The Ashes

[GirlySports]

Australia looking good so far to start Day 2. They could bat all day, could get over 400.
England are in trouble unless they get a couple of wickets before lunch (7:00pm)

LOL from cricinfo: "Phew!! Australia have avoided the follow-on. Was looking dicey there for a while,"

[GirlySports]

wow England fighting back! Two quick wickets after lunch.. Aussie reeling a bit at 101/3

[NBC]

As poor a total as England's first innings was (probably 100 short of a decent total), Australia's batting lineup is just not what it used to be. Clarke, Hussey and Ponting aside, not convinced with regard to North, Haddin, Katich, Watson.

This is why they play the game over 5 days - swings and roundabouts.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by NBC

As poor a total as England's first innings was (probably 100 short of a decent total), Australia's batting lineup is just not what it used to be. Clarke, Hussey and Ponting aside, not convinced with regard to North, Haddin, Katich, Watson.

This is why they play the game over 5 days - swings and roundabouts.

Yup lots of ups and downs. England need to finish the tail off. Can't let the Aussies bat for half a day and get close to 360. I don't think England could overcome a 100 run lead.

[NBC]

Maybe, but the wicket at the Gabba will deteriorate and there will be more on offer for England's tall pacy bowlers, if they can stretch it out to day 5.

[burn_baby_burn]

So who is the power house in cricket these days? I think when I lived in Australia 10 years ago they were the best in the world or at least near the top.

[Da_Chief]

Originally Posted by NBC

As poor a total as England's first innings was (probably 100 short of a decent total), Australia's batting lineup is just not what it used to be. Clarke, Hussey and Ponting aside, not convinced with regard to North, Haddin, Katich, Watson.

This is why they play the game over 5 days - swings and roundabouts.

Katich and Watson have been in form for awhile. Convinced with them. Haddin is just coming back from an, he has to perform or Paine is knocking on the door. North has been terrible for a long time but he's Punter's boy so keeps getting chances. If he doesn't do anything in the 2nd inning I fully expect him to be dropped.

Clarke and Ponting have been up and down for awhile now. Clarke's could be injury and Ponting could just be age. Most expect this to be Ponting's last Ashes.

Aussie batting lineup still days it days, due to level of world class bowling dipping all over the world. Pakistan can't stay of controversy. WI just make stupid selections. India, NZ and Sri Lanka usually have one decent bowler and the rest are mediocre, those teams don't even have one of those now. For English, I like Swann and Anderson but Broad and Finn are crap. Aussie's themselves don't have the lethal bowling they used to.

As for this match, Hussey just loves pressure, he takes it on. Doing it again and if English don't get him early today, he can settle in to reaaally hurt em.

[Da_Chief]

Originally Posted by burn_baby_burn

So who is the power house in cricket these days? I think when I lived in Australia 10 years ago they were the best in the world or at least near the top.

India has the political power lol.

Cricket wise, India is rated no. 1 in tests but they just play at home on their flat pitches so they keep winning there. They have a good batting lineup but ok bowling. They have big trouble on the horizon once Dravid, Tendulkar, Laxman retire as they're in their late 30s. They definitely have the best player in Virender Sehwag though.

Australia, still though match in any format. Not the powerhouse you remember them as but still can beat anyone on any day.

South Africa, they're still the really good that goes into some tournaments and chokes in the semis or finals. Top batting and bowling but just don't have the confidence to win anything.

England, recently won the T20 championship in a convincing manner, thumping everyone along the way including Australia in the final. Their bowling can improve but the batting lineup is strong when Morgan is inserted into the lineup.

Pakistan, controversy magnets. In the recent time they've been in the news for spot fixing(Asif, Aamir, Butt), their wicketkeeper disappearing on the night of 5th and series deciding ODI(Haidar), PCB chief accusing English players as fixers only to back down when they threatened to sue him. On their day they can beat anyone and have all sort of talent but they cannot stay away from trouble. Recently beat Australia and England in England in tests only to have it washed away with spot fixing.

Sri Lanka, Murali retired. Have some decent players, but beatible.

NZ, just lost an ODI series in Bagladesh, that says enough. Their cricket is going downhill but Vettorri is doing everything to save it.

WI, mired in selection problems. If the captain is from Barbados he picks almost all Barbados players and if he's from T&T then almost all players from T&T. Recently had Gayle and couple other players turn down central contracts.

In terms of talent id rank em like this.
1. South Africa
2. Australia
3. Pakistan
4. England
5. India
6. Sri Lanka
7. West Indies
8. New Zealand

In terms of ability to win
1. India
2. Australia
3. England
4. Sri Lanka
5. South Africa
6. Pakistan
7. New Zealand
8. West Indies

Hope that helps

[GirlySports]

Australia have taken the lead and haven't lost a wicket in the process.
Hussey closing in on a century.

England in trouble and don't look like getting a wicket.

[Mad Mel]

It could get warm on the pitch today. Forecast says 27, but gut-feel-ometer says it might hit 30. It's that "where tf did the ozone go" kind of sunshine today.

[GirlySports]

Australia now lead by 100, still no wicket in sight.
The 6th wicket partnership has now gone over 200.

Few minutes ago England probably would have gotten a wicket as the ump made a wrong decision, but they're out of reviews!

[GirlySports]

FINALLY!! at 389/5 Haddin pops one up, easy catch..

Anderson gets under it... and drops it

It continues... on and on.

[Da_Chief]

Aussies piling it on now. If they can manage a lead close to 250 by days end, which they should be able to at his rate...take out English on day 4 and chase the 30-40 runs they might have to. Aussies in full control!

[GirlySports]

Wow England have made a wonderful partnership of their own. Strauss and Cook have made 184/0 and have nearly tied the match again. Advantage England now. They have an outside chance of posting a 200 run lead and bowling Australia out but this match is now pretty much 90% a draw.

[d_phaneuf]

what a comeback today

[NBC]

Advantage no one. Jonathan Agnew figured that England needed to bat for 4 sessions to salvage a draw. Barring an epic collapse where they are suddenly out for 350, this is the most likely result.

[GirlySports]

soo first match heading for a draw.. why are england still batting? saving their bowlers for the remainder of the series?

I thought they would declare half an hour ago and maybe bowl Australia out in 50 overs, you neve rknow!

[NBC]

It became apparent to both sides that the wicket wasn't deteriorating at the expected rate and after tea on day 3 the draw was the most likely result. My sense is that England kept batting for as long as they did to give the top of their order a much needed confidence boost when they realized that a draw was probable. Their batting order has been up and down, more down as of late. This will do wonders (it should) for confidence levels.

The diggers will be scratching their heads over this one and maybe wondering if their bowling attack has what it takes. It is the poorest Australian attack in decades and without a world-class new-ball fast bowler. No more Glenn McGrath and they haven't been able to replace him.

[Da_Chief]

There just aren't any match winning bowlers right now. The only one that showed potential was Aamir from Pakistan other then that no one looks legit. Gone are the days of Waqar, Wasim, McGrath, Bond etc. This is what is left unless better pitches are created it's gonna get worse with more and more rules favoring the batsman.

The only bowler that I would say is world-class new bowler right now is Dale Steyn and he'n been hampered by injuries and looks to be slowing down.

[GirlySports]

http://www.theage.com.au/sport/ashes...128-18cdh.html