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Question: when is Strauss going to unleash his deadly spinners against Australia. I am waiting to see them run through the Australian batting. Maybe that 90 mph quick who can swing it in both directions should be tossed the ball as well.

Question: can you be an allrounder if your batting average is lower than your bowling average say after playing 50 or more Tests?

Granted I didn't see the whole game at Worcester but it looked as though Harmy was chomping at the bit to get at this Aussie team. Maybe we should look at taking one of the spinners or Broad out and unleashing him!

Well, it looks like weekend rain might save England's blushes but how are the bowlers going to raise their game for the second test?

Is it simply nerves that is making both Broad and Swann bowl below their best? Is Strauss holding Freddie back, afraid of another injury? While Anderson shows his usual inconsistency. Unless, our bowlers find a higher gear, then the Ashes is very much in Australia's favour. It is unlikely Panesar will make another Test appearance. OK, he got Ponting, but that was the Captain's error and not due to an excellent ball. So what can Gibson do to help the bowlers find this higher gear?

I hope it is just nerves. We know England can bowl better than this. As '05 clearly showed, they need to bowl as a unit and not as individuals. Meanwhile, this 1st Test is more about England starting with a draw rather than their usual loss, while the Aussies are showing us that they aren't as bad as we thought. I watched them against Sussex and the team have improved greatly since then.

My view is, bring back Harmison to replace Panesar. There is no real aggression or bite, at present, in the English bowling attack and while a risk, a Harmison firing on all cylinders, will put fear into any batsmen including the Aussies.

England can definitely bowl better than this - Broad especially, who will hopefully be buoyed by his late wicket.

But Australia still have two very good players in and with Johnson to come who is pretty handy. Rain is England's only hope.

Never mind though at we go to Lord's next where England have a brilliant record against Australia.

Oh bugger, that's a lie.

Australia with the upper hand but a good morning session 2moro, lyk the one 2dai and england could be back in the game, so fingers crossed.

And why, why, why is Hoggard not in the england team, what has he done wrong, plus i would have harmy back, he always preforms on home soil Imagine the bowling attack of Flintoff, Hoggard, Harmison, Anderson and the spin of Swann seems like a better bowling line up den the one we got in dis match

Yes, Australia have the initiative, but this is far from a winning position. We've had 3 days and Australia have a small first innings lead only. Neither side has engineered anything like a collapse and the pitch seems to be playing better than ever. Rain will not "save England's blushes" because there should be no prospect of anything other than a draw unless there is some very inspired or very shoddy play from one or other side.

In fact, to shut out an England win Australia still have to bat through to lunch. To force a win, they need to hit out, get a lead of at least 150 and rely on skittling England quickly. Neither route is exactly likely based on what we have seen so far.

nice article. i did find it hard to enjoy clarke stroking the ball around and being so fleet footed due to the fact that a wicket never looked likely to fall for the second day in succession.

im not going to join the ranks demanding changes, hold steady england, but i agree that broad causes concern. england have blooded bowlers before they have developed sufficiently in the recent past several times, saj mahmood, kabir ali, liam plunkett all spring to mind, but stuart broad seems to have the heart and mind for the job - but here is the key; i asked a friend before the series began if he would wager on broad getting his wickets at under 35 and he said no. i dont blame him. i really hope to be proven wrong and am glad his batting will buy him time.

swann? lets see, he has been fantatic for england and is he type of player who will come back from this doubly hungry to do his bit for the team.

well, its back to the winter of watching bowlers have their hearts and bodies slowly dismantled whilst batsmen with patience and insatiable appetites make for the high numbers.

come on england - stick with the aussies and dont give them a sniff, go to lord's at a blob each and start again!

So, England come up against one of the top teams in the world and are found wanting. I am very impressed by this Australian side who, so said many in the media, should not have bothered turning up. They personify the usual Aussie qualities of grit and determination- not to mention consumate skill- which our side appears to lack. And I'm certainly not impressed by Strauss's captaincy. Every time the camera caught him he seemed to have a huge grin on his face. Mark Nicholas commentating on the Channel Five highlights programme was spot on when he said there was nothing to laugh about! And Strauss quickly ran out of ideas. When Michael Vaughan captained the Ashes-winning side of 2005 he had done his homework on the Aussies' weaknesses. He was constantly inventive in placing fields and changing the bowling. I get the impression that Straussy has been promoted beyond his capabilities.

