The Ashes 2006/07: The Brisbane Test Thread - Day Three

[south beds mikey]

This is a really a non sensicle choice by Ponting. This decision gives him declaration issues he didn't need, I am sure the Aussies will still win this one but why even give us a sniff? Surely he must go for our throats?!!

Often in sport people make decisions I don't agree with but at least I undestand them. This one baffles me.

[greg]

Well Hayden has made his intentions clear.I wonder how many overs we will lose today by virtue of England bowling around 11 overs an hour in the last session.I think there are 35 due to be bowled but would be amazed to see more than 28.Not that it will matter unless there is some freaky weather.

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by Aussie-Yank

So by batting again and forcing the English to bat on a Gabba pitch with wide huge cracks, if they fail to get a score again that will hopefully give them a mental scaring for the rest of the tour.

Do you not think A-Y that Ponting batted again to give his bowlers a rest, being that the Tests are back to back.

Also they could destroy Harmison once and for all, that could go wrong - but worth a punt.

Also batting to save the game with 700 runs on the board, will be soul sapping.

IMO Ponting has got it right.This England team is down, and he is pushing them further, that has to be his thinking, and the weather will not come into it.
This is thee most surreal Test I have ever seen in yonks of watching Test cricket.

[Aussie-Yank]

Originally Posted by Ernest 119999

Do you not think A-Y that Ponting batted again to give his bowlers a rest, being that the Tests are back to back.

That would always be one of the considerations, as I think the fact Australia has the unfortunate record of being the only test side ever to enforce a follow-on and lose the game.

An interview with Glen McGrath is stating that they want the cracks to be wider. So maybe that this is the reason.

The interesting thing that has come to light is looking at the actions of the bowlers in both sides. When you look at the Australian bowlers;

McGrath, Clarke and Flintoff are hit the pitch style bowlers - 13 out of 20 wickets

While Anderson & Hoggard are swing bowlers - who bowl a different length - it is the length on this pitch that is causing the problems for the batsman.

[John]

Good decision about not enforcing the follow on. Ponting is not going to give England a sniff. Ponting not worried about the niceties of cricket he wants to win by the safest route. A rested bowling attack and Warne bowling on the last innings.

[Aussie-Yank]

Missed oportunity there for England - Hayden should have been caught at slip - instead another 4

[Django]

After the "Laxman's Match" in 2001, the Aussies, as a plolicy, do not enforce the follow-on. I believe they will bat on until say one hour tomorrow morning with the score of 200 plus (a lead of about 650).

I guess the Aussie players get paid a percentage of gate receipts. it is in their interests to keep the match going into the fourth day. The result of the match is already known, follow-on or no follow-on.

[Aussie-Yank]

Run out - Matthew Hayden - should be the decision

[greg]

Harmison is bowling his best spell of the match,not that he had much to improve on but it gives slight hope for later in the series.

Hayden's run out was a typical declaration dismissal.Never a 2nd run but went for it just in case he got it.Good throw by Anderson,about the best thing he has done all game.

[Mr Hutt]

After watching Englands demise at the hands of Mcgrath and Clarke they hardly even needed Lee for that, im still wondering why Ponting has chosen to bat again... it makes no sense to me other than he wants to drive england into the ground, however what if england bat better in the second innings? i think he has made a mistake here.

currently they are 155/1 leading by 600 again.. maybe Ponting will declare now?? that he has reached his magic figure again