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

[Occasional Fan]

For the first time in the series, we have a Day Five thread, and what a day this could be. England need ten wickets to take a 2-1 lead in the series. Australia, who closed on Sunday at 24-0 (Langer 14 not out, Hayden 5 not out), need a further 399 runs to do likewise, and there are a minimum of 83 overs to be bowled plus the last hour - so up to 98 overs in total is quite possible. That's only just over 4 an over, so all the results are still possible (but I wouldn't put the house on a tie). Play commences at 1030BST.

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

The weather forecast from the BBC is much the same as today: cloudy with sunny intervals and top temperatures around 20C. And tickets are available at the gate for only £10 (£5 for juniors): Old Trafford will presumably be packed. Here's to a great final day's play.

[Collyisamackem]

A total of 423 has never been achieved in a 4th innings to win the game, so we have a great chance. Come on England.

[IslandKev]

Emgland have a great chance. The fact that the Aussies think they might get the runs is even better. If they get them then they will prove to be the greatest team ever. But they wont. Theres only two results in this match - draw or England win. I HOPE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[greg]

Can't see us doing it.Though one thing is a certainty,Fletcher should tell Vaughan to bowl tomorrow as he looked as dangerous as Giles tonight and will cause problems tomorrow.Also it would help us get extra overs in anyway.
Who would have thought it the rain svaing Australia from a certain defeat.

[DaveGillespie]

This is just brilliant - I'm on a course tomorrow and won't be able to listen to TMS in work. Five day test matches, who would have thunk it.

[Rachael]

Surely the hope has to be for an Australian batting performance to finally light up this series? England winning the Edgbaston test was wonderful in terms of setting the series up... but right now the series needs this Aussie crew to show there's some real substance behind all the talk: I don't care whether the result is a draw or an Aussie win... but if this Aussie crew make a hash of a 6th consecutive innings we really might be faced with the series just fading in the same way that the long awaited India vs. Australia series faded when the much vaunted Indian batting line up went AWOL.

My own feeling has long been that Langer and Katich were the only real Test batsmen in the Aussie side.... with the jury out on Martyn and Clarke.... but I really do hope the final day of this 3rd test sees me proven wrong: the odds are surely on Jones and Flintoff getting some pretty testing reverse swing and Giles building pressure.... and maybe even harmison having a much overdue top day... and I want to see guys like Ponting and Gilchrist stand up to be counted and show that they deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as Steve Waugh (who would have relished the situation in prospect for the final day).

[Mike]

To think that Australia could win this match and break the record chase in a 4th innings on this wicket is fanciful in the extreme so put your egos away Aussies and bat sensibly to save this match. That will be no "jog in the park" with Flintoff and Jones reverse swinging the ball and Giles getting good turn out of the rough. Let's see some stubborn resistence a-la Gillespie from the top order or is that beneath you? Of course it is - you guys hate letting the bowlers stop the flow of runs. Please put your egos away for once to save a Test match.

[Leafy Seadragon]

On a wicket that doesn't seem to be threatening too much (no doubt famous last words) I would suggest the Oz strategy for the day is bat conservatively until lunch and reassess. If the Aussies are 120-0 at lunch, think about releasing the shackles a little. Then when Hayden opens his shoulders and gets out, rein it in until tea. 220 and a couple down at tea, they might think about having a crack at it. Anything prior would be brave.

The one advantage the Aussies have is that the reverse swing seems like the only way that English will bowl them out. Ensure that doesn't happen and they should scramble a draw. Play with the head rather than the ego and they might still have a chance to go for it late in the day. Go the other way and end up praying Warne, Gillespie et al can do it all again.

Stragenly, I think the best chance of an Aussie victory is to start by not chasing it. Gilchrist, Ponting and Clarke can hit runs quickly if there's a glimmer of a chance. They can't do that if they and others have already been dismissed. Aussie egos aside, the batsmen are probably actually capable of scoring the required runs. Unfortunately their recent form would suggest that they won't if they try. Interestingly, current odds have the Aussies only 8/1 to 12/1 with the draw as favourite, so even the bookies agree that all outcomes are possible. I agree with Rachael - its about time the Aussie batting line-up stood up. I also think though that the English bowlers also need to stand up. So far neither has been convincing. Great final day's prospect of they both do. Otherwise, a gripping day of Aussie tailender struggle for survival.

[Seamer]

I think that innings from Warne will now change everything. His effort with the bat will serve to both shame and inspire the Aussie batsmen to put a price on their wicket and dig in a little more.
Warne has stated clearly that he has no intention of losing the Ashes in his time, and i think the greatness of the man and his sheer willpower,influence and very presence will end up sucking the rest of the team along in his slipstream. That 90 may well be the turning point of Australia's fortunes with the bat.
I agree with the bookies. The draw is most likely but not to write the Aussies off with the bat.
If we get out of this one, we can then make the neccesary changes to win the series. Thew Gillespie cancer has to be operated on first up. Would'nt even bother to play him in the tour games now and would give the other three options the chance to duel it out for his spot. Hayden too will have to bat now to save his carreer. If he fails, he too should be cut and replaced with Hussey. A failure from Kattitch and Hodge will have to be brought in.
I have argued against this policy with antherman, but now have changed my tune. To win the series, we will have to remove the weak links and field our strongest team. It is up to the Aussie batsmen in this test, and up the the Aussie selectors for the next test.
I have faith in the Aussie batsmen, but unfortunately, have absloutely no faith in the Aussie selectors
Thank god for S.K Warne

[Occasional Fan]

Originally Posted by Rachael

Surely the hope has to be for an Australian batting performance to finally light up this series?

Oh, Rachael, Rachael! I understand what you mean, and maybe with any other two teams on the planet I might agree, but someone has to win The Ashes and there's only one team I actively want to do that. I'm with you generally on the "result irrelevant as long as the cricket is great" front. But here and now, you're on your own, I'm afraid. The answer to the question is "No". And the series is well and truly alight already.