Macca

So why just Brayshaw? Why not point out all the other errors all our players make (in the same way) Your argument lacks consistency and is typical of many on this site A crushing need for the scapegoat/whipping boy and it's a pathetic way of looking at the overall team performance

Case in point ... our player (not sure who it was) who handpassed the ball to May will be 'somehow' registered with an inefficient disposal But May made the error!

BS ... Not from what I've seen. Handpassing to a player who then gets tackled is somehow labelled as inefficient The evaluation is garbage as many times the player is under pressure disposing of the ball

Brayshaw has hit 6 targets ... you watching properly? 1 errant handpass that went out of bounds (BFD) Meanwhile, Bowey kicked it to a Saints player 30 metres out. No mention?

Will we ever kick another behind? (apart from kicking the Doggies butts in the GF)

We can't miss!

The covers are on and the rain is on its way (by all reports)

I won't be at all happy with just a 230 lead but we'll need that as a bare minimum to have any chance of winning "At least 230 (or more) is needed" is not saying that 230 is enough. Far from it But the match is still evenly poised with the Poms holding a slender advantage But that advantage could disappear in 30 minutes if we put on 30 without losing a wicket in that time frame. Bat for an hour without losing a wicket and the odds sway in our favour So 230 might be enough, there again that sort of lead could prove to be well short of what we need Reality is that it's all just spitballing and speculation. None of us know what's actually going to happen I'll have a good laugh if the lead is exactly 230

Haven't seen it yet but will later, d4 (work) Interested in how you and others might have scored the sessions ... it's fascinating how the numbers can come together as the game comes to a head Also, doing that (scoring the sessions) adds a bit of traffic to the thread Don't want to lose but if England do win this test, the added spice will heighten things even more so To win this match we're going to need to set them at least 230 (or more) Right now the lead is 142 which is nowhere near enough

Last session belonged to England as well 10-8 (haven't watched yet but we're 4 down for not that many So going into day 3 I've scored the overall at 53-53 but if I'm being honest I've got England slightly ahead (Stokes factor) If Marsh unleashes again (or Head/Carey) we'll be favouries you'd reckon

We haven't got Collingwood's measure so in my case, I'm not hanging my hat on that win. We didn't see their best in the QB clash (I'm still calling it that) We also defeated Hawthorn during the 1988 season so even though they smashed us in the GF, there was a reasonable amount of optimism from Demon supporters going into that GF We also ran Essendon close in 2000 (2 goal loss) so they made sure of things with their thuggery in the GF. Sheedy with his paranoia was almost certainly worried about us stealing their chance to win the cup So to challenge the Pies again we need to play against them again (in the finals) So beat St Kilda is the first assignment but then it's the Lions next week (without Fritsch & probably Oliver)

We haven't played as well as we played that day in any other game this season Played some good games, some ok games and a number of mediocre efforts At least we know that we have a high ceiling but can we play that way on a consistent basis? Hope so And unless we get our season back on track we may not get to play the Pies again anyway

Yes, a slight edge to England in that session 10-9 ... maybe 10-8 at a stretch (Aust 45/46 Eng 43) Stokes got England's total up near ours and Warner went cheap again Australia effectively 1-55 so we're in the box seat. If we can get through to stumps no more than 3 down, that's a decent result 42 overs remaining for the day so we should be able to add about 120 to our total. I say 'should be able' but who knows? Every day of this entire series has seen twists and turns in nearly every session We've got 2 openers in the squad (Harris & Renshaw) so if they rule a line through Warner, you'd reckon the selectors will go with one of the reserve openers Not sure on Green/Marsh. Might depend on whether we win this match or not on who plays. Both? It's a possibility but not likely

Another session to the Aussies ... England added 74 runs but we picked up 4 big wickets to put them on the ropes. I'll score it 10-6 Overall Australia 37 England 33 with the Aussies better placed for the knock-out punch! Where's bazball? Huh?

Fascinating night ahead and let's hope the pitch still provides that same pace and bounce The green tinge may be disappearing but the wicket did look like it had a good coverage of grass Our bowlers need to bend their backs and we need to get Joe Root out cheaply (if possible) ... but after dropping 2 catches you'd be reckoning that Root will be doubly determined to get amongst the runs Still, it's always a matter of working for one (wicket) Every time we do that we set them back a bit

Once again you read it better than me dl4e! I got ahead of myself. Excitable boy they all said! Wood was way too good for our tail, all the same. I'm wondering when was the last time any of our batsmen faced someone so quick 155kph is like 8.5 on the Richter scale compared to 140kph being about 7?

Where are all the Mitch Marsh haters now? haha!

So the cricket world is enraptured by the Marsh innings and rightly so His career to date has been hit & miss and at 31 years of age, Mitch was at the crossroads So a gutsy innings as well, took chances and it paid off. Clean hitting and monstered the ball. And then picked up the vital wicket of Crawley If Root takes that easy chance when Mitch was on 12, it's a whole different conversation and we'd be staring down the barrel of defeat in this test match Kudos! As for Mark Wood, our batsmen are going to have to see him off in our 2nd innings if we're going to win this match. Bowled very impressively and is seriously fast. He could prove to be the difference maker (or not) The last session I've scored at 10-10 as we've got England at 3-68 at stumps. A quick wicket or 2 in the first session tonight and we'll be in front

Wood has run through us with his express deliveries. Our tail has no answer to his potent pace We're going to have to bowl well to stay in this match If not for Marsh's knock, England would be well odds on to win this test

I'll be slightly disappointed if we don't get to 350 now. They are a bowler down and the ball is knackered It was a great knock. We were in all sorts of trouble when he went to the crease Given the pressure and our precarious position, it was a brilliant innings, no question Edit: Joe Root drops another catch! ... and now catches one! Edit (2) now 7/247 eeeeek! 300 might be a bridge too far haha! Edit (3) 8/249 Can we get to 250? 350? A pipe dream!!!

2nd session to Australia 10-7 Match evenly poised but the Aussies have a chance now to post a good first innings score If we can get to 350+ we'll be ahead in the game

What a fantastic 100 from Mitch Marsh ... counter attacking in magnificent style Completely swung the match around Gilchrist-style! WOW!!!!!

He's damn quick and could be a handful in this test ... only bowled 6 overs which is a bit puzzling

Bit surprised with Green making way but I wish Mitch well And I'd take 300 in a heartbeat! 250 and we're at least in the game especially if the green tinge and quick bounce remains in the pitch Need a big score from Head, Marsh or Carey (or 2 decent 50's) Edit: Apparently Green was feeling the pinch from the Lords test (soreness?) hmmmmm

In boxing terms England won the first session 10-7 England bowled very well and our batsmen were found out a bit