*Official* First Test at Swalec Stadium, Cardiff

[Craig]

I hope Siddle doesn't get a wicket with a no-ball.

 

[Richard]

Siddle all over Bopara like a cheap suit here.

Almost as often as he's over the popping-crease.

And on another note, it's incredibly annoying how people constantly chime-on about how no-balls were a problem for Australia in 2005. England bowled more than Australia did! It was a problem for both teams.

 

[King Pietersen]

Except Bell normally looks good.

Well yes there is that. Was more referring to the fact that as soon as things get difficult for Bell he chucks his wicket away. He's incapable of playing ugly cricket, hopefully Ravi can. Doesn't exactly look patient this morning though, will get himself out soon.

 

[pup11]

Bopara is riding his luck here, I don't know how he has managed to last this long, though if he continues to bat like this, then it shouldn't be long before he gets knocked over.

EDIT: Need to fix this no-ball problem quickly, would be so annoying to see them take a wicket of a no-ball.

 

[Craig]

Bopara will get out slashing to gully.

 

[wpdavid]

Almost as often as he's over the popping-crease.

And on another note, it's incredibly annoying how people constantly chime-on about how no-balls were a problem for Australia in 2005. England bowled more than Australia did! It was a problem for both teams.

Yeah, but Aus missed a couple of wickets due to noballs didn't they? England's preferred method of wasting chances was to drop them.

 

[Richard]

Bopara is riding his luck here, I don't know how he has managed to last this long, though if he continues to bat like this, then it shouldn't be long before he gets knocked over.

Can just see Strauss, who's looking ridiculously comfortable compared to Bopara, getting out first of the two.

 

[superkingdave]

Bopara has already made more runs than Bell would've done, Australia have bowled plenty of balls in the corridor outside off stump that Bell could have made look unplayable

 

[superkingdave]

Can just see Strauss, who's looking ridiculously comfortable compared to Bopara, getting out first of the two.

Looked dead there

 

[Craig]

Must of just been missing leg.

 

[Andre]

Almost as often as he's over the popping-crease.

And on another note, it's incredibly annoying how people constantly chime-on about how no-balls were a problem for Australia in 2005. England bowled more than Australia did! It was a problem for both teams.

Yup. Fascinates me how it is seen as a new or recent problem, it's been happening since the dawn of time. I reckon people talk it up more now because there is more attention to them due to Twenty20 cricket.

 

[Richard]

Yeah, but Aus missed a couple of wickets due to noballs didn't they? England's preferred method of wasting chances was to drop them.

Australia and England both dropped hundreds of catches and also both bowled hundreds of no-balls. Australia lost 3 wickets to no-balls IIRR (certainly at least 2) and England lost none. Nonetheless, England bowled more no-balls than Australia and obviously whether you get a wicket off a no-ball or not is completely and totally down to luck.

 

[Ausage]

Ha, great stuff this from Mitch.

 

[King Pietersen]

Bopara is looking worse and worse if anything. Not good signs.

 

[Richard]

Looked dead there

Yeah, first error of the series right there. Not sure it looked dead but certainly was pretty out.

 

[Craig]

Wouldn't mind slapping Bopara right now. Will probably make a 100 now.

 

[Richard]

As I thought, Strauss out first despite looking far more comfortable. That bad decision against Strauss makes no difference.

 

[wpdavid]

Can just see Strauss, who's looking ridiculously comfortable compared to Bopara, getting out first of the two.

Sure enough

 

[superkingdave]

Strauss gone, good aggressive bowling here

Reckon KP will get out cheaply

 

[LongHopCassidy]

Gorn. Midge you gun.