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..

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.

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