out for 150 or less there's hope, but it's a big if.

not much rain about, but i wouldn't be too surprised if England get knocked over for 150ish, it only takes an inspired bowling performance and some nerves amongst the batsmen

 

[Slow Love™]

With a ball that was going over the top.

I would have given it out. I think just about every international umpire in the game would have probably given it, regardless of my opinion of Bucknor.

 

[social]

142 is way too many, you'd think. It would take an absolute miracle of a performance from Australia to win it, best hope is a long stretch of defensive batting or rain to draw it.

I suppose if England got bowled out for 150 or less there's hope, but it's a big if.

Hard to know how much will be in the wicket with a new ball and for Warne - Giles was very disappointing when the ball lost hardness.

Lot of time left and Aus havent exactly made a habit of long innings to date.

England big favourites unless Eng collapses.

 

[Slow Love™]

Gillespie just spritned off. Left McGrath behind.. WTF??

I think he was trying to give off an "I just can't wait to get bowling!" vibe.

God only knows why.

 

[Knopfler]

142 is way too many, you'd think. It would take an absolute miracle of a performance from Australia to win it, best hope is a long stretch of defensive batting or rain to draw it.

I think it is too many, but Australia now look a decent chance to draw the game. However, I still would predict a semi-comfortable English win, most of the Australian batsmen don't have the patience to bat for a draw.

 

[Slow Love™]

I still reckon the best chance we have here is for a draw. I simply can't see us winning this game.

I'm just hoping we can keep the scoring rate down - we did OK this morning using up nearly an hour-and-a-half. Vaughan could get over-cautious if we're lucky and not leave himself enough time. I'm still praying for more rain, too, obviously.

 

[Adamc]

England have scored less than 200 in both of their previous second-innings efforts in this series, but I doubt they'll do it again. Still, can't write off Warne and McGrath to knock over England cheaply, but it'll take some assistance from the English batsmen and the pitch.

Australia can draw this game, however, but they'll need to: a) keep England under pressure with the ball, thereby keeping the run rate down and delaying the declaration; and b) bat for a long time. I still can't see them batting for 100+ overs though, especially in the fourth innings, so an England win is still by a distance the safest bet.

 

[Shounak]

I still reckon the best chance we have here is for a draw. I simply can't see us winning this game.

I'm just hoping we can keep the scoring rate down - we did OK this morning using up nearly an hour-and-a-half. Vaughan could get over-cautious if we're lucky and not leave himself enough time. I'm still praying for more rain, too, obviously.

With the Australian batting lineup, a draw seems like the only feasible option. Especially with the ageing of the pitch.

I also think the Aussies will put their overconfidence on a leash for this 2nd innings.

 

[Adamc]

Don't know how they ever survived without helmets. That one would've taken out all of Strauss' front teeth.

EDIT: Thought it hit his mouth grille - actually hit the side of the helmet and drew blood from below his ear. Ouch.

 

[Slow Love™]

Billy Bowden's looking so pale and beyond-death the last few days that I could see him charging down the pitch to suck that blood off Strauss's neck.