The Ashes

[Clifford]

97-2, Freddie. It would appear that the Oz should stop chasing now and secure the draw for themselves. Not that I backed the draw or anything!!!!

[joeSoap]

117-2

[joeSoap]

121-2 at lunch....Ponting seems to be the key. If they can get rid of him they have a great chance, but if not then it'll roll along quietly to a draw.

[joeSoap]

140-3....Martyn gone.Ponting still there tho

[joeSoap]

166-4....they're getting there slowly.

[Clifford]

5 down, England should win it comfortably now, Ponting not getting the support.

[joeSoap]

201-5...Ponting still a thorn in their sides though. 3 hours left to take 5 wickets.

[Clifford]

263 for 6, Ponting still hanging on, Gillespie in now. This is another classic test finish in this series. Does it have to be 98 overs or is it time will win my draw bet for me?

[Clifford]

Gilly gone now, looks like Eng going to do it easily now. Bummer, my bet, but who cares about that in the sake of entertainment.....

[stickyjoe]

heard on radio there that there is 30overs left to bowl
looks like it will be as good a finish as the last test

sounds like a great effort from ponting

[Clifford]

294-7, this looks like draw all over unless there is a major burst of Freddie's best.

Thirteen overs left to hit the 98 required as I understand it, but that's maybe not how it goes.

[Clifford]

I think anyone not excited by that test is probably dead inside. Absolutely top class entertainment. Ponting and Vaughan answer critics, Warne awesome yet again - 600 wickets - legend, Flintoff is the future of cricket does the lot and the one thing that struck me as the teams were shaking hands at the end was how much bigger Eng were physically.

I've got Aus backed for a 2-1 series win so I might still collect, but I've no idea how they will turn things round.

[Dodge]

Absolutely cracking finish to the third test. Was working late this evening but had to run to the bookies down the road to see the finish after following it online from about 3

[OwlsFan]

5 down, England should win it comfortably now, Ponting not getting the support.

Ah Clifford, did you not see the previous test where the Aussie tail almost won it for them ? Never write off the Australians. I predicted 3-1 to Australia but unless the top order Australians start making runs soon, it won't happen.

[joeSoap]

Gilly gone now, looks like Eng going to do it easily now. ....
I did try to warn him about Ponting.. ;) :D

What an innings. 156 and also take in to consideration the runs at the end that he was forfeiting to keep the strike at his end. That probably cost him 30 more at least. The minute he knew a win was gone, he just defended for his team. Brilliant innings.

[Stuttgart88]

Another thrilling finale to a Test Match. Sporting drama at its best again. What a breath of fresh air as well to see two teams respect each other & where the individuals conduct themselves in a sporting and dignified manner. Premiership footballers, agents, managers & executives please take note. These cricketers are setting a fantastic example to youngsters, whereas their footballing equivalents are doing the exact opposite in my view.

[stickyjoe]

fantastic serious so far. Not sure how the 4th test is going to manage to live up to what has gone before !

Also seems to be attracting a lot of media attention even in Ireland. I have had more people talking to me about cricket in the last 2 weeks then in the previous 20 years !

[razor]

Also seems to be attracting a lot of media attention even in Ireland. I have had more people talking to me about cricket in the last 2 weeks then in the previous 20 years !I have exactly the same thing too, guy rang me yesterday, "Suppose it'll be a draw will it ?", "What?" ,"The cricket".
I hadn't the remotest notion that this guy had any intereest in cricket and he probably hadn't either.
Also a girl in the office has taken to learning the rules of cricket when she previously had no interest in any sport whatsoever.
its all very weird.

[Schumi]

It's down to good timing after Ireland qualifying for the world cup as well as the fantastic finishes I'd say.

[WeAreRovers]

Bizarre sight in the boozer in Waterford last Friday - the locals were relegated to the back bar to watch the racing as the Hoops fans refused to turn off the cricket. :D

There's a big crowd of Hoops going to the WC in 2007. At least 20 at last count. West Indies v Ireland on Paddy's Day in Montego Bay....bliss. Got to be better than joining the leprachaun army in Germany next year.

KOH

[Macy]

Working on the missus for the World Cup. She was getting quite into it the last 2 tests. Only the intricacy’s of the leg before rules to teach her now, which in fairness to her make the off side rule look simple :)

[Sheridan]

That's the trouble with one-day cricket, it attracts the riff-raff.

Schumi, I don't think Ireland's qualification for the World Cup is at all relevant. The event was largely ignored by the mainstream media.

