Second Test

[Matt the Shrimp]

Harmison's cameo is over... 375/9. 400 looks unlikely now.

Matt

 

[BILLERICAY BLUE]

388-9, we're inching our way up to 400

 

[Matt the Shrimp]

Hoggard hit Warne for 4, and then Simon Jones has just thumped Gillespie for 6... get in!!

402/9 - superb wagging of the tail!

This is already an amazing Test. We've seen:

*the highest score by a side which has been sent in
*ten 6s
*the first time (?) England has scored 400 against Aussies on the first day of a test...

 

[Matt the Shrimp]

31 added for the last wicket - Hoggard 16, Jones 18 - 406/9!

 

[Matt the Shrimp]

407 all out - and it's now stumps as it has started to rain at Egbaston. Superb performance by England - an extraordinary day of cricket.

Matt

 

[Guest]

Oops. Australia have lost a wicket already - Hayden out for a duck! 0-1!

 

[Hong Kong Blue]

Australia ominously move onto 52-1 at the end of the 11th.

I'm very concerned about the run-rate. England need to bore them out.

 

[Guest]

Ponting seems to be in good form, he's smashing the England bowlers all over the place. We need to slow the pace down a bit, we really need to take a lead into our second innings

 

[Matt the Shrimp]

The Wheelie Bin is being very annoying... keeping it tight for all bar one ball an over, which Ponting is merrily crashing to the boundary rope.

That's not how you build up pressure, Ashley.

Aus 87/1 (again, at almost 5 an over), Ponting in ominously good form with 61 runs off 68 deliveries.

Matt

 

[Matt the Shrimp]

Excellent - 89/2; the Wheelie Bin has stuffed that down my throat by snaring Ponting's wicket for 61, a hugely important scalp that.  Well played Ashley Giles! (and perhaps a slice of humble pie to be delivered my way by HK Blue at some point, no doubt...)

Ponting's departure brings in Damien Martyn... blimey, they can bat a bit can't they, these Aussies...

 

[Hong Kong Blue]

Quote[/b] (Matt the Shrimp @ Aug. 05 2005,12:08)]

Excellent - 89/2; the Wheelie Bin has stuffed that down my throat by snaring Ponting's wicket for 61, a hugely important scalp that.  Well played Ashley Giles! (and perhaps a slice of humble pie to be delivered my way by HK Blue at some point, no doubt...)

Ponting's departure brings in Damien Martyn... blimey, they can bat a bit can't they, these Aussies...

Well done Ashley Giles, that is a massive wicket picking up a well set batsman.

However like 11 overs doesn't make him a bad bowler, one wicket doesn't make him a good bowler, he should still be judged on his overall substantial contribution to the team over the last 18 months or so.

ps Another wicket or two before lunch would be most welcome.

 

[canveyshrimper]

Incredible in a test match that the scoring is still around 5 an over. Move over Sir Geoffrey.

Flintoff & Giles do seem to have applied a bit of a brake. One more before lunch please.

 

[Hong Kong Blue]

Did you ask for that before or after the run out!

 

[canveyshrimper]

Quote[/b] (Hong Kong Blue @ Aug. 05 2005,12:43)]Did you ask for that before or after the run out!

Just before the run out.

Steady progress since lunch 147/3

 

[Hong Kong Blue]

In which case sir, kindly request another one just after lunch!

 

[canveyshrimper]

Hmmm - 165/3 would be nice to knock over a couple more before tea.

 

[Hong Kong Blue]

I think this half an hour before tea is going to be match defining. If England can pick up a wicket or two it will put them in the driving seat, but if Australia can survive it, they'll be in control.

 

[Guest]

NIce, just got in from the Opticians and we just take another wicket to go 208/5... not looking too bad so far

 

[Hong Kong Blue]

According to cricinfo Langer just edged Giles wide of slip for 4.

C'mon England, we need one more wicket before tea.

 

[Guest]

219-5 at tea, a lead of 188. Wishful thinking probably but it'd be good if we can bowl 'em out for around 300.... that'd be a handy lead to take into the second innings. Need an early wicket after tea though