3rd Test - England vs Australia @ Old Trafford [10/08/05]

[Shayan]

Brett Lee has been passed fit and will play in tomorrow's crucial third Test , while Glenn McGrath cannot yet be ruled out of contention, after both players took part in a pre-match training session at Old Trafford.

Lee spent two nights in a Birmingham hospital after complaining of soreness and swelling around his left knee, but responded well to treatment and came through his net session with no ill-effects. "Brett Lee is fit and available for selection," an Australia spokesman told AFP. "Glenn McGrath will be assessed again tonight and tomorrow [Thursday] morning and the team will be finalised then."



McGrath remains a long-shot for this match, after he tore ankle ligaments by stepping on a cricket ball moments before the Edgbaston Test got underway, but when asked if he was out of the equation, Ponting refused to rule him out entirely.



"I won't say that definitely, no," he added. "He has come a long way from being on crutches a few days ago to getting round quite freely now. He's improved quite dramatically. We are still keeping our fingers crossed for him. But with an injury like he's had you'd want to know how it would respond after one stint of bowling."



McGrath hit the stumps with the first ball he sent down and had worked up a lively pace by the end of the session, although Errol Alcott, the team physio, had been cautious in his initial assessment.



"He had a scan on Monday for professional curiosity which disclosed extensive ligament damage which we were aware of when the accident occurred," Alcott explained. "We will now have to wait for the full medical evidence on the injury before we know how long he will be out of action."



McGrath's early return would be a massive boost for Australia, after the disappointment of losing the second Test at Edgbaston. He picked up match figures of 9 for 82 in the first match at Lord's, and had he played in the second game, Australia might well be 2-0 up in the series already.



England, meanwhile, have delayed naming their XI until the morning of the match, with Chris Tremlett an outside bet for a Test debut if the pitch proves to be as hard and bouncy as the groundsman, Peter Marron, suggests. If he did play, it is likely to be at the expense of the off-colour Matthew Hoggard.

[z10]

a bit excited arent u?....theres still 10 and a half hours to go....

[Shayan]

England wait on team selection

Cricinfo staff

August 10, 2005

http://img.cricinfo.com/spacer.gif
http://content.cricinfo.com/inline/content/image/215607.jpg?alt=1
Andrew Flintoff: preparing for his 50th Test © Getty Images


As if his transformation into a national hero wasn't enough to be getting on with, Andrew Flintoff has been appointed an honorary selector as he prepares to play his 50th Test in front of an adoring home crowd at Old Trafford.



Flintoff's allround heroics set up an excruciatingly tight two-run victory for England in the second Test at Edgbaston on Sunday, and now he is to be called upon to assess the conditions at Old Trafford before England decide on their final XI for tomorrow's third Test.



The temptation to name an unchanged side must be strong, but England are toying with the idea of giving a debut to the tall Hampshire seamer, Chris Tremlett, whose key attributes of bounce could play a part on a rock-hard Old Trafford pitch.



"We just want to see the conditions and have a good long chat with Freddie [Flintoff]," Michael Vaughan told reporters on the eve of the match. "It's his home ground. He knows the conditions better than most, certainly over the last year or so.



"We haven't played that much here so we are going to try to use his experience and see which is the best way to go," added Vaughan, whose Yorkshire team-mate Matthew Hoggard would appear to be the most likely candidate to make way if Tremlett were to feature in this Test.



"We want to have a look at the options of normal swing [Hoggard's speciality], reverse swing, bounce [Tremlett], all the areas that you cover in a normal game of cricket. "We probably won't decide until the last minute."



Flintoff's Man-of-the-Match performance at Edgbaston included bowling figures of 7 for 131 and crucial innings of 68 and 73. "It's difficult to say if there's more to come from him," said Vaughan. "He didn't get five-for and he didn't get a hundred. That's the one area where he could get better, but it was an incredible game for the team and it was certainly a magnificent game for Freddie."



England's latest victory was their first in a "live" Ashes Test since the opening match of the 1997 series, also at Edgbaston. "I always think momentum's great but it can be difficult to deal with," explained Vaughan, whose dream of becoming the first England captain in nine series to win the Ashes is still alive.



"Everyone said Australia had the momentum going into Edgbaston, but for the first three days we dominated the game and it was only that last morning where they came back into it. You really do have to wipe the slate clean and make sure we go into this game fresh."



Vaughan's concerns in the captaincy department are as nothing compared to his batting woes. He has scored just 32 runs in four innings, but was philosophical about his bad trot. "When you are playing well and getting a lot of runs that kind of form has to come to an end," he said. "When you get a run of low scores that has to come to an end.



