Ashes

[Burf]

I hadn't said I thing you'll notice .....

[Burf]

Phew. Actually ... End of day 1 and it's game on. Wasn't looking like that at about 5pm tho ...

[dog rout 21]

Despite your best efforts!

Strange day, England seemed nervous and yet again play like **** in the 1st innings of the 1st game of a series.

[AD]

Personally I'd have chosen to bowl first, given that today started cloudy and was expected to remain that way and the rest of the time is meant to be clear.

[billythefish]

Personally I'd have chosen to bowl first, given that today started cloudy and was expected to remain that way and the rest of the time is meant to be clear.

I think it was a tight call but probably the correct one to bat. Trent Bridge tends to only really offer any help to spinners on the final day. The massive difference between the sides is a spinner. Swann is world class whilst the Aussies have very little in this department. Am guessing that the plan was to bat first and bring Swann into the game in the 4th innings. Percentage wise I think it was probably the best decision but we failed to bat out the first day.

[AD]

Good point, but given that their bowling strength is with their seam attack, why give them the day where conditions are expected to be favourable for seamers? I'd rather give an untested spinner good conditions than experienced and quite capable seamers.

We bowl firrst, use the conditions to aid our very good swing bowlers to get them out pretty quickly and come day two with expected conditions favourable for batting their seam attack is at a disadvantage without the cloud cover allowing them swing and the pitch isn't deteriorating enough for their inexperienced spinner to use, meaning extending bowling spells for the seamers in the heat and more time in the field. And when it comes to their second innings they feel the effects of that. Come the final day the pitch may be favouring spinners more, but with a less experienced spinner they're going to be less likely to be able to make the most of it.

It's very even at this stage but it will be interesting to see how they get on today, especially if Broad is still struggling.

[billythefish]

Looks like a decent decision at the minute

[slobbydan sillibic]

to ashes, fun to funky......
who`s a junkie ?

[plastic scouser]

This upstart agar is a pain in the arse tho ain't he... He is spoiling my Sun soaked dinner break.

[billythefish]

Fair play to him - 100 runs partnership for them and brought them right back into the game.

[dog rout 21]

Good little story that, it's those types of things I love about cricket, shame he didn't get the ton then get out but 98 is still unbelievable.

[billythefish]

Good little story that, it's those types of things I love about cricket, shame he didn't get the ton then get out but 98 is still unbelievable.

To be fair in a tight game little things like umpiring decisions going against you could be the difference. Dodgy decision not to give Agar out stumped but a really dreadfull decision to give Trott out. Obviously in SA the batsman doesnt get the benefit of doubt. It also shows the negative side of technology that one view was unavailable as it was still being used for the previous ball.

Still a great game of cricket and if Cook and Kp can get past the first hour we should still be favourites

[Timbo]

There have been some woeful third umpire decisions of late. Bells in the 20-20 final was baffling.

[dog rout 21]

You got lucky there Burf.