Winter ashes...

[TANGODANCER]

Well, that didn't go down so well, did it? Johnson had a very good test but England have played against him befor when he hasn't done that. No use crying about it. Get out there and even the score lads.

[bwfcdan94]

That's not at all unusual, Worthy. It always seemed to me the last time Australia were running rampant that one or two batsmen or bowlers made the difference (although not always the same men). It's probably always been so. This time it was Haddin and Johnson putting together a decent partnership in the first innings. Johnson and Harris bowling well in England's first dig. Then Clarke and Warner, well supported by others, in their second.

Broad and Anderson were terrific in Australia's first. Poor Swann got belted around the park as though he was a tyro in both innings, so I've no idea what happened there. At 24-2 I suppose it's going to be a battle for survival for England. Then again you just never know given that KP, Cook, Bell and company have so much talent. Today will be nothing if not interesting.

Why have you underlined their over there Monty.

[Bruce Rioja]

That's not at all unusual, Worthy. It always seemed to me the last time Australia were running rampant that one or two batsmen or bowlers made the difference (although not always the same men). It's probably always been so. This time it was Haddin and Johnson putting together a decent partnership in the first innings. Johnson and Harris bowling well in England's first dig. Then Clarke and Warner, well supported by others, in their second.

Broad and Anderson were terrific in Australia's first. Poor Swann got belted around the park as though he was a tyro in both innings, so I've no idea what happened there. At 24-2 I suppose it's going to be a battle for survival for England. Then again you just never know given that KP, Cook, Bell and company have so much talent. Today will be nothing if not interesting.

Why have you underlined their over there Monty.

Oh dear.

[Montreal Wanderer]

That's not at all unusual, Worthy. It always seemed to me the last time Australia were running rampant that one or two batsmen or bowlers made the difference (although not always the same men). It's probably always been so. This time it was Haddin and Johnson putting together a decent partnership in the first innings. Johnson and Harris bowling well in England's first dig. Then Clarke and Warner, well supported by others, in their second.

Broad and Anderson were terrific in Australia's first. Poor Swann got belted around the park as though he was a tyro in both innings, so I've no idea what happened there. At 24-2 I suppose it's going to be a battle for survival for England. Then again you just never know given that KP, Cook, Bell and company have so much talent. Today will be nothing if not interesting.

Why have you underlined their over there Monty.

I didn't - ask the Ozzie.

[bwfcdan94]

That's not at all unusual, Worthy. It always seemed to me the last time Australia were running rampant that one or two batsmen or bowlers made the difference (although not always the same men). It's probably always been so. This time it was Haddin and Johnson putting together a decent partnership in the first innings. Johnson and Harris bowling well in England's first dig. Then Clarke and Warner, well supported by others, in their second.

Broad and Anderson were terrific in Australia's first. Poor Swann got belted around the park as though he was a tyro in both innings, so I've no idea what happened there. At 24-2 I suppose it's going to be a battle for survival for England. Then again you just never know given that KP, Cook, Bell and company have so much talent. Today will be nothing if not interesting.

Why have you underlined their over there Monty.

Oh dear.

Monty also known as Dujon. .

[Montreal Wanderer]

Easy to confuse two 69 year-old ex pats I suppose.

[Dujon]

Ditto. I'm not offended, Dan, as I think I've made a misidentification on the odd occasion.

The reason for the underlining was to highlight/stress whose innings it was to which I was referring. It can be confusing to the reader without it.

Well, it finished up a bit of a mess. What an extraordinary result. My favourite moment is the catch taken by Chris Sabburg who, if the commentators are to be believed, was participating in his first first-class game. If he never puts a foot onto a cricket field again I'll bet that he will never, ever, forget that moment. Watching KP wandering back to the pavilion must have sent the adrenalin coursing through his body.

After a hit and giggle game in Alice Springs it's off to Adelaide.

[Annoyed Grunt]

SSN Breaking News:

Trott pulls out of series with stress related illness.

[bwfcdan94]

Ditto. I'm not offended, Dan, as I think I've made a misidentification on the odd occasion.
The reason for the underlining was to highlight/stress whose innings it was to which I was referring. It can be confusing to the reader without it.

Well, it finished up a bit of a mess. What an extraordinary result. My favourite moment is the catch taken by Chris Sabburg who, if the commentators are to be believed, was participating in his first first-class game. If he never puts a foot onto a cricket field again I'll bet that he will never, ever, forget that moment. Watching KP wandering back to the pavilion must have sent the adrenalin coursing through his body.

After a hit and giggle game in Alice Springs it's off to Adelaide.

Sorry non the less mate. As for the news on Trott, who would you like to see come in and replace him.

[Dujon]

Aye, sad news. I wish him well with recovery. If the rumour mill is correct then it appears that he's suffering from clinical depression. Reading over the years informs me that is a dreadful illness. Chin up, Jonathan, millions of cricket fans are with you in spirit.

A replacement, Dan? I'm afraid I haven't the foggiest of ideas. Keeping up with the local players is difficult enough without adding all your county men to the list.

[Hoboh]

Aye, sad news. I wish him well with recovery. If the rumour mill is correct then it appears that he's suffering from clinical depression. Reading over the years informs me that is a dreadful illness. Chin up, Jonathan, millions of cricket fans are with you in spirit.

A replacement, Dan? I'm afraid I haven't the foggiest of ideas. Keeping up with the local players is difficult enough without adding all your county men to the list.

[Prufrock]

Well, I fecking take it back about Michael Clarke being a nice chap!

I'm all for sledging when there's a bit of guile to it, but that was just witless wankerdom.

[Hoboh]

Well, I fecking take it back about Michael Clarke being a nice chap!

I'm all for sledging when there's a bit of guile to it, but that was just witless wankerdom.

The only answer is to beat the crap out of them on the field, if our heads go it will be a disaster.

[thebish]

ok - here we go again! like we need more depressing sporting news!!!

[jaffka]

I will skip this one.

Last time down under I avoided it and we won, the time before I watched some of it and we got stuffed.

[mrkint]

If root bats at three I will be a bit angry

[Worthy4England]

If root bats at three I will be a bit angry

Why's that? I'm not sure I'd shift Bell, as he was bagging hatfuls at 5...

[2399]

Coverage is starting right now!..... But Tom & Jerry is on the telly

Son has to watch it!!!

[mrkint]

Because he hasn't got the head for it, for me. Would have bell there anyway, seeing as he's one of the few who can weather storms.

[Dujon]

From memory it seems ages since Australia fielded the same team as they did in a preceding test match.

Don't worry, 2399, you are probably watching the television coverage. You will be watching and listening to what seems like interminable pontifications, and lots of ads, before the game gets under way. T&J are probably better value.