Story story COMPLETE

[Skater]

Supporters banned from third Ashes test match​

Cricket Australia, Australia's governing body for cricket, have announced that spectators will not be allowed to enter the Adelaide Oval at all during the third Ashes test match.

"Due to acts of violence and hooliganism at the first Ashes test match between Australia and England at the Gabba in Brisbane, Cricket Australia have decided not to permit entry for supporters into the Adelaide Oval for the third Ashes test match" said a spokesperson.

A large number of Australian supporters threw plastic bottles onto the outfield and started fights with English supporters during the first Ashes test match at the Gabba in Brisbane. Cricket Australia announced that supporters will not be allowed to enter the ground from the third day onwards.

Supporters were allowed to enter the WACA in Perth for the second Ashes test match, which England won by 97 runs on a dramatic fifth and final day. A report from the stewards working at the ground during the match said that the supporters had caused "no problems" and were "enthusiastic and enthralled in the cricket".

"I don't want to comment on the supporter situation in too much detail, but obviously you are motivated more when your fans are behind you, especially on tour" said stand-in England captain Andrew Strauss.

Unfortunately, attention has been taken away from the cricket which has been very exciting so far. It is unknow as yet whether or not the media will be allowed to enter the Adelaide Oval.

 

[PhilD123]

Take that you Aussies! Although they should let the Barmy Army in!

Good work Lee.

 

[mattfb]

I like this story so far Lee.
No fans at all at Adelaide!! LOL

 

[Skater]

Australia on top after first day of third Ashes test

James Anderson played in his first match of the tour but failed to make inroads​

The Adelaide Oval was completely empty for the third Ashes test after Cricket Australia banned supporters from entering due to hooliganism earlier in the series.

England lost the coin toss and Australia captain Ricky Ponting elected to bat first on the first day of the third Ashes test match at the Adelaide Oval.

The tourists exposed trivial misfields, bowled unbelievably wide and dropped simple catches in the first session as Australia scored 96/0. James Anderson, playing for the first time in the series, failed to impress.

Shortly after the lunch break, Mike Hussey was caught at slip by Alastair Cook off the bowling of Anderson for 45 to finally make a breakthrough at 104/1.

Ricky Ponting continued his poor form by being bowled out by spin bowler Monty Panesar for a fourth ball duck.

England failed to make a further breakthrough though after some fantastic stroke play from the home team, going to the tea break on 202/2.

Steve Harmison came back for his second spell during the final session and immediately bowled an absolute jaffa to send a catch to wicketkeeper Matt Prior, sending Matthew Hayden back to the pavilion for an excellent 126.

Damien Martyn was caught off Matthew Hoggard for 5, but Phil Jaques was still in on 151.

Australia finished the day on 352/4, very much with the advantage.

Two Australians made centuries:

All of England's bowlers took a wicket, but went for runs:

 

[PhilD123]

Poor, poor day for England despite getting Ponting for a big fat zero. Great innings from Jaques and Hayden, no one else has done that much.

Good work Lee.

 

[Skater]

Blowers vs The Bearded Wonder

"Bring it Blowers, fecking bring it"​

The remaining four days of the the third Ashes test match between Australia and England was attended by just 32 people after the media were ejected as well as the supporters after Test Match Special commentator Henry Blofeld had a fight with statistician Bill Frindall over the destination of the passing train.

"A long, blue train is passing by the ground, heading for the airport," said Blofeld.

"No, that's going to Canberra." said Frindall.

"Pardon me, old man?"

"It's not going to the airport, it's going to Canberra."

"Of course it's going to the airport you daft old fool"

"You startin'?"

*Frindall throws a Playfair annual at Blofeld*

"You'll regret that one."

"Make me!"

"Have a shave!!"

*Frindall and Blofeld fight until seperated by Jonathan Agnew*

Now only a Cricket Australia report will tell us the result of the third test.

 

[jdeus]

Nice to see some tension being built up!!

Really had me wondering if Australia could hang on.

But good old England just scraping through. :happy

 

[PhilD123]

LOL! Love the Beaders v Blowers fight! A pity we cant find out the score at the end of each day, but oh well, very funny Lee.

 

[jdeus]

This story isn't really about cricket is it??

 

[Skater]

CA REPORT #2: AUS BT ENG (INNS & 59 RNS)

Gilchrist (169*)​

Australia thrashed England by an innings and 59 runs to level the Ashes test series at 1-1 with two test matches remaining.

