Dr Gloom

Shola having a bit of a stinker

So far so good. Knick an early goal and defend well and look to get forward when we can. Looking dangerous when we do go forward. Chelsea having lots of the ball but not creating much so far

That's a bold attacking line up? Shit or bust

If we can bat till mid afternoon we could put them in with a target they can't chase down in the time giving them a session and a half to see out. The wicket is pretty lifeless but the Aussies won't fancy that, especially if the real swanny comes to the party. His first Innings was the worst I've seen him bowl since he got into the side. Another 150 runs on the board will make it interesting. This is proper test match cricket with swings both way in momentum. Bring it on! One things for sure, that Australian attack is the most toothless I've seen. The barmy army were singing "one Mitchell Johnson" at one point

I never knew he was a dirty rag like? What a bell end Our school never played cricket, it was just for the grammar school toffs. I can appreciate the technical side of it like and also enjoy it as a backdrop to a day on the sauce. I only really take an interest if we're playing the Australians though because it winds them up to fuck if we win. Basically we've gone from likely to lose this test to it now looking like an odds-on draw. No bragging rights then as such but it was just nice to see the resiliance from an England batting display with backs to the wall. Strauss was on a pair when he came in so the first ball must have felt like the equivalent of a world cup penalty to him. And a draw's still slightly better for us than them on balance as we only have to draw the series to retain the Ashes. How a draw though, surely if we get more points than them we win? You pulling my chain now, Steven? I know fuck all about cricket. Do we just say to them, look we'll just call it a draw eh? I'm a cricket JCL myself, but I can answer this one: let's say England get skittled out tomorrow with a lead of 300, and Australia go in to bat. Three results can still happen: - England bowl the Aussies out for <300 = England Win - Aussies knock off the runs = Aussie win - Aussies don't knock off the runs, but haven't lost all their wickets come the end of the day's play = Draw

i don't want to tempt fate but strauss and cook both looking good so far though cook has played and missed at a couple. lot of work to do but the wicket looks lifeless. just need one or two big partnerships to make a game of it.

Henman mark II tbh albeit marginally better

quality little rabbit punch from "two jabs"

ah well, that morning session was the turning point. a couple of wickets taken when we were on top and it would have been a good even contest. anderson should have picked up at least a couple and the aussies rode their luck at times but the wicket never came in time, they survived and we've a massive job just to save the game now. our batters need to bat for at least 4 sessions and make a proper score. it's looking like another case of the gabbatoir.

we've been unlucky. anderson's been all over hussey. just need the breakthrough

get out of jail card for hussey there with that review, looked out in real time

perch at right mid?

great thread btw

he's improved a lot since his first season. doubtful he's worth 10m mind.

matthews was a fowl character by all accounts

those nespresso machines aren't that bad actually. i was impressed with the one my mate just got.