Out of my own curiosity I did some research into highest succesful run chases at Trent Bridge to get an indication of a good score to try and restrict England to and turns out the highest succesful run chase at Trent Bridge is 6/284 achieved by England v New Zealand in 2004.

So from our point of view, obviously the cheaper we can get them out the better, but to try and avoid needing a record chase for victory, especially with our fragile batting line up, we need to make sure we restrict England to a score under 348.

I'm still hoping we can keep them to under 250 so our chase is under 200, but as long as we can keep them to under that 348 mark I'll consider us more then in this game, and at this stage you'd have to say it's advantage Australia, but that can change within a session.

Big Day 3 to come, I'll be watching this one at the pub and enjoying a few!

... could agar go up to partner smith & haddin in the 2nd innnings?

or would you leave him where he is?

I switched the telly off at 9/117. Checked the scores at lunch, and aborted plans for going to sleep (which I really, really needed to do!) and switched it back on. So glad I did. Such an amazing innings. Phil Hughes I thought was Mike Hussey-esque - Hussey was a specialist for playing near-flawless innings while in the shadow of someone else.

Fair to say Agar won't ever bat at 11 again. All the quicks failed with the bat yesterday, but on paper they are all decent, and we'd have an embarrassment of riches having James Pattinson bat at 11.

My dad, when we were up watching a young Pat Cash arriving on the international scene back in the days, he wanted off to bed in frustration with Cashy, thinking its all too hard.

he went to bed & missed the rise & Win.

needless to say where Cashy ended up. some can see it, others, my dad couldn't...

... could agar go up to partner smith & haddin in the 2nd innnings?

or would you leave him where he is?

I'd be inclined to leave him where he is for the 2nd innings. Just so he doesn't feel any added pressure straight away in the same match. Plus I think it adds a bit of a psychologically blow to England knowing even at number 11 we have this bloke coming out. Hopefully in our 2nd innings we won't need any of the tail though.

Would be happy to move him up to number 8 as of the next Test though. Lets get one thing straight, this wasn't just a tail ender who got lucky (Tino Best). This guy was playing proper cricket shots, hitting it out of the middle, timing it perfectly and picked the balls he played well.

Can't say I have dee-luded...

I think I heard on good authority, he's called 'Ed'.....

especially after Pattinson makes him his bunny.

I'd be inclined to leave him where he is for the 2nd innings. Just so he doesn't feel any added pressure straight away in the same match. Plus I think it adds a bit of a psychologically blow to England knowing even at number 11 we have this bloke coming out. Hopefully in our 2nd innings we won't need any of the tail though.

Would be happy to move him up to number 8 as of the next Test though. Lets get one thing straight, this wasn't just a tail ender who got lucky (Tino Best). This guy was playing proper cricket shots, hitting it out of the middle, timing it perfectly and picked the balls he played well.

... of course thats plainly obvious... his strokemaking is a pleasure to watch, the balance & rhythm. Thats why I wonder, if he could use the protection of wickets around him, allowing time to construct an innings. also I think he played better against their so called pace attack, rather than the spin.

so going in earlier May help our run chase?

It may actually take away some pressure to rush.

Edited July 12, 201311 yr by dee-luded

I switched the telly off at 9/117. Checked the scores at lunch, and aborted plans for going to sleep (which I really, really needed to do!) and switched it back on. So glad I did. Such an amazing innings. Phil Hughes I thought was Mike Hussey-esque - Hussey was a specialist for playing near-flawless innings while in the shadow of someone else.

Fair to say Agar won't ever bat at 11 again. All the quicks failed with the bat yesterday, but on paper they are all decent, and we'd have an embarrassment of riches having James Pattinson bat at 11.

From a batting point of view, I wish our embarrassment of riches was numbers 1 to 7 rather than 8 to 11.

It's sort of like Melbourne's forward line at the moment with our midfield being equivalent to Australia's batting top 6.

From a batting point of view, I wish our embarrassment of riches was numbers 1 to 7 rather than 8 to 11.

It's sort of like Melbourne's forward line at the moment with our midfield being equivalent to Australia's batting top 6.

Funny you say that. When we were 9/117, and my mates were texting me with their frustration over our total capitulation, I told them this was what it was like being a Melbourne supporter for the past couple of years, only you have to endure it every single weekend. I think they finally understood.

Rumor he's a dees fan.

If this is true then the mancrush is well and truly on.

I prefer "Corporal"...for all the F-Troop nerds out there.

Mind you, if you can find some link between him and Drew Petrie, I'll swing back to "The Microbiologist".

I did quite like how the English press dubbed him Agar the 'Orrible.

http://m.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/demons-coach-makes-an-example-of-agar-20130712-2pu47.html

Neil Craig is a breath of fresh air. He's a bit kooky but I love it. No more "we are 7 years away to being competitive". The no limits talk is more inspiring to me.

