***Official*** NatWest Series/Challenge

[Barney Rubble]

Harmy should be off now, last over cost 14. Get Fred on, work with Jones at getting up them like he did to Hayden.

 

[Adamc]

Good bowling and all, but to be honest it's a bit disappointing (though not surprising) to see the commentators variously deifying Jones or criticising Hayden after the throwing-the-ball-at-Hayden incident. If it had been say, Brett Lee to Michael Vaughan, I can't help but think that the reaction would've been different.

Anyway, very interesting match thus far. Ponting looking half-decent at the moment, hopefully he can make his first decent score of the series. Australia would be hoping for 270 or so I imagine, especially after the ICC Trophy match, though it may be different under lights. Ponting getting stuck into Harmison as I type.

Oh, and KP... what was that?!

 

[Pratters]

Very good shot by Martyn off Jones square.

 

[Pedro Delgado]

You think? I think he's looking a different player, a far better and more consistent one with more strings to his bowling bow - he had potential before the injury but showed few signs of fulfilling it. Now he's coming to fruition at the perfect time.

Yes I concur. I meant he's getting his confidence back all the time,for a while he didn't seem to be attacking the crease like his old self.
Summat like that. I know what I mean.

 

[Pratters]

The last ball of the over by Jones was very good. Slower ball with late coming into the batsman. The batsman Martyn wanted to go for a swing but had to restrict himself for a single.

 

[Barney Rubble]

Yes I concur. I meant he's getting his confidence back all the time,for a while he didn't seem to be attacking the crease like his old self.

Oh yeah, you're certainly right there - I don't think he would have relished a battle with Matthew Hayden quite so much as he did today if it had happened a year ago. He didn't have the confidence. It's good to see him improving all the time.

 

[Pratters]

The commentators Allott and Botham saying the regulations were needed and not saying it was controversial or any thing.

This is very poor indeed. Should give a neutral view with a what they feel rather than making out as its such a great move as if every one likes the same idea.

They are even saying they hope it will be applied in the finals. Very poor not giving the whole picture.

 

[Pratters]

Martyn is meddling the ball very well indeed.

 

[Barney Rubble]

Martyn is meddling the ball very well indeed.

Meddling the ball? That sounds illegal....

 

[superkingdave]

The commentators Allott and Botham saying the regulations were needed and not saying it was controversial or any thing.

This is very poor indeed. Should give a neutral view with a what they feel rather than making out as its such a great move as if every one likes the same idea.

They are even saying they hope it will be applied in the finals. Very poor not giving the whole picture.

well i quite clearly heard Botham say "I think it's a great idea"

I don't think they were saying they should be applied in the final either, more likely the Natwest Challenge

 

[Pratters]

well i quite clearly heard Botham say "I think it's a great idea"

I don't think they were saying they should be applied in the final either, more likely the Natwest Challenge

Sorry yes Natwest Challenge. I keep getting confused with Natwest Challenge and natwest final.

Yes they said it should eb applied in the Natwest Challenge and the 'think' part I didntnotice but did they say about the controversial aspect or any thing? No.

They hailed it as a very good move infact without putting down the negatives or even the fact that there has been some opposition to it from fans, former players..

 

[Adamc]

Gough back... same result first ball. Martyn certainly timing the ball much better than he was the other day, could be in for another big innings today.

 

[Pratters]

The ball is on the off stump. So what does Martyn do? He just moves to the off side and plays the ball to the leg for the runs possible.

Brilliant and shows he is in very good touch.

 

[wpdavid]

Gough back... same result first ball. Martyn certainly timing the ball much better than he was the other day, could be in for another big innings today.

Sad to say, Gough's looking a bit of a pie-chucker today. There's a lot of talk on the radio about how he doesn't pose enough of a threat to be opening the bowling nowadays, which I think is probably right. Until today his ER has been OK, but he's looking horribly vulnerable to players looking to get after him on a good track.

 

[Scaly piscine]

Can't help being amused when Cricinfo has Gough as RF and Flintoff as RFM.

 

[aussie]

Can't help being amused when Cricinfo has Gough as RF and Flintoff as RFM.

How come you aren't seeing the game on TV mate??

 

[Pratters]

Giles frustrating Martyn there with a Martyn and Flintoff takes Ponting.

Super cricket.

 

[Scaly piscine]

How come you aren't seeing the game on TV mate??

Because I don't have Sky.

 

[Adamc]

Giles could probably claim some credit for that wicket, as much as I hate seeing him bowl maidens outside leg stump. Australia should still be looking to score quickly though, a long batting lineup today.

 

[Scaly piscine]

Hope England put a slip in here for Giles v Symonds