England Vs Australia Third Test

[Phantom Gossiper]

Did hear it was 30 overs that was lost at the end of the day?? That alone could be the difference! Comes back to my question.. how many overs will we get to bowl at them tonight if the weather is OK?

[Brodlach]

Should start 30 minutes early and 30 minutes late so 7 hours of play today.

[Aerie]

For what was building to be a great day's play, we saw the worst of cricket yesterday. England bordered on cheating with their slow over rate and bad light was called at a floodlit ground. Not to mention the amount of minutes wasted with DRS Reviews.

Clarke should have declared at Tea. It was known to everyone that we wouldn't get the full amount of overs in given the weather forecast. Had he declared at Tea, Australia would have lost 30 runs, but gained an hour at the Poms. The rain came down 30 minutes after bad light was called, but if Australia was bowling they could've bowled spin and play would have continued through the bad light.

Clarke has always been an aggressive captain, so this was surprising. Especially given Lehmann is coach as well, another aggressive cricket mind.

If Australia fall just short and England still have plenty of runs to chase by the close of today's play, Clarke's decision not to declare will go down with their DRS decisions as inexcusable factors in Australia's Ashes defeat.

Think your being a little harsh on Clarke there Aerie. Basically it's the 30 runs we were cheated out of by slow over rates in that middle session.

As frustrating as that is, nothing much could be done about it. The situation was still 297 in front at Tea and Clarke didn't need hindsight to know England weren't going to get a full 4 sessions to chase that many down. An hour wasted in my opinion.

Just looking at the weather forecast, it appears it won't matter anyway.

"Cloudy with rain persisting for much of the day, very heavy at times with a risk of thundery bursts and localised flooding. Towards evening the rain will ease and slowly clear eastwards, perhaps allowing some late brightness in the west."

How frustrating. Best Australia can do now is get a drawn series and take a moral victory back to Australia. At least there isn't long to wait to try and get these Ashes back.

[RustyCage]

If Australia was bowling they could've bowled spin and play would have continued through the bad light.

I read last night that's not an option anymore. With the decision being out of the players hands once the light gets to a level where umps deem it unsafe for the quicks to bowl, they have to go off

[Phantom Gossiper]

If Australia was bowling they could've bowled spin and play would have continued through the bad light.

I read last night that's not an option anymore. With the decision being out of the players hands once the light gets to a level where umps deem it unsafe for the quicks to bowl, they have to go off

How can you play with lights on most the day but then suddenly decide its too dark?? Time to look closer at day/night test matches or a ball that can be used under lights if it gets too dark???

[heater31]

If Australia was bowling they could've bowled spin and play would have continued through the bad light.

I read last night that's not an option anymore. With the decision being out of the players hands once the light gets to a level where umps deem it unsafe for the quicks to bowl, they have to go off

How can you play with lights on most the day but then suddenly decide its too dark?? Time to look closer at day/night test matches or a ball that can be used under lights if it gets too dark???

They are working on a solution to that problem......

Will be a day/night test match in Australia very soon.

[Aerie]

If Australia was bowling they could've bowled spin and play would have continued through the bad light.

I read last night that's not an option anymore. With the decision being out of the players hands once the light gets to a level where umps deem it unsafe for the quicks to bowl, they have to go off

Ok, yeah that makes sense. I was under the impression the umpires asked Cook if he would bowl spin and Cook said no way - which is fair enough. I'm sure if Australia were bowling last night Clarke would have said yes.

[Gozu]

That umpiring decision to walk off was woeful. If the joint didn't have any lights yeah okay but turn it up.

Cricket still being dragged kicking & screaming into the 21st century.

[beeroclock]

Umpires calling bad light- WTF?

Duty of care goes to the fielding so also not only the batting team.
Umpires call.
Was probably 4 or 5 times the Poms didn't pick up the ball in the outfield when the light was ok beforehand.

[RustyCage]

There is some doubt that a ball will even be bowled today. Series over.

[Phantom Gossiper]

There is some doubt that a ball will even be bowled today. Series over.

What time would this photo have been taken? Does look very dark and unfriendly.. and wet lol

[test]

Just saw a live cross to the ground on fox sports news, pouring down and doesn't look like stopping.

[RustyCage]

There is some doubt that a ball will even be bowled today. Series over.

What time would this photo have been taken? Does look very dark and unfriendly.. and wet lol

Was posted on twitter by the ABC about 5 minutes before I posted it

[the joker]

Don't think Australia will enforce the follow on anyway.

Correct ... bowlers need a rest.

They would've enforced it straight away.

[dedja]

Cook gone 1/0

[bulldog2004]

Nice review Watson............oh I mean Cook 1 for none

[Jim05]

You were plumb Cook, eff off

[dedja]

Missing leg ... missing off ... hitting middle

[dedja]

Poms looking shaky here ...

[Johno6]

Please let the rain hold off.

At least till I go to sleep