[Tyler Durden]

Which Test and which day are you going to Eric? Glad to hear you're enjoying KP, it's funny (but probably won't surprise you) that he's not everyones cup of tea over here (just isn't English......lol.....in behaviour that is, as well as the obvious birthplace).

I love watching him, we don't often in our history, have that particular style of batsman.

[K Jay]

Originally Posted by Tyler Durden

Which Test and which day are you going to Eric? Glad to hear you're enjoying KP, it's funny (but probably won't surprise you) that he's not everyones cup of tea over here (just isn't English......lol.....in behaviour that is, as well as the obvious birthplace).

I love watching him, we don't often in our history, have that particular style of batsman.

It's true, Botham always stood out over here because of the power issue but overall we prefer the David Gower mould, the crisp authorative frontal defensive shot into the ground with the excellent footwork of killing the short ball dead, coupled with the quintessentail flicked wrist cover drive every three overs, put short we're still training batsmen to stay "in" rather than amass totals, hence our terrible one-day form and our poor batting against bowlers of both swings and spin merchants. Peiterson and Flintoff may be our route away from this but I doubt their style will translate to the future generations brought through by old school coaching.

[Tyler Durden]

That's right. I sometimes hear people that are critical of KP going through the usual "well yes he may have got 150 but he could have been out three or four times on the way" crappola.

Maybe it's just the negative way we are over here, or rather our inherant pessimism!! Certainly though, against bowling like Warne's I think you need one or two of his type. If you're trying to play Warne (who is my favourite cricketer of all time) on the backfoot or defensively throughout, then he'll get you out. The simple truth is he'll get you out eventually anyway, so it's refreshing to see the "okay he'll get me out, but let me put some runs on the board first and damage him back a little before he does" attitude.

[thirty7]

If Kevin Pietersen scores 150, revel in the fact that he scored 150....whingy Brits! Lol.

Nah, im going to Days 1-4 of the WACA Test. Day 5 hasnt been put on sale yet but as soon as it does, you can bet i'll get some tickets to that too. Its the benefit of having a brother work for the ticketing company.

It has been a joy to see Pietersen bat so far and COllingwood has been no slouch. I want this series to be a contest so i have loved the first day or so of the Adelaide Test.

I am a bit annoyed at Warne's negative bowling techniques to Pietersen. He's bowling around the wicket on the pads so that Pietersen plays no shot. Warne is a great bowler because he usually attacks and attacks. He needs to come up with a new plan after lunch because the current isnt working and is not cricket.

[thirty7]

It's Tea Time. Collingwood just edged one to Gilly ending a magnificent innings. It's a shame he's gone. But let's hope KP slams the foot ont he accelerator after the break.

Should you guys bat through the day or give us a firey stint just before stumps. I think you should put us in for about 5-6 overs but Pietersen and Freddy need to put a lot of runs together quickly to give you guys that option.

[Tyler Durden]

Well, we're likely not losing this one anyway. A few random thoughts -

Yes I don't understand either why Warne is bowling negatively, but long may it continue. It was funny watching him bowling at Bell on Day 1 though, I think Bell read as much out of Warne's hand as I would!!

I hope for Australia's sake that McGrath's knock is a genuine won. His bowling looked awful and, I guess he or Ponting must take the blame for putting him in this match if he's in that kind of shape. Maybe what happened in the 2nd Test last time coloured their decision.

Didn't see it, but Ponting has racked up another big knock by the look of it. It also looks, as most in England suspected last year when he did nothing, that this is the end of the road for Martyn. Maybe Hayden too. Both men look as though they'll need replacing soon.

My money is still on Australia though for the series, I just don't think we can win this series without Harmsion firing on all cylinders. Hoggy comes off every now and then, but other than that it's Flintoff or nothing, we just can't get that batting line up out twice with just that repeatedly.

[thirty7]

Ponting is in superb form. He will go down as (if he hasnt already) as the greatest of the Modern era.

Unforuntaely Hussey, fell short of a century again. Needs to get that monkey off his back.

Hoggard bowled superbly today. Not just because of the stats. But he was consistent with his accuracy and was getting the ball to move around.

I've been wanting Martyn out of the side for quite a while now. Hopefully with Watson being fit possibly for Perth, i'll get my wish. It's tough to rate a player like Hayden off but i would tend to agree hes headed down, hopefully Phil Jacques is in the team by series end.

[K Jay]

Well I think this test has gone to a draw. On a pitch like this England's only hope of a victory was to force a follow-on and then bat last. I feel we'll get the remaining wickets for around 120 then (if I read Flintoff's mentality right) try for a quick 300 to make day 5 almost a one-dayer.

It's always difficult one down in the second test to make decisions that could backfire and lose a series but I feel ambition could and would make a difference to the series overall, the psychology of this series is in balance and I feel the only chance England have to retain is to be bold at this point.

[thirty7]

Your right there. It needs to be "winnable" for Australia on Day 5 for England to have any chance of winning...if that makes sense.

Australia are an attacking team. They like to come after you. How do you combat that? You charge right back at them. England are still in the best position, they just need to attack and the game will be theirs for the taking.

But realistically....we're probably looking at a draw here.

[thirty7]

Ha!

Not getting ahead of myself, but it looks like England collapsed.

Should be an awesome last session that will really define this series.

Hats off to the master in Shane Warne, but still some of the English batsman (Flintoff, Jones) also played stupid shots in getting out.