Essex vs Australia

[Andy Mellon]

Essex are taking on the touring Aussies in a two-day game (two days?!?) at Chelmsford. Essex have just lost their first wicket after 23 overs. Essex 140 - 1. Jefferson just dismissed by Kasprowicz for 64 (bowled). Ali Cook is not out on 70 runs!!! Great stuff from him, probably get the England A selectors looking at him again!

[Paoli]

2 day games are a joke! We had one at Northants and it hardly gives you any time. I think that a standard protocol should be set out for tour matches around the world; three days.

I'm hoping for something special from Brad Hodge and Michael Kasprowicz, who could be on his last chance to perform.

Might I add, Dizzy has been given a chance to perform, but you'd expect if MacGill can claim his token five fer, he'll play in the next test match. Tait, Kasprowicz, Gillespie and MacGill are competing for one spot in the final test.

On the batting front; it is a two horse race between Hodge and Hayden; a good thing the selectors haven't gone for the kneejerk Hussey/Watson approach.

[Seamer]

Essex 1-203. All of the bowlers are competing for a spot so it is not as if they are not trying. McGill is getting smashed around as well. Not good signs for Australia

[The Phantom Ram]

Originally Posted by Andy Mellon

Essex are taking on the touring Aussies in a two-day game

Two day game? Is it still two innings per side? What a waste of time.

Currently 389-1 with Cook on 200 not out. The thought of making Australia bowl for 2 days certainly appeals!!

[Andy Mellon]

Wow! Great performance from Essex! Cook was finally out for 214. caught Gillespie bowled Kasprowicz. I don't know whether this is answering any of Australia's questions, or posing more questions!! Another English youngster, Ravinder Bopara is currently 127 not out. Aussie bowling attack - Lee, Gillespie, Kasper, MacGill (who's gone for a shed load - might have shot his test chances in the foot), Hodge and Tait. Pretty good bowling line up to be taken apart in this way by a team of Essex youngsters!

For any Aussies out there who are worried, Chelmsford can be a bit of a batsman's paradise on a sunny day. And its sunny in England today which is probably a help!

Current incumbent batsmen - Bopara (132 not out) and Pettini (7 not out)

[rineet]

Final Score at the end of day 1: 502-4. Only Pettini has failed. The current partnership between the 2 batsmen at the crease is 61 runs.

[Zainub]

If I have never mentioned it before, I do so now: I LOVE ESSEX.

[Paoli]

Whooa! Essex have blown Australia right out of the water. Al Cook stakes his claim for a trip to the sub-continent with that performance no doubt.

Kasper has been the pick of the bowlers and has perhaps, albeit reluctant by the Aussie selectors, booked himself a spot for the Oval test match. I'm sure they'll broker a deal to bat for another 20 overs to see if MacGill can have a bowl and hopefully tumble the English tail out and perhaps get in the side. Then it's a free for all between Hodge and Hayden; although tour games are useless for Hayden. He always makes a ton then everyone says he is in form.

[vvvrulz]

This reminds me of the pre-ODI series blunder Australia made against a county, (can't remember which) before losing to Bangladesh.

[Seamer]

I cannot remember 500 runs being scored in a day let alone against a team containing so many class bowlers. Maybe the bowlers have a feeling they are going to get flogged at the Oval and are competing to see can bowl the worse so they don't get selected. Then at least they can say losing the Ashes was'nt their fault.
Seriuosly though, reports are saying Kaspa bowled well without luck, and of course Warne and McGrath were notthere. Not the end of the world, but does make you concerned about our depth all the same.