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

[greg]

If weather conditions are similar to this evening then i think England are in a very strong position. If the sun comes out they'll have to get 400+

 

[Sanz]

England must be under some pressure at 229/4 batsmen back against this aussie attack. Even though it is pretty even (or may be Eng slight edge) Australia have done well in the circumstances. All depends on KP, Freddie and Jones as how they bat tomorrow. If aus are going to get couple of early breakthrough, they will have huge advantage then.

 

[marc71178]

By the end of this test, we shall see.

Oh I know that, but what I was pointing out was that some people were getting carried away purely based on the speed he was bowling, and not looking at how well he bowled in that first spell.

 

[age_master]

And they are done....I would say that it was England's day by 55-45% but that's as good as even really.

which, considering the pitch, i dont think the Aussies will be to unhappy with.


and ponting claiming the wicket i dont think Vaughan will live that one down for a while

 

[marc71178]

Please note this ball is 30 overs old. Ricky, give him the cherry next innings.

One crumb of comfort I got today was the swing Tait was getting at times (added to the bowling of Ponting - if he can move it both ways then I fancy someone like Hoggard to be effective.

 

[marc71178]

Bell turns a decent line & length delivery into a wicket-taking one (again).

That's the first time he's been dismissed for a low score that hasn't been a super ball IMO.

It was still a good delivery, but he was a bit tentative.

 

[marc71178]

LBW call just now hit outside the line, but lots of umpires will give it out when no shot's being played.

To be fair, my initial thought was "missing"

 

[marc71178]

Richie's talking about how much things have changed since he played, at the meals breaks - pasta, carbohydrates etc. But a bit of crumpet at the tea break does seem a more dramatic change.

Have to say I liked Ather's reply about some of the Aussies being partial to a bit of crumpet.

The next moment the camera focuses on a certain leg spinner.

 

[marc71178]

I am afraid the current Aussie attack is very weak and looks unlikely to take 20 English wickets before dismissing England cheaply in two innings. They did require 5 bowlers (a gamble but Australia really do not have a choice).

So, with McGrath injured and Gillespie woefully out of form, which person would you have put into the side as the 5th bowler and who would he have replaced?

 

[marc71178]

which, considering the pitch, i dont think the Aussies will be to unhappy with.


and ponting claiming the wicket i dont think Vaughan will live that one down for a while

I loved his face when it happened - genuine disbelief!

 

[aussie]

I loved his face when it happened - genuine disbelief!

ha well you should have seen Lara face when Ponting got him out in the VB series a few years ago

 

[marc71178]

I was actually talking about Ponting's face.

 

[aussie]

I was actually talking about Ponting's face.

oh well same thing their as well....

 

[Mister Wright]

It's thrilling to see a guy I've liked so much in domestic cricket bowling the same way on debut. He certainly seems to be up to the occasion.

Incidentally, Gilchrist is now, I think, the fourth wicket keeper ever to get 300 test dismissals.

Now that is a fluke...

 

[Mister Wright]

Did anyone notice when Trescothick was bowled off a no-ball in this innings the score was 1-111 and when Vaughan was dropped by Gilchrist in the 3rd test the score was on 1-111?

 

[marc71178]

Tresco's was on 110-1

The no ball made it Nelson.

 

[Mister Wright]

Tresco's was on 110-1

The no ball made it Nelson.

Oh! LOL! My bad!

Damn, thought I was onto something there.

 

[The Argonaut]

England must get over 400 or they have wasted the first chance on this pitch. They have the batting left to do this. I thought that Lee bowled poorly and lacked his usual aggression and spark. Tait was raw as expected and was worth the gamble. Kaspar needs a change up ball that goes into the left handers if he is going to be successful.

An even first day.

 

[Mister Wright]

IMO it is not even, Australia have the upper hand. England should still have a member of the top 4 in with Pietersen. Vaughan was lazy, Strauss played a ridiculous shot considering the situation, and Bell didn't get forward enough. The only person who was 'out' by the bowler was Trescothick from a brilliant ball from Tait.

As far as Australia goes, Lee was non-threatening, and after an 'ok' first spell Tait bowled exceptionlly, I really love watching this guy bowl. Kaspa was Kaspa - working tirelessly again without luck. Should have taken the C&B and what was Hayden doing? should have just stood there and let it come to him.

However, that can all change if Pietersen and Flintoff get going, Australia will need to get one of them early. They will want to be batting as soon as possible on that pitch.

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

England must get over 400 or they have wasted the first chance on this pitch. They have the batting left to do this. I thought that Lee bowled poorly and lacked his usual aggression and spark. Tait was raw as expected and was worth the gamble. Kaspar needs a change up ball that goes into the left handers if he is going to be successful.

An even first day.

I think Tait was really good , after an average first spell. He didn't do much wrong at all after that, aside from occasionally straying a little when searching for swing, and both his wickets were completely deserved.

Kasprowicz was good too, aside from the no balls, and he did actually show his ball that goes the other way a few times, and it's quite lethal when he gets it right because of his natural angle across the left-handers.

Agreed that Lee was poor, and that England need 400+.