England Vs Australia Third Test

[Brodlach]

If these two can survive the first hour and then Barney Warner comes in and slaps a 50 with an agressive wagging tail we could be in a near unbeatable position by tea on day 2. Not necessarily where we win but at least 500-600 would have the pommy bastards playing for a draw which traditionally they are very poor at.

Lets smash these a$$holes

The way Swann was getting the ball to grip on occasions last night as well has me a little excited that Lyon and Smith could do some damage especially in the 4th innings!

Reckon Warner might bowl some of his leggies too

[Footy Smart]

Give the bloke some credit

I'm happy for him and hope he kicks on, my point is he is no blonde Don!

For sure, but he is now more than deserving of his spot in the side. If he hadnt of been gifted a game initially in his career alot of his haters would love him. brings some x factor to the side which i like and think we need

[Johno6]

Smith has silenced this critic.

kudos smith, kudos.

[stampy]

so what sorta total will we be happy with?, 300+ would have been seen as a pass but now i rkn 450ish is the go

[Phantom Gossiper]

so what sorta total will we be happy with?, 300+ would have been seen as a pass but now i rkn 450ish is the go

500+ - no less than 450 I think.

[Smashed Crab]

so what sorta total will we be happy with?, 300+ would have been seen as a pass but now i rkn 450ish is the go

500+ - no less than 450 I think.

If we can make 3/300 in a day, geez I'm not looking forward to watching Cook, Root, Trott and Bell bat 2+ days. Unless something magical happens I can't see us bowling the poms out.

[Ron Burgundy]

Don't think the Poms batting has been that good though. They all have weaknesses, just gotta exploit them.

[Phantom Gossiper]

If we can make 3/300 in a day, geez I'm not looking forward to watching Cook, Root, Trott and Bell bat 2+ days. Unless something magical happens I can't see us bowling the poms out.

Good controlled aggression from Rogers & Clarke to thank for that.

Amazing to think we are all pumped about 300 in a day, only a few years ago that was the norm plus some

[jackpot jim]

Oh smithy smithy!!!!!!

The blonde don Aussies number 5 for the next 10 years!!

Did you actually watch him bat?
Popped one up just wide of the hand of short leg on 0
Edge just wide of leg slip on 1
Survived an LBW review on 1
Survived an LBW on 1 i think is was as well?
Survived a caught behind review

He survived them because he wasn't out lol.

For the first time in ages an Aussie batsmen ground out a score despite not smashing the ball to all parts of the ground

Was PLUMB LBW when 25 - 30 odd? but England had no reviews left.
Thats the way cricket goes so good luck to him but i'd be shocked if he becomes a consistent top 6 batsman and averages over 40 which is the minimum required as a top order batsman.

[RustyCage]

I'd rather a scratchy, possibly lucky 70* than a brilliant looking 50.

[wristwatcher]

I'd rather a scratchy, possibly lucky 70* than a brilliant looking 50.

It certainly will be his greatest ever innings if he nicks, edges and flukes his way to a ton. I reckon people are a bit hard on the lad.

I predict with his confidence on the grow big time he will either pull of a absolute blinding catch in the field or manufacture an unlikely run out.

[The Dark Knight]

Smith has silenced this critic.

kudos smith, kudos.

Yep, agreed. When Smith came on to the scene a few years ago I didn't rate him at all but more and more I'm starting to like him as a cricketer and I want him in our test side. Along with his natural talent, he's showed some real balls which I think other players have struggled to do in recent times and it appears the more test match cricket he plays the better he is getting, seems to rise to the occasion and isn't afraid to take the opposition on if we're on the back foot, as shown in the first test.

I'm looking forward to watching him bat tonight and I hope I haven't put the mockers on him too much.

[daysofourlives]

Smith has silenced this critic.

kudos smith, kudos.

Yep, agreed. When Smith came on to the scene a few years ago I didn't rate him at all but more and more I'm starting to like him as a cricketer and I want him in our test side. Along with his natural talent, he's showed some real balls which I think other players have struggled to do in recent times and it appears the more test match cricket he plays the better he is getting, seems to rise to the occasion and isn't afraid to take the opposition on if we're on the back foot, as shown in the first test.

I'm looking forward to watching him bat tonight and I hope I haven't put the mockers on him too much.

And to think he wasnt in the best 16 cricketers when squad was picked, selectors are just guessing

[Zelezny Chucks]

Pretty grey and miserable weather here in London today so not sure what it will be like up in Manchester. Forecast doesn't look good for a result though.

Shame the Ashes might be decided by the weather.

[the joker]

Showers at old trafford now and the covers are on. But sunny day is forecast

[wristwatcher]

Watching the replay as I went to bed at drinks, damn work.... The English cricket teams reaction to Smith being not given out was very poor. I assumed their mate the 3rd umpire would have sent him packing but alas you pack of pricks it wasn't to be. I can't wait to let these FONCs have it on December 5th after a 4 hours drink package in the members. They keep fueling the fire of hate

[Brodlach]

Jim Maxwell just tweeted that it is raining in Manchester and the covers are on.

[Gozu]

Smith has silenced this critic.

kudos smith, kudos.

Yep, agreed. When Smith came on to the scene a few years ago I didn't rate him at all but more and more I'm starting to like him as a cricketer and I want him in our test side. Along with his natural talent, he's showed some real balls which I think other players have struggled to do in recent times and it appears the more test match cricket he plays the better he is getting, seems to rise to the occasion and isn't afraid to take the opposition on if we're on the back foot, as shown in the first test.

I'm looking forward to watching him bat tonight and I hope I haven't put the mockers on him too much.

Sums me up too.

[Gozu]

Good to hear CA put in an official complaint about the umpiring on Day 1.

[Brodlach]

Play starts on time, looks nice and sunny