3rd Ashes Test, England vs Australia. Edgbaston, Thursday - Monday [Tea Day 2 - ?]

[Mr P@H]

http://i25.tinypic.com/ok08rc.jpg


http://i28.tinypic.com/o0e5vt.jpg VS http://i32.tinypic.com/10en1c5.jpg

3rd npower Ashes Test Match
Edgbaston, Birmingham
30th July to 3rd August
England vs Australia



The Hosts come into the third test with the momentum of the series after a comprehensive win at Lord's, England were simply the better team at the Home of Cricket despite the stubborn resistance from Clarke and Haddin. England will be without one of their star players with Kevin Pietersen ruled out for the rest of the series after an Acchiles operation, Warkwickshire Batsman Ian "Shermantor" Bell will replace Pietersen and bat at number 4 in the order. Bell has been the man left out of team in recent times after the emergence of Ravi Bopara. Pietersen's absence does leave England with an inexperienced and and youthful underbelly after the operners, Cook and Strauss. The Hero at Lord's, Freddie Flintoff, looks like he will be fit to play in this test after a week resting a dodgy knee. This is a must-not-lose game for England if they want to regain The Ashes, A win for Australia would give them upper hand going to Headingley Carnegie.


The Aussies themselves have a few decisions to make before this test, certain big players such as Mike Hussey and Mitchell Johnson haven't lived up to the pre series hype surrounding them. Mitchell Johnson or spinner Nathan Hauritz could make way for seamer Stuart Clark who probably should have been in the team at the start of the series. Shane Watson who is fit again is also pushing for a place in the starting XI after a decent performance in the Tour Match at Northampton. Australia captain Ricky Ponting has come under fire a little bit after the last test and will be looking to get a crucial victory here to show that Australia are the dominant power they can and have been.

In good nick
England: Andrew Strauss (240 runs @ 60.00), Andrew Flintoff (7 wkts @ 35.28)
Australia: Brad Haddin (229 runs @ 76.33), Hilfenhaus (9 wkts @ 31.77

Under the Pump
England: Ravinder Bopara (81 runs @ 20.25), Stuart Broad (4 wkts @ 64.00)
Australia: Phil Hughes (57 runs @ 19.00), Peter Siddle (7 wkts @ 44.57)

Series Form
England: DW
Australia: DL

Session times

Morning-1100 BST (2100 AEST) to 1300 BST (2300 AEST)
Afternoon-1340 (2340 AEST) to 1540 BST (0140 AEST)
Evening-1600 BST (0200 AEST) to Close

TV/Radio Coverage
Same as the last test i presume?

[Cousin Jed]

Continued from Here (http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=610434&page=72)

[King Elvis]

We beat SA alot by intimidating them with our bowling, especially the First Test. Here we seem to overpitch so often. If there's no swing do something else!

Too right.

Why aren't we trying to hurt them? If all else fails, bowl at their heads, it's simple.

Bowl at heads, sledge a lot - it's simple but effective.

Johnson looks much better; action a lot cleaner and tighter - hopefully we can get some movement soon.

I gotta work all day tommorow - LAME!

So night lads / keep it real.

[bigburger]

Johnno to get 3 wickets this session as long as he opens after tea.

[Nankervis brothers]

Not a great spell from Johnson, but improvement there.

My kingdom for Clark. Drying up runs leads to wickets. Its that simple.

The test probably hinges on what happens after the 30th over or there abouts. If AUS get the ball swinging and use it as well as ENG did, then game on. If not then pray for rain.

If Hussey fails in the second innings then i reckon he is in trouble.

[grizzlym]

Stating the obvious here, but our Ashes hopes rest on this session I reckon.

[bus24]

Must say I do really like that instrumental music Sky use for their highlights/background music when the scorecard is up on screen.

Not that I know what it is, mind. Which is a shame.

[bigburger]

Right another odd decision by Ponting.

