The Ashes First Test Lords Thursday 21st July..Day 3.

[English_Al]

Originally Posted by Pete

Does anyone know why Harmison isn't bowling to McGrath's head?

Nope. In the last two days we have played like the old England for the most part. We've generally forgotten our plans and aggression/intensity. Several rockets need to be sent in an upward direction I think!

[Pete]

Send Mcgrath back to the pavillion on a stretcher and we won't see him rip us apart in the second innings

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by English_Al

I'm away with my girlfriend for the weekend but I think I would only miss an Aussie celebration tommorrow sometime. How I would love to be wrong!

Yep I am more or less away for a week at Pontins in Blackpool, but I will have internest access at the library, if I am allowed on with my family.

Originally Posted by Mongoose 59123

Sorry Ern, completely missed the fact you'd started this thread yesterday.
England have got ragged. This is where we need to be mentally strong and keep our discipline, as the game isn't over yet.

Yes I always do a thread for the next day about midnight, wonder why they are bowling so kind at McGrath?.

[Pete]

289-8 becomes 372-9. England have no chance at all now. Our batting line up isn't good enough to chase down these runs against McGrath and Warne.

[greg]

Absolute garbage by England.No need to comment further.

[Mongoose]

Originally Posted by English_Al

Oz lead by 376. Gillespie has just been bowled, but do you reckon England can still get this Mongoose?

Lead of 400+. Just been chatting to Lemming about this one. Neither of us EXPECT England to get it. But we've just said that England have more batting that the West Indies team that got 418-7 v Aus. Vaughan can't do anything about history or records. the batsmen just have to try to get the runs we need. Any top order batsman is capable of getting in and getting a big score, so we need 2 or 3 to do just that. No point accepting defeat before it has happened.

[Pete]

They had a fun time batting against Stuart Mcgill though, no Warney.

[Occasional Fan]

Quite. It will be hard work and England need more than a slice of good fortune, but stranger things have been known. If it really was beyond question, then the Aussies would have declared, wouldn't they?

[Trescothick]

Most frustrating start of play ever. We need to get batting NOW.

[Trescothick]

We just need to pray Strauss and Tresco see off the new ball and form a quality partnership and bring us to aroun 175, and then a couple more support so we get that total, I think Pietersen and Vaughan can hopefully come up trumps.. Then we need the tail, Giles and Jones to perhaps finish off the job...

I'll remain very cautiously optimistic, although I do doubt we will get it.. We're capable, but whether we will; I doubt it!