* * * The Ashes - Official Thread * * *

[Lord Bamber]

It is what's making cricket enjoyable at the moment, all of the top sides can beat the others.

I do not class Australia as a top side at present.

 

[BensGrandad]

How deluded is Michael Clarke saying on the radio he still thinks the Aussies can bowl us out quickly and score enough runs on day 4 to bowl us out again on day 5. I would suggest we should bat as long as possible so that losing is not a possibilty and then either be all out or declare mid afternoon to allow the rest of the day and the last day to bowl them out.

 

[Couldn't Be Hyypia]

Day Four Prediction:

208 lead - maybe add 70 more realistically. Aussies batting after lunch needing 280 to make us bat again and then get a lead in order to bowl us out to win the test - ain't going to happen.

Two sessions to bowl at them - perhaps 3 down at the close for 150, still needing another 130 to make us bat again on Day 5.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

Day Four Prediction:

208 lead - maybe add 70 more realistically. Aussies batting after lunch needing 280 to make us bat again and then get a lead in order to bowl us out to win the test - ain't going to happen.

Two sessions to bowl at them - perhaps 3 down at the close for 150, still needing another 130 to make us bat again on Day 5.

England bat until lunch, then either declare or all out, for 582 (Prior 106), a lead of 302. Australia, all out tomorrow for 164, with England taking the extra half hour to knock over the last two. Swann the pick of the bowlers with 5-31.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

SA all out for 341, at the close, setting India 340 to win (the series) on the final day. Great test match. If SA actually had a decent spinner then India would be in all kinds of trouble (Harbajan took 7 in the SA 2nd inns). As it is, it looks finely balanced.

 

[Marc]

just finished the highlights of what I missed last night, great knocks from cooky and belly and so happy to see Matty in the runs aswell.

Back to work tomorrow and I'll be going in very tired, plan on staying up til 4am again tonight

 

[Couldn't Be Hyypia]

I've been doing the morning session then heading to bed and then up again at 5.30am for the end of the afternoon session. Has worked but God I'm knackered.

 

[HAILSHAM SEAGULL]

I've been doing the morning session then heading to bed and then up again at 5.30am for the end of the afternoon session. Has worked but God I'm knackered.

Same here, I'm ok till about now and I feel a bit dozy.
Did this for the Melbourne test and have just about made up for t by waking late cos not working, but the last couple of mornings have been hard going.

 

[pasty]

What time (UK) does play start after lunch? I'm gambling on England smacking it around as much as possible in the morning, then declaring either just before, or at lunch, to leave a day and half to win the game.

 

[highway61]

wENT THROUGH THE NIGHT TILL CLOSE OF PLAY, HEAD DOWN AT 7AM AND BY MIDDAY HAD DOOR BELL RUNG TWICE AND TWO PHONE CALLS! SODS LAW SO HAVE JUST HAD A COUPLE OF HOURS. WILL JUST STAY AWAKE FOR AS LONG AS I CAN FOR DAY 4. shit i did not mean to shout, did not see caps lock was on, shows am still half asleep lol

 

[Marc]

What time (UK) does play start after lunch? I'm gambling on England smacking it around as much as possible in the morning, then declaring either just before, or at lunch, to leave a day and half to win the game.

2:10am if lunch is taken at the normal time (1:30am) which it should be

 

[Lady Whistledown]

Is it too much to ask for a few rapid runs then knocking them all over in two sessions tonight?!

OK, I'm being greedy now

 

[Marc]

would be nice edna but I cant see it happening, I would take a quick smash around and get a 300+ lead at lunch and declare but I can see Strauss keeping us out there until Tea unless we get bowled out. Swann will be a threat anytime from Tea onwards into Day 5, my prediction it'll be over by lunch on Day 5!

 

[Lady Whistledown]

We'll probably get bowled out sharpish anyway, Prior isn't exactly renowned for his powers of concentration early on...

 

[Lord Bamber]

We'll probably get bowled out sharpish anyway, Prior isn't exactly renowned for his powers of concentration early on...

I think you're right but I also think our attack will rip them to shreds with a side helping of spin. We bat again (maybe), all wrapped up Day 5 for the SERIES WIN....

 

[Scoffers]

just finished the highlights of what I missed last night, great knocks from cooky and belly and so happy to see Matty in the runs aswell.

Back to work tomorrow and I'll be going in very tired, plan on staying up til 4am again tonight

I am in Boston USA this week, so I get to watch the cricket from my hotel room without having to stay up too late !

 

[8ace]

@cricketanalyst: Big hugs and handshakes for collingwood on field suggests he may be going to announce his retirement from tests.

 

[larus]

@cricketanalyst: Big hugs and handshakes for collingwood on field suggests he may be going to announce his retirement from tests.

Right time (well, probably a year too late really). Been an excellent all-round cricketer, but his time is definately up in test matches.

 

[Marc]

@cricketanalyst: Big hugs and handshakes for collingwood on field suggests he may be going to announce his retirement from tests.

and now confirmed, thanks Colly for the memories!

 

[bhamex1901]

Would love Prior to knock off a century this morning and then not have to wait too much longer for Aggers to do the sprinkler dance. Could be a very enjoyable night.