***Official*** NatWest Series/Challenge

[Scaly piscine]

Solanki looks like he's fulfilling the Vaughan role perfectly

Right down to picking out the infield with unerring accuracy.

 

[Barney Rubble]

Right on cue, Solanki drives beautifully through the off side. Come on England.

 

[aussie]

Top Shot, Solanki

 

[andyc]

watson copping some stick here

 

[Adamc]

Australia were 3-96 in the 22nd over, so England are still in a reasonable position here - potentially only 20 or 30 behind Australia at the same stage.

 

[Barney Rubble]

Shot Freddie, here we go.....could be fun if he gets going.

 

[andyc]

hogg on
i wouldn't be surprised if he gets flintoff here

 

[Barney Rubble]

I think there's a danger the Aussies could really underestimate Solanki here. If they keep concentrating on getting Flintoff out, it may give Solanki the opportunity to play a few of the shots he knows he is capable of. He just needs to get the confidence to go on the attack - he's destroyed far better bowlers than Hogg and Watson at county level.

 

[PY]

Methink Freddie might go orbital sometime soon because I can't see him being able to resist short-pitched bowling from a spinner....

 

[Neil Pickup]

Nor would I - but I'm still hoping. Partnership 62 and counting, and it ain't over yet.

 

[andyc]

I think there's a danger the Aussies could really underestimate Solanki here. If they keep concentrating on getting Flintoff out, it may give Solanki the opportunity to play a few of the shots he knows he is capable of. He just needs to get the confidence to go on the attack - he's destroyed far better bowlers than Hogg and Watson at county level.

true, but all the same, it's obviously better for the aussies for flintoff to be out than solanki

 

[superkingdave]

Hogg appeals like he's having a orgasm, decent appeal, but we see appeals like that turned down quite a lot off spinners when they look decent

 

[Barney Rubble]

it ain't over yet.

Bloody right it ain't - underestimate the self-belief and tenacity of a Michael Vaughan team at your peril.

 

[Neil Pickup]

Hogg appeals like he's having a orgasm, decent appeal, but we see appeals like that turned down quite a lot off spinners when they look decent

Aleem Dar generally gives those, mind - omens with us, maybe?

 

[Barney Rubble]

true, but all the same, it's obviously better for the aussies for flintoff to be out than solanki

Obviously. I'm sure they'd take it if you offered them the wicket of Flintoff at the expense of a few boundaries from Solanki - they just have to keep an eye on Solanki and not let him do a Dravid-esque "wow, he's got 60 already? He's barely played a shot" job.

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

Symonds should come on now and bowl some off-spin. Try and knock over these middle overs so Gillespie can return.

edit: got it again.

 

[superkingdave]

Symonds should come on now and bowl some off-spin. Try and knock over these middle overs so Gillespie can return.

No, Watson should stay on

 

[aussie]

I think Ponting should give Lee a bowl at Flintoff, has i type excellent fielding thier by Hussey.

 

[Barney Rubble]

I think this partnership have done extremely well to score at 4.1 an over, having come together at 6-3 off 4 or so. It'll still take a while for the initiative to be back with us, though.

 

[Adamc]

Watson not having a good time, ought to bring on Symonds for a few quick overs I think. Just wondering, how come Hogg doesn't rush through his overs anymore? He used to bowl as though he had to complete the over in sixty seconds, never noticed him actually taking his time before this series. Some excellent fielding from Hussey.