How many people are aware, additionally, that Ireland are on the verge of qualifying for the semi-finals of the ICC Intercontinental Cup (comprising three-day matches between non test-playing nations) after recording a remarkable victory in Scotland yesterday? Scotland stood at 131-9, pursuing 135 to win, in the penultimate over when McCallan broke the non-striker's stumps. A draw against the Netherlands at Stormont will send Ireland through.

[stickyjoe]

Hadn`t realised that West Indies v Ireland was on Paddys Day.

that makes it even more appealing to try and get over now :D

[WeAreRovers]

That's the trouble with one-day cricket, it attracts the riff-raff.


:D

In fairness Shero - I feel I can call you that since your namesake signed for us ;) - the Barmy Army will be based in St Lucia so us urbane and classy Rovers fans won't be bothered by riff raff.

KOH

[stickyjoe]

Might take a while to convince the missus to go on this trip. don`t think she`ll be too keen on a 2 week holiday stuck in the middle of England and Rovers fans ;)

ah well might have to just leave her at home :D

[OwlsFan]

England won the toss and are batting. 125-1 at lunchtime with Strauss the man out. McGrath is injured and isn't playing.

Hope the rain I see belting down here in Dublin doesn't spead to Tent Bridge.

[Schumi]

Hope the rain I see belting down here in Dublin doesn't spead to Tent Bridge.
Seems that it has. The afternoon session is only due to start in 5 minutes. England at 134-1.

[Sheridan]

169-3 now, Tait snares Trescothick and Bell on his début. He has a very ungainly action, somewhat akin to a one-armed chimpanzee slinging an epileptic rat by its tail.

[stickyjoe]

only caught the last hour of play yesterday.

aussies seemed to put down a good few catches in the highlights that i seen. their fielding has been very poor in the last couple of tests. england 285-5 at the moment. pietersen is gone for 45 this morning

[joeSoap]

Flintoff takes fight to Australia
Fourth Ashes Test, Trent Bridge, day two: England 344-5 v Australia

Andrew Flintoff hit a battling 73 not out to help England move their score on to 344-5 at lunch on day two of the fourth Test against Australia.

England had added just 12 runs to their overnight 229-4 when Brett Lee had Kevin Pietersen caught behind for 45.

But Flintoff and Geraint Jones (34 not out) combined caution with some bold shots to build a century partnership.

Flintoff brought up his 50 with a six off Shane Warne and hit debutant Shaun Tait for three fours in one over.

England's hopes of building a big first-innings total had dimmed when Pietersen fell in the fifth over.

The batsman began in positive fashion, clipping Lee's first ball of the day down the leg side for four and then cutting him to the boundary in his second over.

But Lee responded when he had Pietersen playing forward to a full-length delivery and Adam Gilchrist took the catch, umpire Aleem Dar taking some time to decide the batsman had made contact.

Warne caused Flintoff some early problems, having a loud appeal for lbw turned down and almost getting through the batsman's defences with a ball than went straight on.

This partnership has swung the momentum back in England's favour!

From SM
Have your say on TMS
But Flintoff made the most of Warne's bad balls, driving him to the boundary to bring up the 250 for England and mis-hitting another delivery back over the bowler's head for four.

There was another close shave when Flintoff clipped the ball down the leg side and wicket-keeper Gilchrist just failed to get his glove to the ball as it sailed past for four.

Despite playing second fiddle to Flintoff, Jones hit some fine shots of his own, including one cut for four off Michael Kasprowicz.

He took the England total past 300 with a sweep for two off Warne.

After hitting his first six off Warne, Flintoff smacked Lee straight back down the ground for another four and drove and pulled Tait for three more boundaries in a 13-run over with the new ball.

There was a scare for England shortly before lunch when Flintoff got an outside edge off Kasprowicz and the ball landed just short of a diving Ricky Ponting at extra cover.

[OwlsFan]

Good response by England after they lost Pietersen early doors (as they say). Need to move on now to 400+ to put pressure on the Aussies who usually pick up quick wickets after a break.

[Stuttgart88]

418-5, Flintoff just got a well deserved century and Jones is clocking up quite a few too. They say this pitch is at its easiest on day 2 & 3 and it's definitely looking very benign at the moment. I think England have done enough already to get at least a draw. It'll be time soon for the Aussie batsmen to show if they're up to it. They generally haven't been so far.

[OwlsFan]

Their main order batsmen haven't but the tail, especially Warne, has wagged big time.

[joeSoap]

Australia have claimed three quick wickets to dent England's hopes of taking their total on to 500 on day two of the fourth Test at Trent Bridge.

Geraint Jones was caught and bowled by Michael Kasprowicz for 85, having earlier shared in a 177-run stand with centurion Andrew Flintoff.

