creeeeeeeekeeeeeet

[Prufrock]

1) We bowled poorly first innings - at times without intensity.
2) We batted like morons in our first innings.

If you do that, you're almost certainly going to lose.

Can anyone see us getting close to 300 batting last?

Nope, but it's marginally more likely than us getting close to 400, which was to be expected.

It's the hope that keeps you going, that's the phrase, right?

[BWFC_Insane]

1) We bowled poorly first innings - at times without intensity.
2) We batted like morons in our first innings.

If you do that, you're almost certainly going to lose.

Can anyone see us getting close to 300 batting last?

Nope, but it's marginally more likely than us getting close to 400, which was to be expected.

It's the hope that keeps you going, that's the phrase, right?

If it isn't swinging tomorrow at start of play it very easily becomes 400 plus!

[Bruce Rioja]

1) We bowled poorly first innings - at times without intensity.
2) We batted like morons in our first innings.

If you do that, you're almost certainly going to lose.

Can anyone see us getting close to 300 batting last?

Nope, but it's marginally more likely than us getting close to 400, which was to be expected.

It's the hope that keeps you going, that's the phrase, right?

If it isn't swinging tomorrow at start of play it very easily becomes 400 plus!

I expect them to target a declaration at 400. It's plenty, and they've plenty of time to get us out.

[jimbo]

I think they'll go beyond 400 and make sure the game is safe first. They're one up in the series with the WACA next.

[Prufrock]

A lot depends on Marsh. If we can get him cheaply I don't think they'll get anywhere near 400 in front. That said, given how we've batted so far they've probably got enough already!

[jimbo]

Just need to get through til close now still 3 down then it's well and truly game on tomorrow!

[Bruce Rioja]

Just need to get through til close now still 3 down then it's well and truly game on tomorrow!

Balls. How close to c-o-p were we when Malan went down?

Still game on tomorrow though.

[TANGODANCER]

Last half-hour has been real edge of seat stuff. Bit of a shame for Malan, and Cummins (according to the Guardian commentator) is "sensational" (Is he an Ozzie?). He's been blowing him up to the sky, but this seems a bit over the top

" Woakes somehow manages to edge a sensational yorker through the slips for two. This is scandalously good bowling from Cummins.

If it was a sensational yorker, it didn't york and cost two runs? Why sensational?

Any road, great cricket and a fascinating situation all round and I'll hardly be able to look tomorrow morning. Aparently, the Oz are calling Root all sorts of filth and giving him a real hard time. Go Joe...make em have it back.

[BWFC_Insane]

Superb fight from England. Australia still huge favourites to win. We basically need Root to make 140 plus to have a chance here. Bairstow and Moeen also need to contribute. At least we've fought our way into the game.

Early wicket or two tomorrow though and its game over.

[Prufrock]

Root, Moeen and Bairstow need to get us well past 300 and there might be a chance. What does that % thingy give us, about 20%?

[TANGODANCER]

Didn't want to look when I got up. Wish I hadn't. Walloped. 2-0 to them.

[BWFC_Insane]

As I said you can't be as bad in your first innings with ball and bat as we were and expect to win. We did well to fight back, but it shows that our attitude was all wrong on days 1 and 2.

[Bruce Rioja]

Well, I for one would call Stokes up.

[Prufrock]

Had the same chat in the pub tonight. It's not like he's barred from playing cricket in the southern hemisphere is it?

[Bruce Rioja]

Had the same chat in the pub tonight. It's not like he's barred from playing cricket in the southern hemisphere is it?

My sentiments exactly. Anyhow, I believe he's been called into the squad, so yay.

[Prufrock]

I don't think so. He's been called into the one day squad but not expected to play. He's technically in the test "squad" already but don't think they'll pick him.

[Bruce Rioja]

I don't think so. He's been called into the one day squad but not expected to play. He's technically in the test "squad" already but don't think they'll pick him.

Ah, cheers for the clarification. I had the wireless on whilst getting ready so only half-heard.

[Lost Leopard Spot]

Had the same chat in the pub tonight. It's not like he's barred from playing cricket in the southern hemisphere is it?

He's not even been charged with anything in any hemisphere, never mind been barred in a southern one. You, however, couldn't be defending him.

[BWFC_Insane]

Had the same chat in the pub tonight. It's not like he's barred from playing cricket in the southern hemisphere is it?

My sentiments exactly. Anyhow, I believe he's been called into the squad, so yay.

Heard some journalists on TMS who'd been out to watch him in NZ and they said he was miles off being ready to play a test match. So I think as much as everyone would love Stokes in the side, its fanciful sadly at this point as he's not had enough batting and bowling in preparation so throwing him in (even if he was cleared to do so) would probably be fruitless.

[TANGODANCER]

We didn't lose the second by a mile, just by two critical wickets right at the start of the day. It was winnable and we could have done that. We can still do it.