Anyone for cricket?

[MadAsHell 4,214]

Tea Day 1

England 6/185

J. Trott 48

J. Bairstow 32*

J. Root 30

P. Siddle 5/50 (14)

J. Pattinson 1/51 (13)

Great sessions by Australia and especially Siddle there taking all of our 4 wickets. Fingers crossed we can knock Bairstow over early in the next session and bowl England out for under 250. That's it for me for the night, decided I'll only go the full night on friday & saturday nights. Hopefully I'll hear good news when I turn SEN on in the morning.

[45HG 1,559]

Ed Cowan! What in the world were you thinking?!?

[Axis of Bob 11,839]

Yep, awful shot. Clarke got a ripper, but Cowan's was the sort of shot that shortens a test career.

Rogers looks OK and Smith actually looks reasonably comfortable. I apologise in advance for the two quick wickets I have likely just created.

[Whispering_Jack 30,573]

And I apologise for doubting Siddle.

[MadAsHell 4,214]

Stumps Day 1

England 215

J. Trott 48

J. Bairstow 37

J. Root 30

P. Siddle 5/50 (14)

J. Pattinson 3/69 (17)

M. Starc 2/54 (17)

Australia 4/75

S. Smith 38*

C. Rogers 16

S. Watson 13

J. Anderson 2/25 (10)

S. Finn 2/37 (8)

Well not a good start for Cowan in his number 3 role with a golden and Clarke getting a globe also at 4. Pretty even you'd have to say and all in all I'm reasonably happy with where we're at. We've probably got the strongest tail of all time with all of Siddle, Starc, Pattinson & Agar more then capable with the bat. Fingers crossed we can manage to get to lead of at least 50 runs for a bit of a psychological edge. If we can leave ourselves chasing an amount under 300 I reckon we're a real shot! Big first session of Day 2 coming up!

[MadAsHell 4,214]

Interesting article from Malcom Conn.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/brittle-aussie-batting-line-up-would-benefit-more-from-michael-clarke-dropping-back-to-five/story-e6frf7jo-1226677431551

Probably makes sense. If we moved Watto back to openning because that's where he plays his best, maybe Clarke should stay at 5?

2nd Innings with Hughes at 4 followed by Clarke & Smith?

And he's probably righ about Cowan. I'd probably give him the first 2 tests, but if he fails Khawaja should probably come into calculations at number 3. Other options from outside the squad are probably Doolan, Burns and Ferguson.

[jazza 1,323]

when I look at the batting line ups, the poms seem to be more likely NOT to be bowled out for less than 250, and we look more likely to be out for less than 250

as in the whole series

so happy no lyon in team, and now room for bird

rogers was a bit stiff and looked solid

Watson is still a nothing player

haddin once again proved hes just a backstop

[Axis of Bob 11,839]

Haddin gets a lot of grief, but he was OK behind the stumps. It was certainly one of the tougher days he'll have to keep as the ball was moving around and we sprayed the ball around a fair bit.

I agree with the Clarke at 5 calls. He's such a good player of spin and so important to us that we need to give him the best chance to make runs for us. I'm sure that's why Cowan is at 3, so that he could blunt the attack for more than one ball.

Smith batted very well when he came in. Really sensible batting and looked well organised - far more so than a few years ago. Rogers was stiff. Also, picking Agar (who could easily finish his career batting at 7) to bat at 11 means that we have no free wickets all the way through the lineup. Agar has a couple of 50s to his name in very short first class career and has batted exceptional well at time. In fact, my personal batting order for the tail could possibly be Pattinson, Agar, Siddle, Starc (and Starc has a test 99 to his credit and averages in the 30s!). Certainly a long way away for our tail of a few years ago (where we had Siddle, Harris, Hilfenhaus and Doherty/Beer/Lyon).

[Whispering_Jack 30,573]

True ... but you really don't want to rely on your tail to get a score in a test. Your early and middle order should be doing that and the later batsmen should be providing the cream - not the meat.

[MadAsHell 4,214]

Not wrong about our strong tail AOB. Agar, Siddle, Pattinson & Starc are all very capable with the bat, you could throw a blanket over them actually as far as who comes in from 8-11.

Long term with the likes of Agar, Pattinson & Starc who are all still very young being so capable with the bat, it means after our home Ashes series that we could go old school with the keeper position again and pick the best gloveman available, which is probably Chris Hartley, however with a first class batting average of just over 30 seems destined to never get a look in as we all expect keepers to average 40+ these days.

Haddin's been a good servant, however his glovework isn't that crash hot (neither was Wade's), and was dropped when his batting went off and was replaced by Wade who I have no doubt the selectors hoped would be a keeper that could average about 40, however he's found the going tough also.

If we develop the worlds strongest batting tail, then we could just focus on the best gloveman around. Doesn't matter if he bats 7, 8 or 9 and look to crack down on any byes, dropped catches or missed stumpings that we ay otherwise see occasionally with an inferior gloveman.

[dee-luded 2,959]

Siddle again! Gets Bell and that's 4 of our 5 wickets. To think this guy nearly didn't play in this test...

Edit: Make that 5 of our 6 and that's Prior gone!

England 6 down for less then 200 before tea, lets roll them for under 250 Aussies. Siddle for 8!

he's the bowling cornerstone that we have... he has to play all tests. 1st picked.

[dee-luded 2,959]

Yep, awful shot. Clarke got a ripper, but Cowan's was the sort of shot that shortens a test career.

