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

[Zinzan]

From a neutral perspective, another thrilling session of cricket.

I intially thought Vaughan winning that important toss would essentially win the ashes. That was confirmed to me in the first hours play with the pitch looking superb for batting. But since Warne's quick 3 wickets, I'm having 2nd thoughts.

I'm sure deep down it would be Richie Benaud's dream exit from the commentary box for Warne to bowl Australia to a famous 2-2 draw thus keeping the Ashes in Australia. He probably deserves that send-off - although I'm sure English fans don't feel that way

Brilliant Cricket !!!

 

[andyc]

Well, it's lunch on a flat track, England 115/3. Who won that session, do you reckon? Obviously Australia won the latter half, but all up, who's feeling the happier team right now? I reckon it's pretty even, but the Aussies might be on top a bit, especially if the other bowlers can step up and support Warne early on in the next session.

 

[Scaly piscine]

The accuracy of Hawkeye is a myth. Im not saying it was way off on that ball (I thought when seeing the replay that it was hitting the leg stump pretty flush), but I am sure it is often inaccurate.

Ridiculous, as usual some guy watching on TV knows better than numerous scientists who've spent months rigorously testing their invention.

 

[marc71178]

Ang England win the toss again. Everything going there way this series.
Should they play defensive or attack?

Because we win the toss count 3-2: hardly everything...

 

[shaka]

Warne was the winner of the session, and England

 

[social]

Good session for Aus - wicket looks really flat and outfield is lightning.

Thanks to Eng selectors for persevering with Bell at 4. That spot should be reserved for a top-liner not your weak link. Kaneria and Kumble would be absolutely wetting their lips waiting for him to come into bat.

Billy Bowden gives the type of lbw that they've been knocking back all summer off Warne.

Why oh why didnt they pick MacGill? Poms are good against pace but very ordinary against spin.

 

[Entrael]

Its pretty even at the moment.. Warne is the key as usuall.

The other bowlers; McGrath, Lee, Tait really need to improve and give him some assistance or get some wickets. atm theres too much inconsistency with their bowling, and they do not look like getting a wicket..

 

[marc71178]

not like it would have been the worst thing that could have happened....

So you do want England to win after all then.

 

[Scaly piscine]

Well, it's lunch on a flat track, England 115/3. Who won that session, do you reckon? Obviously Australia won the latter half, but all up, who's feeling the happier team right now? I reckon it's pretty even, but the Aussies might be on top a bit, especially if the other bowlers can step up and support Warne early on in the next session.

Australia won it, but England are ahead on points in this game because they're batting first and one of the wickets was Bell...

 

[marc71178]

oh yes i like that first ball i tell ya Lee & Tait are going to knock England today, come on

Good prediction.

It's a good job that they've got the 2 veterans in, because they'll be needing to bowl a lot of overs based on that session.

 

[shaka]

I thought all along that Collingwood should have replaced Bell (not had a great summer) and Anderson would have come in for Simon Jones.

 

[marc71178]

Richie & Benaud are right pitch the ball up lads.....

Richie and Benaud?

Have they now cloned him so that we still get to hear one of him next year and he can still retire?

 

[andyc]

Australia won it, but England are ahead on points in this game because they're batting first and one of the wickets was Bell...

True. And Pietersen and Flintoff have both been thorns in Australia's side this series, and Strauss isn't looking bad either.

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

Australia won it, but England are ahead on points in this game because they're batting first and one of the wickets was Bell...

Largely agree with that. Australia would take the score, but obviously it wasn't a particularly big margin in the session either way, and if England have a good one next up they can be in total control by tea.

 

[marc71178]

Stupid bl**y bowden, England should have been 1-7, plumbest LBW as you could like

And hear come the moans already...

 

[marc71178]

Warne was brought on very early this innings. Good move by Punter

Not really a hard decision to make though was it?

 

[marc71178]

I dunno why the commentators keep saying how England have played Warne well, it's hard to see how they could have played him any worse.

They could've lost all the wickets without scoring any off of him.

They've been positive against him - much better than trying to block him out because you just know he will produce the variations that will pick up wickets.

 

[marc71178]

Didn't deceive him at all, the dullard just hit it straight to short mid-wicket, that's as deep as it gets.

It'll be interesting to see what you say when Collingwood is dismissed.

 

[SpaceMonkey]

Largely agree with that. Australia would take the score, but obviously it wasn't a particularly big margin in the session either way, and if England have a good one next up they can be in total control by tea.

Yep...3 down isnt so bad with an extra batsmen in the side either. Although he can keep Warne on the one end for most the day thankfully he cant just keep McGrath on the other. England really need to attack Lee and Tait.

 

[marc71178]

You need to actually watch the game instead of going 'Warne... wicket... genius...'

Such an ironic comment there.