Ashley Giles and Steve Harmison were then dismissed by Shane Warne.

Flintoff moved England out of trouble with his first ton against Australia before Shaun Tait had him lbw for 102.

[joeSoap]

471-9

[joeSoap]

477 all out

[OwlsFan]

England should be reasonably happy with than. Most unlikely (though not impossible) they'll lose from there.

Let battle commence. Gilchrist is due a big innings.

[Stuttgart88]

22-3. Aussies falling to pieces. Martyn & Ponting out for 1 each.

[razor]

Gilchrist is due a big innings.Aussies finished the day at 99/5, Clarke out last ball of the day, Gilchrist in first thing in the morning so we'll see.

[bigmac]

England need 129 to win from their second innings - looked good for them but Warne took 2 quick wickets to put them 37-2. still in the driving street though.

[OwlsFan]

Well that's my forecast of 3-1 to Australia scuppered. Put 50 lids on them to win at 15-1 when they were asked to follow on. Thought they might get 450 second time round and ask a lot of England batting last. Got a run for my money anyway.

Great stuff. Great entertainment and good to see the Aussies take it very sportingly when it was over.

[Clifford]

So here it is, the last test, hope it's a cracker to lift last nights doom and gloom.

[Bluebeard]

It's today? Sh!te, I went into work early for a change - who are batting first?

[Terry]

It's today? Sh!te, I went into work early for a change - who are batting first?


England won the toss and decided to bat first . Currently standing at 57-0

[Clifford]

104-2 Warne got them both, good start for Eng, but if McGrath was getting his rewards it would be different. 11 overs, 29 runs, holy cow.

Bowling O M R W
McGrath 11 2 29 0
Lee 4 1 21 0 (1nb)
Tait 4 0 22 0 (2nb)
Warne 6.5 1 27 2

[Clifford]

105-3 warne again, Bell duck. Getting interesting now, Pietersen needs to steady ship.

[joeSoap]

In Play
England won the toss and decided to bat
England 1st Innings 154 for 4 (39.4 overs) full scorecard


England 1st Innings
Person Batting Runs Balls 4s 6s
M E Trescothick c M L Hayden b S K Warne 43 65 8 0
A J Strauss not out 60 98 8 0
M P Vaughan c M J Clarke b S K Warne 11 25 2 0
I R Bell lbw b S K Warne 0 7 0 0
K P Pietersen b S K Warne 14 25 2 0
A Flintoff not out 12 22 2 0
Extras 5nb 4b 5lb 14
Total for 4 154

Bowler O M R W
G D McGrath 11.0 2 29 0
B Lee 10.0 1 44 0
S W Tait 5.0 0 33 0
S K Warne 13.4 2 39 4
Fall of wicket Person batting
82 M E Trescothick
102 M P Vaughan
104 I R Bell
131 K P Pietersen


Back to top

Umpires: B F Bowden, R E Koertzen
England: M E Trescothick, A J Strauss, M P Vaughan, I R Bell, K P Pietersen, A Flintoff, P D Collingwood, G O Jones, A F Giles, M J Hoggard, S J Harmison
Australia: J L Langer, M L Hayden, R T Ponting, D R Martyn, M J Clarke, S M Katich, A C Gilchrist, S K Warne, B Lee, S W Tait, G D McGrath

[joeSoap]

213-4...looking more and more like they'll get their draw.

[Clifford]

301-7, got to hand it to Aussies heart, but I think the draw will ensue and a new era of cricket dominance will follow. That Flintoff is magic.

As for Warne, never to be seen again, awesome.

[joeSoap]

England 1st Innings
Runs Balls 4s 6s
M E Trescothick c M L Hayden b S K Warne 43 65 8 0
A J Strauss c S M Katich b S K Warne 129 210 17 0
M P Vaughan c M J Clarke b S K Warne 11 25 2 0
I R Bell lbw b S K Warne 0 7 0 0
K P Pietersen b S K Warne 14 25 2 0
A Flintoff c S K Warne b G D McGrath 72 114 12 1
P D Collingwood lbw b S W Tait 7 26 1 0
G O Jones not out 21 39 4 0
A F Giles not out 5 23 0 0
Extras 7nb 4b 6lb 17
Total for 7 319

Bowler O M R W
G D McGrath 19.0 5 48 1
B Lee 17.0 3 68 0
S W Tait 15.0 1 61 1
S K Warne 34.0 4 118 5
S M Katich 3.0 0 14 0
Fall of wicket
82 M E Trescothick
102 M P Vaughan
104 I R Bell
131 K P Pietersen
274 A Flintoff
289 P D Collingwood
297 A J Strauss