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

[Occasional Fan]

Lead is 390, time is running out and light is a potential issue this evening, which means time is even shorter than it appears. Surely time to come in now. Especially with Flintoff now out. There is no point wasting further time with the bat! Come on, Michael! There are 50 minutes play maximum today if you take off the innings change. We can use them!

This just drives me mad! Every minute is precious and we simply do not need the 400+ margin which we now have! Get off!

[Occasional Fan]

Finally! Just 39 minutes today, light permitting, plus 83 overs tomorrow plus the final hour. Will it be enough?

[Occasional Fan]

England's day again, I'd say. A lot of work to do tomorrow to get 10 wickets, but surely within reach with a bit of luck and a following wind. Australia still have 399 to get in about 98 overs, which is not impossible, but my money wouldn't be on it. Tickets for Old Trafford tomorrow are a tenner a pop, cash only at the gate - Ern, I guess we won't be seeing you here tomorrow, right? If I were anywhere within about 100 miles of the ground, I'd be in the queue by now.

[Lemming]

Originally Posted by Occasional Fan

...Australia still have 399 to get in about 98 overs, which is not impossible, but my money wouldn't be on it...

Mine neither! That's 4.07 an over and with Vaughan setting defensive fields and Giles bowling into the rough, it would take something special for the Aussies to score the runs, they would have to play very risky stuff. I'm pretty certain Australia are out of it and just need to hang on for the draw. I think England can win this, Vaughan has the luxury of being able to attack and hopefully changes will be created by Giles using the rough, and Jones/Flintoff employing reverse swing.

Warne - I thought - was unlucky to not get a wicket as he bowled well. McGrath picked up cheap wickets near the end when England were being aggressive, but he didn't deserve no wickets in the first innings.

Good innings by Strauss, he showed a little of what he is capable of and deserved this century.

[Collyisamackem]

Warne was clearly emotional as he left the field - kind of a "that's it guys, that's the last time I'm bowling here" on the ground where he produced such magic from the off. McGrath looked gutted as well.

So come on England, keep your focus and bowl to your strengths, and you can take this game.

[Kirsty Harris]

I think England batted on maybe a little too long - it would have been better to set say 380 - 400 and declare. Still it is hard to judge a declaration, as no captin likes to left looking foolish if they get it wrong.

A few more overs tonight might have given us a wicket....

Anyway, it was a good innings by Strauss, and Bell played well to. I think Trescothick was rather unfortunate, but all in all a good effort - you can't really critise Piterson or Flintoff, because today was all about getting runs and quickly.

I hope England can do it tomorrow - I feel Giles will have a big say in things, because of all the left handers he'll be bowling too. If England do bowl well they should win, but beware the Aussie tail!!!

[IslandKev]

I think Vaughany played it right. Plenty of runs ahead. He could have declared earlier, but, lets be realistic, this match is not sudden death. Dont take any risks. Yet

[greg]

Considering Australia like to ram home "the spirit of cricket" as often as they can i thought it was disgraceful of them to be bowling their overs so slowly,especially when Warne was bowling.If i was the match referee i would seriously consider banning the captain of any side who do this as it is clearly not in the spirit of the game.

[IslandKev]

Originally Posted by greg

Considering Australia like to ram home "the spirit of cricket" as often as they can i thought it was disgraceful of them to be bowling their overs so slowly,especially when Warne was bowling.If i was the match referee i would seriously consider banning the captain of any side who do this as it is clearly not in the spirit of the game.

Give it a rest. Do you think Vaughany wouldnt do the same? This is sport of the highest quality. you do anything legal to win the game. The most satisfying thing about this is seeing Australia do it. They're not used to it. Spirit of the game, too right. Lets beat em anyway. Come on England

[greg]

Kev,i would be just as disgusted if Vaughan did it if England were in the same position.For me it is worse than claiming a catch that might have been grounded because there is a conscious effort to disrupt the game.