Interesting to hear the comment from Anderson that 'he didn't hit his straps' etc and also to see Broad looking far from his usual self. Have to say, this to me should see a few fingers pointing at our illustrious bowling coach, Ottis Gibson. Has he not had the past ten days or so with these players to get their minds right?? Is it not his job to get these guys fully prepared and ready?? It is majorly frustrating and unprofessional. I hate to look back at '05 but what a difference when under Cooley, the 'fab four' went for it from ball one in that series and truly looked the part.

Quote from Oliver Brett:

"While Friday's rain was largely unexpected, further heavy showers are forecast from around noon on Saturday - so the odds favour draw despite Australia's dominant position."

This has been a situation that has troubled many for eons!

Q: Why have the powers that be not yet seen the wisdom in affixing an optional day to Tests, to make up for loss time through weather intervention, in order to create an opportunity to forge a result?

I think, in light of the current state of affairs in world cricket, this problem will have to be ultimately addressed in earnest, sooner rather than later!

What fun, one might ask, is a drawn Test to paid customers, to promoters, to sponsors, to anyone?

Someday, in every major cricketing center, it might become necessary to construct a multi-functional domed stadium where matches can be played without Mother Nature playing a role. But this prospect may be decades away from materialisation?

Dome stadia, will create an interesting situation where games can be played even in the winter months; and that would be moving progressively and tantalisingly into the 21st century, boldly, won't you say?

Every day so far in this test, there have been no wickets between lunch and tea. Does this have something to do with the way the pitch plays between 1.40 and 3.40???

I really was quite surprised so many had written off this Australian side - did they not see them defeat the number 2 team, South Africa, in South Africa quite emphatically???

I think Strauss is pretty wisely (yes really!) not bowling Flintoff too much, as if he was to be injured (as McGrath was in 2005) the series would be just that much harder. As a bowler he IS the class English bowler on display, heaven help them if he got injured.

North & Clarke showed determination to first get there, and then push on. Pity Clarke was out, but thats the way it goes.

THE FORGOTTEN MAN - RYAN SIDEBOTTOM!!

EVERYONE KNOWS THE AUSSIES HATE SWING!

Tom,

"Softandfluffy - if it is nerves that are affecting England's bowlers, you have to ask why Ashes debutants like Siddle, Hilfenhaus and Hauritz have been more effective."

Quite simply, Australia are a far more confident side as individuals and as a team, whether debutants or not. England, on the other hand, are continually besieged with self-doubt, lack of belief and a scarcity of will to win. Stuart Broad is a young guy, who has been brought through the ranks very quickly. I am sure his present below par bowling is caused by nerves. This is an Ashes series, for goodness sake! And at times like this, you hope Gibson is good enough and able enough to encourage and boost England's bowlers self-esteem. The major problem with England has always been their minds - not their talent.

Tom, the Aussies didn't so much 'wrestle' the initiative, they 'wrested' it, in a calm, controlled and purposeful manner.
Cheers

Ryan Sidebottom: 10 wickets @ 30.2 so far this season (3 matches) with a best of 4-118. 3 wickets in 3 matches in List A and he looked more unfit and out of form than Steve Harmison in the Caribbean. It's hardly a strong case for selection. Only his 11 wickets in 7, T20 matches show any real form. He hasn't had a good Test in the last year and is past his best. Like Matthew Hoggard, it is hard to see him playing another Test.

Steve Harmison has 37 wickets @ 20.8 and is bowling fast and furious right now. Only Graeme Onions with 54 @ 16.8 has more wickets this summer. Incidentally, the third highest First Class wicket-taker is Liam Plunkett with 30 @ 18.4.

softandfluffy

You are quite correct about the confidence factor of the England players. They are simply not permitted to be confident, for it will be deemed by fans and media alike as being arrogant (Pietersen for example). They are expected to be 'yesmen' who smile embarrasingly all day long while the Aussies take the game away from them.

I am a great fan of Strauss the batsman, but 'captain safety' simply does not gamble enough to even close out the Windies, let alone the Aussies.

The sooner Kevin Pietersen returns to the captains role, the sooner England will compete with the top sides. England have the talent, but sadly lack the mentality.