[aussie1st]

Love your work Bopara :)

[Nankervis brothers]

Thats handy.

[Invigoration]

Gawn!

[bigburger]

Right another odd decision by Ponting.
**** I'll take it.

Lolpara fails again.

[Invigoration]

Right another odd decision by Ponting.

Fail.

[placebo]

Go Hilf.

[premiers06]

Hilfy!!!

Sherminator now in

[Rick18]

"Looks like the break between Tests has really benefited Bopara, he's tightened up a bit"

"Oh, bowled him. That's where he needs to tighten up."

Idiots :D

[bigburger]

Fail.
Yes because it was Pontings fantastic captaincy that caused Bopara to have a brain fade, play a half shot and drag it on. :rolleyes:

[Cotchin 9]

We'll take it!

[weevil]

Batsman got himself out. We are just not looking threatening enough.

[grizzlym]

Bring on Siddle. Bell looks jittery.

[OzBomber]

Haha Belowpara fails again. We need Warne out there to sledge the Sherminator. Can't wait till he's commentating.

[Nankervis brothers]

Hauritz has got the wood on Strauss here.

[belfast_bomber]

Haha Bopara. Under no pressure at all.

[Wet Toast Rule]

^^ He needs a doosra. Something that goes the other way to knock his off-stump out. ... too bad he's not a chucker.:(

[Invigoration]

Yes because it was Pontings fantastic captaincy that caused Bopara to have a brain fade, play a half shot and drag it on. :rolleyes:

You would have blamed Ponting if Hilfy had gone for runs, so it works both ways. Doesn't matter how you want to pretty it up, still just says bowled on the scorecard :thumbsu:

[OzBomber]

Haury mixing the pace very well. Making it tough for Strauss to get him away.

[Ron]

How did a spud like Bell make 10k first class runs.

[Dagless]

Was hoping the semi-interesting Bell'd turned up...

[belfast_bomber]

Would love to see the back of Strauss. Come on now Australia.

[Nankervis brothers]

I don't get Ponting sticking with Hilf after his last over. Johnson should be back. He has had just three overs.

[ChunkyDuckling]

This is depressing seeing that scumbag Strauss still in.

[bigburger]

Finally.

[bigburger]

**** me Hilfy's got an absolute rocket arm.

[bigburger]

HE'S BACKKKKK!!!!!!!!!

:). Bell looking lost and confused.

[Dagless]

HE'S BACKKKKK!!!!!!!!!

:). Bell looking lost and confused.
Well it doesn't exactly take much for that to happen...

[amer]

He's looking better. As Warney says there just needs to be a little spark to get things going for him.

[mattymac]

much better over from mitch there. he needs to be spitting venom at these poms and knocking heads off. that'll give him the boost he needs

[KENT2008]

they reckon its gonna rain tomorrow and and monday, is that enough to save us?

[WindyHillWinners]

http://startupblog.files.wordpress.com/2007/06/popcorn.jpg


sup crew

[Mundy]

Hauritz needs to straighten his line to Strauss, Johnson is about to snare a bag :thumbsu:

[OzBomber]

Haha guy knocked his beer on the ball. :D

I'm contemplating going to bed.

[bigburger]

Hahahahahaha. F**ken poms :thumbsu:

[Ron]

haha poor bastard dropped his beer.

[amer]

they reckon its gonna rain tomorrow and and monday, is that enough to save us?

Save us? Fire up mate.

[blue_boys]

haha poor bastard dropped his beer.

all over the bloody ball :D:D

[bigburger]

ARE YOU ****ING SERIOUS THATS PLUMB AS ALL ****.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bullshit!

[amer]

WTF?!?!?!?! That was out!!!!!! WTFFFFF!!!!

[bus24]

That is ****ing disgraceful.

That is one of the worst decisions I've ever seen.

[Dagless]

Sigh...

[OzBomber]

WHAT THE **** RUDY! That was plumb!!!

