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

[Pete]

Nice one Bell, just leave a straight Warne delivery.

[Mongoose]

Originally Posted by Kirsty Harris

Where oh where is Graham Thorpe when you need him - oh, that's right he's been forced to retire

Bell out looking like a novice. Someone described him as an 11 year-old who has turned out for the U13s. He certainly looks like a boy amongst men right now.
Thorpe is most definitely a man.

[Kirsty Harris]

Good news: England are 1/4th of the way towards their target

Bad news: England are three wickets down - probably two wickets too many!!

[Kirsty Harris]

Originally Posted by Mongoose

Bell out looking like a novice....Thorpe is most definitely a man.

I actually do rate Bell, but perhaps it's a series too soon for him. Let's face it, who wouldn't love to see Thorpe striding out to bat now? Only the Aussies, that's who!!! Not only is Thorpe definately A man, he is also THE man. perhaps people are beginning to grasp what has been sacrificed now...I heard Athers talking about Englands 'inexpereinced' middle order a while ago..

[Pete]

Will England make 200? Freddie will look like a rabbit in headlights against Warne.

[Aussie-Yank]

Vaughan gone, 4 down - Just finnished doing stupid little victory dance around the room - Daughter looking at me as if I am an Idiot. Confirmed thought, daughter just called me an idiot.

[Aussie-Yank]

Lee is now bowling dangeriously, with Warne spinning his magic. Australia have England in there sights - will they be able to give the killing blow today?

[Doink]

England selectors must be wondering whether they made the right decision by excluding Thorpe, which eventully lead to him announcing his retirement...he would have been surely more useful than Bell...what say...

[Occasional Fan]

In principle there's bags of time, especially as they could call for an extra half hour after the scheduled close if they have a few more scalps in the bag (they probably need at least another three before the scheduled close, I'd guess). The radio commentators are saying that the weather forecast is poor for the next couple of days, so it surely would be worthwhile for Aus to go for it this afternoon.

[Occasional Fan]

Originally Posted by Doink

England selectors must be wondering whether they made the right decision by excluding Thorpe, which eventully lead to him announcing his retirement...he would have been surely more useful than Bell...what say...

Doink, if they are not wondering about this, there must be a few thousand England supporters who would be happy to explain it to them. Excluding a man of Thorpe's class from a series against the world's number one unit was just plain daft.