"You can't keep getting low scores. You work hard, keep doing the right things, and it will change in the middle, it has too," added Vaughan who scored three hundreds in the last Ashes series, in Australia in 2002-03. "Sometimes you have to give credit to the bowlers. They've put all the batsmen under pressure."

[Oxy]

I am really looking forward to this test - its the crucial one.

If I am honest, I get more excited by an Ashes series- esp when its close. Great crowds; great coverage on TV; top commentators.

Sub-continent needs to work hard at its presentation of test cricket - on and off the field.

[Shayan]

I am really looking forward to this test - its the crucial one.

If I am honest, I get more excited by an Ashes series- esp when its close. Great crowds; great coverage on TV; top commentators.

Sub-continent needs to work hard at its presentation of test cricket - on and off the field.

I agree, the atmosphere in the evening of the 3rd day was just incredible. Test cricket in England is arguably the best test cricket around.

[Oxy]

...but the 11 people that turn up for the Karachi test always makes a lot of noise!

[z10]

...but that 1 guy in the Karachi test always makes a lot of noise!

this must be why england refuse to play there

dangerous crowd :13:

[Asim2Good]

Lee & Mcgrath both pass fitness test and now seems real test for Eng ahead

[Asim2Good]

England won the toss and will bat

[Naz]

I see theyve persisted with the passenger like jason gillespie who up till now has just been smashed around. I think he is taking up a space of a vital leg spinner in macgill who would pose far more problems. Gillespie MUST perfrom in this game otherwise he should be sent packing back to australia.

[Rob H]

McGrath beating the bat far too often for my likinng.

[Rob H]

What a drop by Gilchrist. Taking lessons from jones

[alghazzali]

Let's just wait for another hour, before Mcgrath takes a wicket. He is so boring to watch at times, and then ppl compare him with Wasim Akram.

[Asim2Good]

4.5 McGrath to Trescothick, one run, Dropped! fullish and outside the
off, edged neatly towards first slip, no movement of the feet,
Gilchrist dives in front of first slip and goes for the one-handed
catch and grasses the catch!


his foot jammed again

[alghazzali]

Well that dropped catch will prove costly I hope.

[alghazzali]

It's usually openers with crap techniques who are most effective in modern cricket - Sehwag, Gayle, Trescothick to name but a few.

[alghazzali]

Lee seems to bowl well with Mcgrath around. Just shows what aa godd bowler at the end can do for your confidence. I think Sami critics should watch carefully.

[alghazzali]

Strauss gets copped on the helmet.

[Rob H]

What a ball by Lee. Strauss loses his off pole to a slower ball. Credit to the bowler.

[Shayan]

Strauss bowled by a slower yorker from Lee. 26-1. Lets see how long Vaughan lasts.

[alghazzali]

Strauss once again failing against quality opposition.

[Rob H]

31-1

[Nauman]

Strauss once again failing against quality opposition.

Well you have to say that it was a beauty he got.

[alghazzali]

They always are beauties from good opposition, a good batsmen would have picked up a slower delivery.

[Rob H]

93-1 good start for England :D

[z10]

lets hope it continues

im enjoying this england fightback

[Rob H]

Lunch at 93-1 :D

[Asim2Good]

Lunch at 93-1 :D

how many overs been bowled b4 lunch by the way ?

[z10]

25 overs

[Oxy]

3 rd test in a row where the over-rate has been shocking.

ICC will have to act-if not, it is clear that there is a discrimanatory bias within the 'ivory towers'.

[Naz]

Its about time australia crucified jesus christ (jason gillespie) and hope that he doesnt resurrect back to life. It seems he needs a miracle to get a wicket and they should start looking for a new prophet although the messiah stuart macgill should have played!!!

[Asim2Good]

3 rd test in a row where the over-rate has been shocking.

ICC will have to act-if not, it is clear that there is a discrimanatory bias within the 'ivory towers'.

if Inzi or Gunguly were Captain, they would have received Ban or cut of 50% from match fees.
our boards need to take action now.

[z10]

105/1

[Pax]

Ahahahahahaha .... bowled of a no-ball.

Ahaha ... Boycott is ecstatic!

[z10]

dropped the ball before by gilchrist....

[Rob H]

Glad to see Vaughan finally get some runs :)

[Shayan]

Warne needs to be brought on.

[alghazzali]

It's almost as if Ponting doesn't want to accept his seamers have failed him today, barring Lee of course.

