The third test thread

[Productivity]

Looks like the English shouldl have this test in the bag as well - our batting is attrocious.

[Efrem]

rumour has it we have good ballers though.

[King Arthur]

unless the rain comes to save you aussies ....

[King Edward]

How many time have the we the English been praying for Rain in the Ashes? now we are on top its bloody pissing it down!!! GAH!!!! we should still be able to win this though.....

[Efrem]

Obviously god hates you.

[sapi]

God or not, we will probably still lose...

[Mount Suribachi]

what a final day we're in for....can the aussies hold on? will they go for it, or will they try and bat the day out...? When was the last time they needed to bat all day to save a test match?

In other news Jason Gillespie bowls his last ball for Australia in Test Match Cricket - Stick a sausage in him, he's done. The first aussie of the Golden Generation (TM) to be forced into retirement, as opposed to retiring on top, in their own time. Given the way he's tormented us down the years it feels good to see him off.

Kasprowich looked ordinary in the last test, so it will be interesting to see who the aussies bring in for the last 2 tests - do they have any young pace bowlers coming through to replace Gillespie? (and McGrath in 2 or 3 years time)

C'mon England, one lionhearted effort is needed here! I fancy Simon Jones to make the difference in the afternoon session, getting the ball to reverse swing...

[Roark]

Australia have to break a couple of records this innings, in order to take this Test. The smart money's on Engerland.

This is the best Ashes series in living memory for me.

Stuart Clark (the young Blues player who may be getting promoted) is a damn fine bowler, but how does one replace McGrath? He has big shoes.

[Al Khalifah]

The smart money is on a draw now.

[English assassin]

Great series, 1-1 and the third match finely balanced (between a draw and and England win, really. In the old days even having to make a record score you couldn't write the Ozzies off but the batting this series has been fragile at best. Still, its not impossible someone will get his eye in and really fill his boots and then who knows.)

One thing the Ozzies lack (and England too for that matter) is a batsman who can truly turn a match. There are some bowlers who can (Warne, obviously, McGrath, usually, I think Harmison is there too). But if you think of the great batsmen of the past, say Viv Richards or Beefy from my memory, or of course Bradman for all time, until they were out you never, ever, could be sure they wouldn't bash out a quick 150 and turn the game.

I don't think either side has a single batsman close to that class today. Sure, they can get a big score on their day, but none of them have that sense of ever present danger.

[Mount Suribachi]

Oh man, what a finish!!

I'm exhausted!

Congrats to Ricky Ponting, he saved your canary yellow hides. Truly a captains innings.

But what a test match! In fact, what a series!

This is truly turning out to be an all time classic series, one for the ages. All the aussie players said they wanted a challenge, well I guess they got it.

Pape, you said you wanted an exciting series, I hope the last 2 matches have seen you right

9 days to draw breath now before Trent Bridge. Despite the aussie fightback, I still think England are the favourites, I actually think our top 6 are playing Warne pretty well now - if you look at his last 2 tests, most of his wickets have been the tail. Even Strauss, his "bunny", hit a century.

See you all next Thursday

[King Edward]

Maaaa!!! 3 whole overs to bowl McWalkingWicket and Brett Lee and we didnt do it!!! Harmisons last over was not the best, 2 waisted balls down leg, you have to make him play Harmi!!!! But what fantastic entertainment!

[tibilicus]

Best Series in a long time. It's actually been an enjoyment to watch.

[Roark]

White knuckle stuff.

You should be ashamed of yourselves for not getting McGrath out.

Awesome series so far.

[English assassin]

Fantastic match and series. Five day test cricket resumes its rightful place as the highest form of sport, and the Ashes as the highest form of Test cricket.

Fair play to Ponting, that was a magnificent and match saving knock, a true captain's innings as MS said.

Bring on Trent Bridge and, best of all, whatever happens there the final match at the Oval will still have meaning for the series. This is about the best Ashes I can remember.

[Revelation]

Unbelievable! How is the poms are at the top of the bucket now? All those years wallowing in the slops. It must feel good.
Looks like it's the Aussies turn to play the "L" on the forehead for a while. We're not going quite so well in the union atm either.....sigh...
AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE OI OI OI

[King Arthur]

my worry is that pieterson cannot catch......that boy better pull his weight .... he took the place of arguably the best batsmen England have had in a decade =Graham Thorpe
i know who i would rather have in my team

[Geoffrey S]

Pieterson needs to pull himself together, not just in the field but also take his time getting into a decent batting routine. Still, it's one hell of a series. I was avidly following the matches from Crete by newspaper (Daily Mail most of the while unfortunately).