Rogers looks OK and Smith actually looks reasonably comfortable. I apologise in advance for the two quick wickets I have likely just created.

thats why imo he's at 3

[dee-luded 2,959]

Interesting article from Malcom Conn.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/brittle-aussie-batting-line-up-would-benefit-more-from-michael-clarke-dropping-back-to-five/story-e6frf7jo-1226677431551

Probably makes sense. If we moved Watto back to openning because that's where he plays his best, maybe Clarke should stay at 5?

2nd Innings with Hughes at 4 followed by Clarke & Smith?

And he's probably righ about Cowan. I'd probably give him the first 2 tests, but if he fails Khawaja should probably come into calculations at number 3. Other options from outside the squad are probably Doolan, Burns and Ferguson.

I think thats what they're doing, but I'd hoped before the test for the about face. With Watson + Cowan & Rogers at 3... but I think they want to get Rogers up 7 going in the No2 spot, with Cowan hanging on as backup opener @ 3 in case something goes astray.

Khawaja hanging about, but I wouldn't make the change until watson & rogers look strong together. I'd like to see Khawaja in the middle atmo, to get a feel for it... prior to promotion.. he needs to get some test runs into his head first...

[Macca 17,032]

Strange sort of day. 14 wickets fell but a number of batsmen contributed to their own downfall. Agar looks ok and has a nice action. He has a good high release and looks to put a decent amount of body into his bowling. It was certainly a bold move and I wish him well. Early doors but he's got a stack of time to develop.

Only saw the dismissal's of our batsmen so it's hard to judge their bowlers. Our bowlers looked good when they got it in the right areas. Not sure what the go is with Broad - saw the delivery that struck him and it looked like it hit him right on the AC joint of his bowling arm (only guessing though) Because he didn't bowl, that might give our team an advantage (if he is hindered for the remaining of the match)

England probably have the advantage and if they get an early wicket, we'll need our tail to get amongst it. As noted by a few earlier posts, they can all bat a bit. Agar is capable of batting as high as no.8 if all the reports on his batting prowess are true. However, he's probably marked down to come in at no.11!

We'll need to bat for 2 sessions (at least) All the batsmen score at a good clip so if we do bat that long, we may well have a bit of a lead. Hope so anyway.

[H_T 3,049]

Time the Aussies dug in. This is an absolute critical session this morning in the match and the series really. If Australia can dig in and not lose a wicket before drinks, add 50 odd runs and build some more, we may generate a lead - by how much is uncertain. But if we lose one early, or two we are in a diabolical position.

Sooner or later the top order must produce for Australia or this series will be over before I get there. (Personal I know).

[Macca 17,032]

Time the Aussies dug in. This is an absolute critical session this morning in the match and the series really. If Australia can dig in and not lose a wicket before drinks, add 50 odd runs and build some more, we may generate a lead - by how much is uncertain. But if we lose one early, or two we are in a diabolical position.

Sooner or later the top order must produce for Australia or this series will be over before I get there. (Personal I know).

So you're there for the 3rd Test yeah? Technically, the Ashes won't be decided before then

I agree with you re the 1st hour (the whole 1st session really) It's hard not to peer into the future a bit. We don't want to be chasing 350 plus in the 4th innings.

I can see them making at least 250-300 in their 2nd innings so ideally, we can grab a lead of 60-80 plus in the 1st innings to get ourselves right in the match.

Can't find anything on Broad's injury. They might have to use Trott or Pietersen a bit if he doesn't come up. Apparently Watson has a niggle in his lower leg as well.

[MadAsHell 4,214]

A batsman, a batsman, my kingdom for a batsman!

[MadAsHell 4,214]

Agar smacks Graeme Swan over long off for six as he and Hughes try to rescue the innings!

[Jara 1,153]

Would somebody mind satisfying my curiosity? I know we're hopeless, rebuilding and all that, but do we prepare pitches to suit our own team the way the Poms have obviously done? (I mean I expect Indians etc to do it, but I kind of recalled the idea of a level playing field as one of the honorable aspects of playing England. No more it seems. I remember a few years ago a Pommy groundsman openly boasting of preparing a pitch that would limit Warnes effectiveness)

[MadAsHell 4,214]

Hughes & Agar 50 run partnership 50 run partnership for the final wicket and reduced England's lead to under 50 with Agar leading the charge!

Well done boys! Lets now get a first innings lead!

If Agar gets 50 I wonder if he'll be the first ever number 11 debutant to make a 50 on debut?

[MadAsHell 4,214]

Would somebody mind satisfying my curiosity? I know we're hopeless, rebuilding and all that, but do we prepare pitches to suit our own team the way the Poms have obviously done? (I mean I expect Indians etc to do it, but I kind of recalled the idea of a level playing field as one of the honorable aspects of playing England. No more it seems. I remember a few years ago a Pommy groundsman openly boasting of preparing a pitch that would limit Warnes effectiveness)

They're called the GABBA & the WACA.

Probably the two bounciest pitches in the world, there's a reason we almost never loose at either venue, no other teams can cope with the extra bounce.

[dee-luded 2,959]

They're called the GABBA & the WACA.

Probably the two bounciest pitches in the world, there's a reason we almost never loose at either venue, no other teams can cope with the extra bounce.

LoL, very nice of the Poms to leave the back door agar.... help ourselves....hey? a batting alrounder?

now for the front door!

[Cards13 9,117]

Record for a number 11, the highest runs on debut ever!!!!

[Macca 17,032]

What a fine effort.

Well played Ashton Agar!

[MadAsHell 4,214]

50 on debut, well done Ashton Agar!

Reckon we've uncovered our very own Daniel Vettori!

And well done Phil Hughes on your innings so far to. A very sensible and restrained innings that was needed at the time, unlike Brad Haddin's effort.....