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

[Adamc]

Clarke looks in terrible pain. Quite painful to watch him trying to duck a bouncer.

Yeah, he's doing quite well for someone who only arrived at the ground an hour ago. Must say I've been forced to eat my words regarding Warne's batting temperament or lack thereof, he's played very sensibly in this innings; he's been more or less alone in that regard unfortunately.

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

Doesnt bode well for his future if he cant risk throwing a ball.

Maybe not, but other batsmen have had back problems and overcome them. One thing that must be said about Clarke is that he has looked a born test player this series. He's played all the bowlers as well as any of the Australian batsmen, and looked very classy in the process. He and Lee are the only shining lights for Australia this series really, aside from McGrath and Warne as usual, and Langer has also been quite good. The rest of the team has, up until now, been extremely disappointing.

 

[social]

Yeah, he's doing quite well for someone who only arrived at the ground an hour ago. Must say I've been forced to eat my words regarding Warne's batting temperament or lack thereof, he's played very sensibly in this innings; he's been more or less alone in that regard unfortunately.

Ditto.

 

[social]

Hopefully Aus avoids the follow on as this wicket is really taking turn.

Giles is nothing more than a roller and Warne should be able to turn the ball at absolute right angles in Eng's second innings.

 

[matty1818]

Geez two good chances dropped off gilchrist. They might live to regret them...

nah.

 

[Tom Halsey]

Clarke played a very stupid shot - slower ball or not.

 

[social]

Spoke too soon.

 

[Shane Warne]

nah.

Told you all Gilchrist wouldn't do anything.

 

[Adamc]

Not a fan of the slower ball, eh.

Assuming they get the opportunity to do so, I'm not too sure that England will actually enforce the follow on, especially with three days to go. I think they'd much rather set Australia 400-500+ than face the possibility of a low chase on day 4 or 5. Virtually impossible for Australia to force a draw though.

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

The question now arsises - will Vaughan enforce the follow-on? It's actually a fairly tough one, because of how much the pitch is helping Giles now. If, theoretically, Australia were to follow on say 220 behind and score 350-400, England would then have to face Warne (and McGrath) on an uneven, dusty turner with a tricky total. It's a big if, but it would have to be in Vaughan's mind somewhat.

The weather forecast might come into it as well. Were I in Vaughan's position, I'd bat again.

edit: Adam beat me.

 

[SpaceMonkey]

Thats if England bowl Australia out for under the required amount. I think Vaughan wouldnt be too disappointed if they do and take the decision out of his hands.

 

[Slow Love™]

Greg Matthews was convinced earlier that Vaughan wouldn't enforce the follow-on, and would set a huge total.

Seems like our only hope now is rain, and lots of it.

Apparently Bucknor just gave Simon Jones a seven ball over by mistake.

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

As an Australian fan, I'd actually rather we followed on. If Australia bat well enough you can still score 400 on this wicket, which at least puts the game back in the balance. I don't think Vaughan will enforce it, but you never know.

 

[Adamc]

As an Australian fan, I'd actually rather we followed on. If Australia bat well enough you can still score 400 on this wicket, which at least puts the game back in the balance. I don't think Vaughan will enforce it, but you never know.

Same, I'll be surprised and a little relieved if England do enforce the follow-on.

I think England's game plan will be to knock over the tail for a lead of 200-odd, then bat throughout day 3 and maybe into day 4 for a lead of 500+, giving them two days to take ten wickets on what should by then be a very nasty pitch. That seems the surest route to victory to me, anyway.

 

[Arjun]

For all those watching on SKY, did you see one of Flintoff's deliveries rushing past at 163km/h?

 

[tooextracool]

For all those watching on SKY, did you see one of Flintoff's deliveries rushing past at 163km/h?

yep 101.7mph, but its not the first time that the speedometer has screwed up and clocked a ball faster than what was actually bowled in this series.

 

[matty1818]

Same, I'll be surprised and a little relieved if England do enforce the follow-on.

I think England's game plan will be to knock over the tail for a lead of 200-odd, then bat throughout day 3 and maybe into day 4 for a lead of 500+, giving them two days to take ten wickets on what should by then be a very nasty pitch. That seems the surest route to victory to me, anyway.

i agree seems like a no-brainer to me, even if england bowl out australia for nothing tommorow.

 

[tooextracool]

I disagree on you point on Gillespie though. He had to be bowled. He's been picked as a bowler, and it is hard to rotate three bowlers for the entire innings. It is not the captain's fault that the selectors have picked the wrong bowler.

that really is a problem with the australian bowling attack at the moment. they are one bowler short, and how dearly they need a capable all rounder(not the watson rubbish). with them already carrying gillespie, if one of mcgrath or lee have a bad day they have some real problems like they did yesterday. if shane warne has a really bad day at any point in this series, they really are going to get pasted.
this is where englands 4 pronged pace attack stands out IMO, they've been carrying hoggard all series, but when someone else has a bad day, they still have enough bowlers to be able to rotate around.

 

[howardj]

Sore back or not, a pretty poor shot by Clarke. Interesting how people use things - Steve Waugh used injuries as a motivation to get a big score, Clarke used his as an excuse to play an ill-advised slog.

 

[King_Ponting]

I never thought i'd be saying this but "rain gods please save Australia!"