Ashes 2nd Test

[HattonTheHammer]

current lead of 270 odd with only cook gone once again playing all around an ordinary delivery and getting out plum lbw.

Big innings for bopara now, if he gets out cheaply again here he`ll be letting the likes of bell and shah back in which no england cricket fan truly wants. Always had high hopes bell would be a star with the bat and average around 50 but it just never came off.

Harmison will surely play in the 3rd test for either onions or broad if he carrys on with this form.

Jimmy Anderson has confirmed his status as a world class cricketer in this match

[Gandalf]

England should really press on today and take advantage of the good conditions. If they can build up to about 300 by the close of play then Australia will have it all to do.

Strauss gone now.....

[HattonTheHammer]

England should really press on today and take advantage of the good conditions. If they can build up to about 300 by the close of play then Australia will have it all to do.

Strauss gone now.....

very dangerous time in the game now.

England need to be kicking on to 520 odd as the lords pitch tends to get easier during the 4th and 5th days and we all know with ponting, clarke and katich in the side they can easily make a monster score.

If pietersen gets out in the next 45 hour or so the aussies will believe they are back in the game

[Gandalf]

Still looking firm, it's slowed down a bit and these two are struggling more....but still there. Would like them to be scoring faster than this really.

[Gandalf]

Oh, 3 down now.

[HattonTheHammer]

Oh, 3 down now.

wickets are fairly unimportant at this stage

Need another 180 odd and what with australia adopting such a defensive strategy making them chase down 540 odd is a matter of when rather than if.

we`ll declare on 300 odd around 12.30 tommorow giving us 5 and a bit sessions to bowl them out. If we cant manage that then we might as well just pack up and let the aussies take the ashes home with them!!

[Gandalf]

The cricket finishes so late here. I had to go to bed in order to wake up for the Khan fight, so missed all the runs.

They got the 300 that I wanted which is mighty pleasing. They should just go for broke over the morning session today and push to 350 - 400 ASAP.

5 and a bit sessions is more than enough time to try and peck through the Aussie batsmen.

Bring it on!