Ashes 2013/14

[eastie]

I was amazed Clarke didnt enforce the follow on - it gives us a slight glimmer of hope although it would take a mammoth change in form to get a draw.

Because they didn't want to take the risk of chasing 100-odd on the last day.

For that to happen England would have had to get well over 500 - and the Aussies would have easily chased a 100 or so with 10 wickets - now though it's not beyond possibility to bat the game out although very difficult to do so .

Maybe they are still remembering the time they enforced the follow on and lost under ponting , I certainly expect a quick declaration this morning - if we could bat to tea with one or two down then there is hope - although more likely to be all out well before tea for less than 200

Shall we just accept that the captain of Australia knows a bit more about cricket than you do?

Not just me, Botham , boycott, vaughan and even warne - in fact of all the experts not one has said they wouldn't enforce the follow on - im delighted he did - it gives us a slight chance of saving the test .

Do you really think Australia wouldn't fancy chasing 100 to win on this pitch ?
Clarke has given us a sniff of a chance - long shot maybe but if we save this test he will be slaughtered for it by the Aussie fans and media .

Maybe winning ashes heroes like Botham , vaughan, boycott and warne know a bit more about cricket than a 3 time ashes loser like Clarke

[aj2k77]

Maybe we can post a total over 200 today? If not, we go again.

[bertlambshank]

The Aussies would knock that off in 10 overs.

[eastie]

Maybe we can post a total over 200 today? If not, we go again.

Would be nice to see our batsmen post some decent scores - long overdue but I won't hold my breath - more likely we collapse for less than 200

A solid opening stand would be nice for starters.

[aj2k77]

My predictions

Cook to fall playing away from his body, poor footwork
Carberry to get a Jaffa
Root to face nearly 100 balls for his 20 and go to a sharp catch in the slips
Pietersen to get out with a ridiculous one day shot off Lyon
Bell LBW
Stokes beaten for pace LBW
Prior edge to keeper
Broad to make a quick fire 20-30 before falling in the deep
Swann blown away by pace
Anderson caught fending off a short ball
Panesar to take more hits and get cleaned out for 5

215 all out

[eastie]

My predictions

Cook to fall playing away from his body, poor footwork
Carberry to get a Jaffa
Root to face nearly 100 balls for his 20 and go to a sharp catch in the slips
Pietersen to get out with a ridiculous one day shot off Lyon
Bell LBW
Stokes beaten for pace LBW
Prior edge to keeper
Broad to make a quick fire 20-30 before falling in the deep
Swann blown away by pace
Anderson caught fending off a short ball
Panesar to take more hits and get cleaned out for 5

215 all out

No way - at least one will be not out - we won't lose 11 wickets

[aj2k77]

My predictions

Cook to fall playing away from his body, poor footwork
Carberry to get a Jaffa
Root to face nearly 100 balls for his 20 and go to a sharp catch in the slips
Pietersen to get out with a ridiculous one day shot off Lyon
Bell LBW
Stokes beaten for pace LBW
Prior edge to keeper
Broad to make a quick fire 20-30 before falling in the deep
Swann blown away by pace
Anderson caught fending off a short ball
Panesar to take more hits and get cleaned out for 5

215 all out

No way - at least one will be not out - we won't lose 11 wickets

LOL getting carried away in my cricket misery, Swann blown away by pace but surviving a dropped catch to remain unbeaten on 13.

[bertlambshank]

One of that 11 will fly home before batting.

[hilts_coolerking]

Aussies have declared overnight.

So that's bat 2 days for the draw, or 531 runs for the win.

ETA - I say 'overnight' but cricinfo reckon he did it 10 minutes before play, having seen the weather forecast.  Sly dog.

[PGW]

What a fuckin muppet

[hilts_coolerking]

Cook gone.  Top edged hook to fine leg.  Johnson gets another.

Jesus wept.

[aj2k77]

Cook gone and i'm off to bed, complete and utter waste of my time watching this shit.

[Olneythelonely]

We need to bat for two days. Cook swats at a bouncer. Pathetic.

[villan from luton]

Great leadership skills there

[bertlambshank]

Cook needs to be dropped,but.they won't.