creeeeeeeekeeeeeet

[Worthy4England]

You have to take the conditions into account. You've won the toss and the big advantage is not having to bat last. On this wicket that looks like it will spin more as time goes on why give up that advantage?

I think batting again was the only real decision to take here. If we had two front line spinners it might be different but Swann had a sore arm from when he was hit and a big ask for him to bowl through. And when you only pick four bowlers enforcing the follow on in hot conditions is always going to be tough.

No shit Sherlock. The conditions are that we've just lobbed them out for 126. The intent of the follow-on, is not to bat again, or only chasing a very low total.

But the danger is you get set 180 or sommat on a turning pitch and its a struggle.

With so much time in the game left I can't really see a reason to enforce it.

Even Botham who usually frothes at the mouth when England dont stick a side back in thought they should bat again.

180 shouldn't be considered a danger for a team in the ascendency. Remind me, if they've set us 180 (so scored the best part of 420 (180 + 240 deficit)) how bad the pitch can be for batting on, given a team that in 3 innings hasn't managed over 300 - and in all three 117-9, 211 - 8 and 126 all-out, has just posted 400+ on it?

Botham, was a great cricketer, but a shit Captain.

[TANGODANCER]

I'm sure it'll turn out right, but have to say seeing blue hats heading out instead of green was a real surprise. Our lads must have been knackered, but there wasn't that long left and Oz couldn't have done much damage before the players got an overnight rest. Unlikely, I think, but those three cheaply lost wickets last night could just be a worry. Probably be fine though.
Our middle order batsmen have really been a major factor with Bell being heroic.

[Worthy4England]

I'm sure it'll turn out right, but have to say seeing blue hats heading out instead of green was a real surprise. Our lads must have been knackered, but there wasn't that long left and Oz couldn't have done much damage before the players got an overnight rest. Unlikely, I think, but those three cheaply lost wickets last night could just be a worry. Probably be fine though.
Our middle order batsmen have really been a major factor with Bell being heroic.

I think we'll win either way to be honest, but they were only out there 53 overs, nearly half of which were bowled by Swanny.

I can only think we're looking to tire them out and deny them an extra day's net practice.

[BWFC_Insane]

You have to take the conditions into account. You've won the toss and the big advantage is not having to bat last. On this wicket that looks like it will spin more as time goes on why give up that advantage?

I think batting again was the only real decision to take here. If we had two front line spinners it might be different but Swann had a sore arm from when he was hit and a big ask for him to bowl through. And when you only pick four bowlers enforcing the follow on in hot conditions is always going to be tough.

No shit Sherlock. The conditions are that we've just lobbed them out for 126. The intent of the follow-on, is not to bat again, or only chasing a very low total.

But the danger is you get set 180 or sommat on a turning pitch and its a struggle.

With so much time in the game left I can't really see a reason to enforce it.

Even Botham who usually frothes at the mouth when England dont stick a side back in thought they should bat again.

180 shouldn't be considered a danger for a team in the ascendency. Remind me, if they've set us 180 (so scored the best part of 420 (180 + 240 deficit)) how bad the pitch can be for batting on, given a team that in 3 innings hasn't managed over 300 - and in all three 117-9, 211 - 8 and 126 all-out, has just posted 400+ on it?

Botham, was a great cricketer, but a shit Captain.

May well be but the other previous England captains in Athers, Hussain and Strauss also would have batted again.....

[Worthy4England]

You have to take the conditions into account. You've won the toss and the big advantage is not having to bat last. On this wicket that looks like it will spin more as time goes on why give up that advantage?

I think batting again was the only real decision to take here. If we had two front line spinners it might be different but Swann had a sore arm from when he was hit and a big ask for him to bowl through. And when you only pick four bowlers enforcing the follow on in hot conditions is always going to be tough.

No shit Sherlock. The conditions are that we've just lobbed them out for 126. The intent of the follow-on, is not to bat again, or only chasing a very low total.

But the danger is you get set 180 or sommat on a turning pitch and its a struggle.

With so much time in the game left I can't really see a reason to enforce it.

Even Botham who usually frothes at the mouth when England dont stick a side back in thought they should bat again.

180 shouldn't be considered a danger for a team in the ascendency. Remind me, if they've set us 180 (so scored the best part of 420 (180 + 240 deficit)) how bad the pitch can be for batting on, given a team that in 3 innings hasn't managed over 300 - and in all three 117-9, 211 - 8 and 126 all-out, has just posted 400+ on it?

Botham, was a great cricketer, but a shit Captain.

May well be but the other previous England captains in Athers, Hussain and Strauss also would have batted again.....

If all your friends tell you to burn your butt on the fire, do you?

So which one of them is going to explain to me why 180 would be tough when a side previously unable to score > 300 has just posted 420?

I'm not convinced any of them said they'd bat again either - I did hear words like "I can see why Cook has chosen to bat again" which is rather different - but I didn't catch all the commentary yesterday, so might have missed it.

