3rd Ashes Test: Old Trafford, 11-15 August: Day Two

[Cricket Girl]

Yeah, when you consider our number three scored 166, they put down about 15 chances and Mcgrath wasn't at full fitness, we really needed to get 500+. I think our bowlers will do well - we will reverse it more than them. But even if we get a first innings lead of 100 like we did in the last match, again it will come down to getting a big score in the third, when the Aussies won't be as generous as they were yesterday. Basically we're going to need to bat again on a pitch that will be worse than the one we batted on yesterday and today. Oh well, we shall see.

[Six & Out]

You give the new ball to your best bowlers. I think Fred is fit enough, strong enough and good enough to deal with it. You have to think "What would the opposition like least". Flintoff and Harmison first up is the answer to that one.

[Richie Benauds Love Child]

Totally agree with you there six an out. On a flat hard pitch, you dont need a trundling swing bowler with the new ball ESPECIALLY whe he's spraying it all over the place (namely leg stump). Also it would do freddie good to have the experience of opening the bowling - something he should probably do in india.

[Six & Out]

Arrrrgh! Hoggard!

****** this annoys me.

[Oliver]

Originally Posted by greg

Oliver does your pessimistic viewpoint come from years of watching Spurs

No, it is simply born of realism. Spurs were always in Europe when I began my support. And through my twenties until the appalling Irving Scholar (see the demise of Nottingham Forest) became chairman we were reasonably successful.

England's cricket team, by and large, has been none-too-successful throughout all my years as a fan.
We have continually failed to beat the "world champions" of cricket, be they Australian or West Indian.

I try not to get caught up in optimism. If things are going well, I expect a fall.

It does make success, deeply, surprising and endlessly wonderful.

IT also makes defeat (failure) less depressing.

And now we have our English conditions bowler, bowling in English conditions... what chance for an early wicket with the new ball?

What's that I hear..? Not out. Damn!

[Notts Exile]

Bowden's just give Hayden not out. The Aussies are getting it all so far.

[Richie Benauds Love Child]

Cricinfo have nearly got it right. rather than "End of a good first over from Hoggard" it should the "end of the first good over of the series from hoggard". Whats the weather like in OT ? Its ****ing down my side of the pennines.

[Seamer]

Originally Posted by Notts Exile

Bowden's just give Hayden not out. The Aussies are getting it all so far.

Come on Notts. There was doubt - perhaps going down leg. In any case, Bowden is being consistent in giving advantage to the batsmen - he turned down a few against us too. So long as he is consistant, that is all we can ask.

[Six & Out]

Poor over from Hoggard. Bowden quite rightly didn't give the LBW in the previous over. If it hadn't swung, it would have been plumb and Hayden still wouldn't have got near it.

[Notts Exile]

Originally Posted by Seamer

Come on Notts. There was doubt - perhaps going down leg. In any case, Bowden is being consistent in giving advantage to the batsmen - he turned down a few against us too. So long as he is consistant, that is all we can ask.

Fair play, Seamer. Though Mr Bell must feel he's due the benefit of the doubt having not been out in his last two innings but sent back by the umpires!