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

[Collyisamackem]

Oh how deflated I feel. The best side we've had in years but still:

- We STILL don't have a quality "mystery" spinner, I'm not asking for another Shane Warne (there never will be) but he seems to be putting Gilo way into the shade even though Gilo is a good bowler. We need leg spin.

- We have started dropping 5/6 catches per game/innings again after having such a good recent record. The contrast between our fumbling lot (I admit, Geraint had a terrible day today, second only in the game to Pietersen in terms of catches) and theirs, who caught everything cleanly/spectacularly.

I'm gutted, but maybe we can turn it around.

[Pete]

Apparently it's heavy showers tomorrow at St John's wood and thundery showers on Monday. Maybe saved by the rain, but the English weather reports are about as reliable as a batsman with no arms.

[Kirsty Harris]

Originally Posted by Occasional Fan

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.

They haven't exactly been vocal in their support of Thorpe, from what I can see/have heard/have read, OF - my feeling is it will take a few more problems in the middle order before most people wake up and smell the coffee!!!

I have always said is was foolishness to dispense with Thorpe, and take no pleasure in being proved right. People can bang on about the future all thay want, but in this case it has lead to England losing sight of the here and now.

That said, much respect to Pieterson, who has done very well. I may never be able to love the guy(just because his personality rubs me up the wrong way), but I do admire him, for sure. I'd love him to get a hundred in this match - he deserves it,IMO.

I must admit, I have been surprised at how fragile Bell has looked. I didn't expect that, to be honest! Perhaps it's just an off game, I don't want to write him off after one poor game...

My final point: I don't like the negatie vibes I'm getting, guys!!! Let's not get so disheartned over a match we haven't even lost yet!!! Chin up, there's a long way to go in this series yet!!!

[Mongoose]

I've recently been going with blind optimism and finding positives at straw-clutching lengths. So: Pietersen and Jones now have the scope to each get very big scores and make bigger names for themselves than Botham and Willis. Another positive is that, if KP and GOJ don't rewrite history, the rains will come down to England's rescue. We're going to win this series 3-0 now!

[Kirsty Harris]

Originally Posted by Mongoose

Pietersen and Jones now have the scope to each get very big scores and make bigger names for themselves than Botham and Willis. Another positive is that, if KP and GOJ don't rewrite history, the rains will come down to England's rescue.

That's the spirit, Mongoose!!

Keep thinking those happy thoughts!!!

[Irish Left Armer]

I basically agree with Mr Frankenstein. Today was a shocking day for England from start to finish. Poor in the field and poor with the bat. Only rain can save them now.

Strauss and Tresco both get in and then get out, aghhhhhhhh. Bell must feel stupid but then he hasn't played Warne before. Should he be in the team this summer, probably not. Vaughan needs to hit the nets and do some serious practice, he is all over the place. His technique is being exposed and that has always been the strength of his game. Not good. Kp is a star, ironic that his technique is the one standing up the best to the Aussie bowling.

Please rain for the next two days.

[Paoli]

England were plain terrible in the field. Australia should've been dismissed for about 300, if that had've happened, 156-5 wouldn't look so bad after all. I'm surprised too see KP drop this many catches. From what I've seen he is an awesome fielder. Anyway, a few thoughts from today.

Bell- Proving to be England's weak link with his inability to hold down the No.4 position. Warne's ball was a ripper, but being the reputed batsman that he is should've played at it.

Vaughan- Having an ordinary trot against teams of class and his form is beginning to be a worry. His captaincy though, cannot be faulted. He has done everything right, but his fielders are terrible. With the bat though, alot remains to be seen.

Trescothick- Big question mark from this viewer. His lack of footwork is clearly showing in this test and was out to a distinctly mortal Shane Warne ball. Averages 25 in 11 tests against the Aussies with only four fifties- could prove to have gone AWOL by the end of the series.

G. Jones- Absolutely atrocious with the gloves. Dropped two sitters and one that he probably should've got along with several fumbles with the ball whilst taking it. Has the chance to put it behind him with a huge knock tonight.

S. Jones- Bowling really well and was unlucky having three dropped catches. If his fielders are up to it in the next test, I'd give him the new ball and see what he does with it. The only dilemma there is that Hoggard can't play first change and I wouldn't risk Harmison in that position either.

Katich- Has shown he can become a real Steve Waugh with the bat in the middle order. Has the ability to dig in and grind out really important knocks for the team. We should've only got a lead of 330 last night but thanks to Katich's beautiful batting we are at 420.

Warne- Vintage. A pearler to dismiss Bell and equal to dismiss Freddie Flintoff. These two batsmen will be facing alot of Warne in the time to come during this seris and must figure out that they have to play everything on their pads but leave it all outside off.

All in all, this was the most enjoyable day of cricket. Unfortunately SBS cuts to the Tour de France at 11 30 returning at 2am, so that is the only downer. Australia are in the box seat. An early wicket and it could all be over by lunch. Disappointing considering that this was supposedly the most closely contested Ashes in a while.

[John]

Originally Posted by Paoli69

Bell- Proving to be England's weak link with his inability to hold down the No.4 position. Warne's ball was a ripper, but being the reputed batsman that he is should've played at it.

Vaughan- Having an ordinary trot against teams of class and his form is beginning to be a worry. His captaincy though, cannot be faulted. He has done everything right, but his fielders are terrible. With the bat though, alot remains to be seen.

How can you judge Bell on one Test? He has been waiting in the wings long enough. He may not good enough but after one Test? Vaughan hasn't done any better despite his reputation "he always plays well against the Aussies."
I back the selectors on Bell.
Vaughan to me is one of crickets greatest mysterys 3 truly great centuries against Australia and than ......not much.
I live four miles from Lords there is cloud but its high no sign of rain.

[Beny]

Bell- Proving to be England's weak link with his inability to hold down the No.4 position. Warne's ball was a ripper, but being the reputed batsman that he is should've played at it.

Dont think he was any worse than other English Batsmen... In the heat of the momment, whilst Tresco and Strauss we're getting runs, I was going to kill Alim Dar. That one against Strauss was plumb.

On the whole though England just can't pick Warne out of the hand and a lot of their shots we're pre-meditated. If they fix that up then the next few matches might be more interesting.

[Occasional Fan]

Originally Posted by John

I live four miles from Lords there is cloud but its high no sign of rain.

Glad to hear it. I am not joining the rain-dancers. To me, there are few things more frustrating than watching or listening to rainfall when there is a cricket game to be won. England can't win this by sitting in the pavilion. Let's get out there and play for it.