*Official* First Test at Swalec Stadium, Cardiff

[Richard]

First no-ball of the series and we've not even finished the 6th over. A repeat of the no-ball-replete 2005 on the cards?

 

[Craig]

Peter Siddle on.

 

[King Pietersen]

Johnson's unimpressive 3 over spell comes to an end. Time for Siddle now.

 

[superkingdave]

Pretty sure I have a convo archive from early-2005 featuring you, Neil and Pratyush TBH.

Well early 2005 is over 4 years ago.

Siddle on, looking forward to seeing how he goes

 

[Jono]

Got on Siddle for most wickets in the series.

Come on Pete!

 

[Top_Cat]

Cue tired but inevitable cliches about the fact that there isn't sufficient tour-game time.

Doesn't make it any less wrong.

That said, the selectors didn't use the tour games very well, I reckon.

Pitch is seemingly getting slower and slower, none of the English batters have timed a pull yet.

 

[Richard]

Wonder how Big Bad Merv'll go.

 

[Richard]

Doesn't make it any less wrong.

I know. I'm one of the biggest advocates of more tour-game time around, and even I am getting a bit bored of how much people talk about it.

Any Ashes tour would ideally have a minimum of three eleven-a-side, four-day matches before the First Test and ideally one in between all matches bar the Fourth and Fifth.

 

[Craig]

Good to see Strauss and Cook taking lots of short singles, it is such a simple thing that a lot of teams fail to do.

 

[inbox24]

Looking at this bowling attack bowl on a slow low deck makes me sick. I think I'm gonna puke when Hauritz comes on.

 

[pasag]

Nice pitch.

 

[Richard]

Good to see Strauss and Cook taking lots of short singles, it is such a simple thing that a lot of teams fail to do.

It isn't quite as simple as some make-out. Obviously, if the ball goes into a gap accidentally you take a single, but it's perfectly dangerous to try to put a ball into a gap when it's not in the right spot to do so. Always defend with a straight bat, don't try to angle it into a gap. That's not that much less dangerous than trying to drive a bouncer.

 

[superkingdave]

Sh*t, great catch!

 

[King Pietersen]

Hilfenhaus get's the breakthrough, great catch. Typical Cook shot though. Time for Bopara to hit a stylish 30 and clip one to square leg.

 

[Jono]

Catching Huss!

 

[Craig]

What a catch by Hussey!

Loose shot by Cook.

 

[NUFAN]

What a catch!!

 

[LongHopCassidy]

Husseeeeeeeey!

 

[inbox24]

Horse! WAG

 

[Top_Cat]

Haha, Hilf. Knew it! And, for once, I'm quoted as backing him!

Even if it was an awesome catch....