The Ashes.......

[hedgehog]

Not enough variation there even with more rotation imo (but then I know even less ). Looks a bit ominous for England I think. They say the wicket can get faster on the 2nd & 3rd day and Johnston is just that much more fast. Still the fielding looked much sharper to me, in the afternoon sessions (was not up for the morning session unfortunately). Still if a couple of batsmen survive the new ball and are in form, maybe, just maybe???

[gradus]

Keep believing!!

[amateur51]

Some relief from 1984 ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcKRbEB7m2I

[amateur51]

A better day for England today with bat and ball, though the loss of a couple of late wickets took the gilt off the gingerbread. sadly. England are still 200+ runs behind Australia's first innings score with four wickets down. Time for Bell and young Stokes to drop anchor and get them in singles tomorrow.

In his second Test match Stokes could do a lot worse than support Bell and watch a master batsman accumulate with style.

[anotherbob]

Pietersen must have some negatives involving Flower and Cook. I heard Vaughan say "He's too good a player to play shots like that."
At my club we subscribe to the notion that a batsman is as good as the shots he plays. Any 1st. team player who played like Pietersen would find himself paying for all the drinks, all night, and looking forward to a spell in the 2nds.

[muzzer]

I'm afraid I have a very low opinion of KP generally, but I'm quite happy to keep quiet as long as he grafts and makes runs. England need to dig in properly tomorrow or they might as well fly home.

[amateur51]

I'm afraid I have a very low opinion of KP generally, but I'm quite happy to keep quiet as long as he grafts and makes runs. England need to dig in properly tomorrow or they might as well fly home.

Sir Geoffrey's new favourite word when speaking of KP is 'hubris', which seems appropriate.

The other appears to be 'daft' and that has an authentic ring to it too

And Sir Geoffrey calls himself a KP fan

[muzzer]

I wonder what else Boycs will find in the dictionary. The scales seem to be falling from his eyes re KP.

[hedgehog]

Go (back) to bed.

[amateur51]

I awoke slightly disappointed to find that I had slept through the bulk of the third day's play. When I turned on the radio - horrors!

Sir Geoffrey is now conceding the possibility of a 5-0 whitewash

[teamsaint]

Back to back series is a truly terrible idea.

[anotherbob]

If we assume that this test will be another 300+ run Aussi win, that means they will have almost 1000 runs lead over England, more than enough to win the next two tests. Why don't we do the decent thing, concede now and let the players come home in time to join the dole queue before xmas?

[amateur51]

If we assume that this test will be another 300+ run Aussi win, that means they will have almost 1000 runs lead over England, more than enough to win the next two tests. Why don't we do the decent thing, concede now and let the players come home in time to join the dole queue before xmas?

What?! And miss out on all the luvverly gate receipts & sponsorship lolly? Can't see that happening (which is sad, I agree)

[eighthobstruction]

Trott looking happier by the day ??.....

[hedgehog]

Trott looking happier by the day ??.....

Swann home for Christmas!

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/cricket/25481772

A matter of going before pushed?