*Official* First Test at the Gabba

[Spark]

It's blatantly clear that Ponting isn't going to be fooled into using Siddle or Hilfenhaus any time soon though.

 

[Adamski]

Actually starting to doubt whether an improbable victory here would be more enjoyable than watching Australia bowl another 45 overs. The score is making me lose my sanity.

 

[robelinda]

When was the last ashes triple scored?

Bob Cowper? Was that against England? Last 250 was Langer in 2002.

 

[Jacknife]

That's a good question, what would Ponting least want to do, stop in the field for loads more overs, or have to come out and bat again.

 

[LongHopCassidy]

Marcuss North has genuinely looked Australia's second best bowler in this match. It's not the first time either. Talk of replacing him with Smith to improve the bowling is insane - if anything I think it'd improve the bowling and weaken the batting...

You mean weaken the bowling and improve the batting, right?

 

[social]

Marcuss North has genuinely looked Australia's second best bowler in this match. It's not the first time either. Talk of replacing him with Smith to improve the bowling is insane - if anything I think it'd improve the bowling and weaken the batting...

Agreed

Reckon he's been underbowled in many tests

 

[Spark]

At this stage I think he's oddly happy to see England batting on and on and on. He's just saying "OK fill your boots, because I'm going to make sure these are the most meaningless runs you'll ever score".

Or at least that's how I would put it.

 

[Pothas]

Well Im still enjoying this, declaration in 20 mins or so though.

 

[outbreak]

Does anyone have a reason why Copeland seems out of contention when most people talk of players in the shield who could move into the test side? I keep hearing Cameron and George but Copeland looks better them both of them...

 

[social]

Bob Cowper? Was that against England? Last 250 was Langer in 2002.

Cowper did it against the Poms at the MCG

 

[vcs]

Strauss must declare, preferably a few overs before tea, he's got more than enough on the board. They've heaped enough ignominy on Australia with all these runs, surely the law of decreasing returns has kicked in by now? The wise thing to do would be to rub it in by taking a few wickets as well.

 

[Bun]

Fire the curator

 

[social]

Ownage. Wish I had the 9 coverage. Wonder how Mark “Robert Mugabe is my hero” Nicholas is taking this. Loves this Australian team more than anyone.

Only been watching for half an hour but Channel 9 commentators have generally been very generous in their praise of the batsmen, tried to hype up anything remotely exciting to stop people turning off whilst studiously avoiding stating the obvious about our bowling

 

[Spark]

Interestingly enough this is still ten overs shorter than our first innings. Difference in the bowling standard, tbh.

 

[Prince EWS]

You mean weaken the bowling and improve the batting, right?

Haha yeah. Dire typo.

 

[hazsa19]

perhaps he wants a 300 lead, may aswell throw the bat though

 

[social]

Clarke's drop

 

[tooextracool]

Out of curiousity, has any side ever been 500+ for the loss of 1 or less wickets?

 

[TT Boy]

Simon Katich is in the side, a guy who had a 60 SR in ODIs in an era of 400+ totals. England had more than enough runs 10 overs back.

 

[vcs]

Clarke's drop.