The Cricket Thread 2013

[tomd2103]

We just need Prior, Broad and Swann to avoid the follow on and hopefully a draw will be ours and the Ashes retained. Shame not to get 5-0 though.

Yep avoiding the follow in will be key.  Australia have to go for the win, so if we can avoid the follow on and get as near as possible to their first innings score, then they are going to have to gamble. 

ps.  I don't think I've ever seen an international coach with a Sky commentary ear piece in before.  Is Lehmann hoping to pick up some tactical tips from Warne?

[tomd2103]

It's going to take a great performance plus some weather to save us. Regardless of the result, our top order and our bowling unit needs to look at itself. Tremlett should be in, and if the batting fails again then Taylor should be in.

If Jimmy Anderson isn't on form and taking wickets, our bowling unit struggles. 

[paul_e]

The bowling issues were that we bowled too short on a pitch better suited to bowling full.  The australian seamers have had more joy because of length, nothing more.

England seem to pick bowlers who default to shorterr stuff when the pitch/conditions aren't helping, Broad, Finn and Tremlett are particularly guilty of it.

[taylorsworkrate]

It's going to take a great performance plus some weather to save us. Regardless of the result, our top order and our bowling unit needs to look at itself. Tremlett should be in, and if the batting fails again then Taylor should be in.

If Jimmy Anderson isn't on form and taking wickets, our bowling unit struggles. 

He only took 3 wickets at Lords, and only 1 at Headingly against NZ. On both occasions we bowled the opposition out very cheaply in both innings

[PaulWinch again]

Follow on avoided, good stuff.

[PaulWinch again]

Broad doing well here.

[PaulWinch again]

Broad gone, useful 32 but we need to get that lead down as much as possible.

[PGW]

Broad gone, useful 32 but we need to get that lead down as much as possible.

Makes no difference now, Ashes are now retained. For sure stay there and take some time out of the game, i'm happy enough to see this peter out to a draw and move on to the next one.

[PaulWinch again]

It's not finished yet, if the weather holds it could be a cracking game.

[PaulWinch again]

Swann gone.

[taylorsworkrate]

Yeah plenty of time for all results if the weather holds. Been more impressed with the intent this morning. We've put a bit of pressure back on the Aussies and its going to be tough for Clarke now to get his tactics correct when they bat.

They are probably going to have to give us a decent chance of winning in order to give themselves a fighting chance of taking 10 more wickets

[PaulWinch again]

This is good for another reason, Prior has got some time in the middle.

[taylorsworkrate]

Yeah, Pietersen, Prior and Cook have all spent some time in the middle at least, and all were short of form.

[PaulWinch again]

Prior gone, well this will be interesting now. I wonder if they'll promote Warner? looks like it.

[taylorsworkrate]

It should be interesting cricket for the rest of today anyway. I'd have thought that if you could guarantee no weather interruption then Australia would want a minimum of 4 sessions to bowl at us on this extremely flat pitch