[bigburger]

RUDI YOU ****!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Aghhhhhh!

[mr_cellotape]

Plumb. **** off Rudi.

[amer]

OMFG, you cannot be serious?!?! We are getting destroyed by these decisions.

[lewigie]

Plumb as.

Oh wait, it's Rudi..

Was it not sliding down leg enough for you to give it out ?

[Ron]

oh Rudi, just admit you hate us already

[Invigoration]

Oh FFS. Seriously, this is a ****ing joke.

[blue_boys]

Rudi you are a disgrace and you should never umpire ever again..........seriously!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Roos4eva]

WTFFFFFFFFFFFFFF

Plumb as anything. :thumbsd:

GTFO Rudi. :mad: :mad:

[wce_all_da_way]

****ing hell that was dead plumb. Unbelievable.

[fraser25]

kuertzen what a dog

[mattymac]

that **** is f'n blind. what bullshit.

[94_Eagles]

Rudi has consistently made shizen decisions throughout his career.

Show me an umpire who is worse at their job and I will show you a monkey that drives a car!

[TimeIsRunningOut]

Clarke is sent on his way to a ball missing a second set, yet Bell survives that stone dead definition of plumb? ****ing putrid umpiring.

[bucksisbest]

Rudi should be taken out and shot.

[Dagless]

Haha thread exploded :p

[lewigie]

that **** is f'n blind. what bullshit.

He can tell we're not England, that's all that matters.

[blue_boys]

that was the definition of LBW... this is getting beyond a joke

[94_Eagles]

Rudi should never umpire again.

Get him out!

[bigburger]

What a bowl by Jonno but. He's definately back.

[mattymac]

rudi's gotta be on the take. these decisions are absolutely robbing us

[Mundy]

Hauritz needs to straighten his line to Strauss, Johnson is about to snare a bag :thumbsu:

kuertzen what a dog

Rudi just cost me an epic call, saw the set up from the previous over.

Johnson pushed Bell back in the over previous and shaped a ball back in which was brushed away off pads.

The last over he does the same thing, has Bell plum and is given the not out by Rudi.

Mitch is bowling well, getting the ball to come back, and best of all is bowling with a plan. :thumbsu:

[amer]

That is absolutely disgusting umpiring. Even their own commentators are surprised at that one. I am in disbelief here, how can you win a test match when you so consistently get clearly out decisions not called? They gave an lbw shout to Anderson that was going over the top, then another that was missing leg, then refuse to give that shout on Bell? How the **** is that fair?

I'm sorry but it's bordering on a word that we're not supposed to bandy around, and that is the sort of call I am not quick to make when it comes to sport.

[blue_boys]

seriously how does he sleep at night?

[BomberJacqui]

OMFG, you cannot be serious?!?! We are getting destroyed by these decisions.

1 decision?

correct me if im wrong but did australia not have 2 plump decisions last innings and 2 others which could easily be given out???

Don't forget 06/07 ashes were australia had something like 15 to englands 4 decisons for them....

Take off 100 runs of australia's last innings then if you want bell out.

[bigburger]

MJ is all over these two like an STI

[amer]

You know the worst thing about that non-call? Johnson bowled probably the best he had all series there to build pressure which produced the lbw call, he finally gets the radar on for a bit and they go and Rudi pulls a non-decision like that. Utter garbage.

[bigburger]

1 decision?

correct me if im wrong but did australia not have 2 plump decisions last innings and 2 others which could easily be given out???

Don't forget 06/07 ashes were australia had something like 15 to englands 4 decisons for them....

Take off 100 runs of australia's last innings then if you want bell out.
Your argument makes no sense but from what I can gather its shit. We have been robbed plenty of times this series I don't think theres any denying this.

[hogman]

Rudi should retire he is fkn useless:eek:

[BomberJacqui]

Lol you aussies have no idea lol at the johnson decision. He didn't play a shot and it was hitting the bails thats damn out.