[Rob H]

Gillespie is pretty ordinary. Get Warne on

[MIG]

I now believe that if England get to 400 - Australia will struggle as in the 2nd test - well done Engerland!!!

[alghazzali]

I remember some1 saying on PakPassion, when Mcgrath gets whacked around, Ponting takes him off, cos he isn't effective. He's come back well today.

[z10]

updates anyone?

[alghazzali]

MIG, don't speak too soon, because the famous English Collapse can be around the corner. You only have one Warneing.

[Billy]

Bodyline, Reverse Swing.. all trends may come and go but you can at least rely on the English batting collapse.

Probably when Warne comes on.

[alghazzali]

Mcgrath 12-1-52-0, England have done well to get them figures out of him.

[alghazzali]

2 fours off Mcgrath for Vaughan!!

[alghazzali]

Even the Aussies are ball-tampering...I mean reversing.

[alghazzali]

Hehe Mcgrath was taken off after he got hit, the theory about his temperament could be true.

[z10]

england looking accomplished today

[z10]

im hoping for bell to do well today

[Billy]

I think he's been highly unlucky so far.

He did no worse than any other top order batter against McGrath, got a leggie which didn't spin in the second innings. Got the best full pitched ball of the innings at Edgbaston and was then wrongly given out when he got a start of 21 in the second innings.

(This post is probably the kiss of death now isn't it?)

[Rob H]

Bell off the mark

[Rob H]

katich bowling

[Rob H]

195-2 at tea

[Rob H]

Congrats to Vaughan 100

[z10]

first hundred of series

surprisingly

[Rob H]

6666666666666
shot by Vaughan
and now a 4444444444444

[Rob H]

bell finally gets some runs

[z10]

cricinfo feeling sorry for gillespie....

[Lightning]

Damn, Gillie getting thrashed. ...

[Rob H]

Vaughan out for 166

[Gasherbrum]

seems like a brilliant knock. didn't see it myself, but well done vaughan.

[Officer Barbrady]

seems like a brilliant knock. didn't see it myself, but well done vaughan.

And some wanted him packing his bags (on the basis of some crude math). Thats why they class is permenant!

[Nauman]

What class Marooned? its one century in ages against a decent team and besides he has been getting bowled between his bat and pad which is a clear indication of how ordinary his technique is. For a top order batsman to get bowled so much its just a matter of shame.

[hasanahmad]

now thats what i call true fast bowler aggression. lee bowling a 90+mph bouncer to dismiss pieterson, then a 95+ mph straight ball into the off stump to hoggard

[Officer Barbrady]

What class Marooned? its one century in ages against a decent team and besides he has been getting bowled between his bat and pad which is a clear indication of how ordinary his technique is. For a top order batsman to get bowled so much its just a matter of shame.

The Aussies, Day 1, Series 1/1, Test three, 166 off 210, I'd take it!
My point earlier was that he is the sort of player who can and will deliver when it matters. 15 100s in 60 games and he tends to go on and get big ones and does so importantly in attacking fashion. Everything else becomes secondary.

He can have technical issues early on in his inning but he has the ability to get through that. He has all the shots that matter and the time which makes him class and to top it all he has the ability to dominate quality bowlers.

[Big Mac]

Pietersen the prat, new ball was taken and they put a guy out on the boundary and two balls later he hooks it right down the man's throat with 4 overs left to play and instead of being 3 wickets down England are 5 down and Flintoff has to start his innings tomorrow facing Lee and McGrath charging in with a full day's rest

[Officer Barbrady]

Tomorrow is the crucial day. England must get 500.

[Billy]

I think 450 is more likely, if that.

I'm not convinced this is a super batting wicket, Lee found enough in it to suggest that it's not all plain sailing for the batsmen and Bell had to play pretty sensibley.

[MIG]

England are about to create history in this series...England are playing with great spirit - Even giles is looking good in this series and picking up important wickets !

I know its early days but if this test goes to England, Aussie are finished.

[KB]

There has been a lot of talk around the world about Gilchrist being able to make an all time world 11. I am not as convinced by that talk. My reasoning is that if you pick a world 11 from all time, then you can rest assured that the top 6 in the batting line-up will be strong. Thus a great batsman who keeps at 7 is less important that a great keeeper who holds his catches even if he does not score as many as a Gilchrist would.

From today it is obvious that Gilly is a good keeper - nothing more. In an all time world 11 team I would want a great keeper.

