***Official*** 4th Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground

[pskov]

Would be very happy indeed if we could scrape to 250 from here. Sub-200 well on the cards though.

The Sky commentators have been debating over whether Flintoff made the right decision at the toss. Holding and Atherton said they would have chosen to bowl, Hussain, Botham and Gower would've batted. I personally would've chosen to bat at the time, but with hindsight I'm not so sure now. I can't see it getting any more favourable for bowling in the next few days than it has been so far today.

 

[James90]

Australia are maybe even unlucky to have them 4/118.

And as I say that Gilchrist misses a sitter of a stumping. McGrath could have at least two the way he bowled this morning.

EDIT: It was ****ing Pietersen!

 

[James90]

Having watched Botham on Late Night Legends last night and having watched Flintoff this series there really is no comparison between them (with the bat anyway)

 

[Craig]

Chris Read is gone. Why not put KP up at 3 or 4, at least he will have a better chance to express himself while batting.

At first I thought England made the mistake of batting first, but seeing the spin, I bet Monty Panesar is enjoying it, even though ironically his team is struggling at 6/135.

And it is typical, I pop down to the shops to get something and it happens (Warne's 700th). Does anybody think that Australia would have had similar problems had they batted first?

 

[James90]

And it is typical, I pop down to the shops to get something and it happens (Warne's 700th). Does anybody think that Australia would have had similar problems had they batted first?

Yeah I do actually. I think the first session would have been similar to the first session of the '05 Ashes at Lords. Gilchrist and Hussey would then have gotten Australia to somewhere near 300.

 

[Prince EWS]

Does anybody think that Australia would have had similar problems had they batted first?

Mahmood, Harmison..... Clark, Warne...
Ponting, Hussey...... Bell, Collingwood....

Somehow I don't think so, no.

 

[adharcric]

KP should be up at 4 again. He seemed to have lost form earlier so the move down the order was smart, but he's their best batsman and should be moved back up to 4 asap.

 

[Craig]

Yeah I do actually. I think the first session would have been similar to the first session of the '05 Ashes at Lords. Gilchrist and Hussey would then have gotten Australia to somewhere near 300.

Yeah it does happen though. Don't know about Gilchrsit, but Hussey is the man I bank on and playing a solid 60, or 70 or even more.

 

[James90]

Mahmood, Harmison..... Clark, Warne...

Somehow I don't think so, no.

Harmison's a spinner?

 

[Craig]

SS's hero has got a wicket.

 

[Prince EWS]

Harmison's a spinner?

I wasn't comparing roles with the bowlers - just listing out random ones to make my point seem better. Mahmood actually matches with Symonds anyway.

 

[adharcric]

SS's hero has got a wicket.

All of us admire McGrath. SS is merely his bitch.

 

[Craig]

All of us admire McGrath. SS is merely his bitch.

As long as he doesn't start appearing next to McGrath in press conferences or around his home wearing make-up and/or wearing drag and doing what he tells him to do

Sweet four for Harmison.

 

[Craig]

I wasn't comparing roles with the bowlers - just listing out random ones to make my point seem better. Mahmood actually matches with Symonds anyway.

Batting or bowling?

 

[Craig]

Goodbye Harmison.

He maybe retiring but Warne wasn't born yeasterday.

 

[SirBloody Idiot]

I love listening to Brian Lara, has some great things to say, unlike Chappelli telling us every minute that KP shouldn't be at five.

 

[James90]

I wasn't comparing roles with the bowlers - just listing out random ones to make my point seem better. Mahmood actually matches with Symonds anyway.

McGrath > Flintoff
Clark = Hoggard
Lee = Harmison
Warne > Panesar
Symonds = Mahmood

Not a huge difference tbh.

 

[James90]

I love listening to Brian Lara, has some great things to say, unlike Chappelli telling us every minute that KP shouldn't be at five.

I remember him saying every minute that Atapattu should be at 3 and not Sangakkara.

Almost as bad as Lawry saying England should declare at 9/146.

 

[Craig]

Lawry is now saying England should declare.

Mind you KP is now gone, so either Monty and Hoggard will go the tonk or get out., May as well go the tonk.

 

[Craig]

Hoggard pulls McGrath for four. Fine shot sir.