Rain is forecast today for Edgbaston, probably for most of the day. There might be some play in the evening session, but expect the ball to swing like mad and Australia to make good progress.
The Ashes 2009
- Thread starter Botany Bay
- Start date
^What he said. Commentators get a day off to go shopping in the Bullring. Doubt there'll be any play at all today. Even if it stops raining, there's the state of the outfield. The grass can'ee take much more, Cap'n.
In which case, it's all rather a waste of energy. The match will be drawn. That will give Australia back the advantage. More time to regroup - and Johnson is just beginning to show why they picked him. England have to ask whether Fred can play back to back tests. It really is anyone's contest yet.
Though I did take issue with the commentator who compared it to 1981.
In which case, it's all rather a waste of energy. The match will be drawn. That will give Australia back the advantage. More time to regroup - and Johnson is just beginning to show why they picked him. England have to ask whether Fred can play back to back tests. It really is anyone's contest yet.
Though I did take issue with the commentator who compared it to 1981.
A small note of optimism: the weather-people said there was drier weather following the rain band in 'from the west'. They don't expect it to be in Brum till about 4ish, I think. However, I think (from my position here in the West!) that it's a tad ahead of their estimates. It's dry and brightening here. Might be a couple of hours sooner, with any luck. Just time for Straussy to whack a couple of hundred over the boundaries. 
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At last, play finally resumes 
Assuming no further delays, a result is still possible here, Australia need to get Strauss and a couple more before lunch. A bad session here could really put the heat on us.
Assuming no further delays, a result is still possible here, Australia need to get Strauss and a couple more before lunch. A bad session here could really put the heat on us.
Hard to see Rudi Koertzen umpiring another top flight series. Bell has been given not out twice when plum LBW both times - off Johnson the other day and now Siddle this morning. The Aussies are entitled to be frustrated, both were dead in front.
Add those to the two huge wickets of Collingwood and Strauss, and we might have been in business.
Australia's best session in a long while. Getting Collingwood was a huge wicket, I was a bit worried about him hanging around all day.
Interesting...
Add those to the two huge wickets of Collingwood and Strauss, and we might have been in business.
Australia's best session in a long while. Getting Collingwood was a huge wicket, I was a bit worried about him hanging around all day.
Interesting...
Great knocks from Prior, Flintoff and, it seems, Broad now. 
Until the old ball started doing its thing, the wicket had come alive for sure this afternoon session. 339-7
Until the old ball started doing its thing, the wicket had come alive for sure this afternoon session. 339-7
I'm hoping Hussey can get some valuable time at the crease. He needs some runs.
But for me, yesterday the highlight of the day was when the Eels beat the Sharkies 30 points to nil. Sorry Botany Bay to remind you of this.
But for me, yesterday the highlight of the day was when the Eels beat the Sharkies 30 points to nil. Sorry Botany Bay to remind you of this.
Considering the players we have left on the list after injuries, drug bans, arrests and the way the Eels have been going, I think we got off lightly! I've been enjoying Parra's form the last few weeks, they will cause problems if they can scrape in.
Back to the cricket, and, well...what can you say? I'm still struggling to find a scenario where Australia wins the Ashes from here.
Yeah, you could say Koertzen's decline has mostly gone against us, but there's no escaping the fact that England's attack is much better balanced and more skilled than ours. It's hard to see Lee having an impact when they finally drop Johnson after this game. Too late fellas.
I notice there have been calls to 'tone it down' as far as criticizing Ponting are concerned, but it is his cliqueish behavour and favouritism that led to an unbalanced squad being picked in the first place, and it has been our subsequent lack of fit reserves that has killed us here.
I stand by my statements upthread, I think he should stand aside after this series in favour of Katich, and play as a 'senior pro', mentoring the young players, rewriting the record books, but allowing some fresh blood to come in, free of his favoured players. Unlikely scenario for an Aussie team, but one to think about.