[KB]

As for this match, one big advantage England might have is that they have been reverse swinging the ball a lot more than Australia this series. This is an abrasive pitch, ideal for reverse swing and that soemthing England can expolit.

Moreover reverse swing is an attacking form of bowling - you have to pitch the ball up, so you may go for runs. But if your bowling, secure in the knowledge that your own team has put a lot of runs on the board, you can fully attack with reverse swing more easily.

[Noman]

well stilll England have to make 500 runs

[Officer Barbrady]

I know its early days but if this test goes to England, Aussie are finished.

Even if England win this one I doubt the series will be over and I'd expect the Aussies to win the next. They remain an excellent team of course and it will be very difficult to win three in a row against them. 2/2 may be more of a possibility.

England must not collapse early morning tomorrow if they are to really take this opportunity and get a hold on this match. If Flintoff can see through the new ball and get a 80 odd England should be in the drivers seat.

When bowling Damien Martyn would be their greatest threat.

[hasanahmad]

lee gets bell first ball! yes!

[Rob H]

Bell wasn't out according to snickometer

[alghazzali]

England will struggle to get to 400, I sense a World Famous Englsh Collapse

[Amjid Javed]

Aus need to get flintoff and jones out asap.

[hasanahmad]

Bell wasn't out according to snickometer

kasporowich wasnt out either

[Rob H]

kasporowich wasnt out either
neither was bell or KP against warne

[Amjid Javed]

latest - eng 361/6

ball starting to reverse quite alot now...!

[Rob H]

latest - eng 361/6

ball starting to reverse quite alot now...!
how the hell can you get reverse swing with a new ball:10:. It's just seam movement with the dull conditions overhead.

[z10]

how the hell can you get reverse swing with a new ball:10:. It's just seam movement with the dull conditions overhead.


:))) :)))

maybe its conventional swing in the other direction? :21:

[Rob H]

:))) :)))

maybe its conventional swing in the other direction? :21:
now there is reverse swing. What Mcgrath was bowling though was conventional swing. Lee is bowling the reverse stuff.

[Rob H]

rain :((

[Amjid Javed]

brett lee is getting ball to reverse... it helps if u switch ur tv on...!

[Amjid Javed]

rain :((

:D yes, saves me having 2 water the plants

[Hash]

neither was bell or KP against warne

neither was Langer or Gillespie in the last match and KP should have been given out first ball anyway

[Rob H]

neither was Langer or Gillespie in the last match and KP should have been given out first ball anyway
since when has the ball hitting his jumper been out? And Gillespie and Langer were out. Hawk eye said for both of them it would've clipped the stumps. So :P

[z10]

eng 390/6

[Amjid Javed]

Play has resumed now and england approaching 400...

England 388/6

[Rob H]

400 up :D

[z10]

well done england....tho if they dont get to 500...they shud b disappointed

[Rob H]

Flintoff and Jones looking good

[Amjid Javed]

runs starting to flow to quick here...! aussies need 2 quick wickets. england shud be aiming for 550 by atleast tea time.

[alghazzali]

Flintoff gone, trying to hit a big one

[Amjid Javed]

good lil knock there from flintoff.. jones & giles can bat so england shud still be aiming for 500+

[Amjid Javed]

good lil knock there from flintoff.. jones & giles can bat so england shud still be aiming for 500+

:))) woops jones gone now...

[z10]

lunch at 434/8

[Amjid Javed]

lunch - England 434/8

par score is 450 i recon so aussies will be happy after eng where 270 odd for 2 at one point

[Asim2Good]

how long it rained ? just 21.2 overs b4 lunch ?:13:

[alghazzali]

Amjid don't say anymore.

[Amjid Javed]

after lunch session started... harmison off mark with 3. aussies need 2 wrap this up asap now..!

[Amjid Javed]

giles gone to warne... good stuff from aussies here

[Amjid Javed]

433/6 to 438/9

a good comeback from aus

[Shayan]

Jones bowled by a beauty from Warne. 444 all out

[Amjid Javed]

England 444 all out

4 wickets for warne... england have runs on board. time for aussies to reply.

[Amjid Javed]

LANGER off mark with 2 as aussie reply begins..

[alghazzali]

What's the swing/seam movement like?

[alghazzali]

1.2 Hoggard to Hayden, legbye: one run, full and straight, a touch of late swing, Hayden drives and misses, hit on the pad, very loud shout and it is a good one, but Billy Bowden turns it down.


Please elaborate on that for us Amjid, I don't have access to TV.

[alghazzali]

Langer looks in good nick.

