Anyone for cricket?

[Macca 16,900]

Cook drags it on for 96 just before the new ball and we should be looking t knock them over for less then 300 with any luck!

... and it's only a matter of time now you'd reckon (mind you, my predicted outcomes during this test have been more than a trifle astray )

I should just post in hindsight ... much easier that way although a little boring. The consensus over there is that the game has been and will be decided by whoever won the toss and decided to bat first.

So if the England hierarchy have had an influence on how the pitches have been prepared (so far) then it may have backfired.

If*, as expected, Australia go on and win this test, then we might expect the next deck at Edgbaston to have a lot more life in it (England would need a "result" wicket)

Anyway, here's another BBC podcast for those who might be interested ... this time, Michael Vaughan with an hour long phone-in from day 3

*Rain might help England or they might bat their socks off in their 2nd innings and save the game (there is a small amount of rain forecast but more of a negligible amount)

[45HG 1,539]

That's what you'd call comprehensive!

[MadAsHell 4,212]

Unbelivable turnaround!

I was confident we'd bounce back, but to win as easily as that is quite amazing!

Very concerned for poor old buck Rogers. Clarke came out in his press conference saying he thinks the dizzy spell was unrelated to the hits and expects him to play the next test, but we'll wait and see. Certainly doesn't look good, and I fear he may have just played his last test. Could it be that we'll see three changes to the team for the next test? Haddin back for Nevill, S. Marsh to replace Voges (back issues) and Watson to replace Rogers? I hope not!

England have some serious selection issues also. Lyth to me doesn't look up to it, and both Ballance & Bell are seriously out of form. I know they've both made a 50 each so far ths series, but outside of those scores and if you look at their numbers v New Zealnd & West Indies, some questions need to be asked.

Names like Bairstow & Compton have been thrown up. Bairstow averaging over 100 in County Cricket so far this year and Compton averaging over 40 as both are in the top 5 run scorers each. Having said that though our bowlers made light work of Bairstow two years ago and Compton's an already failed England openners, so don't know if they'd go back there? Their selectors wouldn't have the courage to recall Pietersen at this stage, so there's no real other option I can see. Maybe James Taylor who's in their ODI team and had some success there, but his numbers aren't great this County Season.

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/county-championship-div1-2015/engine/records/batting/most_runs_career.html?id=9751;type=tournament

Will be some interesting selections ahead for both teams I think.

[H_T 3,043]

Smith and Rogers 495

England 415

Smith is going from strength to strength averaging mid 70's since England 2013.

[grazman 7,394]

How much better does our side look without Watson? Marsh is a better bowling option and a more imposing batsman. (Watson LBW is just so predictable). It looks like they might try another slow/low deck for Edgbaston according to SKW and so may bring in a wrist spinner for Ali who is in the side more to stiffen up the tail than as a genuine spinning option. Once again winning the toss might decide the outcome of the match.

Good to see Johnson in the wickets though - England are obviously very worried about his pace.

[Macca 16,900]

It seems Geoffrey is none too happy ... here's his column from the Telegraph ...

Ashes 2015: There's no shame in losing to a better team like Australia. It is shameful to bat way England did

... and here's the BBC podcast of day 4 of the 2nd test ... England Collapse to Catastrophic Defeat

[dee-luded 2,959]

That's what you'd call comprehensive!

right royally root ed

[Cards13 9,117]

Great nut Anderson. Tough start, overcast, grass, seam. Rodgers under a cloud, would you bounce him?

Wowee could be a cracking test match.

[Macca 16,900]

2 - 18 ... nice delivery by Finn and a good catch by Cook.

Pitch has a bit of life in it too ... reckon you're right Cards - could be a terrific test match.

[Cards13 9,117]

Holy cow!!! The poms are on the gold coin this morning. Plenty of good nuts, Clarke getting lucky. Bucky is looking good again. We need a massive stand from these 2 now or it could be all out today.

[Cards13 9,117]

Yup bang, Finned!!!

[Macca 16,900]

The selection of Finn looks an inspired one .... and England have come to play.

Need the middle order to stand up

[MadAsHell 4,212]

Need Rogers to continue his great run of form.

Great opportunity for Voges to shut out the challenge of Shaun Marsh. He needs runs and a century would see him safe for the remainder of the series you'd think.

[Macca 16,900]

Yep, Rogers has been tremendous .. there's another big score for him here if he can get through the first half hour after lunch.

You'd think we'd need at least 250 but if we get 300+ we'll hold the advantage - need Voges, Marsh and Nevill to all contribute though. Looking forward to seeing Johnson on this deck but we'll need to give our bowlers some runs to play with.

[Cards13 9,117]

Hoping we knuckle down and get the eye back in early after lunch then really push on before tea. Poms will get some reverse later on.

Bucky needs to get another 100, couple of hooks and Voges, Nev big support roles.

Bring on our lefty attack!!!

[MadAsHell 4,212]

Spot on with the above. Edgbaston is a difficult ground to chase on. So If we make 300+ then we're in a decent position.

I always hope for 400+ obviously, but lets just take it one thing at a time.

[MadAsHell 4,212]

You've got one more innings to turn things around Voges.

[MadAsHell 4,212]

Yep, Rogers has been tremendous .. there's another big score for him here if he can get through the first half hour after lunch.

You'd think we'd need at least 250 but if we get 300+ we'll hold the advantage - need Voges, Marsh and Nevill to all contribute though. Looking forward to seeing Johnson on this deck but we'll need to give our bowlers some runs to play with.

Would certainly take that now with us 5/80odd!

[MadAsHell 4,212]

Nevill shoulders arms to a straight ball. Oh dear!

[Macca 16,900]

Would certainly take that now with us 5/80odd!

Ha! ... and another one goes 6/86 - egads!

I've readjusted down to 160 -180 odd but it's "trending" downwards ... Johnno might get amongst 'em (we'll need him to)

[MadAsHell 4,212]

Alas not many runs for Johnson either!

I agree, 170-180 will be useful now! And key will be to restrict England's leade to no more then 100-120, otherwise we'll just be to far back.

[MadAsHell 4,212]

Well made 50 Buck Rogers, we'd be in all sorts without him!

This series is difficult to get a hold of either team's form so far.

[MadAsHell 4,212]

Rogers out. He couldn't get going after the last rain break it seemed.

Well at 8/110 if they could somehow manage to grind out 170 that'd be great but I'm not optimistic. Think we're in for some pain!

This is just a shambles! Mainly bad strokes which is what makes this performance all the more worse!

Edit: Last line.

Edited July 29, 2015 by AngryAtCasey

[JV7 2,350]

Serious questions need to be asked of Clarke now, his been out of form for 18 months.. Voges isn't up to it. Atm if Rogers and Smith don't fire we don't make runs.

[MadAsHell 4,212]

Serious questions need to be asked of Clarke now, his been out of form for 18 months.. Voges isn't up to it. Atm if Rogers and Smith don't fire we don't make runs.

There's certainly issues there.

Clarke is safe for awhile yet due toVoges being more in the gun and this series likely being Rogers last. I think moving further down the order to number 5 though could be a good thing. Shaun Marsh to come in for Voges (if he fails in the 2nd innings) and bat at 4.

Aussies needa huge morning session on Day 2. If we can knock them over for no more then about 260 i think we're still in it, although coming from a long way back. Then come our 2nd innings our leaders Clarke, Smith & Warner will need to stand up.