The Ashes

[doodab]

Hopefully we can declare after tea tomorrow and get a few wickets in the evening session.

What odds can you get on Ponting not being captain by the time they get to Sydney?

[Ruprect]

i don't think we should declare on anything less than 600. turn the screw. was a good day

[Doggy Styles]

We'll be trying to bat only once.

Bat all day tomorrow if we get the choice, by which time we'll be 400 on with two days left.

BUT... Australia's fielding can't carry on being this mediocre.

[minestrone]

England will declare at tea.

[Ruprect]

England will declare at tea.

Unlikely. That'd give a lead of about 300. They won't want to bat again and there will still be at least 2 full days left, so what's the rush?

[Doggy Styles]

Unlikely. That'd give a lead of about 300. They won't want to bat again and there will still be at least 2 full days left, so what's the rush?

Agreed, there is absolutely no point declaring at tea. This is different to batting first - Australia have already had an innings.

We bowled them out in three sessions on a new pitch, so we shouldn't need seven sessions to do it again on a wearing pitch.

If we last that long, we'd want to set them at least 400, in at least five sessions, preferably six.

That means we'd have to get another 325-ish, which is a day's batting. I can't see us lasting that long though, surely?

[MarillionFan]

Agreed, there is absolutely no point declaring at tea. This is different to batting first - Australia have already had an innings.

We bowled them out in three sessions on a new pitch, so we shouldn't need seven sessions to do it again on a wearing pitch.

If we last that long, we'd want to set them at least 400, in at least five sessions, preferably six.

That means we'd have to get another 325-ish, which is a day's batting. I can't see us lasting that long though, surely?

I don't know. Good batting pitch. The boys played brilliantly so far. Steady few overs tomorrow. Massive attack from KP. Prior to follow. If we could get to a 400+ lead and have the last 10-20 overs at them then that would be a plan.

[doodab]

Either we'll make a good total, declare and have a crack at them for a few overs or they'll get through us before then and force the issue. I expect a bit of attack from both sides tomorrow, but I think it'll go our way. A 400 lead would mean we made the 2nd highest ever innings score at that ground so if it happens it's a very good total and a blow in the psychological battle, it would be nice if we can manage that. I think that anything over 350 and giving them 10-15 difficult overs to sleep on will give us a good chance, esp if we can get a wicket or two before stumps. But don't write them off, they have a few guys who are capable of standing up and being counted, I expect Ponting to have a big hit at some point and saving this test isn't beyond him.

It's a bloody good game, cricket.

[Alf W]

Weather set for some heavy rain on Day 5. It might be tempting to try and keep the Aussies out there for a whole day and break some records but it might not be winning tactics.

I think we'll see Australia batting again today.

Here we go......

[Doggy Styles]

I don't know. Good batting pitch. The boys played brilliantly so far. Steady few overs tomorrow. Massive attack from KP. Prior to follow. If we could get to a 400+ lead and have the last 10-20 overs at them then that would be a plan.

To have a 400+ lead with 10-20 overs remaining, we'd have to score 330 in about 75 overs. Not out of the question, but unusual in a test match where fields and bowling can be much more defensive than one-dayers. It also depends on keeping wickets intact.