[Amjid Javed]

What's the swing/seam movement like?

its still over cast outside. wicket has lost any zip it. hoggards gettinmg ball to swing back into left handers as he always does. the swing is convential mainly due to new ball been used.

[Amjid Javed]

Aus 26/0 - usual rapid start.

no aussie batsmen has got A TON in this series yet. players get in and set then throwing it away... solid start needed here...

[Amjid Javed]

LANGER looking good here..!

[Amjid Javed]

Aus have reached 41/0 @ the drinks break... a big langer/haydos partnership needed here...

[Amjid Javed]

50 up for australia unscathed... just one chnace thus far hayden been dropped off caught and bowled chance by hoggard.

[Big Mac]

Have that, Belly is your daddy :cool:

[Amjid Javed]

giles gets break thru... langer gone.

Aus 58/1

[Rob H]

67-1

[Amjid Javed]

Australia 73/1 @ tea (day 2)

[shabbu1]

73-2 ponting gone

[Amjid Javed]

pointing goes 1st ball afta tea to simon jones

73/2 huge blow struck by england.

[Rob H]

Hayden getting frustrated against Giles

[Amjid Javed]

Hayden getting frustrated against Giles

hayden needs to stick around here.. i recon aussies will make 350 max from here...

[Rob H]

some reverse swing for Jones now

[Rob H]

Hayden LBW to giles. Caught on the crease

[MIG]

Pontings second consecutive failure and we worry about Vaughans form !! Looks like Punter Mian is having a little personal crisis!! Having said that he has in him to silence most critics with a match winning performance in the next innings !

[alghazzali]

I can't still grasp the concept of ENGLISH bowlers reversing the ball, what's the world come to.

[Amjid Javed]

oh no... 3 back in the hutch and clarkes injured... looks like england on a roll here..

[Rob H]

I can't still grasp the concept of ENGLISH bowlers reversing the ball, what's the world come to.
me neither. It's a rare site. I say make the most of it.

[Amjid Javed]

England cud make aus follow on here or even have a huge lead...! I england win this test it will be an awesome comeback from lossing 1st test...

[Amjid Javed]

Aus 94/3 now ... still 350 runs behind...!

[alghazzali]

No chance of a follow-on when Gilchrist comes out and gives Oz a lead of about 10000000000000000 runs

[Rob H]

Simon Jones sending down off breaks

[alghazzali]

I can sense another wicket falling.

[Rob H]

I can sense another wicket falling.
I reckon Giles will get Katich.

[alghazzali]

Exactly, you feel that too?

[Rob H]

What a shot by Martyn. 100 up

[alghazzali]

Giles giving singles away and releasing pressure, that's the difference between the good and the very good.

[Rob H]

Martyn crashes drive behind point for 4

[alghazzali]

I get the feeling Martyn will get a century.

[Rob H]

He is playing some superb strokes. Would not be suprised if he got a 100 like you said algahazzali.

[Rob H]

I'd give Harmison a bowl in the next 10 overs. He hasn't been used for a while. If he could bowl 3-4 overs top pace he could get a breakthrough.

[Rob H]

Katich was plumb to giles but it was a half hearted appeal. I would've hit middle and leg.

[Rob H]

Katich leaves one and gets castled :))). 115-4 :D

[Big Mac]

What a ball from the King Of Spain

[Rob H]

Martyn bowled by a beauty by Giles. Hit the footmarks and turned a mile. 129-5 :D

[Monsee]

Martyn bowled by a beauty by Giles. Hit the footmarks and turned a mile. 129-5 :D



The "King of Spain" is merely reclaiming his kingdom there:D :16:

[KaSaNoVa_G]

england are on fire.. if they make the aussies play the follow on.. i would say

the match is then over... :D

[Billy]

england are on fire.. if they make the aussies play the follow on.. i would say

the match is then over... :D

They wouldn't make them follow on if they had the chance, batting last against Warne would be stupid.

If Australia to stumble to 250 all out then Enlgand will want to survive against Warne and put another 250 on the board to leave Australia 500 to chase.

It's too early to talk about that though as England've managed to drop Gilly twice already.

[whyhkk]

I just heard that the last time Australia had a follow on was against Pakistan

[MIG]

Ze Englanders are beatenze Aussilanders - woo hoo!!!

[Billy]

Simon Jones gets Clarke with an off-spinner

[Rob H]

199-7 :)

[Rob H]

210-7 at stumps. 34 to avoid the follow on

[Officer Barbrady]

Underrated Jones strikes again?

