England in Australia

[aussie1st]

It's a pity that the toss makes that much of a difference. Too many cracks for a 3rd day pitch for me. But good on these two they are looking good right now.

Ooh ah Glenn McGrath Geez hes bowling brilliantly right now, better not be any rugby balls on the ground for the 2nd Ashes test :

 

[pal]

That guy's a beast out there. It doesn't matter how old he is.

 

[kodos]

Looked pretty plumb to me, don't know why Bowden took so long to make the decision. GIles in now, I bet Fletcher is tuned in now to see a masterclass Giles innings. Damn Giles was dropped Great effort though by Ponting.

Agree far too many cracks. Pitches really should be quite decent to bat on in day 3 and should start seeing conspicuous cracks on day 4. Just hope this is not common for the rest of the series otherwise whoever wins the toss will most likely win the match.

 

[aussie1st]

When Punter drops them they must have been hard, just didn't have enough control with that one but dam good effort by Punter to even get that close.

 

[PhilD123]

To be honest, no one can blame the umpire for getting the KP lbw call wrong, it looked for all the world like it would of crashed into the stumps.

Bell gone and I expect England to be cleaned up before the end of this session.

 

[aussie1st]

McGrath gets another 5 fer great effort by the Great man. Clark has also done very well, playing the two McGrath's looks like it is paying off.
Surely we aren't going to bat again though, geez that is bloody crazy.

 

[PhilD123]

157 all out, and it has been confirmed that Austrlia are not enforcing the follow on, seems a strange decision but I guess they can finish it off mega quick with Warne on a day 4 pitch tomorrow. They wont exactly need to bat for long.

 

[aussie1st]

I'm guessing it's partly to rest the bowlers, McGrath had a very long stint. Also to leave the English to bat last but if we draw this Ponting is going to be under huge pressure.

 

[aussie_ben91]

Ponting, great batsman. Very dodgy captain though. Surely England can't do what India did to us 5 years ago. We're to far in front, his just increasing the risk of a draw. I have no complaints watching Hayden bat though.

 

[kodos]

I think Australia in a sense fear that if England do somehow get past the 400 odd lead and build a lead of 100 or so (highly unlikely) they have a chance of winning. I guess also the reason is that they want to really give it to England, stay out onto the field for a couple of hours or so and send down some deliveries before stumps.

Just looking at the pitch report by Greig and dear oh dear the cracks appear a lot larger than I first thought. Interesting to see how the Aussies will bat for the rest of the day and see will they falter like what England did.

 

[PhilD123]

To be honest, if England had got a lead of 150 etc, England haven't got the bowling resources to bowl a team out for under 150 at the moment, especially such an in form Australian batting line-up. Will be interesting to see how Harmy bowls, hopefully he will get a spell where he's back in rhythm.

EDIT: The Australians dont seem as focused at the crease as they were on Thursday, this is understandable. Englands bowlers have started well, no Harmison with the new ball, Anderson and Hoggy.

 

[aussie1st]

Well who knows England bowlers may have finally got it right although they don't have a Warne so there isn't as much to fear about. Oh well we can't do anything about it now, question now is when do we declare.

 

[aussie_ben91]

Gonna see some shots from Hayden. Might look to get a stamp on getting his ODI place back.

 

[aussie1st]

Really has been dominating the bowlers today, maybe hes going back to his old dominating way or Aus are looking for quick runs. Really has been entertaining watching Hayden smack a few to the fence.
Just walked down the wicket hes definitely going after the English.

 

[aussie_ben91]

Just gave Hoggard the charge and edged one over gully. Pretty gutty two balls before tea.