MadAsHell

Smith out, now 3/101 and pretty much game over unless Clarke & Voges can put on about a 200 run partnership. Warner was a bit stiff with the LBW, and England have had the rub of the green with those decisions this match. Watson got a similar one in the 1st Innings, where as we missed out on Lyth very early in their 2nd Innings. And you're right TU. Haddin's drop on day 1 is going to be the match changer in this test. Attention to turn to Lords now. Will Starc be right? Mitch Marsh will surely come in for Watson unless he somehow manages to score a match winning ton. And if Starc does miss, you'd think Siddle would have to come in ahead of Cummins due to his accuracy as we struggled in that department this match.

Bump Well if today wasn't proof we're no good after Darwin games then i don't know what is?

Probably let them get 100 runs to many. But the one thing we have on our side is time. 2 days to make 412. If Rogers and Warner can see off the new ball then we are a slight chance. But a few early wickets and it will be curtains.

Think your right. Don't know what's been more disappointing so far in this test. Our erratic bowling, inability of our batsmen to go on after getting a start of Haddin's keeping? At least there's plenty of room for improvement!

Game slowly slipping away. Time for Watto to turn this game with the ball.

Great catch by the skipper! Now get Root early!

He'll get Lords and if he doesn't produce anything there I think that will be it for Watto. We've already seen Harris retire on the eve of this series. Expect to see Watson, Rogers & Haddin all also head into the sunset at the end or during the series. And great delivery Hazlewood, got the pretender Ballance!

They'll do that for the Round 23 away clash with Port. Full strength v us.

Got the ball talking Mitch.

I know. And from memory we really did have to contend with the umpires. They kept Richmond in it for the 1st half as I recall.

Agreed, and he's been a very good keeper over a long period of time. But 17 byes to go with that drop suggest he had a poor innings, and he just let 2 byes go before. But well done Starc, Cook is still Australia's b*tch! He's clearly injured Mitch and can't see him playing at Lords.

Shocking morning by Watson, Haddin and the tail this morning, although Smith through to Watson are where this innings has suffered. All 4 getting to at least 30, none getting beyond 38. Bowlers need to step up now after they bowled erratic on Day 1 & 2. Need to knock them over for 170-180 to give ourselves a realistic chance.

He's going to have to find a way to bowl through the pain. Even if it means it puts him out for the rest of the series. Will need him badly come the 2nd innings.

Probably Trenners as far as build goes. Bit less muscle, but close.

Agreed. Well he's due Watto. And Haddin certainly owes the team some runs after dropping Root.

Well we've avoided the follow on which is the main thing. Lost 1 more wicket then i would have liked though. Hopefully Watson, Haddin & the tail can get us a bit of a lead. Disapointing that Rogers missed out on a ton and that all the top 5 got starts but no one could go on with it. Especially our two best players of spin, Smith & Clarke getting out to the plodder Ali. Big Day 3 coming up.

2/145 at Tea with Rogers unbeaten on 74. Smith getting out was annoying. Was looking good and then played a few false strokes before getting out. Only 86 more to get to avoid the follow on. Hopefully we don't loose anymore then 2 wickets in the final session. Add 100 runs, and we're in a decent position.

Spot on Cards. 7th consecutive 50 for Rogers. Lets hope he goes on to turn this one into a ton!

Be really annoyed!

Was a shocking call, and for a minute it looked like Warner wasn't going to challenge. Decent start. And if Starc is injured, we just need to bat time. Mark Taylor already saying Starc could be in doubt for Lords. Reckon Siddle will be the likely replacement if that's the case.

England All Out 430 J. Root 134 M. Starc 5/114 (24.1) M. Ali 77 J. Hazlewood 3/83 (23) G. Ballance 61 N. Lyon 2/69 (20) Still believe that score was more a case of our bad bowling rather then their good batting. Outside Root, there's no reason to fear any of their top 5. Cook's form is still down, Ballance made the worst 61 I've seen, Bell's out of form and Lyth didn't do much. We'll need to bat well. 500+ if we're any chance, but from the looks of the pitch I'd say the likely outcome from here is draw or England win.

Surely Oscar will play. Thought he was very good last week. Hopefully King & White do also. I know Russian & Spencil are also in the team. But reckon Kingy could play a whole game at CHF.

Over 400 now England with still 2 wickets in hand. On this track we may be playing for a draw. 9 down now, but to add salt to the wounds, Starc clearly has an ankle issue. We've leaked runs in this innings with the two Mitch's. Depending on results in this test, Siddle could find himself in contention for Lords due to his accuracy. Edit: 9th wicket.

Was it just me that thinks we were done over on that over turn? I've watched the replay several times now, and every time it looks to me that Voges gets it in both hands before hitting the wicket. Seems that Broad gets the benefit every time it's the 1st Test of an Ashes series in England....

Great story DD. And hope your brother's going well with his footy development in the under age program.