***Official*** Australia in England (The Ashes)

[Shane Warne]

Seeing Flintoff bowling a lot of no balls as usual, has got me wondering...

Did anyone notice whether either of his wickets came off no balls again?

 

[chalky]

Bookies still have Aussies as favourites

 

[Top_Cat]

Lovely flick for four by Marto. He's looking very good too.

 

[Adamc]

You need 229 with Hayden, Martyn, Clarke, Katich and Gilchrist on a third day pitch.

I think it's a little above one in five, isn't it?

(Interesting argument this - "you're gonna win"/"no, YOU're gonna win"...

I was intending to be semi-ironic by accusing you of pessimism then suggesting 80-20, but I still think England are well on top, certainly not even. Particularly with the dismissal of Australia's most in-form batsman (Langer) and the psychological advantage of dismissing the captain.

I'll reduce it to 75-25 after seeing a few of Martyn's boundaries - England still look three times more likely to win to my mind.

 

[Top_Cat]

Just saw Mike Gatting give the fancy dress award to the crowd. Is it me or does he look like Mr Myagi these days?

 

[aussie]

i got to say it, this is the best Ashes since the 97 series and if the series continues in this exciting manner it could eclipse that well talked of 81 series.

 

[Adamc]

if the series continues in this exciting manner it could eclipse that well talked of 81 series.

How? The second coming of Botham and an Australian win?

 

[chalky]

Australia scoring at 4 an over with out taking any risks. They have to look to occupy the crease for 70-80 overs and wait for the bad ball (which Hoggard, Jones & Giles will inveriably bowl).

 

[Top_Cat]

Hayden looking to play in the V pretty much. Very smart play. Makes him look a much more calm player.

 

[aussie]

How? The second coming of Botham and an Australian win?

that would be great if Flintoff does come of age in this series but Australia still win, i woudn't mind that scenario at allll

 

[Slow Love™]

I have to confess, I still half-expect Hayden to go any minute. I have a lot more faith in Marto though.

 

[Top_Cat]

Just showed stats saying that Jones takes the highest proportion of his wickets when the ball is 60-80 overs old. That's pretty bizarre but nice to have in any side!

 

[Shane Warne]

I have to confess, I still half-expect Hayden to go any minute. I have a lot more faith in Marto though.

I don't have faith in either of them.

Both will be out soon.

 

[Adamc]

I have to confess, I still half-expect Hayden to go any minute. I have a lot more faith in Marto though.

Hayden's looked quite solid after the initial difficult spell I think. His timing is still not nearly as good as it could be, but he is at least playing the right shots to the right balls. Martyn's playing quite impressively as well, as he was in the first innings before the run out.

 

[Scaly piscine]

Hayden's looked quite solid after the initial difficult spell I think. His timing is still not nearly as good as it could be, but he is at least playing the right shots to the right balls. Martyn's playing quite impressively as well, as he was in the first innings before the run out.

I think Martyn's been pretty streaky so far.

 

[aussie]

I don't have faith in either of them.

Both will be out soon.

shut up man, your not bringing much confidence here

 

[Hanuma]

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSS!!!!!!

great bowling jones

 

[Magrat Garlick]

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSS!!!!!!

great bowling jones

Doesn't sound like it was his fault but I'll take it. Three down. Bring on Katich.

 

[Adamc]

That's a pity, I thought Hayden was doing really well for the time he was out there. Shouldn't have played at that, though I guess he was expecting it to swing in to his pads rather than the other way. Clever bit of bowling if it was intentional, which I can only imagine it was...

 

[Scaly piscine]

Nice to see one of Jones' dolly mixutre overs get an edge. Heh naughty celebration tho.