Ashes second test, Lords, continued.

First topic message reminder :

Please continue here guys.

3 runs from Mysti shooting his load

olly mate- I am saving all that for westy.

mystiroakey wrote:olly mate- I am saving all that for westy.

 

Root will have to wait in the nervous nineties through tea...missed out on two lovely pies from Steve Smith in that over that would have given him the hundred. A foot either side of the fielder would have done it...
Hopefully he will nail it on the resumption.

The England juggernaut marches on. Australia must be worn out by now, but they've still got at least another 2 long hours in the field.

140/1 so far today, all Australia have done is get out England's number 8.

Regardless of Agar's wonder innings and all the potential, I think Australia will have to go back to Nathan Lyon for the next game. Agar's bowling isn't quite test class as yet.

Smith gets more rip and has more consistency- so I agree. No reason to have two part time bowler/batters in the side- smith is the better player

I think Lyon has to play at Old Trafford really. Spinners paradise recently. Question is whether a seamer or Agar is dropped.

Likewise, England will have to ponder Bresnan for Panesar

Monty has to come in!

a lead of over 400 looks a lot.

I get a feeling with 2 days left England want 500, try to put it out of reach completely.

Let's start the campaign for Monty!!!

Kerrigan had 12 wickets and McCullum a fifer in the last CC game at OT.

For Old Trafford, they'll probably name Panesar over Onions in the squad. A quick look at conditions on the day will see whether he gets picked over Bresnan or not.

Knowing Cook and Flower, they'll want Aus completely out the game, so I'd be surprised if we were bowling tonight barring a collapse.

Strauss would probably bat to tea tomorrow.

Judging by how finn is going in his game they could be tempted to bring panesar into the squad in place of finn.

Unless Bresnan has a stinker in the 2nd innings, it makes more sense to release Finn for county cricket and keep Onions to hold the drinks.

GSC wrote:Knowing Cook and Flower, they'll want Aus completely out the game, so I'd be surprised if we were bowling tonight barring a collapse.

Strauss would probably bat to tea tomorrow.

Strauss would probably start with 3 men on the boundary as well - can never be too careful!

9 men on the offside, bowl outside off stump Duty.

How easy it has been today backs up the decision to bat again. 1 wicket in 2 sessions, and that Englands regular number 8.

Prior could use some runs.

All a bit sedate really.

Very good point GSC.  This is not a 130 pitch at all and Aussie could go on and get 400 again given time.

Batting them out is crucial.

There has been something there but both teams seem to have struggled a bit more then the pitch suggested.

Should do something for Swann though.

New ball available.

Ok Gsc I will give you that one..

Theres been a bit for the spinners, but not a great deal.

Nothing for the seamers really.

Englands top order and Australia have just batted poorly.

Interesting debate and disagreement between David Gower and David Lloyd on SKY during tea concerning the "catch" off Ian Bell.

Regulars won't be surprised that I side with Lloyd. You couldn't tell with certainty from the pictures that the ball carried and so the benefit of the doubt goes to the batsman. Not out. End of.

Gower was banging on earlier that third umpires need better training in viewing the pictures. I think that's the wrong emphasis. Having championed the use of technology, Gower and SKY should be insisting upon clearer pictures for third umpires to base their decisions upon.

Root you Legend!

Tricky line to tread there though.

If benefit of the doubt goes to the batsmen, 'Umpires Call' should really be not out.

New ball is available...maybe that will liven things up...

I'm actually hoping England declare with another 50 runs on the board, just so we can see some Aussie wickets tumble.

And a single finally brings up Joe Root's maiden Test century.

  

Ton up for his Rootness!

Where are ya Scrumpy? Saying that having root at 2 was gifting Australia an early wicket.  

Great 100 from Root. Important he builds off this.

dyrewolfe wrote:New ball is available...maybe that will liven things up...

I'm actually hoping England declare with another 50 runs on the board, just so we can see some Aussie wickets tumble.

And a single finally brings up Joe Root's maiden Test century.

Never going to get tired of pounding Aus into the dirt, but I do wish it was a bit more of an even contest. This is kinda sad after so much Aus domination.

Joe Root...the youngest player ever to make a Test century at Lords.

Nice one Rooty!!

Duty281 wrote:

Now then, I might be jinxing him (hopefully not), but I have a good feeling that Root will make a 150+ score today with the bat.  

I like to say I told you so! If he gets 50 or so more runs.

This innings has been oddly reflective of the first.  Get in trouble and lose 3 quickly then somebody comes in and plays a blinder to get a total.

I was just looking at Lords average scores...  That would be a worry for Aussie because big scores seem rare last up here.

Lead is heading into world-record territory now.

it's there I think Duty.

It'd be hard to see how this Aussie team could achieve that to be honest but I suppose you should never assume.

England have done rather well since I dropped the reverse jinx act.  I think I rather like my ban imposed new self.

mystiroakey wrote:Monty has to come in!

Doubt it. They are not going to play a Test in England with just two pace bowlers. Even at Old Trafford.
Not sure Monty has been having much success in the county game this year either ? I hear Kerrigan mentioned , but I think he will have to wait too.
Expect the same eleven.

monty for bairstow instead?

200 up for England and the lead stretches to 433. Surely enough to put Australia back in now.

Would put another 50 on at most.

Pitch starting to show a few demons, so batting for much longer is pointless.

Agars getting a lot of spin. Swann probably can't wait to get himself on the honours board again!

Strauss thinks england will bat on Tomorrow morning....
God he is so boring....

Bell and Root increasing the rate. The lead is hurtling to 500 now.

England will bat to 500 and probably tonight. No rush

Delighted to see Root get that hundred. Piece of luck last night with that edge between keeper and slip but has been solid as a rock today.
Just about puts the opener debate to bed for now...I think he will go on from here. As an opener , I mean ...perhaps in this innings too.
Duty only needs another 39 for his Crystal Ball Award  

Root's laboured all day, now he's cutting loose. Bell's just charged down the wicket as well.

England up the tempo!

mystiroakey wrote:monty for bairstow instead?

Probably more realistic. Not sure England will feel the need of a fifth bowler against this Australian team though ...they have Root and KP to help out in the spin department anyway.
Would be rough on Bairstow too.

See what happens tomorrow before we get too bothered about tactics for Old Trafford.

Duty281 wrote:Agars getting a lot of spin. Swann probably can't wait to get himself on the honours board again!

 Yup.  Been a bit of a reality check for Agar.  Very young and can get very good but he has work to do and will know it.

The score is climbing quickly now. No reason not to take a few risks when you are getting near 500 ahead.

Batting again was absolutely the right thing to do.

I don't know why Strauss would bat tomorrow other than wanting to grind their bowlers down.

Can't see England dropping a batsman for a bowler with their brittle lineup.

Lead over 450, 20 overs left in the day.

Very well may be a 10 over spell at the Aussies coming later.