[94_Eagles]

The last over he does the same thing, has Bell plum and is given the not out by Rudi.

That wasn't plumb.

IT WAS SO UNMUTHAFU****BELIEVEABLY PLUMB THAT THERE ARE NOW 3 CERTAINTIES IN LIFE

Death
Taxes
Bell was out LBW!

[bigburger]

Rudi should retire he is fkn useless:eek:
Well that just sucks dog balls. Can't believe Ponting only bowled MJ like 6 overs today. Disgrace.

[bus24]

Now we go off for bad light just to top off the corruption.

[OzBomber]

Lol you aussies have no idea lol at the johnson decision. He didn't play a shot and it was hitting the bails thats damn out.
Yeah we know it was out. We're not talking about that though.

[mattymac]

this ground should be dropped from the test circuit. no drainage, no lights and a bloody curse. shitful place

[Dagless]

Your argument makes no sense but from what I can gather its shit. We have been robbed plenty of times this series I don't think theres any denying this.
No, the Aussies got a few 'lucky breaks' this test, so I've seen the two wrong ones (One you can't blame any umpire for giving out IMO), and even though that was pure plumb, it balances itself in a way (Not totally obviously).

Its about the fact that the Aussies performance is the reason they're behind, not shit decisions.

[94_Eagles]

Who else thought it was out straight away?

[Drummond]

Rudi Koertzen you are an absolute moron, how the freaking heck was that not anything other than middle stump half way up? :thumbsd:

[Dagless]

Who else thought it was out straight away?
Why wouldn't you? I think the main point was 'Aussies gtting destroyed by bad decisions' which is crap really. Shit batting/Good bowling/lucky condition change has England in the lead (ATM). Obviously those misses are inexcusable, but the umps are hardly the reason they are behind.

[wce_all_da_way]

Who else thought it was out straight away?

Holding. And everyone else in existence.

[mr_cellotape]

Who else thought it was out straight away?

Everybody except Rudi, evidently.

I think the main point was 'Aussies gtting destroyed by bad decisions' which is crap really. Shit batting/Good bowling/lucky condition change has England in the lead (ATM).

Fair point, and I would assume most saying that don't actually believe it, it's just frustration-induced hyperbole.

[94_Eagles]

To be honest it was missing off and leg. Give Santy Claus a break.

[Invigoration]

No, the Aussies got a few 'lucky breaks' this test, so I've seen the two wrong ones (One you can't blame any umpire for giving out IMO), and even though that was pure plumb, it balances itself in a way. Not that the umps should be aiming for balance, but it happens...

What lucky breaks did we get?

[amer]

I'm still in shock here. That is the worst non-call of the series so far. Rudi has to go, he's killing these contests.

[Belnakor]

Johnson's LBW when he was batting was going over the stumps, not clipping the bails. It was over by 4 inches according to hawkeye

[Belnakor]

What lucky breaks did we get?

katich had a 50/50 one go with us

[Mundy]

Yeah it was a shit decison, but how good was the set up. Saw it coming an over before hand and he will pick up Bell before he reaches 50 anyway.

Just keeps pushing him back and then fires in the inswinger fuller and with an extra yard.

[mattymac]

bit too early to say, but i reckon johnson might be back on the up. those poms couldn't run off quick enough

[Belnakor]

Johnno's arm looks to be coming through a good 10 degrees higher up this test. He keeps bowling like this he'll get wickets no problems.

[hogman]

the best thing about those pommy wooses taking the light is that it will break their concentration:D

[Dagless]

What lucky breaks did we get? Obviously no where near as lucky as that, but there were a few 50/50-60/40 LB shouts in the first that went the Aussies way. IIRC one or 2 were against Clarke? Belkanor's Katich one. Not terrible decisions either way (Just like Johnson's wasn't a terrible decision live), they just happen. The Bell plumb wasn't a 'just happen' situation, but again, that wasn't my point.