Well, they’ll be playing one spinner tops at the WACA, so Bresnan for one of them. It’s a question of a fourth seamer or not then, but if they play Stokes then it negates the need for that. I’d be sorely tempted to go with Monty over Swann, he’s just doing nothing against their array of right-handers. Will be a sign that they are ready to move on from some of the old guard if they do that.
[quote=“flattythehurdler, post: 872107, member: 1170”]You wouldn’t blame him if he did. There’s worse ways of making a living I’d say. They badly need a tyro and someone to replace swann. At this stage you wonder if they shouldn’t draw a line under the baggage kp brings and go back to the drawing board. (after the ashes I mean, not much point now).
It’s interesting that the lads over here I know who would have an interest in the cricket lose it completely once England start getting beaten. They aren’t bad losers, it’s just that they aren’t that bothered either. They like beating the Aussies at anything rather than winning at cricket in itself.[/quote]
It’s been well over a year since KP brought any baggage, and I still remain unconvinced that the clique wasn’t at least as responsible for that whole debacle as KP was, at least in terms of making the dressing room an uncomfortable place for those whose face doesn’t fit. In any case, he still has something to offer that none of the rest of their batsmen do (see Headingley and Mumbai last year), and it would be insane to jettison him in the near future.
Australia unchanged, Bresnan for Monty the only change to the England line up.
Cook made a balls of it again, losing a 3rd consecutive toss on this series. Its noteworthy in all 7 tests so far, both in England and now in Australia, the team that has won the toss has batted first and gone onto dominate in each of the 7 tests.
Broad just after picking up Watson’s wicket to make it 52/2. The other out of form Australian batsemen Chris Rogers was run out.
Clarke looks to take on Swann in Swann’s first over and perishes as Cook takes a good catch at mid wicket. Big wicket getting Clarke out just before lunch as he was starting to look set. Australia 106/3.
All the talk of pace at the WACA and its Swann who strikes again to get rid of the danger man Warner 129-4. Big chances now for England to take control of this test.
143-5 Broad takes Bailey’s wicket.
This is more like it from England. Terrific stuff.
219/5. A 76-run unbroken 6th wicket partnership between Smith and Haddin. The latter is a superb cricketer.
Important 6th wicket stand for Australia. It just goes to show that its a good batting wicket. All five Australian wickets were given away cheaply. I fully expect a much improved England batting performance when their turn comes. If England bowl them out for less than 300, they’ll still be in a good position.
Australia scoring their runs at a fair lick.
259-5 Australia getting away now. This is the difference between the sides, Aussies have Mitch who can come in and blow away the middle to lower order. England once again allowing a partnership to develop like they did in Brisbane.
Runs are invariably always scored at a fast rate at the WACA. Problem for England at t
That’s it in a nutshell. England have had ample opportunity in all three tests to bowl Australia out cheaply every time. This is now going the same way as Brisbane and Adelaide in the big opportunity missed category.
Stokes gets Haddin on 55. 267-6 game on again
This is running away from England now. Australia on 304/6 with Smith having passed 100 and Johnson looking confident. Can see Australia at least getting 400.
Golden opportunity for England blown here today you feel. Of course they could come out fresh tomorrow and plough through the last 4 Australian batsmen in half hour but anything less than that and their non functioning top order will immedialey come under pressure.
I predict that Australia will be bowled out for 408, and England will themselves be bowled out for 183. Australia will have resumed and reached 24-0 by the close of play tomorrow.
Agree with the sentiment entirely AIG.
England 24/0 at lunch. Australia all out for 385. Johnson out 2nd ball of the morning and Smith just added 8 more to his overnight total. Siddle & Lyon put on 31 for the last wicket.
England motoring along nicely at 4 an over - 72/0 after 18 overs. This is now the biggest first innings stand for either side in the series so far.
Ryan Harris picks up Australia’s first wicket as Michael Carberry departs - 85/1. This a good opening platform for England. Need to kick on from here.
The inadequacies of the the DRS once again shown up an absolutely shocking decision to give Joe Root out. This notion of the onfield umpires decision is utterly farcical when an umpire gets it as clearly wrong as Erasmus did there.
90/2 and Joe Root and England feeling rightly aggrieved.