I dont want to be too harsh on England the pitch and conditions were not exactly helpful,although broad was again disappointing,Swann had an off day it happens,its made more noticeable by his above average performances up to date.

Another burst like we saw this morning tomorrow would make for an interesting finale to what up to press has been a batsman match.I am a believer in continuity and that a squad should be picked to play all the matches of a series....chopping and changing helps no one unless of course an injury prevents someone playing.

Interesting comments.

I hope to see North get a century before lunch, they may be under instructions to get a wriggle on and I am becoming a fan. He starts nervy and looks awful for about 20 balls, then transforms into a very calm man.

Siddle and Hilfenhaus have never played in England and only had one warm-up game. If anyone should have been nervous, it was them, but Hilfy was on his mark from first over. Nice to see a bowler who is still a rookie so collected.

Surely a captain must lead by example, this automatically rules Pietersen out ;).
As people continue to slate our bowlers, it's worth remembering that on the first day most of the top order threw their wickets away, wasn't it the bowlers who managed to get around 100 runs in well less than a sesion?

DavidLeigh,

A man who shares my views whole-heartedly!!

Don't get me started on the Pietersen debacle. The entire ECB should have been fired for their cowardly, pathetic act. As you say 'status quo' Strauss is not the right Captain. He doesn't know what the outside of a box looks like. Whereas, Pietersen designed, built and painted it himself! If only he were Captain for this Ashes series. What a positive, exciting difference that would have made.

Where's Mr. Moutarde???

Wonderful to see your support of the England team disintegrating at the end of day 3 of the first test...........

Re: freddawlanen
Seeing as a lot of criticism has been directed at Strauss for his lack of offensive captaincy, surely Pietersen's (perhaps overly) aggressive demeanour would yield far greater results at a time when Australia are distinctly in charge of the game?

This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

I can't belive you poms think Broad is OK because he can bat a bit. I think his role in the side is to bowl sides out. 5 average bowlers does not make 4 decent ones!

I think that the game will end in a draw regardless of the weather unless there is a dramatic batting collapse - which is more likely to come from England, because if they don't, there won't be enough time for Australia to collapse.To me each team seems to be too nervous to break out and have a go for fear of going to Lords one nil down. The only question will then be who takes the moral victory from this test so as to take confidence or self-doubt into the next test. If a draw seems inevitable, it is more likely England, bowling last with an unassailable lead, who will be able to play without fear which could therefore give them the moral victory if they knock over Australia's top order. Cricket is a game of confidence and so the importance of such a victory should not be underestimated. I predict a draw, but one of these teams will be going to Lords with their tails in the air.

re: TJinks

Strauss is too cautious, even negative at times, but Pietersen isn't just overly aggressive, he's dowright stupid.
If he keeps playing the way he does, in 20 years, everyone will look back and wonder what might have been, such talent, the chance to become a true great of the game...

I don't really see anyone else capable of leading the team, does Cook have enough about him?
Would the selectors bring in a new man simply to captain the side?
I think we all know the answers to those 2 questions ;).

What I find most complexing is that the English press/public consider any Australian cricket player that they have never seen before as some weak point in the line up. To be included in the No.1 test cricket team in the world must mean you can play somewhat "batting with all the class and confidence of Frank Spencer". You might play better if you respect your opposition a bit more and understand that if they are in the Australian team they might be there because they can play the game a bit.

Softandfluffy,

Your comment "the Aussies are showing us that they aren't as bad as we thought" is perplexing.

How did you come to the conclusion that the number 1 ranked test team in the world were going to be easy beats?

Why do the majority of England supporters now want to kull half their team based on 4 bad sessions?

However, I do agree with the general consensus that Monty is a joke.

Anzacman,

I agree. Fantastic. May it continue ...... and the other upside is it makes for great reading!

As far as England are concerned, they have started the friendliest Ashes face off ever. A new approach!

I think most people back here in OZ are scratching their heads as to why the English side is so confident... The Aussies didn't just accidently become the number one test side in the world. Everyone here has pretty well notched up a series win already. GO AUSSIE! (and the concerning thing for you blokes is that this may be Englands best shot had grabbing the ashes for another 15 years...)

This Test Match is creating a good amount of suspense. Test cricket is surely the real thing and not ODIs or T-20s. The two sides out there are trying. Best wishes to the guys on Day 4.



