The Ashes 2013

[Sir Velo]

It seems that Lords have now also banned Billy the Trumpeter. Welcome news for some. I would let him in ... and his trumpet.

Ah, but would you want the seat next to him? Or FTM, in the same stand?

[gurnemanz]

Ah, but would you want the seat next to him? Or FTM, in the same stand?

Fair point. I assume he goes in with people who don't mind him close to them - like the Barmy Army. Maybe he could be "off-stage", as at some concerts.

[Sir Velo]

Well, without Bell's (and, to some extent, Trott's and Bairstow's) contribution yesterday, England really would have been in the mire, on what appears to be an absolute belter of a batting wicket. It looks a 500 run pitch to me and England's tail will have to pull out all the stops to get close to first innings par score.

Despite his fifty, Bairstow has obvious technical flaws which this Aussie attack is well equipped to expose - viz his propensity to play everything on the stumps through mid wicket. Fine, if you're Viv Richards but for lesser mortals a risky strategy. The selectors must be wondering whether to recall Compton and put back Root to five, dropping Bairstow in the process, in order to ensure some stability earlier in the innings. Certainly Pietersen cannot be relied upon to give this, and Root is obviously struggling at the top of the order. More worrying is that Cook seems to be lapsing back into that old tendency of going too far to the offside and then falling over with any ball which shapes back in.

Prior is a marvellous attacking player but someone needs to tell him that slogging a spinner who is getting sharp turn, only a few overs before stumps, is not playing the situation. The only saving grace for England is that the Aussie's batting line up looks even more fragile than England's, but today's play could well have a crucial bearing on the series as a whole.

[amateur51]

First time I've heard Ed Smith's commentary at Lord's and I must say he's rather good - lively, informed, good partnership with Glenn McGrath. And his first child has just been born. And it's his birthday

Broad and Swann made the England tail wag considerably to 361 a.o. - not a bad total considering the start yesterday and the last knockings yesterday evening.

A long hot afternoon beckons .... let's hope Anderson & Co manage to take a couple of wickets before lunch

[antongould]

I've been brave and had a peek Ams ......not too bad at all?

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

struth when i went to lunch Oz were 44 for 1; when i came back they were 93 for 6 .... i must go to lunch more often, must admit to being rather poorly this morning and went to a round the corner to a hostelry for a cheese omelette and chips and ministration from matron ... now feeling much better .... but still not well must be a summer cold .... shivery and feverish ... c'mon Broad get yer ton or whatever .... TMS in great form today .... the Cameron Boycott joshing was wonderful ... and Agar just run out now 96 for 7!

[amateur51]

struth when i went to lunch Oz were 44 for 1; when i came back they were 93 for 6 .... i must go to lunch more often, must admit to being rather poorly this morning and went to a round the corner to a hostelry for a cheese omelette and chips and ministration from matron ... now feeling much better .... but still not well must be a summer cold .... shivery and feverish ... c'mon Broad get yer ton or whatever .... TMS in great form today .... the Cameron Boycott joshing was wonderful ... and Agar just run out now 96 for 7!

Hope you're feeling better today Calum - I too have a summer cold, confined mostly to a sore throat at the moment, so you have my commiserations. If cheese omelette and chips won't fix it, well ...?

The game has moved on considerably and this morning near Lord's it's cooler, possibly heavier atmospherically, overcast at the moment, forecast to be sunnier from mid-afternoon.

[amateur51]

Interesting start to the third day, both Root and Bresnan (night watchman) are being watchful, keen to make something substantial to consolidate their positions in the team. Australian bowlers, with the exception of Siddle, not really making these ambitions difficult to achieve England 66-3 Root 33n.o., Bresnan 16 n.o.

There are rumours of damage to KP's knee

[eighthobstruction]

There are rumours of damage to KP's knee

....good....lets blood even more young players....and get rid of KP....

[antongould]

....good....lets blood even more young players....and get rid of KP....

Well done Young Root?

[eighthobstruction]

Well done Young Root?

....definite positivo....

[amateur51]

Crikey what a result - England beat Australia by 347 runs

[antongould]

Crikey what a result - England beat Australia by 347 runs

Magic ......but have we not been 2-0 up before and lost a series?

[amateur51]

Magic ......but have we not been 2-0 up before and lost a series?

I daresay - what's yer point, caller?

[Il Grande Inquisitor]

Magic ......but have we not been 2-0 up before and lost a series?

In the Ashes, only once has England won the first two Tests and then gone on to lose the series - back in 1936/37. I think the only thing stopping a 5-0 whitewash at the moment would be an end to the current heatwave and biblical flooding...