The stand out performances were 164 by Phil Jaques and 169 not out by Adam Gilchrist in Australia's 1st innings, as the home team declared on 616/7.

Half centuries from Andrew Strauss and Kevin Pietersen could not recover England's first innings score from three ducks. England were all out for 285. Brett Lee took 4/72.

An unbeaten 107 by Strauss in the second innings was only supported by Paul Collingwood with 55 and Matt Prior with 51 but three more ducks sank England to 272 all out and an innings defeat. Nathan Bracken took 6/72 and Jason Gillespie took 4/60.

Gilchrist was named man of the match for his spectacular 169 not out, batting with the tail end for most of the innings.

England must now recover and win at least one of the remaining two tests to retain the Ashes they won in 2005.

It is not yet known whether supporters or the media will be allowed into the Melbourne Cricket Ground for the fourth test. Both Henry Blofeld and Bill Frindall are said to be in stable conditions in a local hospital.

 

[freddiw]

Yea So Do They Just Play With An Empty Stadium

 

[jdeus]

I just wonder if the umpires will go on strike for the next match leaving only the players!!?

That would be an unexpected twist!

 

[Animator!]

I'd enjoy a murder-mystery plot with the death of Frindall and Blofeld as the main suspect, but we can all dream .

 

[jdeus]

We'll just forget the cricket, Australia are too good at the moment!

Bring in the detectives!!

 

[Skater]

Fourth Ashes test match begins with supporters allowed entry​

Welcome to the fourth Ashes test match between Australia and England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. All 100,000 tickets have been sold and at least 80,000 are in use today. This is good news after the problems that occured in the first and third test matches.

Supporters were allowed entry into the Melbourne Cricket Ground for the fourth Ashes test match​

England have changed their team from earlier in the series as Marcus Trescothick plays instead of Alastair Cook, who has not been in good form during the series. James Anderson has been dropped after only playing in the third test match, he is replaced by Ryan Sidebottom. They have also changed their batting order with Paul Collingwood coming in at number three and Kevin Pietersen at number four.

England

1. Marcus Trescothick
2. Andrew Strauss (captain)
3. Paul Collingwood
4. Kevin Pietersen
5. Ian Bell
6. Andrew Flintoff
7. Matt Prior (wicketkeeper)
8. Ryan Sidebottom
9. Matthew Hoggard
10. Steve Harmison
11. Monty Panesar

The weather is very warm and sunny. The forecast is for it to be like this with little cloud throughout the test match. The pitch is good for batsmen, the bounce will be even. England captain Andrew Strauss won the coin toss and he had no hesitation in electing to bat first.

Trescothick and Strauss, knowing how poorly the team batted in the previous test match, played cautiously during the first session to develop a partnership of 50 runs. The pair had been very successful together in the past.

By the lunch break on the first day, England were 94/0 with Strauss on 51 not out and Trescothick on 39 not out. They looked more competitive than they had in the third test match.

Day 1 Lunch Summary

England 1st innings: 94/0 (32 overs)

England lead by 94 runs

Australia make inroads as Trescothick passes fifty​

Glenn McGrath made the breakthrough for Australia by bowling out Andrew Strauss for 70 from 125 balls. The captain played well but would have liked to have done better. When the wicket fell England were 125/1.

Marcus Trescothick passed his half century shortly afterwards showing he can be an asset to the team.

Marcus Trescothick scored a half century in his first innings of the tour​

Paul Collingwood batting at number three was clean bowled by Michael Kasprowicz for just 4.

England were showing signs of a collapse when Trescothick was trapped LBW off the bowling of Nathan Bracken for 58. However, it was a welcome return for the Somerset batsman.

Kevin Pietersen and Ian Bell batted until the tea break with England on 193/3. The latter needs some time in the middle.

Day 1 Tea Summary

England 1st innings: 193/3 (64 overs)

England lead by 193 runs

No luck for home team in final session​

Both batsmen made half centuries before Australia took the new ball, meaning 4 of the 5 England batsmen at the crease thus far had made milestones.

Ian Bell was pleased to score a half century after poor form in the series​

England didn't lose a wicket in the final session of the first day to finish on 306/3. Ian Bell on 83 not out and Kevin Pietersen on 81 not out. England have the advantage after the first day.

Day 1 Close of Play Summary

England 1st innings: 306/3 (96 overs)

England lead by 306 runs

I won't be providing scorecards and bowling figures at the end of each days play, I will show them all at the end of the match.