The Ashes

[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

[WeAreRovers]

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

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

[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
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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.