You're OT and you know you are...

pwllbwdr

So far I think it is Siddle's day.

Generali

pwllbwdr wrote: »

So far I think it is Siddle's day.

As they said over here, Siddle Vicious dominates at the Gabbatoir.

nomoreboomandbust

Good job Siddle was picked ahead of Doug the rug, I think if Johnson doesn't pull his finger out they should drop him for next test and bring in Bollinger.

Here he is au naturel

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.thepca.co.uk/assets/images/rankings/players/5594-doug-bollinger.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.thepca.co.uk/player-rankings-07.html%3Fid%3D5594&h=105&w=130&sz=25&tbnid=gkwHrU5Zvex3VM:&tbnh=74&tbnw=91&prev=/images%3Fq%3Ddoug%2Bbollinger&zoom=1&q=doug+bollinger&hl=en&usg=__HyCzHc02YNmpniVMxd-cuLRz4FA=&sa=X&ei=cUPuTKT6CtCXhQecvPmdDA&sqi=2&ved=0CDwQ9QEwBQ

Generali

225-1, England perhaps 250 ahead by lunch tomorrow. Aussie then to face 2 sessions on a bouncy pitch that is starting to crack up badly with one of the best spinners in world cricket to face too.

236/7 is the highest 4th innings winning score at the Gabba. Only 2 games have been won in the 4th innings with a score of above 200.

Game on!!!!!!

Close of play:

England 88 ahead with 9 wickets in hand. Mitchell is bowling like Harmlesson on a bad day and Xavier wouldn't get a bowl in a Chinese restaurant.

JonnyBravo

Game on for a draw. No way we'll get two sessions at 'em.

Generali

JonnyBravo wrote: »

Game on for a draw. No way we'll get two sessions at 'em.

35 overs @ 4 an over is a lead of 228. Then we've got 60 overs to knock them over.

I agree the draw is the favorite but you never know.

JonnyBravo

Generali wrote: »

35 overs @ 4 an over is a lead of 228. Then we've got 60 overs to knock them over.

I agree the draw is the favorite but you never know.

If you think we'd declare with a lead of only 200-250 with 60 overs left you've had too much sun today.
You make sure you can't lose before you try to win.

nomoreboomandbust

Strauss is an extremely cautious captain when it comes to declarations, the two tests in 2009 in the caribbean against the west indies bear testimony to that, setting them 502 to win in one of them and only needing one more wicket at the end. In some respects he had every reason for caution as they made 370 for 9 which is a great 4th innings total. When you have Chris Gayle on the other side you can understand the caution, he can tear you apart in a couple of hours. The point is that England were behind in the series and he should have gambled a bit more.

Yesterday the game was relatively safe for England once Strauss departed, why did he not throw Pietersen at no 3, I know he doesn't like that position but if anyone can get quick runs its him.

If Australia had Gilchrist in the side then I would be very cautious too, but the aussies haven't got anyone who can smash a quick 100 as well as he can, so I can't imagine declaring by lunch with a lead of say 220, he will want at least a cushion of 5 an over to chase.

Generali

JonnyBravo wrote: »

If you think we'd declare with a lead of only 200-250 with 60 overs left you've had too much sun today.
You make sure you can't lose before you try to win.

Who's talking about a declaration? 170 runs on the 5th day at the Gabba is pretty good going.

JonnyBravo

Generali wrote: »

Who's talking about a declaration? 170 runs on the 5th day at the Gabba is pretty good going.

Ah right.
Well yes, history says so. It's a pretty benign wicket though. 1 wicket on the fourth day to 19 wickets on the fifth?
I think not.