Dr. Cajetan Coelho

Early days in the Tour but already lessons to be learned like Aussies do not get themselves out. Going into match two after what should be a draw here the England batters would do well to reflect on this and do the same. This is not T20. As to bowlers this is probably not a fair track from which to condemn but they need to be better organised next time out. I'm sure KP as captain would have been more likely to extract a result from this game but most probably not the one we would like on the evidence of his match awareness when batting. Strauss can do better and I believe he will - a win next time out looks a must before Mr Lee joins the fun.
Well done Aussies though a real hard as nails start.

Sadly it did not need hindsight after the foolhardy manner in which England's batsmen got themselves out on day 1 and the ease with which the tail scored runs that Australia would prevail after the first innings. How niaive, for supposed professional cricket commentators, to state that 436 was a good score. On that pitch, having won the toss 600 was what was required, which is what Australia will get. The question is again raised; why do our players lack application. Sadly, whilst the Petersen attitude pervades of ' I will do it my way, come what may; and am not man enough to admit my mistakes' then it will ever be that England failto eclipse even a half decent side. Australia know that they do not have the side of 2 years ago. So instead they have a clear intent of substituting talent and experience with application. England do not have the side they had 4 years ago, but have decided to substitute batting fortitude with gutless frivolity. Petersen's feable defense that if it had not hit his helmet he would not have been caught highlights his arrogant stupidity. No son the answer is that if you had not attempted the shot in the first place THEN the ball would not have hit your helmet and THEN you would not have been caught.
Once again England will be hoping that their 12th man - the rain - plays a blinder in order to save this test match. At this rate in order for us not to be humiliated we must hope for a wet six weeks.

I am an Engishman who lives in New Zealand. Last night I watched the whole day's play and I must say that this was a wonderfully riveting test match. I hope it will nor be spoiled by rain.

The Aussie team is not as powerful as it was - for obvious reasons. But I must say that its batsmen hit the ball very hard, the fielding is pretty good and the bowlers bowl like a team should.

England by contrast look to me like an excellent amateur national side of yore that is 11 talented individuals playing their favourite sport. They do not always hit the ball as positively and seem happy to throw their wickets away with smile, the field is not as intelligently set and the bowlers (except Anderson) are all over the place.

Watching the Aussie team doggedly chase down a quite big total with cussed determination to win was enthralling to say the least. This is real cricket!

JPRees

It is the very fact that Pietersen does it 'his way' that gives him a test average of 50+, and the second most prolific in the history of test cricket after the great Bradman. Your comments make no sense! Other agenda's perhaps?

If you try to reduce Pietersen to a 'yesman' you will ruin what could become a memorable career (if that is not already happening). The old-school way of approaching test cricket simply does not cut it any longer and unless England adapt, they will always have to be satisfied with consolation victories (they already have a reputation for being superb at winning dead rubbers).

Pietersen top scored again despite not having the best day with the bat. How about your views on why any of the other batsmen did not go on to bigger scores, or does Pietersen have to do it all, everytime??

Captainofsillypoint,

"Softandfluffy, how did you come to the conclusion that the number 1 ranked test team in the world were going to be easy beats"'

Two simple answers: No. 1: the English media. No. 2: I watched them play against Sussex and Australia were mediocre at best.

Struass wants to set a field which forces the Aussies to crack a few over the boundaries. Once they've been unhypnotised from the dreadful status quo, they might be more vulnerable. Anything! Please! I can't stand it - other than Simon Hughes's excellent analysis of the depth of Ponting's striding footwork.

God! what's happened to our 12th man? Anyone out there know a rain-dance?

Softandfluffy,

What can I say?

Obviously your research and general knowledge of the game is impeccable.

I'm glad Freddy enjoyed his victory over Phil Hughes. He celebrated like he had dismissed the great Don Bradman ....... couple of days later he sits with 100+ for 1 .... and still bowling. That's gold in my book.

" For a second successive day, England wrestled the initiative back from Australia..." right...so one English bowler bowling well for a few overs is considered 'wrestling the initiative back'...what does Australia comprehensively outplaying and outclassing (except for the few minutes in question) England count as then?

freddy is very good but he could not sustain the pressure on the aussies all the innings