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

[Scaly piscine]

Haha, that was a long way outside the line. Oh well, amends for Strauss still being there, I guess. Good ball nonetheless. Huge opportunity for Australia to get themselves into a good position - 350 on this pitch is sub-par.

Same guff that was said for the previous 3 Tests. Strauss has to make the awful decision he got count.

 

[Slow Love™]

Yep, poor call there, and it really does seem these days that if you get hit on the foot on the full, the umpires are going to give it out. Good not-out call from Billy earlier for the one that was curving down the leg side.

Well, we're hanging in there! What we wouldn't do for a couple more wickets before stumps.

Should we take the new ball? I think we'd be best off holding on to this one.

 

[Slow Love™]

Geraint Jones has a WOMAN's lips....

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

Should we take the new ball? I think we'd be best off holding on to this one.

I'd leave it for maybe an extra over or two from Tait, depending on how he goes. As long as he looks like taking a wicket with the old ball, keep him on, and then let McGrath and Lee finish the day. Australia really need one more... that will get the tail in and make a sub-350 score fairly likely. 7-320 or so and it's Australia's day, although very marginally.

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

Geraint Jones has a WOMAN's lips....

I'll wager those lips have never had to suck the bolts from a submarine's hull...

 

[Scaly piscine]

And Strauss fails to get a big century for the 7th time. That was a poor defensive shot really.

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

Brilliant catch there. Australia have taken everything today, including three very tough catches. It makes such a big difference in the end.

 

[Sanz]

Warnie gets a fifer

 

[Adamc]

Great catch. Hopefully Australia won't allow the tail to hit them around as they have done a few times to date...

 

[Sanz]

Anyone got a clue about how many times a spinner has taken 5 wickets on the first day of test match ?

 

[twctopcat]

All batting against Australia post Warne will seem eerily straightforward. What a cricketer.

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

Anyone got a clue about how many times a spinner has taken 5 wickets on the first day of test match ?

Good question that. It might have happened quite a few times though, I can certainly imagine it happening for Murali on a Kandy dustbowl, particularly against Zimbabwe or something.

 

[Scaly piscine]

A spinner getting the top 5 batsmen in the first innings must be pretty unusual as well.

 

[Demolition Man]

It's not against the rules, so it's not cheating.

It is of course horribly dishonest and I'd be very disappointed if an Australian player did it, btu it's not cheating.

Nor was bodyline.

 

[Demolition Man]

A spinner getting the top 5 batsmen in the first innings must be pretty unusual as well.

Murali ???

 

[Scaly piscine]

Nor was bodyline.

Yea, fair enough, lets ban all the cricketers who whine, harass the umpire, don't walk when they edge the ball. Australia would have to go scouting the nurseries to form an XI.

 

[aussie]

jesus i thought i would never get home, i was getting worried this afternoon listening to Strauss/Freddie bat but their gone & boy Warne is making his last test in England count for sure. Its been Australia's day so far for sure, to bowl England out would be great

 

[luckyeddie]

A spinner getting the top 5 batsmen in the first innings must be pretty unusual as well.

Jim Laker managed it a few times

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

Might be worth sending this one in to Ask Steven? I certainly don't think it's very common (5-fer on day 1, that is).

 

[Slow Love™]

Seven overs to go today - come on boys, a wicket or two tonight and things will get pretty exciting...

As I write this, a direct hit gets referred to the third umpire - looks like he's home though.