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

[Occasional Fan]

Well, we had an enthralling first day at Old Trafford on Thursday, with Brett Lee and Glenn McGrath both turning out for Australia, Lee getting amongst the wickets but McGrath coming away empty handed. Australia's fielding was below par and England took full advantage to end the day on 341-5. Ian Bell (59 not out) and Andrew Flintoff (yet to start his innings) will be out there, weather permitting, at 1030BST on Friday.

Please place your comments on the second day's play in this thread.

The weather forecast from the BBC at 0730BST is for a cloudy day with sunny intervals, top temperature around 18C. Remember that on Thursday they forecast showers, and as late as 1025BST on Thursday John Kettley was predicting an interrupted day's cricket. So the forecast could be worth nothing at all!

[Richard Jenkins]

Australia have a new ball but a very tired Lee and Mcgrath, both of whom were injured prior to this test. Mcgrath 's last over was broadcast as a 70 mph one last night, so He'll bowl first up and then have a long break i imagine. Flintoff does need to get in, the new ball will be where the wickets come from. Once you are in on this pitch, a big score seems to beckon. Bell needs to go on now, and play a supporting role to flintoff; really dissapointed in Pieterson. there was qbsolultly no need to bat like that yesterday. That showed real lack of test experience. The pitch will be at its best today and perhaps early tommorow. England need to get to 500 to put pressure on. I imagin that will take until tea? Australia could find that their bowling attack falls apart if England go on to 600.

[DaveGillespie]

If Flintoff takes his time to play himself in, he should prosper on this wicket and so should England. Bell has to go on to make a hundred and I believe he will do so. Need a big innings from GOJo as well, as he's due and should be filled with confidence after taking that match winning catch.

500 is a must, 600 is desirable.

[greg]

Looking at the bigger picture we need to bat for as long as possible to keep McGrath out there as it will help us in the 2nd innings if he had to bowl 2 spells today.He is clearly only about 50% fit but frighteningly still looks far more likely to take wickets than Gillespie.Lee should be ok after a nights rest as he is a young pup compared to McGrath.If early wickets don't fall Warne will be bowling a long spell again and everything will depend on him.

It is nice to see them dropping catches for a instead of us.Wonder if it is a bit of pressure showing with them knowing they are actually in a proper series with England for a change.

One thing is certain though at the start of play England are on top,they need to make sure they still are at Lunch.

[Occasional Fan]

I'd say 500 is desirable, 600 is a pipe dream. Michael Vaughan himself is talking about getting close to 450, and that may be more realistic. If England take their chances in the field in exactly the same way that Australia didn't yesterday, that could also be enough to put some serious pressure on Australia. It will be great to see 500 on the board, but I am not expecting it to happen and I won't be unduly worried as long as we are around the 450 mark, and preferably slightly above it. To do this, it is essential that Andrew Flintoff be on song. Please, Freddie, come out and have a look at what's going on before you swing the willow too much. We have plenty of time to get the runs.

Michael Vaughan's comments reported by the BBC here.

[Richard Jenkins]

I don't thik 500 is a pipe dream. It's highly likely Australia will suffer. Warne bowled for the afternoon, (so will be tired)mcgrath is injured, so is lee, gillespie's bowling is poor and that leaves the part timers.... A frightening prospect IF England get past the new ball.

[Occasional Fan]

Nor do I: I said 600 is a pipe dream.

[Pabs]

I fancy Geraint Jones to make a few today. He's a back foot player who goes hard at the ball - should be the perfect track for him.

Not sure about Freddie. Lee will undoubtedly rough him up with the new ball, and I can see him going the way of Pieterson fairly quickly. Hope I'm wrong though.

[Kirsty Harris]

My feeling is England will get between 490-520. I'd be happy with that!!!

[Six & Out]

Englands chance of a REALLY big score was scuppered by Pietersen's stupidity IMO. If Fred decides to play responsibly, we still might get one but I think he's really going to feel the pressure from his home crowd and is liable to do something stupid or get a corker from Lee or McGrath.

Jones needs to make some runs badly.