The Ashes 2009

[Orac Zen]

Eh, England only need one of Clarke or Haddin and the game's over. Or another quite craptacular umpiring decision - not that I'm blaming those for our predicament in this game; we've been rubbish for most of this Test and that's all there is to it. But I've felt for a few years now that umpiring standards have really gone down the drain and some of the decisions in this series (never mind this Australian innings) have done nothing to alter that view.

If I wake up tomorrow and there's been a miracle, well and good, but I'm not expecting one.

 

[RevdKathy]

Have a teddy bear!

 

[Orac Zen]

Awwwww....

Does he bring rain too?

 

[RevdKathy]

I just realised he's even in baggy green and yellow!

He's working on rain... but for you, not Lord's. He'd be assaulted by all my other bears, some of whom are lined up along the sofa waiting for play to start. They are big England supported, and Warwickshire at county level.

If we win at Lord's, there'll be a picnic at my place.

 

[Orac Zen]

I just realised he's even in baggy green and yellow!

Funny - I noticed that straight away.

He's working on rain... but for you, not Lord's.

I like him already.

 

[Botany Bay]

How are the nerves people? This is more like it!

Losing Haddin first up wasn't ideal, but I think if we can somehow see off Flintoff we're a chance, as unlikely and undeserved as it is.

Watching Flintoff bowl this morning is sad in a way. What a monumental loss for England and Test Cricket his retirement will be. No wonder the Aussies rated him as the best bowler in the world in '05 - pace, bounce, accuracy. How did this guy not get 400 wickets?

 

[PlainSimpleJoel]

Now that Recruits has finished, and Big Bang Theory. I'll see what is happening with the cricket, but losing Haddin isn't good.

Did get a laugh out what something Bumble said on twitter about Michael Atheron.

 

[Botany Bay]

Almost seen Flintoff off...Johnson is starting to loosen the arms...this is on I think.

C'mon!!!!!!!!

 

[Zulu Romeo]

I predict this will be all over by tea. One way or another.

 

[Botany Bay]

All I know is I'm glad I'm here with a bottle of red stuffing my face with Thai food on the couch rather than facing Freddy Flintoff - someone is going to lose some teeth today facing him. Brutal bowler.

 

[Botany Bay]

Arghhhhhhhh

Swann of all people gets the big one...

Ouch

 

[StolenThunder]

Clarke bowled. Superb.

 

[Zulu Romeo]

136 from Clarke. Great innings.

EDIT:

I predict this will be all over by tea. One way or another.

Bear in mind that in some places, they call lunch "tea".

363 for 8!

 

[PlainSimpleJoel]

Australia can bounce back. Thankfully there is a break inbetween this and the next test.

 

[Botany Bay]

Especially if Freddy gets 5 here and calls it quits. He is their best bowler by the distance from the SCG to Lord's.

 

[Jono]

Hoping Johnson gets to 50 so he can at least take something out of this test.

Also hoping Siddle can get a ton to save the day!

Edit: Oops, shouldn't have said that about Siddle.

 

[Zulu Romeo]

Well, there goes Flintoff's 5th wicket.

 

[PlainSimpleJoel]

Just lost another wicket.

Off topic - I totally forgot about something else tonight, with the cricket and watching the finale of Recruits. The Eels won. At least one of my teams I support won, and avoid that horrible wodden spoon.

 

[Zulu Romeo]

And there comes Johnson's deserved 50.

 

[RevdKathy]

Fred is now on both sides of the board at Lord's, which is fitting. Don't think he'll quit before Egbaston. He's having too much fun. Someone set the mod team on him to persuade him to change his mind.

The question is not if, but when. Before lunch?