Can Australia escape with a draw? Hard to see us batting till tea - momentum is all with England, it seems.
Let's see if Hussey can play one last knock of substance. I'd say he's playing for his career today.
Oh, by the way Revd - Watson was our #1 pick for reserve opener all along according to our selectors.
Less media BS and spin, and more picking players on their merits would not hurt us one bit.
Back to the cricket, and, well...what can you say? I'm still struggling to find a scenario where Australia wins the Ashes from here.
Yeah, you could say Koertzen's decline has mostly gone against us, but there's no escaping the fact that England's attack is much better balanced and more skilled than ours. It's hard to see Lee having an impact when they finally drop Johnson after this game. Too late fellas.
I notice there have been calls to 'tone it down' as far as criticizing Ponting are concerned, but it is his cliqueish behavour and favouritism that led to an unbalanced squad being picked in the first place, and it has been our subsequent lack of fit reserves that has killed us here.
I stand by my statements upthread, I think he should stand aside after this series in favour of Katich, and play as a 'senior pro', mentoring the young players, rewriting the record books, but allowing some fresh blood to come in, free of his favoured players. Unlikely scenario for an Aussie team, but one to think about.
Can Australia escape with a draw? Hard to see us batting till tea - momentum is all with England, it seems.
Let's see if Hussey can play one last knock of substance. I'd say he's playing for his career today.
Oh, by the way Revd - Watson was our #1 pick for reserve opener all along according to our selectors.
Less media BS and spin, and more picking players on their merits would not hurt us one bit.
But Watson is so pretty. Neither he nor Broad look old enough to shave.
Weather is iffy: damp bowling weather is good. Possible showers not so good. the heavy going is not good for the legs - Fred will bowl less in this, I fear. Or knacker himself before Headingley.
Swanny was in chipper mood on Twitter last night. Did I see that Hughes has been spotted partying till 3am despite being 12th man? Maybe they're a little unsure of his commitment. Or he counldn't find a pedalo.
Weather is iffy: damp bowling weather is good. Possible showers not so good. the heavy going is not good for the legs - Fred will bowl less in this, I fear. Or knacker himself before Headingley.
Swanny was in chipper mood on Twitter last night. Did I see that Hughes has been spotted partying till 3am despite being 12th man? Maybe they're a little unsure of his commitment. Or he counldn't find a pedalo.
Rubbish.
It can pour all day at Edgbaston with my blessing. 
Oh, and Revd - one more time, with feeling:
Edit: If I still gave a damn about league I'd be delighted at Cronulla being flogged.
I thought things were going our way this morning till they got Hussey right before lunch.
The Fred vs. Watson duel was a beaut! Anderson's wicket in the books, but add that one to Fred's final tally - what a brutal examination for Watson. I think it's fair to say the England players have their doubts about his batting ability
England missed a trick bowling Swann - he wasn't bowling well at all, but unfortunately for Australia even Broad is swinging it now, and is looking quite a decent bowler today.
I guess it's all on the line after lunch as far as Australia's Ashes quest is concerned.
The Fred vs. Watson duel was a beaut! Anderson's wicket in the books, but add that one to Fred's final tally - what a brutal examination for Watson. I think it's fair to say the England players have their doubts about his batting ability
England missed a trick bowling Swann - he wasn't bowling well at all, but unfortunately for Australia even Broad is swinging it now, and is looking quite a decent bowler today.
I guess it's all on the line after lunch as far as Australia's Ashes quest is concerned.
Yep, I'm with you, we're getting close to safety now - might just give it another couple of overs to see what this new ball has to offer, then I'm off to bed...
...then no doubt we'll promptly lose 6/0
Maybe England will be glad it rained for two days, depriving us of the chance to set you 300 and bowl you out
...then no doubt we'll promptly lose 6/0
Maybe England will be glad it rained for two days, depriving us of the chance to set you 300 and bowl you out