creeeeeeeekeeeeeet

[Enoch]

Aye but I bet it's throbbing like fcuk right now.

I feel for the poor fella.

No, honestly.

[Prufrock]

Start delayed until 12.30 now. Can't see a way for us to win this now. Should be a draw.

[jimbo]

Start delayed until 12.30 now. Can't see a way for us to win this now. Should be a draw.

I think even before the rain delay this morning England had to abandon all thoughts of winning the game while batting. The aim just had to be bat bat bat until bowled out. Don’t worry about setting a total, just get as many as possible and secure a draw if possible. The lead would Jenner be enough to enable a secure declaration.

The time to think about winning it is at the point we were bowled out, say with a lead of 200 and 60 overs to go.

[Prufrock]

Massive from Stokes. 267 to chase in 48 overs. Probs a draw, but hopefully given then just the sliver that a few get out early trying to chase. And no Smith. Come on!

[jimbo]

Oooooof. Hello.

[Worthy4England]

Welcome to test match cricket!

[TANGODANCER]

Wifes birthday Tuesday (75th) and had visitors this afternoon so had to keep popping out to check the score. What a buccaneering hero Ben Stokes is; terrific display and put us right back in with a win chance.

[jimbo]

Wife out, lots of jobs to do at home. Can’t take my eyes off the cricket. I’ll be in trouble later!

[jimbo]

It’s an illustration as to how talented Archer is that when everyone else is bowling it seems so pedestrian and a hell of a lot easier to bat. It’s also a lot less interesting. He’s utterly captivating.

[Worthy4England]

It’s an illustration as to how talented Archer is that when everyone else is bowling it seems so pedestrian and a hell of a lot easier to bat. It’s also a lot less interesting. He’s utterly captivating.

Aye problem is batsmen are now viewing Broad and Woakes as cafeteria bowling....

[Worthy4England]

Pity it timed out. Young fella batted pretty well in for Smith having taken one on the yed, but I could probably watch Archer bowl all day.

[TANGODANCER]

Hard choice for a MOTM between Archer and Ben Stokes who put us right back in there. All in all a cracking game and just a pity we couldn't level the series. More fun to come...

[jimbo]

Pity it timed out. Young fella batted pretty well in for Smith having taken one on the yed, but I could probably watch Archer bowl all day.

You just feel something could happen every ball. The crowd feel it too, and the buzz around the ground just adds to the drama.

[Enoch]

Great game of cricket but a nonsense that the substitute appears to have saved Australia.

If Archer had been allowed to replace Anderson in the first test England would likely have won. No one came on to relieve Close when he was chesting away deliveries from Holding.

World's gone soft. It's like the Lib Dems have already won.

[BWFC_Insane]

England are alive again. Archer - has completely changed our potential this series. We still have to learn how to bat but Jofra is the most exciting fast bowler England have produced in generations. Now he just needs to throw in some more balls that threaten the stumps - maybe the odd yorker? Could be unplayable if he gets that right - not often just enough to make the batsman think.

The team will likely stay the same - I wonder whether Stokes should go up to 3? Root doesn't seem happy there and perhaps Root at 4 and Denly at 5 - might just work better? In an ideal world we'd change Roy but there are 3 days till the next one...can't see it happening.

[Prufrock]

Smith out. Must win!

[TANGODANCER]

Smith out. Must win!

I'd sooner see us win with him in, we'll never hear the last of it otherwise, but yes, we need to level. ....

[Worthy4England]

Smith out. Must win!

I'd sooner see us win with him in, we'll never hear the last of it otherwise, but yes, we need to level. ....

I'm happy to beat whatever team they have out thanks. If he'd been a competent batter, he'd have hit the ball instead of letting it hit him, so shouldn't be any loss - his replacement managed to only get hit on the head once.

[Enoch]

Smith out. Must win!

I'd sooner see us win with him in, we'll never hear the last of it otherwise, but yes, we need to level. ....

I'm happy to beat whatever team they have out thanks. If he'd been a competent batter, he'd have hit the ball instead of letting it hit him, so shouldn't be any loss - his replacement managed to only get hit on the head once.

[TANGODANCER]

Oz 12-1 as Archer dismisses Harris.......then the rain comes and cocks it all up....