[Oxy]

All English players are underarted on Pakpassion!

Simon Jones (GLAMORGAN!!!) has shown how yu come back from a horrific injury; Giles shows how an ordinary player 'punches' above his weight-despite being riddiculed by his own media; Vaughan sticks 2 fingers up to his critics...its all about performing when it counts...and for more than just 1 session.

I honestly havent seen the Aussies struggle like this since 1981!

[Officer Barbrady]

I think Jones is also under-rated by his own captain who always goes to Flintoff or Harmison when there is need. Jones has skills and pace and is usually a very good option.

Giles has also done well. Having more than just one or two bowlers to bank on is what makes them stand out.

When was the last time Australia were tested by a 'full' bowling attack? ie 4 recongnized international standard bowlers.

[Bitman]

Jones is a VERY good bowler IMO. Better than anything we have currently by far!

[Oxy]

Jones has done it the hard way. HOriffic injury; we at Glamorgan questioned his commitment a couple of years ago...I can see him leaving us and going to a club surrey.

Vaughan sadly underbowls him...he has proved this series that he can swing it both ways after 20 overs...something HOggard doesnt do.

[Rob H]

raining cats and dogs in Manchester so the start will be delayed.

[Amjid Javed]

raining cats and dogs in Manchester so the start will be delayed.

doesnt look like much play today. i live 10 mins from OT and its been raining all night long and still is now... this will futher vaughans case for enforcing follow on if they bowl aus out for less than 244.

[Nauman]

Well hopefully we will see a draw here and in the next test Aussies will come back to their senses and drop Gellespie from the side and Hayden will also be dropped for Hodge.

[Amjid Javed]

Well hopefully we will see a draw here and in the next test Aussies will come back to their senses and drop Gellespie from the side and Hayden will also be dropped for Hodge.

i can see dizzy been dropped. also hodge to come in for imjured clarke i recon.

[Hash]

Hopefully we will get to around 300 or so......then we still have a glimmer of a chance in this game, otherwise only weather can come to our rescue.

[Hashim]

bloody rain, bloody english weather, bloody indians:12:

[Oxy]

All the talk on the radio is theat Eng wouldnt have enforced the follow on as they didnt fancy batting last with Warney in the form that he is in.

Im sure they will comfortably avoid the follow-on though.

[Faisal Akhtar]

starting at 4pm lads ! camon gallespie bat all day

[Shoaib A]

england deserve this one....

[Amjid Javed]

play to start in 5 mins...

at start of match eng wer 5/1 to win ashes now they are 5/4 favs...!

[Nauman]

What type of fraction is that AJ?

[Rob H]

play to start in 5 mins...

at start of match eng wer 5/1 to win ashes now they are 5/4 favs...!
:O:O

[Rob H]

50 for Warne

[Amjid Javed]

latest Australia 227/7 (17 needed to avoid follow on)

[Amir]

That missed stumping chance can hurt England as time is so crucial now with 50 overs lost.

[Amjid Javed]

shane warne almost kills giles.... smashes ball back at him.. hits and goes for 4

[Rob H]

follow on avoided. Great stuff by Warne

[Billy]

In a way I'm a little relieved that the follow on is no longer an option although of course I want England to get the last 3 out pretty sharpish when the session finally resumes. I think enforcing the follow on would have been a big risk given how difficult playing Warne on the 5th day might have proved.

[Amjid Javed]

warne has batted very well here.. hope he gets a ton and aussies get another 100 runs atleast on team total.

[Amjid Javed]

suns back out now... we get some more play....! inspection @ 1750.

play can go onto 1900.

[Oxy]

Play to start at 1810...only 6 overs though.

[Amjid Javed]

Play to start at 1810...only 6 overs though.

oh well its beta than nothing! such short session can only suit england.

[Amjid Javed]

flintoff to start with the ball bowling to dizzy.

[Amjid Javed]

just a single for dizzy thus far in 2 overs bowled...

246/7 now..

[Rob H]

stupid Jones. Can't catch

[Amjid Javed]

Flintoff getting ball to fly thru at pace and at head height on a placid track.

g jones drops another catch ... he maybe a good batsmen but crap keeper!

Aus 254/7 now...

[Rob H]

Flintoff getting ball to fly thru at pace and at head height on a placid track.

g jones drops another catch ... he maybe a good batsmen but crap keeper!

Aus 254/7 now...
I'm going to get an axe and chop his arms off. Stupid retard cant catch to save his life.

