That shot by Kevin Pietersen was dire, a flash at the ball with not foot movement.
Cricket The Ashes 2013
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England should bat until tea on the 5th day and then they can bowl Australia out in the final session.
"Australia on 47-3 chasing a target of 1135 after Joe Root's magnificent 439* in England's second innings..."
2 up with 3 to play, can't see Australia coming back into the series. England may as well order the bus for the open top ride showing off the ashes again.
"I've not seen the listings for Sky Sports 2, what's on?"
"What's on? lbw b Anderson!"
"What's on? lbw b Anderson!"
Just spent an entertaining half-hour reading the comments section of the SMH website, and all the furious diatribes of the Australian fans railing against CA, selectors, T20 mindsets and Clarke. Only a couple of posts whined about "unfair DRS" and dodgy umpiring favouring the Poms, which surprised me, frankly. On the whole, they seem to feel that the lure of T20 money has poisoned the ability of batsmen to play defensively, and that they hung on to "great" players for too long to maintain the winning team, instead of blooding new players gradually through the side.
All of which merely adds relish to the apparent one-sidedness of the current series for me - England aren't quite the dominant force that the scoreline suggests, but now they have a steeliness to them that more than makes up for the occasional top-order wobble. I rarely get excited watching KP come out to bat these days - for all his ability, he seems to get these dog-chasing-cars rushes of blood to the head that make him give his wicket away too quickly.
All of which merely adds relish to the apparent one-sidedness of the current series for me - England aren't quite the dominant force that the scoreline suggests, but now they have a steeliness to them that more than makes up for the occasional top-order wobble. I rarely get excited watching KP come out to bat these days - for all his ability, he seems to get these dog-chasing-cars rushes of blood to the head that make him give his wicket away too quickly.
Best news of the day yesterday was KP getting injured. I just hope he isn't fit enough for the Old Trafford test as he's simply a liability. Yes, on occasions, he might get a big score but he's more likely to get out before scoring 10 and England need better from their top order batsmen. Interesting discussion on TMS about who might replace Pietersen as the well appears quite dry if those talking about it are to be believed, especially as Root has been promoted to open the innings.
Why can't Compton bat at 3 or 4?
Oh, and I thought Bresnan did an oustanding job this match too - his appearance as a "Night-watchman Deluxe" and the controlled spell of miserly bowling yesterday more than justified his selection over Finn.
Oh, and I thought Bresnan did an oustanding job this match too - his appearance as a "Night-watchman Deluxe" and the controlled spell of miserly bowling yesterday more than justified his selection over Finn.
If Pietersen is unfit for the 3rd test it could be a blessing in disguise. England are in such a powerful position in the series at the moment that they could afford to bring in a player like Ravi Bopara, Nick Compton or James Taylor and it won't really weaken the team, as on current form the loss of Kevin Pietersen is not a big an issue as it would have been maybe 4 or 5 years ago.
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If I were Australia, I'd trial the 9 man bowling attack. 9 bowlers/all-rounders + Clarke + Haddin.
In essence, if they get bowled for single figures they'd be no different to the actual top order and they would still have Watson's 20-45 lbw at the top of the order.
But it'd be more difficult for England to not match them!
In essence, if they get bowled for single figures they'd be no different to the actual top order and they would still have Watson's 20-45 lbw at the top of the order.
But it'd be more difficult for England to not match them!
Maybe a better way to make the Ashes a bit more fairer teabagyokel would be if they let the Australia womens team play the last 3 test matches instead.
The Aussies have to win this one so England can expect their bowlers to be seriously fired up. Getting over 500 now means they aren't going to lose the game but the real trick is to find away past the English batsman who, lets be honest, haven't looked that strong so far either.
If England can dig in, I think this test is going to fizzle out into a rather dull draw. The Aussies will be looking to their bowlers to play skittles over the next two days.
If England can dig in, I think this test is going to fizzle out into a rather dull draw. The Aussies will be looking to their bowlers to play skittles over the next two days.
England just need to bat for time and post 800 in the 1st innings and then skittle Australia out on the 5th day.
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