The Ashes thread

[Mike]

Ian Botham isnt impressed with the decision either.

[Scratch]

Aye, cos Beefy was such a great captain...i can see the logic here, especially seeing as the wicket was doing sod all help for the bowlers...the aussie openers would have lapped it all up.

[Gerrard]

Aye, cos Beefy was such a great captain...i can see the logic here, especially seeing as the wicket was doing sod all help for the bowlers...the aussie openers would have lapped it all up.

is right - the aussies would have belted us to all parts, just like we are doing to them in the second dig. By doing this, barring a total cock up there are only 2 results available - an england win or a draw

As Athers just said on the tube, if we carry on strong will lead by 500-550 and have pretty much 2 days to fire them out - if we can;t do that, well its our own fault.

Just another point as an expat down under I have never heard such bitter ****e on the telly - Mark Waugh what a cunt - as Jimmy Ormond told him, that **** wasnt even the best player in his family

[Ben_Itez]

Not much for the bowlers today by the looks of it. My main concern with not enforcing the follow on is that the wicket on the last two days will be even more of a batsmens paradise. Least we wont crack batting fourth and chasing a small total.

A lead of 550 by the end of the day would be nice.

[Ben_Itez]

Strauss and Cook gone in quick succession both wickets taken by Hauritz. Thought he had a dislocated finger on his bowling hand? Ever since we called him **** he's taken loads of wickets.

[Vermilion]

Looks like the Aussies will be praying for rain soon.

[Vermilion]

oooooh, Ponting not happy, Bopara not out after going to 3rd umpire, Pietersen and Ricky exchanging words.

It's looking like England made the right decision now anyway.

[Boogs]

Whats difference between England and the jacksons? Next week the jacksons will have the ashes!

[Shaggy]

Really good day's play today, with the exception of the mind-numbingly dull afternoon session. Pietersen clearly isn't 100% fit and looked out of sorts...........and as for Bopara

I would've followed-on but credit to Strauss, he looks to have gotten it right. Hauritz had the ball turning a bit too. If we can't bowl 'em out in two days then...

[Le Chef]

Really good day's play today, with the exception of the mind-numbingly dull afternoon session. Pietersen clearly isn't 100% fit and looked out of sorts...........and as for Bopara

I would've followed-on but credit to Strauss, he looks to have gotten it right. Hauritz had the ball turning a bit too. If we can't bowl 'em out in two days then...

Prior looked in good nick, and lets hope Fred gets a free reign in the morning to have a good thrash

[Duncan Jenkins]

cricket is ****. all this talk about it made me quite exited so watched a bit this afternoon. the bowlerman runs in, bowls it not at the wickets, the batter stands there n watches it, wtf? then they throw the ball around to each other for nothing, and about 2 minutes later they do it all over again, batter doesnt attempt to hit it, wtf is that all about. the camera shown a load of peoples in teh crowd today and most of them was asleep, it is not surprising

[EwarWoo]

batter doesnt attempt to hit it, wtf is that all about.

They'll be pitching it off stump trying to tempt him to take a swing, as there's an high chance he'll catch an inside edge and be caught out.

A disciplined batsman leaves 'em unless he's certain he can absolutely tonk 'em and / or he needs to protect his wicket.

[Reece]

Super Freddie!

17-1, great start.

[Shaggy]

Love it!

Aussies with their tails between their legs

[Shaggy]

HAHAHAHAHAHA Sky Sports deluged with 'thousands of emails' from Australia WHINGING about the wicket, claiming a Fred no-ball. Boo-****ing-hooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!