[Amjid Javed]

4 for warne down ground of giles, followed by wide and then a single. Aus 260/7

[z10]

I'm going to get an axe and chop his arms off. Stupid retard cant catch to save his life.

and that will make a difference because....

[Amjid Javed]

stupid Jones. Can't catch

jones has been picked for his batting.. hes a crap keeper.

id rather have best gloveman inside rather than better batsmen...

sadly every1 is trying 2 copy aus interms of gilchrist! sadly hes a "freak" a "one off" and other teams shud play to there own strengths

[Amjid Javed]

and that will make a difference because....

maybe hes beta catching with his mouth :)))

[Rob H]

and that will make a difference because....
it would make me feel better :97:

[z10]

it would make me feel better :97:

fair enough :19:

[Amjid Javed]

Aus 261/7

last over of the days play to be bowled...

[Amjid Javed]

Aus 264/7 (180 behind)

warne 78* still standing firm.

[z10]

is that end of day score?

[Amjid Javed]

is that end of day score?

yeah :19:

[KB]

What people often forget is, that the keeper is often the setter of standards for fielding. If his keeping is poor, often you find the rest of the fielding becomes poorer.

[Amjid Javed]

What people often forget is, that the keeper is often the setter of standards for fielding. If his keeping is poor, often you find the rest of the fielding becomes poorer.

oh well fletcher has shown his undying love for g jones.

fletcher - most teams in world want a top quality batsmen to keep. You have to expect such mishaps to happen.

what trashy and joke comments....! shows clear favouritism to a player rather than picking the player on merit of keeping.

[Billy]

Well, Gilchrist dropped a couple..

(but yes it is highly annoying that Jones just loses the ability to keep from time to time and it is an area that England really need to work on)

[ZM]

WarnaH Zindabad:D :19:
gud stuff Warnah- hope he gets century:19:

[Amjid Javed]

Well, Gilchrist dropped a couple..

(but yes it is highly annoying that Jones just loses the ability to keep from time to time and it is an area that England really need to work on)

gilly drops a catch once in a blue moon. jones does it for fun game afta game.

last year v n.z, w.i, s.a .. series afta series hes a slopy gloveman.

someone showed me a stat b4 that hes conceeded almost 50+ byes in the series ... thats a joke! ok sometimes it can be wayward bowling but that figure is very very high!

[Billy]

I've given up moaning about it because it seems he's in for the long haul.

It's not like he's appalling all the time, he just has sessions where it looks like he's forgotten what he's doing. Sadly he seems to do this at least twice in a match. I do like his batting though, when he doesn't just get out slogging.

[Amjid Javed]

Billy, end of day these drops cud cost england matches.

anways day 4 has started... aus now on 268/7

warne onto 80*

[ZM]

Australia 279/7 (75.0 ov)

[ZM]

aussies shud b aiming for around 350-400, mayb more

[Amjid Javed]

Aus 283/7 now... i hope aus get to atleast 344.. that shud mean there only 100 runs behind and alot of time has been taken out of the game.

[Amjid Javed]

warne gone to simon jones...! caught hooking on the boundary.

gone for 90.

Aus 287/8 now...

[Amjid Javed]

Aus 291/8

dizzy hits a 4 off giles...

another 53 runs here wud be ideal.

[Amjid Javed]

Brett lee gone to simon jones, his 5th wkt

Aus 293/9 (still 151 runs behind)

[Billy]

Would have been nicer to have a lead of 192 odd rather than 142 but I guess Warne batting well and rode his luck to good effect. Thought Harmison and Fred went with bouncers and yorkers too much but Jones was great, in that last over he moved the new ball all over the place.

[Amjid Javed]

well bowled simon jones.

i recon england will be looking for 350 lead by about 10/15 b4 close of play and then have a go at aussie tonite...!

[Amjid Javed]

strauss hit in head agen by lee ...!

[Billy]

Use yer' bat not yer' ead' Brockett, you numpty!

[Amjid Javed]

Use yer' bat not yer' ead' Brockett, you numpty!

:))) thank god for helmets

[Rob H]

Strauss gets an edge but no one goes for it.

[Hash]

the second edge of his innings. Good to see what an amazingly controlled and composed knock he is playing.

[Rob H]

Lee bowling VERY fast.

[Rob H]

England - 64/0
206 runs ahead

[Rob H]

Trescothick plays on for 41

[Rob H]

Vaughan top edges a hook off Brett lee Straight into Hodge's hand at fine leg.

