If we put them back in, on a track like that, in conditions like today, they'd get 400 by stumps. You saw how much Anderson and Broad toiled on it when trying to get those two bunnies out at the end. Not enforcing the follow-on was the right thing to do IMO
This time, I think Strauss made the right call. If Flintoff and Jimmy Anderson were fully fit it would have been different. We all know Flintoff's injury problem but Jimmy put an ankle brace on and took pain killers just after tea last night so its probably wise that they get a day's rest.
However, its a tough decision when to call the declaration 2nd innings though bearing in mind there are still 2 full days left after today. Bearing in mind a 4th and 5th day pitch at Lords plays pretty true without variable bounch, its not inconceviable that the Aussie's could knock off 500 to win the match.
Depends if we get a welly on today. If we get a lead of 500 at COP, I'd chuck the kitchen sink at them tomorrow morning then have five full sessions to bowl them out. That's unless it looks like its going to rain tomorrow - if it does I'd get them in as soon as the cloud cover starts forming. 500 is a f***er of a total to chase on any pitch - even one that plays as true as this one will
If Strauss in the Caribbean is anything to go by then it'll be plenty. I'm hoping that he's had a good long look at the weather forecast and is confident that there'll be enough playing time over the next eight sessions to score another 250-300 runs (shouldn't be too difficult on this pitch, and Australia only have Siddle and Hilfenhaus either fully fit or in form) and still have time to knock over a strong Aussie batting line up. At least our bowlers should be fresh when they get to bowl again and they'll have a big total to defend meaning they can attack.
Top decision to bat again, though normally I would make them follow on. But the pitch is doing nothing at the month, seems little or no swing and Fred is obviously not fully fit or he would of bowled at the tail enders. Add to that their spinners injury and they are depleted, plus Johnson is struggling too so get to 500 lead by cop and get them in for 5 overs tonight or ahead of lunch tomorrow. Gives Fred and jimmy a rest too ready to go at them.
FFS. Hauritz is utter, utter shite as well. Cook out shuffling across his stumps like an old man and Strauss just careless. Annoying. Come on figjam - need a big score here
Kp needs to a big score, anything under 75 is not good enough needs a ton min, I've gone from elation yesterday to really thinking we could really feck this up, ozzys looked pumped knock us down for 250 ish game is on big time, should have bowled again we really could lose this now instead of having a hand on the win..
Typical Strauss dismissal, loses a bit of concentration and goes for something a bit too expansive, but a good delivery from Hauritz, a typical off-spinner's wicket, a bit of flight on off-stump and he drew the batsman into the shot.
Comments
need 30 still
As I said, don't worry about it.
I won the tickets, and I'm just glad you enjoyed yourselves.
PS. So don't believe what Henry,Soundas,AFKA,etc say about me, I'm a Nice Guy really ;-)
Why ?
Knowing England we'll be all out for 100 & the Aussies'll have 2 days to get 300-odd.
we've just drawn the match, wicket will be far to flat and slow by day 5, once again we've thrown away a test match
Day 5 is going to be flat and dead
Me too!!
Strauss is terrible calling declarations to boot
However, its a tough decision when to call the declaration 2nd innings though bearing in mind there are still 2 full days left after today. Bearing in mind a 4th and 5th day pitch at Lords plays pretty true without variable bounch, its not inconceviable that the Aussie's could knock off 500 to win the match.
England lead by 260.
57-0.
If Strauss in the Caribbean is anything to go by then it'll be plenty. I'm hoping that he's had a good long look at the weather forecast and is confident that there'll be enough playing time over the next eight sessions to score another 250-300 runs (shouldn't be too difficult on this pitch, and Australia only have Siddle and Hilfenhaus either fully fit or in form) and still have time to knock over a strong Aussie batting line up. At least our bowlers should be fresh when they get to bowl again and they'll have a big total to defend meaning they can attack.
And they lost to New Zealand in the Rugby.
What a miss, followed by a shocking attempt at a catch, keep it up buddy!