Story The Ashes - Replay [Second Test - Day 2]

[Jakester1288]

Originally Posted by Cricinfo
England v Australia, Cardiff, Day 3
Australia build huge lead in search of victory
Cricinfo staff
July 10th, 2009

Australia 372 & 9/356 dec (hedger_14 83, Jakester1288 78, just_cricket 4/85, adityacricketer 3/92) v England 191 (Adityacricketer 35, Feelin Blue? 4/53)

Hedger_14 and Jakester1288 discussing their plan of attack on the English bowlers

Hedger_14, Jakester1288 and Hooper have posted half centuries on day 3 of the first Test at Cardiff, to put Australia in a commanding position.

The day started bad for Australia, losing pelican102 in the second over of play for 12. Hedger_14 and captain Jakester1288 put on 91, before hedger_14 went just before lunch for 83. Australia went into the lunch break at 2/158, the pitch having no major demons.

3 balls after the break, OffCutters fell for only 8, bringing in Gary123. Jakester1288 went for 78 before the break, and at tea Australia were nicely positioned at 4/240, a big lead already on the board.

In the final session, Australia lost wickets steadily, starting with Gary123 for 47, then gutterman for 22, Biggy09 for 18, Amiya for 1 and finally Hooper for 63. Australia finished at 9/356, which soon became 9/356 declared as Jakester1288 alerted the on field umpires that they were declaring overnight, immediately after play. Just_cricket was the pick of the English bowlers with 4/85 from 31, and adityacricketer was again impressive with 3/92 from 28 overs.

We caught up with England captain dutchad after play. "I am confident the boys can make 537. We are all due after that first innings, and even though people are doubting us, we are remaining positive. It takes two or three guys to base your innings around, a few lads chipping in, and a few extras, and we have done it. We have all the time in the world, two full days to bat. We just have to keep out the good balls, take singles, and hit the bad balls to the boundary, with care."

We found Jakester1288 as well. "Mate, if England pull this off, for once I won't be proud to make history. *Chuckles*. We won't be taking it easy, that's for sure, hopefully we can wrap it all up tomorrow and get an extra day off, to recover from our hangovers. *Laughs hard, prompting us to walk away*".

England require 537 in 2 days, with 10 wickets in hand. The Australian bowlers will have a new ball, on a deteriorating pitch, and a big goal - going 1-0 up after 1 Test.

Join us tomorrow to see how England react to the pressure of chasing what will be, if achieved, the biggest 4th innings run chase ever! Tomorrow, right here, on Cricinfo.

 

[ajdude]

Day 2 ████

Good to see that no more minis broke down/collapsed today/yesterday. If I can be a streaker, I'd pass up being Symonds. I'll gladly provide pictures.

Actually can I be like a stump/helmet or something, that'd be cool. Being a Dukes ball would be pretty sweet, though I'm not too sure about having a fat seam, what will the ladies think?

 

[drainpipe32]

We're in a really dominant position now, if Matt can come out tomorrow and carry on from where he left off in the first innings and skittle the English batsman the game won't go past tea! Dutch is the key, if we get him early the rest of the order should fold easily.

Good to see the skipper and young gun posting some big scores, and unfortunately Hooper too , to complete quite a solid all round performance in the first three innings.

A bit of a poor game from Pelican, maybe myself slipping in for him at Lords?

 

[Jakester1288]

We're in a really dominant position now, if Matt can come out tomorrow and carry on from where he left off in the first innings and skittle the English batsman the game won't go past tea! Dutch is the key, if we get him early the rest of the order should fold easily.

Good to see the skipper and young gun posting some big scores, and unfortunately Hooper too , to complete quite a solid all round performance in the first three innings.

A bit of a poor game from Pelican, maybe myself slipping in for him at Lords?

Haha, if Pelican102 fails in this next game as well, then you'll be in, as he isn't very active in the story. If you are reading and commenting, I try to get you in the side.

 

[CG123]

I haven't featured in any of the first three days.
Hopefully I'll make an impact in day four.

 

[Jakester1288]

Sorry guys if I don't mention you, I will be putting scorecards up at the end of the matches.

 

[hedger_14]

Well that's right. Get through all of day 1 to be on 180* and then get out right at the start of day 2. The one thing I don't like about ICC. Good half century in the second innings as well.

 

[Prithvi]

Hey, I wanna have Andrew Symonds..!!
Roy Rocks..!!

 

[Hooper]

Very good half century is decent enough.

Well done boys, lets push on.

 

[OffCutters]

8 runs, disgrace Hope i dont be too much like the Hussey in RL.

 

[drainpipe32]

Can't wait for the next update!

 

[Ayub 95]

Jake, what is the England team. We should be at least named.

 

[Prithvi]

Is This post read by Jakster??

 

[Jakester1288]

Is This post read by Jakster??

Ah, I missed it, because I click most recent posts, and the server problems have stuffed that up. Are you sure you don't want a English player like Horton who is almost guaranteed to play?

 

[BKB1991]

Hopefully I do something valuable on day 4. Didnt even get mentioned when we were batting. But I dont mind that, it would have humiliated me . Hopefully me and dutchad would give us a good start, that ways we can put up a fight