[Amjid Javed]

England 128/2 (35.0 ov) @ tea

lead 270 with 48 overs left in day... england need to get to 400 asap say in about 20-25 overs and then give themselves 110 overs atleast at Aus.

[Amjid Javed]

Gillespie hasnt bowled at all... then agen its prob better that he doesnt!

[Rob H]

Slog Slog Slog Slog Slog Slog Slog :117::117:

[whyhkk]

If Australia wins or this or draws this it would be a miracle

[Rob H]

They slogging now

[Amjid Javed]

England 219/2 (lead 361 now)

31 overs left.... get to 400 and declare asap!

strauss 104* and bell 46*

[Noman]

Sorry, but guys how many test is this ashes series about???

England on fire, but there are also playing at home..

[Amjid Javed]

Sorry, but guys how many test is this ashes series about???

England on fire, but there are also playing at home..

5 tests and this is the 3rd one.

strauss gone hooking, pieterson in now...!

bell onto 49 now...

[Amjid Javed]

pieterson gone 1st ball LBW... completely missed ball from mcgrath who was bowling round the wicket.

[Amjid Javed]

Eng 225/4 ... flintoff in now...

[Noman]

53.3 McGrath to Strauss, OUT: short one, Strauss goes for the pull, this
shot has got him plenty of runs, but not this time, Damien Martyn
takes a good catch running in from square-leg!


Many batsman have been out when trying to pull...

But good to hear that he has scored plenty of runs with this shot>>also

[Noman]

Pieterson is not batting well, when whole team is batting well..

[Noman]

how has Ricky set the field..

Im not watching it..

Is it attacking or defensiv?

[Amjid Javed]

how has Ricky set the field..

Im not watching it..

Is it attacking or defensiv?

very defensive almost every1 on boundary. strauss was playing very confidently and tried to hit mcgrath for 6 and was out

[Amjid Javed]

mcgrath sends flintoff packing clean bowled for 4

Eng 248/5 now...

[Billy]

McGrath's probably going to get a 5fer through attempted slogging here.

That ball to get Pietersen was great though.

[Amjid Javed]

McGrath's probably going to get a 5fer through attempted slogging here.

That ball to get Pietersen was great though.

england shud declare now there just wasting overs that they cud be bowling!

[Amjid Javed]

Eng 262/5 (lead 404 now)

shud be declaring....

[Hash]

agree Amjid. England should definitely declare now. Unless someone does something very special for Australia they are out of this match. Any time England spend batting is eating away at time that could be spent getting Aussie wickets.

But I am perfectly happy for England to do that (however much I would love Ponting to score 172 and take Aus home).

[Amjid Javed]

G jones playing shots galore... hits a monster 6... and then top edges a 4 over keepers head

Eng 274/6

[Somali Pirate]

i am watching the ashes right now.guys u won't believe what i am saying.Mcgrath,warne,lee n dizzy are being treated like sunday league cricketers.Wow.Go england!

[Amjid Javed]

England 444 & 280/6 (61.5 ov)
Australia 302

jones provides sum lusty blows before declaration...!

Aus need 423 runs to win.... :-O:-O

[Amjid Javed]

17 overs today and all day tmoz for aussies to survive!

[Team Slayer]

Faced with a deficit, supported poorly in the field and supported poorly by his batsman...McGrath has showed up to the party and is getting a spanking that he richly deserves!

Take away the comfy cushion of a solid batting and fielding lineup, aur dekhiyay phir kaisy asliyat khul kay saamnay aati hai is "champion" bowler ki. Greatest pacer ever, my a$$.

I am LOVING this!

[Oxy]

I have never seen such bewilderment on the faces of the Aussies...McGrath cannot belive what he is seeing...he has been shaking his head for the last 2 hours; Warney goes wicketless...Gillespie knows his Ashes is over...only 4 overs today.

These Aussies look shell-shocked...stunned. They are used to administering this sort of treatment on others, yet session after sesion afet session...Aussies being rubbed into the dirt.

[Shoaib A]

yea and they deserve to go down under....england has done very well!!

[mlegha1]

I donot know why but I feel bad for the Aussies, I never liked them dominating the game the way they did but never wanted England to bring them down to earth.May be it is the overboard English media who won't stop making gods out not so special players.It just can't stand it when they compare Kevin Peterson to Sir Viv over and over again.Please Aussies bounce back and show that you still are the boss otherwise we will never hear the end of this Ashes triumph.

[Amjid Javed]

Aus 7/0 (3)

[Somali Pirate]

the last over of mcgrath went for 6646.The guy who slaughtered him was the wicketkeeper jones:))