[TANGODANCER]

I'm sure it'll turn out right, but have to say seeing blue hats heading out instead of green was a real surprise. Our lads must have been knackered, but there wasn't that long left and Oz couldn't have done much damage before the players got an overnight rest. Unlikely, I think, but those three cheaply lost wickets last night could just be a worry. Probably be fine though.
Our middle order batsmen have really been a major factor with Bell being heroic.

I think we'll win either way to be honest, but they were only out there 53 overs, nearly half of which were bowled by Swanny. I can only think we're looking to tire them out and deny them an extra day's net practice.

Agreed, and can't even contemplate losing, never have, but a draw to them in this one will feel like winning the Ashes. If we bat too long the chances increase. A decent total pretty quickly (and we're already 330 to the good) should give us plenty time to skittle em.

[Worthy4England]

I'm sure it'll turn out right, but have to say seeing blue hats heading out instead of green was a real surprise. Our lads must have been knackered, but there wasn't that long left and Oz couldn't have done much damage before the players got an overnight rest. Unlikely, I think, but those three cheaply lost wickets last night could just be a worry. Probably be fine though.
Our middle order batsmen have really been a major factor with Bell being heroic.

I think we'll win either way to be honest, but they were only out there 53 overs, nearly half of which were bowled by Swanny. I can only think we're looking to tire them out and deny them an extra day's net practice.

Agreed, and can't even contemplate losing, never have, but a draw to them in this one will feel like winning the Ashes. If we bat too long the chances increase. A decent total pretty quickly (and we're already 330 to the good) should give us plenty time to skittle em.

Think 4 1/2 - 5 sessions should be plenty. If they did get a draw, I think there'd be pleny of explaining to do.

[TANGODANCER]

Think 4 1/2 - 5 sessions should be plenty. If they did get a draw, I think there'd be pleny of explaining to do.

Aye, unlikely to say the least. Had to grin at the opening radio commentary intro to down under, earlier today..

"Good evening to our Australian listeners and I'm afraid it's not good news"

...............delivered in Henry's very best accent.

[Worthy4England]

Think 4 1/2 - 5 sessions should be plenty. If they did get a draw, I think there'd be pleny of explaining to do.

Aye, unlikely to say the least. Had to grin at the opening radio commentary intro to down under.

"Good evening to our Australian listeners and I'm afraid it's not good news"

...............delivered in Henry's very best accent.

Oh Yessir!

[bw@bw]

Irrespective of this particular match.

I think that Cook's captaincy hands the initiative to the other side far too often.

[BWFC_Insane]

Proper test match batting there from Root and Bresnan. Very very good. No alarms. No slash and burn stuff. Best I've seen us bat over a full session so far this series.

[Worthy4England]

Irrespective of this particular match.

I think that Cook's captaincy hands the initiative to the other side far too often.

I sorta see where you're coming from. I'm not sure it hands the initiative, but it certainly doesn't play to the pressure we've built up. 240 behind on first innings, you have to back us to get at least 100 - 200 on even a bad day - that's a lead of 340 - 440 minimum. As a batting team they're not expected to get that many in the fourth innings (more often than not), so the pressure that we built up by shunting them out for 126 is off, realistically.

Strikes me as missing the pressure point.

[TANGODANCER]

What's the declare total then? 369 in front and solid at 123 for 3. How many more?

[Bruce Rioja]

What's the declare total then? 369 in front and solid at 123 for 3. How many more?

It's at this stage, Tango, I wonder how much of a say the EWCB have in such things. 28,000 tickets sold for tomorrow, no doubt.

[TANGODANCER]

What's the declare total then? 369 in front and solid at 123 for 3. How many more?

It's at this stage, Tango, I wonder how much of a say the EWCB have in such things. 28,000 tickets sold for tomorrow, no doubt.

I'm thinking Root will get his ton ( hopefully) and the declaration wont be too far after that. The tickets sold is a good point though. Still plenty cricketing time left.

[BWFC_Insane]

England will bat for the whole of today I reckon unless they are bowled out. Might even bat for an hour tomorrow morning, again if wickets in hand.

[Harry Genshaw]

England will bat for the whole of today I reckon unless they are bowled out. Might even bat for an hour tomorrow morning, again if wickets in hand.

Nah. I can see us batting until 5pm (all being well) declaring, then having an hour at them before a full 2 days.

[Prufrock]

If they can't get them all in two days they might as well give up. Bat all day and rub it in.

[Lord Kangana]

I think, with 2 full days left, that it'll be score not time that will dictate. First, bat them out of the match. 450±, then loads of time to get them out.

Pru beat me to it.

[Worthy4England]

England will bat for the whole of today I reckon unless they are bowled out. Might even bat for an hour tomorrow morning, again if wickets in hand.

Nah. I can see us batting until 5pm (all being well) declaring, then having an hour at them before a full 2 days.

I think they'll want to get >500+

No sweat until lunch tomorrow.

Not sure we need to bat till lunch tomorrow though.