The Ashes, Second Test Lord's

First topic message reminder :

Harris and Khwaja in.
Aus's bowling depth is so good that they can drop who was rated to be their top fast bowler without blinking an eyelid.

Agreed GSC.

Though if the Aussies were to fall short, I wouldn't enforce it.

Clarke vs Swann is such a good little duel isn't it?

One of Swann's best spells for England was last time at the MCG where he bowled 15 odd overs at Clarke without giving anything away, before finally getting him caught in the gully with one from around the wicket which went straight on.

Clarke playing quite well...still work to do for the bowlers. Pitch is good , and plenty of batting to come.

That was odd.  I turned on the car radio and heard a couple of aussies talking about aussie comfortable getting runs.. I then heard the score.

I think they were having a moment.

this is similar to engs innings now.  could go either way.

 
Clarke one of the best players of spin in the world so they could well still get ahead in this one.

Michael Clarke was 9/2 to be Australia's best Batsman first innings, and 10/1 for man of the match... Feeling like Im in for another big haul!!

is that ball just wobbling in a little bit, hint of reverse swing? might be worth getting Jimmy back on for a few overs to see if he can work his magic again...

Looks like Clarke is going to try and attack the England bowling, protecting Smith and just letting him pick up runs as and when he can.

Think we should probably try and get after Smith. If "Pup" is in the mood our bowlers will have a hard time against him.

To be man of the match, Australia have to win. Though if they do, its probably because Clarke made a triple century

How many DRSs have been used by each side this innings?
And how many successful ones?

Every single one of Michael Clarke's double Tons have come with Australia under the cosh. Come on Clarkus, make daddy some money!!!

you're a very young daddy!!  don't be in such a rush for it dude!

Clarke seems settled into his work now. Can't see him failing to bat England out of this game, Lara getting worried.

we shall see.  he's good but he can make mistakes.

Good wicket that and a big marker.

Swann telling Smith "yes indeed, this is a good wicket for us spinners".

 and there is the other challenge for Clarke.. he has to ensure he doesn't get put off if wickets fall and lose his control.

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WHAT A CATCH BY IAN BELL!!!!!!!!

Swann best spinner in the world? I think so!

Might be worth giving Jimmy a go at Clarke. Haddin should be able to stick around.

Smith gone - going after a tricky one from Swann!

Caught by Bell for just 2 and Aus in real trouble now on 86-5.

gone! superb from Swann, finding some extra bounce, and a lovely snag by Bell at short leg.

Trebell - I assure you I am not a father!! Though I do have a Godson...

GSC - You are not the first person to make some sort of Lara/Clarke comparison today. I must admit, once you get over the bleedingly obvious differences, (Ones right handed the other left) there are quite a few similarities, not least in batting style and Carrying a team on their shoulders

Haddin and Clarke is probably there last chance of a big partnership.

Two veterans at the crease for Aus now in Clarke and Haddin. Surely one of these two (or both) will make big scores?

if they can do for Haddin I think young Agar'm'lad would find this a tricky one.

 

though Sky are saying that Aussie have come to attack like Clarke is doing so Agar might love it.

10-0  

dyrewolfe wrote:Two veterans at the crease for Aus now in Clarke and Haddin. Surely one of these two (or both) will make big scores?

 They could wolfster but England can bowl and there is something out there so we shall see.

Go away for a few minutes and another wicket falls ! Was a pretty good catch by Bell , I gather ?

And there goes the big one... 

CLARKE GONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a yorker from Broad!!!!!

NA NA NA
NA NA NA
HEY HEY HEY

GOODBYE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GET IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Who said anything less than 400 was below par?

oh the great man is gone.

God Nas is psychic.  He just said "as good as he is, when you start losing it can get to you as a player and Captain".

and do we have the Agar Haddin team back on now?

Agar will love this though, the kids seems to relish a challenge and has been told to attack.  But I back England to treat him like a batsman now.

Good bowling Broad...stone dead .

Just that pesky waggy tail now...

Azzy Mahmood wrote:GET IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Who said anything less than 400 was below par?

 Vaughn , Tom Fordyce (who? indeed), McGrath, Stewart.

I did say we couldn't be sure until you both bat.   Had faith in our boys and still do.

THE BROAD APPEAL STRIKES AGAIN

:'( My money!!

OMG! Broad gets Clarke lbw for 28 and Australia reeling at 91-6.

This could be the decisive match-winning wicket for England.

England's 361 now looking a very good score.

kingraf wrote:Michael Clarke was 9/2 to be Australia's best Batsman first innings, and 10/1 for man of the match... Feeling like Im in for another big haul!!

2 short Ouch

dyrewolfe wrote:OMG! Broad gets Clarke lbw for 28 and Australia reeling at 91-6.

This could be the decisive match-winning wicket for England.

England's 361 now looking a very good score.

I was just about to say '361 is even more impressive then' and say you'd changed it

I fancied broad would profit here.  Pace and Bounce.  Just had a feeling Anderson would not be the man today.

10-0 Aus are rubbish they can't bat.

I said England could bowl them out for under 200 yesterday and was mocked!
not too far off now.

70 more required to make the follow on target.

Though I still wouldnt enforce it.

England are desperately reliant on Anderson aren't they Glichrist/Dobell? Oh no wait...

Liver, they conflated him dominating at the place and conditions for him with him being the only that can take wickets.

A bit silly.

Azzy Mahmood wrote:

dyrewolfe wrote:OMG! Broad gets Clarke lbw for 28 and Australia reeling at 91-6.

This could be the decisive match-winning wicket for England.

England's 361 now looking a very good score.

I was just about to say '361 is even more impressive then' and say you'd changed it

Got carried away and hit the wrong key in my excitement!

trebellbobaggins wrote:Liver, they conflated him dominating at the place and conditions for him with him being the only that can take wickets.

A bit silly.

Nail on the head trebbs!

I would love Swanny to get a 5-for himself now. Come on lad!

Right, now England have got themselves into a dominant position.

If past matches are anything to go by we should see some sloppy bowling and comedy fielding, coupled with a desperate last-ditch attack by the Aussie batsmen, to miraculously turn this innings on its head.

Cripes! I think I'm turning into trebell...

If Carling did Afternoon Sessions, they'd probably be as terrible as Carling

Swann likes Lord's. Broad has had a couple of good hauls here too , so no surprise he has bowled well. Bresnan has been a good bonus.

Cook taking the opportunity to refrain from bowling Jimmy into the ground.

Still these non-rabbits to get out , so he may still have work to do ...

GSC wrote:If Carling did Afternoon Sessions, they'd probably be as terrible as Carling

 Hey its not as bad as Carlsberg!!!! Or Cores Light for that matter!

Agree with GSC I wouldn't enforce the follow on either (if we get the option). Pound them into the ground

Coors is American though so its automatically terrible. Being a light version it must be water.