2nd Ashes Test: Edgbaston, 4-8 August: Day One

[English_Al]

Originally Posted by Notts Exile

Warnie's showing dissent now at lbw decisions not given against Giles. How about a match ban for the next Test at Old Trafford???

Ha, ha, yes, and if McGrath is still injured that would do nicely!

I agree, Pietersen really has been superb in his 3 test innings, just a shame that it means we'll get the constant "best player is a South African" taunts in our direction.

[Occasional Fan]

Has anyone seen the "Who's on top?" meter on the BBC website (right hand side of this page). Presently has Australia on top, and sadly I'd have to agree. From a very strong position at lunch time (132-1), things seem to have slipped rather.

[Cover_Driver]

347-7..no real point in hanging around now Pieterson will just run out of partners, I'd rather see us hit out, get a few more on the board all well and good if they are still there in the morning, but it wouldnt necessarily be a disatser to give the aussie batsmen an uncomfortable few overs before end of play tonight.

[English_Al]

Originally Posted by Cover_Driver

347-7..no real point in hanging around now Pieterson will just run out of partners, I'd rather see us hit out, get a few more on the board all well and good if they are still there in the morning, but it wouldnt necessarily be a disatser to give the aussie batsmen an uncomfortable few overs before end of play tonight.

Well, you've got your wish, Pietersen hit out. Wont be long now, pretty sure Oz will be batting tonight

[Notts Exile]

KP out now. Have we gone about this in the wrong way??

[greg]

Very very entertaining but utterly brainless cricket by England today.Why have they kept playing shots on a good track and got themselves out time after time?We needed a minimum of 450 on this pitch and probably need 550 but we have blown it.I can't see Australia throwing so many wickets away when they bat.

[Richie Benauds Love Child]

If you have been asked to bat first on an iffy pitch, in over cast conditions you'd take 350+. if I was ponting I'd be aiming for 300 tops, or I'd have a bat myself. Not as good as it could be but after the last test I'd settle for it.

[Cover_Driver]

No ones showing much faith in our bowlers! I still have a feeling there may be something in this pitch for them. I wont be surprised at all to see Hoggard swing the ball, maybe even tonight and Harmison will still get the odd one to get very big off of a good length. Need to concentrate on line and length..get that right and it dosent really matter how slow the track is the batsman will always struggle to score and get frustrated then who knows?!

[Occasional Fan]

Quite right. Someone above said that the Aussies will not throw their wickets away, but we're not asking them to. We got twenty wickets last time around, so why not here?

[English_Al]

Originally Posted by Richie Benauds Love Child

If you have been asked to bat first on an iffy pitch, in over cast conditions you'd take 350+. if I was ponting I'd be aiming for 300 tops, or I'd have a bat myself. Not as good as it could be but after the last test I'd settle for it.

I think that the previous games are partly why we've gone beserk today. The batsmen were probably so hyped up at no McGrath, a great pitch and after the terrible run they've had, that they got a little trigger happy. Thats absolutely no excuse though.

It's interesting now looking at S. Jones and Hoggard - playing properly and sensibly!!!