The Second Investec Ashes Test, England v Australia, Lords

[hans kraay fan club]

we just need to smash it about and get 150 runs by tomorrow lunchtime...........then they will have a massive target (400 odd) and 2 and a half days......heheh......no chance....and the bookies have it at England 1/9 Auzzies 16/1

That would be an unbelievably stupid approach (no offence).

They can bat perfectly sensibly. Even at 2.5 runs an over, they would have a lead of 500 by tomorrow night, and six session to bowl them out. No way on earth will the declaration be as low as 400.

 

[Pavilionaire]

Re the follow-on, does anyone actually expect England to do any "grinding" here? I can't recall England batting again and turning 200-odd into a 600 run lead. Batsmen either fall into anchor mode or one-day mode. What we usually do is get to 200-225 all out, and take our time about it.

 

[Greg Bobkin]

That would be an unbelievably stupid approach (no offence).

They can bat perfectly sensibly. Even at 2.5 runs an over, they would have a lead of 500 by tomorrow night, and six session to bowl them out. No way on earth will the declaration be as low as 400.

This. Good chance for the likes of Cook and Pietersen to get some decent time at the crease and play sensibly - and get some confidence back in their batting. There is so much time left in this game. Doubt it'll be a draw

 

[jakarta]

Cook and Trott are the definitive GRINDERS - look at the last Ashes!

 

[Simster]

Routine nick and keeper/first slip both leave it. Absolute shite.

Haddin is having a nightmare. That was his, as was that missed catch earlier today.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

Routine nick and keeper/first slip both leave it. Absolute shite.

Haddin is having a nightmare. That was his, as was that missed catch earlier today.

Indeed. this one was an absolute HOWLER.

 

[Badger]

A VILLAGE performance from Australia

 

[Basil Fawlty]

Disarray, shambolic and Village.

Which one of these words, would you use to describe Australia at the moment?

 

[hans kraay fan club]

Village.

 

[jakarta]

Disarray, shambolic and Village.

Which one of these words, would you use to describe Australia at the moment?

All three.

Considering the bigger picture and away from our love of beating the Convicts, it is not good for World Cricket, and especially Test Cricket for Australia to be this crap (in the same way that beating the Windies is now nothing special).

 

[Basil Fawlty]

All three.

Considering the bigger picture and away from our love of beating the Convicts, it is not good for World Cricket, and especially Test Cricket for Australia to be this crap (in the same way that beating the Windies is now nothing special).

The problem is they never prepared for this, they were hoping the old era would continue with this set of buffoons. But there are far to many egos in this Australian side and they are struggling badly for it. Cricket used to be the top sport in Australia, with the likes of Mcgrath, Ponting, Warne and Gilchrist etc. Kids of any age looked up to these sporting icons and wanted to be like them.

But it just doesn't seem like nobody is coming through the ranks and is good enough for this level of Test Match cricket. I think I read somewhere the biggest sport in Australia at the moment, is Swimming and then it is Rugby.

Cricket has deteriorated down under and they are suffering.

 

[Canonman]

Never write The Aussies off especially the way Cooke is playing at the moment. By the way if anybody is near Lords at the mo please go up and put a sock in Nasser mouth.

 

[Basil Fawlty]

22/2, Siddle causing a bit of damage.

 

[banjo]

Should of made them follow on when We had them on the ropes.

 

[Basil Fawlty]

30/3, we are batting like headless Chickens again. Siddle isn't doing much at all apart from the line and length and we are batting like Mongs.

 

[Acker79]

Didn't we lose three early wickets in the first innings?

 

[Basil Fawlty]

Didn't we lose three early wickets in the first innings?

Yes we did, but that was early in the morning of the first day. This time late into the final session, less then 20 minutes to survive. 263 the lead and we've already lost three wickets to Siddle.

Worrying!!!

 

[Ernest]

Whoops, Aussies now back in the game

 

[brightonmark1234]

still need another 150 + runs on top of the lead at moment

 

[Pavilionaire]

So much for Cook, Trott and Pietersen playing themselves into form. So much for "grinding them into the dirt".

In terms of psychology we've just put in a nightwatchman, so will end the day blocking in hope no more damage will be done. The score is effectively 269-3, and whilst we've had a good day I can't help thinking it should be Australia who should be 30-3 right now.