Bad decision could have just cost us the win

[Dipper]

Taking the new ball then was a bad call IMO.

Just got 2 quick wickets with the old ball that was reversing, Jones who has been criminally underbowled in this innings (& in his
Test career in general) was moving it both ways & they take the new cherry.

The new ball hasn't done much damage in this match, it's not gonna swing conventionally much if at all & Harmsion isn't bowling that well plus the lesson of the last day at Egbaston is that the supposed dream pairng of Harmison/flintoff can't just bully the Aussie tail like we'd hope.

For me we needed to see the old ball kept for a few more overs with Jones bowling & flintoff joining him.

Now there's not enough overs left to get it reversing again so we're gonna just have to go for the extra bounce & pace of the new ball with no sideways movement, the history of this series shows that Harmison in particular & England in general then try to bowl to many wicket taking deliveries ie too straight & give away runs & take away the pressure.

Vaughan captains well to the Aussie top order but to the tail & when wickets are needed in the 4th he's not as good.

The ball that got Clrake came in a long way sonner or later Wanre & Lee/McGrath after him would hav got one like that & would have probably got out.

[Cameron_K]

I couldn't agree more especially after all the problems Jones has caused in this test with the reverse swing.

[Cooldude]

I agree, the new ball shouldn't have been taken, Jones was making the old ball talk. Thought then that Warnie had a chance, strange to say, but it would've been easier dealing with the new ball out there

[skipper kelly]

I also couldnt believe it. Hoggard and Jones were nearly unplayable with the old ball at the time.

[weevil]

Apparently the ball was in such bad condition (splitting open) that the umpires practically told them they had to change it.

[frankrizzo]

Was my feeling at the time as well, was a wicket suited to reverse not conventional swing; Jones and flintoff not harmi and hoggard were the key men so why take away their weapon with so many overs left?

[Cooldude]

That ball wasn't as bad as the one I saw last year when England played NZ, the ball was nearly in two pieces yet they bowled with it for 120 overs

When does the umpire have the right to tell the blokes when to change the ball or when not to? That only happens in ODIs because batsmen find it tough to see the thing, but in Tests? If they wanna bowl til the thing split in two then surely they would be allowed to?

[weevil]

Don’t know that was directly from an interview from the Big V. He also said that Jones and Freddie were at the end of their spells and were pretty much shagged.

[LongBomb]

Another shocking call call from 'super captain' Vaughan.

I always knew we were a chance with this dope calling the shots.

[Higgs Boson]

Speaking of bad decisions, Steve Bucknor needs to be pensioned off. The man was a disgrace in this Test. His decision to give Martyn out was an absolute howler, as were a couple of LBW calls. Also, did anyone see him look towards the square leg umpire before deciding to give a caught behind out in England's innings? Bucknor stunk it up alright.

[funkyfreo]

Speaking of bad decisions, Steve Bucknor needs to be pensioned off. The man was a disgrace in this Test. His decision to give Martyn out was an absolute howler, as were a couple of LBW calls. Also, did anyone see him look towards the square leg umpire before deciding to give a caught behind out in England's innings? Bucknor stunk it up alright.

Yep Martos was a shocker, but what is wrong with the umpy looking to square leg for a nod on whether a ball carried or something. I rekon umpires should be encouraged to consult - would have most likely saved Trescothick?

As for Vaughan - well you did see Jones cramp up at the end - do you think he could have managed another 5 overs at the time?

Just a cracking good test match!!