Rumor he's a dees fan.

I'm voting him in for president.

Bowled a handy over before. He's going to have some ups and downs but lets stick by him

Alas he's a Saints fan.

Alas he's a Saints fan.

yes that's true, but the people that live down the road know a dees supporter, so that's good enough to claim him

how many people wanted to punch swan, after he fist pumped for catching a no 11 out on 98 and showing the crowd how cool he was

Hey, my recent thread announcing start of series got deleted after five minutes. It's just not cricket.

Alas he's a Saints fan.

But he does come from McKinnon which used to be the heart of Melbourne's recruiting zone so that makes him an honourary Demon (as long as he keeps making runs and taking wickets).

The irony of the situation now is that we will probably have to call on this 19 year old's talents to get us out of the proverbial once again during he course of the day but with his bowling rather than his batting.

In fact, I'm hoping he won't need to bat again but might grab a few wickets to help give us what would have been an improbable victory early yesterday.

how many people wanted to punch swan, after he fist pumped for catching a no 11 out on 98 and showing the crowd how cool he was

Like you wouldn't believe, what a [censored]!! The kid had dominated him.

Tell you what, it'll be awfully disappointing if it turns out that he's an ordinary bowler.

Watching Agar's highlights reminds me very much of Clive Lloyd in full pomp. We, courtesy of Darren Lehmann have found a potential superstar.

Heard Geoff Boycott talking about Richie Benaud this morning and he remarked that Richie was originally picked as a late middle order batsman (no.7) but he also remarked that he didn't bowl a lot in his first lot of Tests.

Checked his first 10 or so tests here ... Test matches played by Richie Benaud and indeed Geoffrey is correct. Richie often batted at no.6 and sometimes no.5 and didn't bowl a lot of overs initially. Suppose having the great Keith Miller batting in the top order was a luxury but it does look like Richie started off as the 5th bowler.

We've got so much time to develop this young bloke Agar. He could be a real prospect for the future.

Couple of BBC podcasts with a heavy emphasis on Ashton's debut. The first podcast features Jonathan Agnew and Geoff Boycott whilst the 2nd has Gerard Whateley as host. Quite a few interviews with prominent past cricketers - all with their views on Ashley Agar ... Test Match Special ... Ashes Down Under

Heard Geoff Boycott talking about Richie Benaud this morning and he remarked that Richie was originally picked as a late middle order batsman (no.7) but he also remarked that he didn't bowl a lot in his first lot of Tests.

Checked his first 10 or so tests here ... Test matches played by Richie Benaud and indeed Geoffrey is correct. Richie often batted at no.6 and sometimes no.5 and didn't bowl a lot of overs initially. Suppose having the great Keith Miller batting in the top order was a luxury but it does look like Richie started off as the 5th bowler.

We've got so much time to develop this young bloke Agar. He could be a real prospect for the future.

Couple of BBC podcasts with a heavy emphasis on Ashton's debut. The first podcast features Jonathan Agnew and Geoff Boycott whilst the 2nd has Gerard Whateley as host. Quite a few interviews with prominent past cricketers - all with their views on Ashley Agar ... Test Match Special ... Ashes Down Under

Thanks Macca, great link.

Perfect timing for the Aussies to get 2 wickets during the half time break at the footy including Agar's maiden test wicket.

That was the worst decision I have ever seen by an umpire.

Broad hit the cover off that ball and how Aleem Dar gave that not out is beyond me??? Cost Agar his 3rd.

Come on Aussies, wrap these last 4 wickets up for about 40 and we're still right in this!

Stumps on Day 3

England 1st Innings 215

J. Trott 48

J. Bairstow 37

P. Siddle 5/50 (14)

J. Pattinson 3/69 (17)

Australia 1st Innings 280

A. Agar 98

P. Hughes 81*

J. Anderson 5/85 (24)

G. Swann 2/60 (19)

England 2nd Innings 6/326

I. Bell 95*

K. Pietersen 64

M. Starc 2/66 (27)

A. Agar 2/82 (35)

England now 261 ahead with 4 wickets and 2 days in hand. As I mentioned earlier the highest ever run chase at Trent Bridge is 284 so hopefully Australia can pick these last 4 wickets up very early tomorrow to give themselves the best chance. We're still well and truly in it.

Really stiff with Broad given not out caught at slip off Agar when he hit the cover off the ball, Bell given out lbw but then over turned on review. How hawke eye reckons that was missing but Rogers on Day 1 was hitting is a joke! and then Haddin also dropping Bell (although difficult) all didn't help.

Even if the Aussies are set 300+ to win they should back themselves in, Even if we're set 420 we should back ourselves in. We bat all the way down to 11 and it's time a lot of these players produced what they do in Shield cricket across into Test cricket. England have two bowler (Anderson & Swann) and then Finn and Broad in support bowling pies so this game is far from over IMO.

Like your optimism TD.