2009 Ashes

[DUNK619]

Still, the telling factor could be our batsmen getting 50-60 and getting out and theirs, with ruthless effiency, converting 50-60 into 100+...getting a first inning leads and in effect making us bat last

Tomorrow morning is cruical, need wickets or we're sunk. In the bay. With swing.

  i agree  them scoring more runs than us could be a telling factor

[thetank]

TMS pwns

That is all

[Matt50]

Saturday almost certainly looks like it could be a total washout and Sunday's forecast is for showers, so the match seems to be heading for a draw.

My guess is that the Aussies will try to get through the first hour (maybe until lunch) with only 1 or 2 wickets down, and then may try to increase the scoring rate and look to get to around 650 just before close of play and declare.  It would be a risk, but given the weather forecast they would be very very unlikely to lose the game.

If England get a couple of early wickets with the new ball, then it will just be a case of the Aussies trying to bat out the day.

[AndrewT]

The Australians are collapsing now - they've lost two wickets in a mere 76 overs.

[Graham C]

Right, praying for rain now.  Did back Englad to win, decided to back the draw now to minimise loss on the England victory.  If the Aussies win, I'm screwed.

[Matt50]

Australia 348-4 at lunch.

I dont really see any way this cant be a draw now unless either the weathermen have got the forecast totally wrong, or England have a major 2nd innings collapse.

In all likliehood if the aussies bat the rest of the day, they will make about 550, a lead of about 115 with probably a days play at most to come.  England would then just need to bat out for a draw.
If England dismiss Australia for 450 or less, then realistically they are unlikely to have enough time to get a decent enough lead to have a chance of declaring.

LEts just hope the weather men are wrong, in which case we could have a very good finish to the test.

[Josedinho]

Australia 348-4 at lunch.

I dont really see any way this cant be a draw now unless either the weathermen have got the forecast totally wrong, or England have a major 2nd innings collapse.

In all likliehood if the aussies bat the rest of the day, they will make about 550, a lead of about 115 with probably a days play at most to come.  England would then just need to bat out for a draw.
If England dismiss Australia for 450 or less, then realistically they are unlikely to have enough time to get a decent enough lead to have a chance of declaring.

LEts just hope the weather men are wrong, in which case we could have a very good finish to the test.

That usually means there is a high chance it won't be a draw

[TightEnd]

If, weather permitting, we begin 2nd innings 150+ behind we lose. Completely different game batting in those circumstances

[Matt50]

If, weather permitting, we begin 2nd innings 150+ behind we lose. Completely different game batting in those circumstances

Its not looking good then as the weather forecast seems to be slightly improving and their may well be play on Saturday morning as well as most of Sunday.
The way the Aussies are going there lead will be about 150 at close of play tonight.
Depending on the forecast when they start tomorrow it may be enough for them to declare, but it would probably be a little to brave of Ponting this early in the series.
Instead they will probably bat and lead by 200 - 220ish before declaring.

[Graham C]

/rain dance

[Moskvich]

I think Collingwood may have become England's leading spinner.

[Matt50]

/rain dance

Has worked

[AndrewT]

/rain dance

Has worked

Don't stop dancing Silo.

[Moskvich]

/rain dance

Has worked

Don't stop dancing Silo.

Until September.

[Graham C]

/rain dance

Has worked

Don't stop dancing Silo.

Until September.

lol