The Ashes; First Test, Cardiff. Match Thread..

[Paxton Dazo]

336/7 is a VERY good score down at Cardiff.

 

[Simster]

It's time to ditch that stupid night watchman policy. It's ridiculous and it NEVER works for England. The only time to play a night watchman is when you're protecting a number 6 or 7 who has spent all day BOWLING.

No need to protect a number 3 or a number 9 who hasn't done anything all day FFS.

 

[Seagull over NZ]

Was a bit of a strange night watchman last night but if Jimmy sees out 5-10 overs and sees off the effects of the new ball with Broad then we could creep up to 375+ which would just about keep our nose just in front. You'd then think that Australia would have to get 450 to ensure they weren't chasing more than 300 in the last innings. Quite a lot of rain around at the weekend so I still think a draw could be likely.

Can't help thinking we missed the chance to really dominate on day 1. Bit like when we were 400 all out v Australia at Edgbaston in 2005 whilst we scored well I thought we missed the chance of dominating the game. A good first session and it will tip in our favour.

 

[turienzo's lovechild]

Can't help thinking we missed the chance to really dominate on day 1. Bit like when we were 400 all out v Australia at Edgbaston in 2005 whilst we scored well I thought we missed the chance of dominating the game. A good first session and it will tip in our favour.

agreed, the aussies were there for the taking i reckon

just needed pietersen and collingwood to build on what was looking like a SPLENDID partnership

 

[Giraffe]

If we reach 400 we can win the match. Less than 350 would worrry me.

However the fact the Aussies will be batting last still gives us a very very good chance.

Critical session will be this afternoon, when we will hopefully be knocking the convicts stumps over on a regular basis.

 

[8ace]

350 up

 

[8ace]

Broad not hanging about.

 

[John Boy]

355/8, Broad gone

 

[Mendoza]

Anderson in double figures

 

[Mendoza]

Is Swann taking lessons from the Athey/Boycott school of batting here?

 

[Man of Harveys]

From Cricinfo: "Six overs, 38 runs. Johnson's winging down some more abuse. Swann winks back. This is superb entertainment"

Lazengenlmun, we have a REAL Ashes series underway.

 

[John Boy]

Good we can rotate the strike with these two, able to run 3s, instead of having to leave Swann on strike

 

[Titanic]

Hauritz turning it a foot off the middle off the wicket... 402-8 is looking like a decent score

 

[Bozza]

400 up with Swanny knocking them all over the park.

 

[Bozza]

Is Swann taking lessons from the Athey/Boycott school of batting here?

30 runs off 21 balls. Rubbish.

 

[Titanic]

Anders0n and Swann have put on 50 for the 9th wicket

 

[Pavilionaire]

Let's hope we can keep this up for at least another 10 minutes to give the Aussies an uncomfortable drinks break. These are bonus runs.

Ponting HAS to be concerned. The ball is new but the tail has wagged, every batsman has reached double figures, Siddle's been carted for 121 and Hauritz is 1-79.

 

[Munkfish]

The Austrailian Pace attack is looking as convincing as Boy George in the A-team.

 

[Pavilionaire]

What a "Haur-ible" over - 10 more to England...

 

[Pavilionaire]

Hilfenhaus and Hauritz? Sounds more like a bad German comedy stand-up act than an Aussie bowling attack...