The Ashes 2010

[Shaggy]

No reason why we can't or shouldn't make 400+ ...obviously the biggest factor against us is the pressure of the match situation.

Steady start here, not too many scares. I'm nodding off already and am on early 'get-up' duty with boyo tomorrow ...posting to wake me up. Kettle's on.

[Craig_H]

Surely that wouldnt be enough though, realistically?

I suppose it's possible that the Aussies might not have a great 2nd innings, so perhaps a total of 660-700 *might* be enough.

Can you explain to me, in what circumstances could this first test be a draw?

[Leyton388]

I think we should be looking at round about 450 to 500 or just try stay in as long as possible to get the draw.

[Craig_H]

What would have to happen, for it to be a draw??

[Leyton388]

Surely that wouldnt be enough though, realistically?

I suppose it's possible that the Aussies might not have a great 2nd innings, so perhaps a total of 660-700 *might* be enough.

Can you explain to me, in what circumstances could this first test be a draw?

If england stay in bat tonight and again tomorrow. just wasting time and not allowing the Aussies to bat again.

[Craig_H]

Oh right, i see.

So if england stay in bat, until the end of the 5th day, it's declared a draw?

Presumably, they would have had to have equalled/overtaken Australia's total though, for that to happen, right?

Or could it be a draw still, even if england havent reached Australia's total by the end of day 5?

[Shaggy]

Yeah if we make 400+ it's likely to take us half way through tomorrow, leaving them a couple of sessions' play (approx) to knock off the required runs - likely not enough time.

100 partnership

[Shaggy]

Oh right, i see.

So if england stay in bat, until the end of the 5th day, it's declared a draw?

Presumably, they would have had to have equalled/overtaken Australia's total though, for that to happen, right?

Or could it be a draw still, even if england havent reached Australia's total by the end of day 5?

If there's no result either way - be it England still behind or England ahead - by the end of the 5th day then it's a draw. They'll be forcing the issue trying to win - we're trying to bat out time with enough runs on the board to get the draw.

[Craig_H]

Strauss is skating on thin ice, here.

[Leyton388]

Oh right, i see.

So if england stay in bat, until the end of the 5th day, it's declared a draw?

Presumably, they would have had to have equalled/overtaken Australia's total though, for that to happen, right?

Or could it be a draw still, even if england havent reached Australia's total by the end of day 5?

Im pretty sure it would still be a draw at the end of day 5 even if england dont reach the Aussie score but with the time left and if we do stay in bat we will reach it.

you see it is up to the Aussies to bowl us out to win the test. if they bowl us out tonight without england reaching their total the Aussies will win without having to bat again.

[Craig_H]

If there's no result either way - be it England still behind or England ahead - by the end of the 5th day, no matter who's batting, then it's a draw. They'll be forcing the issue trying to win - we're trying to bat out time with enough runs on the board to get the draw.

The bit in bold though, i dont get - you said if there's no result either way, whether england are ahead or behind, then it's a draw.

So if it doesnt matter whether england are ahead or behind by the end of the 5th day (providing england are still in bat) what's the 'enough runs on the board to get the draw' all about then?

Sorry to be such a ****, i just dont follow cricket

[Shaggy]

The bit in bold though, i dont get - you said if there's no result either way, whether england are ahead or behind, then it's a draw.

So if it doesnt matter whether england are ahead or behind by the end of the 5th day (providing england are still in bat) what's the 'enough runs on the board to get the draw' all about then?

Sorry to be such a ****, i just dont follow cricket

Because we need to make sure we have a healthy enough lead for if and when we're bowled out. If we only just wipe out the deficit and lead by, say, 10, then we're ****ed - they'll come and hit three boundaries and win. So while we need to protect our wickets and look to stay in, we also need to keep scoring and pile up as many as poss.

[Craig_H]

Im pretty sure it would still be a draw at the end of day 5 even if england dont reach the Aussie score but with the time left and if we do stay in bat we will reach it.

you see it is up to the Aussies to bowl us out to win the test. if they bowl us out tonight without england reaching their total the Aussies will win without having to bat again.

Clearly it is likely that if england stay in bat for the whole rest of day 4 and 5, they will overtake Australia's score.

But hypothetically, if for example Australia bowl well enough to the extent that the england batsmen can only defend the stumps and not score runs off the balls - we could reach the end of day 5 with england yet to match/overtake Australia's total....

So if this happens, is it still a draw?

Surely by logic, given that england will have had the best part of 2 innings, and still not managed to equal the Aussie score (via just 1 innings), australia would have to have won?

As a non cricket follower, that makes sense to me

[Craig_H]

Because we need to make sure we have a healthy enough lead for if and when we're bowled out. If we only just wipe out the deficit and lead by, say, 10, then we're ****ed - they'll come and hit three boundaries and win. So while we need to protect our wickets and look to stay in, we also need to keep scoring and pile up as many as poss.

Yeah, i get all that

But what happens if:

1) england stay in bat til the end of day 5, but somehow dont overtake Australia?

or

2) if england overtake, then the aussies come into bat, but day 5 ends with england's lead (assuming they acquire one by the end of their 2nd innings) still intact - do england win, or is that still a draw?

[Craig_H]

And when does each 'day' end?

Is it a set time limit, or is it just down to when it starts getting dark, so there's insufficient light to continue playing?