* * * The Ashes - Official Thread * * *

[Lady Whistledown]

Strauss edges about a millimetre short of Ponting, yet to get off the mark *phew*

 

[sten_super]

I wonder how often the first boundary of an innings is a six? Go Cooky go.

 

[Gwylan]

I wonder how often the first boundary of an innings is a six? Go Cooky go.

Not that rare when Sewag's batting I expect. Rare for an English batsman though

 

[Simster]

Jonathan Agnew on twitter:

"Aus 268 all out and, combined with stints on BBC and ABC, Aggers finishes with 8 for!! Hurrah. Career best"

 

[Lady Whistledown]

Johnson into the attack....interesting.

 

[Stumpy Tim]

The last wicket stand the Ozzies had reminded me of England a few years back when we were shit. Turned a REALLY shit score to just a shit score - kidding the public into thinking they're still in this. Of course, the fact that tailenders are making half-centuries suggests it's a decent pitch to bat on

 

[Lady Whistledown]

The last wicket stand the Ozzies had reminded me of England a few years back when we were shit. Turned a REALLY shit score to just a shit score - kidding the public into thinking they're still in this. Of course, the fact that tailenders are making half-centuries suggests it's a decent pitch to bat on

That's what I was rather hoping

Steve Waugh (woh woh, what is he good for) seemed to think earlier it would get better to bat on.

 

[highway61]

Hi all. Made it through to lunch but that was it, woken to find we batting so am happy with that for sure

 

[Iggle Piggle]

Can someone please explain to me why when I drove to work today from 08:30 - 09:00, Radio 4 Longwave had Ed Lightweight, Call Me Dave and Nick 2 sugars Clegg banging on about Jobs instead of the TMS crowd explaining the cricket?

I know it's available on Sports extra but how many people have digital in thier cars? I flicked between politics and Nicky Campbell banging on about Twitter.

BBC

 

[Lady Whistledown]

What's Johnson ranting about? What an arse, how about you learn to bowl properly before you start having a go at decent Test batsmen.

 

[Lady Whistledown]

29/0 at the close, that'll do for a start.

 

[astill86]

What's Johnson ranting about? What an arse, how about you learn to bowl properly before you start having a go at decent Test batsmen.

Yeah I know what was that about!? Fair enough if he'd actually looked like getting him out. Instead he resorted to pitching the ball in his own third of the pitch to make it easier for Strauss to see the day out.

 

[Lady Whistledown]

The thing is, if you've been bowling as badly as he has recently, you're just setting yourself up if you start having a go at people. Just makes you look utterly stupid. I'm sure Strauss and Cook would have a few witty retorts if they needed to.

 

[astill86]

Reasonable day overall for England. Probably let the Aussies get 50 or so more than they should've done. To see the day through without losing a wicket is a bonus and there doesn't look too much to worry about in the pitch.

 

[Pavilionaire]

Great day for England, and game plan executed perfectly.

I think 268 is 50 runs short of par, especially in light of England's strong batting line-up.

Seeing off those 12 overs was crucial. The Aussies will return to their hotel with all sorts of doubts while England will be brimming with confidence. It is almost unthinkable that the destination of the Ashes will have been settled before the high profile tests in Melbourne and Sydney.

For anyone going out there over Xmas and New Year it is going to be one long piss-taking party. It's too early to think about Ponting's future but the nightmare scenario for him is beginning to unfold.

 

[Simster]

Great day for England, and game plan executed perfectly.

I think 268 is 50 runs short of par, especially in light of England's strong batting line-up.

Seeing off those 12 overs was crucial. The Aussies will return to their hotel with all sorts of doubts while England will be brimming with confidence. It is almost unthinkable that the destination of the Ashes will have been settled before the high profile tests in Melbourne and Sydney.

For anyone going out there over Xmas and New Year it is going to be one long piss-taking party. It's too early to think about Ponting's future but the nightmare scenario for him is beginning to unfold.

Like.


Except I'd say that 268 is well short of par. England might well rack up 450 on that wicket.

 

[astill86]

Like.


Except I'd say that 268 is well short of par. England might well rack up 450 on that wicket.

Yes I would say something around 350 would be par. Although having had them at 69/5 I think we let them off the hook a bit. 268 is still a pretty poor total and 450+ will put us well in control.

 

[Gazwag]

It is almost unthinkable that the destination of the Ashes will have been settled before the high profile tests in Melbourne and Sydney.

I read yesterday that England have never won (or retained) the Ashes in Australia before Christmas

 

[gripper stebson]

Bat for two days. 580/3.

Bowl at them for two days.

Job done.

Easy this cricket lark!!!

 

[Lady Whistledown]

Just seen the Collingwood effort for the first time.

Whatacatch, What. A. Catch!