3rd Ashes test - England v Australia match thread

[HattonTheHammer]

Ok boys game 3 is all but upon us, the fridge has been stacked with beer, diary has been all but cleared for the next 5 days, and the tv is finally HD ready so i can get to see all these apparently amazing revoloutions on the ball (whatever the hell that means)

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No pietersen means Ian Bell gets the nod at 4 with a straight shoot out between harmison and onions for the number 11 spot with the latter expected to oncemore get the nod.

Aussies have kept faith with mitchell johnson but have appeared to have lost faith with phil hughes who is widely tipped to be replaced by shane watson with mike hussey opening the batting. Stuart Clark will get his 1st ashes encounter of 2009 replacing either peter siddle or nathan hauritz


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Delayed start expected as plenty of rain needs to be cleared from the outfield and no doubt the side that wins the toss will have a bowl 1st up and look to use the conditions to their advantage


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My prediction is for another sound english performance led by strauss and collingwood with the bat and followed up by freddy with the ball - 2-0 england

[Memphis]

Had no idea it was on today, cheers mate.

http://sportzpal.net/ for those that cant sit at home with beer and watch in high def. Flash Bastard, Im not jealous one bit

[HattonTheHammer]

Had no idea it was on today, cheers mate.

http://sportzpal.net/ for those that cant sit at home with beer and watch in high def. Flash Bastard, Im not jealous one bit

lol, sorry fella

realhq.net will also have loads of streams showing the game

[Gandalf]

Jolly good stuff, starts in about an hour so that's my evening mapped out!

[HattonTheHammer]

looks like there wont even be a ball bowled today as the outfield is still in terrible knick

no inspection due now for another 2 hours....perhaps you`d be better off getting some kip miles

[Gandalf]

looks like there wont even be a ball bowled today as the outfield is still in terrible knick

no inspection due now for another 2 hours....perhaps you`d be better off getting some kip miles

Yeah, what's going on with the weather? I just had my dinner and was ready to tune in and there is nothing happening! I'm going to have to find something else to do now. Too early for bed, I'm afraid. Not even 9pm out here. At least it means we are a step closer to not losing the test.

[skel1983]

Finding it hard to get motivated for this ashes series, usually love them. Maybe it's the fact that the Aussies are not this superstar team any longer? I dont know but it world terms id say both England and Australia are quite average.

[Gandalf]

I missed it all because I did eventually fall asleep. Seems Australia got a decent start but if the forecasts are correct, I can't see this being anything other than a draw.

[Gandalf]

Come on England!!!

6 wickets this morning! Looking great with the ball swinging about.

[Gandalf]

And another with the final ball. Get in there! Really hammered them there.

[HattonTheHammer]

England ripping through aussie attack and should have them all out for 250 odd

Worry is that in these conditions aussies will also have big success especially hilfenhaus and siddle - expect to see england 5-6 down by the end of the day for about 170, we are in for a thriller here

strauss and collingwood have a massive job on here

[Gandalf]

Good, finally all out. A bit worrying that the Aussies fell so easily. Fingers crossed with the English top order! I'm quite hopeful after that effort, but it changes in a matter of minutes.

[HattonTheHammer]

cook gone already no surprise as he struggles with that line just outside off on pitches like this.

Ive already got a horrible feeling unless strauss or collingwood get a big score we could be all out for 160-170

[Gandalf]

Looking pretty decent going into tea. Cook was a bit stupid, but Bopara looks like a man determined to make a 50.

All in all looking healthy. Worrying forecasts of rain tomorrow, so we need to just dig in and make sure we build up an innings lead.

[Gandalf]

Looking pretty decent going into tea. Cook was a bit stupid, but Bopara looks like a man determined to make a 50.

All in all looking healthy. Worrying forecasts of rain tomorrow, so we need to just dig in and make sure we build up an innings lead.

Maybe not.

Still, looking half decent.