Root gone, caught by Haddin off Shane Watson. He reviewed the decision to no avail.
England 90/2
England having to dig really deep now for runs. 146/3 trailing by 239. Cook battled really hard to get to 72 and then just threw away his wicket cutting off Lyon and straight to David Warner at point.
Kevin Pietersen just after bringing up 8,000 test runs. He’s just lost his wicket now to Siddle again, ill advisedly trying to go over the top but failing to clear Johnson at mid-on. 146/4
180-4, not bad compared to previously. Bell and Stokes need to put a big partnership up. Shouldn’t be much in it after 1st inns. Then again England could fold to 220 tonight.
All too predictably for England in this series its the latter scenario. England 229/8. Stokes, Bell, Prior & Broad all departed quickly. New ball has been taken so this will hardly last too long. Bresnan unbeaten still on 21 off 19 deliveries so need to get him on strike and try and plunder a few more runs.
England all out for 251. First innings lead of 134 for Australia.
England set 500 odd to win. Cook out first ball. Currently 55-1. Bailey scored 28 off Anderson in last over of Aussie innings. WOOF!
251 of the required 504 runs got at stumps on Day 4. That leaves 90 overs to amass the remaining 253. The wickets in hand situation causing me some small concerns.
It will probably be over by lunch tomorrow. But still they are putting up a better fight this time.
Lunch on Day 5. England clinging on here, if they can tack on another 30-40 runs or so without losing a wicket, things could get nervy among the Aussie lads. Magnificent knock from Stokes, even if they get nothing from this his performance can be something to build upon. I’ve thrown a speculative few bob on England to win at 22/1, 170 runs to score with 4 wickets in hand, stranger things have happened.
All over red rover. Congrats to Australia on a fine test series win. Facile in the end as England just crumbled.
[quote=“Bandage, post: 863112, member: 9”]Australia have won the toss and will bat.
Australia are going to win this series and regain the Ashes.
Should we have a separate thread for this series?[/quote]
I was right as usual.
I was the first one to call this back in August, and how people laughed.
Yet another superb prediction from me.
Whilst I am overjoyed Australia have regained the Ashes I am a lttle sad that the wonderful spectacle of Boxing Day at the MCG has been reduced to dead rubber status.
The fact Stokes is the first Englishman in their 6th innings to reach 3 figures tells you all you need to know about where this series was won and lost.
Surprisingly little coverage of the first test in Johannesburg between the two top teams in the world. After two engrossing day’s play, India seized control on day 3 - 284/2 at stumps, a lead of 320.
Indeed. Was talking to an Indian colleague who was quite incredulous. First time in 15 years without either Dravid, VVS or Sachin in the side. No wicket for Steyn today.
Haven’t seen a minute of it yet due to long hours at work and Christmas drinking. Will rectify that tomorrow. Pujara seems to be the job altogether, been excellent in all his home Tests to date. Very interesting to see him do it in unfamiliar conditions.
Losing Morkel seemed to be too big a blow for the Saffers to take. Will need an Adelaide like rearguard action over the last two days. Struggling on the first Test of a series becoming a worrying trend for them though, and Kallis is at an age where such a dip in form will be heavily questioned. Interesting times for them.
Graeme Swann has retired from international cricket with immediate effect.
What’s happened Sid? Drugs? Match fixing? Gotta be more to this than meets the eye.
I doubt it.
You don’t just retire in the middle of an Ashes series in Australia ffs. Something going down here, what’s the jungle drums saying?