[Crocker]

Well the Aussies are 346-3, its not looking great for us English at the moment

[Tyler Durden]

To win in Australia we would need our primary fast bowler firing on all cylinders. It says it all that he went for 17 in one over, bowled only 12 overs with the team struggling all day and didn't even get the new ball when it was (eventually) taken. If he's not in the right frame of mind, or not fully fit, then he shouldn't be playing.

Though obviously, since there is no one else that could replace him and be as good as him (when in form) that leaves us with a huge problem.

It doesn't look good!!

[thirty8]

A lot of people have questioned Punter's decision to not force the follow on. However i agree with it, it gives the bowlers a break. Whereas they couldved bowled in a tired state to Englands openers risking the chance that the Englishmen may settle in and set up shop for the last few days. As it stands, when we do declare, McGrath, Lee and Clark will all be fresh to fire through the top order again.

Obviously im really happy with the progress so far, but kudos go to Bell for a gutsy innings and Flintoff and Hoggard for being the only real bowlers pulling their weight for the tourists. Giles should not be playing, it should be Panesar.

And Punter will go down eventually as one of the top 2 or 3 batters of all time. His consitency of high scores are incredible.

[thirty8]

^ What he said.

Double posts are fun

[K Jay]

Originally Posted by thirty8

A lot of people have questioned Punter's decision to not force the follow on. However i agree with it, it gives the bowlers a break. Whereas they couldved bowled in a tired state to Englands openers risking the chance that the Englishmen may settle in and set up shop for the last few days. As it stands, when we do declare, McGrath, Lee and Clark will all be fresh to fire through the top order again.

Obviously im really happy with the progress so far, but kudos go to Bell for a gutsy innings and Flintoff and Hoggard for being the only real bowlers pulling their weight for the tourists. Giles should not be playing, it should be Panesar.

And Punter will go down eventually as one of the top 2 or 3 batters of all time. His consitency of high scores are incredible.

Do you still agree with the decision not to force the follow-on? I don't, Australia had a sepreme chance of winning the series with a crushing blow to English morale. Now unless you skittle the last 5 for under 50 runs the game suddenly looks a lot closer than it did and the team in the acendancsy is England. Pointing is a superb batsman no question but this was a severely ill-timed stategical decision that has given all us Englishmen a glimmer of hope for the series.

[Tyler Durden]

Originally Posted by thirty8

A lot of people have questioned Punter's decision to not force the follow on. However i agree with it, it gives the bowlers a break. Whereas they couldved bowled in a tired state to Englands openers risking the chance that the Englishmen may settle in and set up shop for the last few days. As it stands, when we do declare, McGrath, Lee and Clark will all be fresh to fire through the top order again.

Obviously im really happy with the progress so far, but kudos go to Bell for a gutsy innings and Flintoff and Hoggard for being the only real bowlers pulling their weight for the tourists. Giles should not be playing, it should be Panesar.

And Punter will go down eventually as one of the top 2 or 3 batters of all time. His consitency of high scores are incredible.

So to sum up...you're toying with us. Thank you!!

Oooo I like my predictions on the first page now, they actually make me look ever so slightly knowledgeable*

(*I am not at all knowledgeable)

[thirty7]

I agree with the decision. We still thrashed England int hat match. 277 is not a close margin in Test cricket. Thats still a telling blow. But even if we did win by and innings and 20 runs, then English will still take heart in the fact, that we thrashed them at Lords last year and still lost the series. This series is still far from over and i agree with decision to try and rest his bowlers.

[thirty7]

A good toss for England to win here at Adelaide. i think i could get some runs on it. But the English have looked cautious whilst the Aussies have been all systems go. Hopefully some of the Motherland can cash in on some runs here. I look forward to pietersen continuing the form he found in the 2nd innings

[Tyler Durden]

Eric, the bang/crash stuff is only ever going to come from KP or Freddie. The rest of our batting order are quite conservative. Singles scorers and nurdlers mainly. It doesn't suit us to try and play the same way that Australian and Indian batsmen do.

[thirty7]

Yeah true. I've been impressed with how Collingwood has handled his business. But this Pietersen fellow os going to be an even bigger star than he is now. I cannot wait to see him batting live now. It truly is a treat for any supporter of the game.