2nd Test: England v Australia at Lord's

[jordox]

England have this in the bag, providing they give themselves enough time (which is what they'll do), they bowl their lines and it doesn't rain out.

I think the most important thing is that England are patient and bowl their lines. Australia aren't a team that will go out there and try to block for 2 days - they have attacking players who play their shots and as long as England put the ball on the spot, and weather permitting, Australia have zero chance at saving this match.

 

[Cricketdude]

I can't see us losing from here. I know how flat the wicket is Australia have batted for 2 days before(day 1s and 2s) so it shouldn't be that difficult to save the match.

 

[pcfan123]

I say we bat for the first hour then put them in. If we cant bowl them out in 5 1/2 sessions we dont deserve to win.

 

[aussie1st]

Who would have thought, Hauritz our star bowler once again. Think that is enough to cement his spot for at least one more test if not the series.

 

[MasterBlaster76]

I say we bat for the first hour then put them in. If we cant bowl them out in 5 1/2 sessions we dont deserve to win.

It depends on the weather. If it looks like being one of those on/off days, I'd say declare immediately. That would suit us (minus the rain), because overcast conditions are great for bowling.

Who would have thought, Hauritz our star bowler once again. Think that is enough to cement his spot for at least one more test if not the series.

Agreed, he has been really impressive. The rest of the attack has problems; what's going on with Johnson? I've never seen him bowl before, but he was supposed to be the new McGrath...

MasterBlaster76 added 1 Minutes and 32 Seconds later...

I can't see us losing from here. I know how flat the wicket is Australia have batted for 2 days before(day 1s and 2s) so it shouldn't be that difficult to save the match.

We have the best part of two days to bowl you out! It's going to take a monumental effort on your part to save this match. My money is on our first Ashes Lords win since 1934. And if we win this one, I believe we'll go on to take the series.

 

[Skater]

I can just see us winning this game, going for 3 draws, getting it wrong and losing the series 3-1.

 

[aussie1st]

Agreed, he has been really impressive. The rest of the attack has problems; what's going on with Johnson? I've never seen him bowl before, but he was supposed to be the new McGrath...

Hilfenhaus has been good as well, just no support from the other end is releasing the pressure valve. Johnson seems to have lost his wrist and arm position. If we did a side by side comparison between where he is now and in SA you will see a big difference. For a bowler playing Test cricket and one who should be near his prime, to lose everything you learnt only a few months ago is worrying.

 

[age of the fall]

Haddins keeping is a worry. He's been extremly average behind the stumps, and his batting is still as hit and miss as ever. Still rate him higher then Manu(SP?) though.

 

[MasterBlaster76]

Hilfenhaus has been good as well, just no support from the other end is releasing the pressure valve. Johnson seems to have lost his wrist and arm position. If we did a side by side comparison between where he is now and in SA you will see a big difference. For a bowler playing Test cricket and one who should be near his prime, to lose everything you learnt only a few months ago is worrying.

Hilfenhaus does look very good and I like the look of Siddle as well, he reminds me of Merv Hughes a bit - not the way he looks of course, but his attitude. As for Johnson, do you think someone's been messing around with his action (a case of 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it')?

MasterBlaster76 added 0 Minutes and 40 Seconds later...

I can just see us winning this game, going for 3 draws, getting it wrong and losing the series 3-1.

I doubt that, but we'll all know soon enough.

MasterBlaster76 added 1 Minutes and 47 Seconds later...

England have this in the bag, providing they give themselves enough time (which is what they'll do), they bowl their lines and it doesn't rain out.

I think the most important thing is that England are patient and bowl their lines. Australia aren't a team that will go out there and try to block for 2 days - they have attacking players who play their shots and as long as England put the ball on the spot, and weather permitting, Australia have zero chance at saving this match.

Agreed. Someone has to have a word with Broad about banging the ball in on a lifeless pitch such as this. The only way I can see Australia getting away with a draw is if the rain gets in the way. But if there is any sign of rain tomorrow, I'd say declare and get into them immediately.

MasterBlaster76 added 4 Minutes and 55 Seconds later...

I don't think England are on top. Why? because I've seen their heroics a million times where they go from leading by 300 runs to losing by 300 runs.

Doesn't look like happening now, does it? Face it, you're staring down the barrel and only our own Blessed English Weather can save you now.

 

[Jakester1288]

As for Johnson, do you think someone's been messing around with his action (a case of 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it')?

He has had numerous injury problems in his cricketing career, especially with his back, and he devised an action that helped to take stress off his back or whatever they need to do.

If he has been changing his action, it must be for the benefit of his body. I doubt he would be successful and in good form then just change his action, unless he's either pulling up sore, or he has been told by the doctors or specialists or someone to change his action or it will continue damaging his back and/or other parts of his body.

 

[aussie1st]

Hilfenhaus does look very good and I like the look of Siddle as well, he reminds me of Merv Hughes a bit - not the way he looks of course, but his attitude. As for Johnson, do you think someone's been messing around with his action (a case of 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it')?

Siddle has potential but seems to have too many loose balls in his game right now. Its a bit like him at Perth where he showed his potential but was leaking runs.
For mind Johnson seems to have slipped back to his old style as it makes no sense for anyone to be changing his action after SA. The rest seemed to have killed what he had learnt.

 

[Raj_Aryan]

Will Eng declare after getting lead of 521? or will they play for another 10-20 overs and add few more runs as fast as possible and thus put more pressure on Aus?

 

[aussie1st]

Haddins keeping is a worry. He's been extremly average behind the stumps, and his batting is still as hit and miss as ever. Still rate him higher then Manu(SP?) though.

Too risky changing the keeper midway through an Ashes, I've never seen us do that during a series let alone an Ashes excluding injuries. Manou is more sensible with the bat but it remains to be seen if he has the technique to make it at this level. His keeping probably is better than Haddin's although haven't seen much of him.

 

[nikhil_99]

Will Eng declare after getting lead of 521? or will they play for another 10-20 overs and add few more runs as fast as possible and thus put more pressure on Aus?

They might just play for 10 overs or so,just to frustrate Aus a bit more and they might try to get few quick runs , Flintoff is playing at 100+ strike rate,so they might just play for few more overs...

 

[Hooper]

Weather forecast anyone?