*Official* Fourth Test (Old Trafford, Manchester) 19-23 July

[CarlsbergXpress]

I’m trying to be optimistic, obviously!

 

[91Jmay]

Yeah they won't get more than 45 mins in but welcome overs none the less.

 

[chris.hinton]

But that also includes clearing all the overnight rain that fell, no?

Of course. But in fairness. It's still boggy. And there is still drizzle in the air. I personally think its too early

 

[silentstriker]

Well there is zero chance of winning and a draw could retain the Ashes so

I understand the math. I just don’t recall Australians ever being in this type of position.

 

[mackembhoy]

I doubt it will that much drier at 245 than it was at 2.

It's ridiculous they wait so long after making the decision to restart play.

Get them out there.

 

[CarlsbergXpress]

Of course. But in fairness. It's still boggy. And there is still drizzle in the air. I personally think its too early

Who’s side are you on?

 

[chris.hinton]

I doubt it will that much drier at 245 than it was at 2.

It's ridiculous they wait so long after making the decision to restart play.

Get them out there.

The pitch is boggy. There is rain building in Wales at the moment which is coming over. So an hour might be the only play

 

[chris.hinton]

Who’s side are you on?

England of course. I'm also (Perhaps too much) cautions with weather and all that

 

[WICFan]

If it's 10-15 overs, would you start with Wood and Woakes or a brief 2-3 over spell from Broad?

 

[chris.hinton]

Anderson and Woakes Swing. Woods pace and Broad's movement

Australia won't handle the pace of it all. Rumours of a rain dance being played in the Australian dressing room

 

[Socerer 01]

Anderson and Woakes Swing. Woods pace and Broad's movement

Australia won't handle the pace of it all. Rumours of a rain dance being played in the Australian dressing room

no thats just them practicing their batting against swing bowling

 

[chris.hinton]

no thats just them practicing their batting against swing bowling

Haha they need it

 

[Ali TT]

Not true

aus will not surrender in even 180 ball

180 ball? Is that the ECB's new format for the One Day Cup?

 

[kevinw]

If it's 10-15 overs, would you start with Wood and Woakes or a brief 2-3 over spell from Broad?

After this rain? Derek Underwood. From both ends.

 

[G. S. Kohli]

Tea will be at 5pm local, play can be extended for 30 minutes after the scheduled close of play, 59 overs are to be bowled

 

[GIMH]

From cricinfo

For comparison, when they got on after a waterlogged day at Headingley two weeks ago, Australia were 116 for 4 - and England bowled them out in 20 overs

 

[Jarquis]

1000 runs scored was the point, not averages

how many did they score v England in comparison to Broad having over a 1000 v Australia

simple comparisons please not averages

Well we might as well compare more games played then.

why are you comparing Broad to Mgrath?

do you want to compare Steve Smith’s runs scored to Paul Collingwood?

 

[chris.hinton]

Still rain in the air

 

[Son Of Coco]

I understand the math. I just don’t recall Australians ever being in this type of position.

We're ok with missionary, the chairman, butter churner, or the pretzel dip. What England have done here though is blindfold us, tie us to the bed, and then bring all their friends in for a look. It's akin to assault. Unsurprisingly, it's still one of the least heinous acts they've carried out during this Ashes series.

 

[Groundking]

@Groundking how are the skies?

I'm glad the ground is south of where I am....