1st Test England vs Australia

[rod_rooster]

Aussies just in front after the first session. Pieterson is the big wicket. If we get him early this session we are likely to rip through the rest of their rubbish order. Prior batting at 6 in Test cricket is insulting. He is crap. Wow, he has made a few runs against attacks that i'd be comfortable facing. That's really impressive

[Adelaide Hawk]

Aussies just in front after the first session. Pieterson is the big wicket. If we get him early this session we are likely to rip through the rest of their rubbish order. Prior batting at 6 in Test cricket is insulting. He is crap. Wow, he has made a few runs against attacks that i'd be comfortable facing. That's really impressive

Yeah, I was wondering about that. Flintoff batting behind him, does that mean Flintoff is out of form with the bat?

[The Cadet]

Aussies just in front after the first session. Pieterson is the big wicket. If we get him early this session we are likely to rip through the rest of their rubbish order. Prior batting at 6 in Test cricket is insulting. He is crap. Wow, he has made a few runs against attacks that i'd be comfortable facing. That's really impressive

Prior not a number 6 but with Flintoff, Broad and Swann Probably have 4 number eights, they would be hoping one of them can get going each test. Its a stronger batting line up than they had in 2005.

[JK]

So in your opinions, who takes 1st session honours lads?

That depends on what happens in the 2nd session. I know, that's sitting on the fence, but we need another 3 poles in the 2nd session to be on top.

One thing about Pietersen. He's a traditionally poor starter, so Ponting needs to get the field up and not allow him to take those quick singles to get his confidence up. If we can pick him up early after lunch, Aussies are in good shape.

Is Punter aggressive enough as a skipper (has he ever been?) by comparison with the Captains he played under?

[Adelaide Hawk]

So in your opinions, who takes 1st session honours lads?

That depends on what happens in the 2nd session. I know, that's sitting on the fence, but we need another 3 poles in the 2nd session to be on top.

One thing about Pietersen. He's a traditionally poor starter, so Ponting needs to get the field up and not allow him to take those quick singles to get his confidence up. If we can pick him up early after lunch, Aussies are in good shape.

Is Punter aggressive enough as a skipper (has he ever been?) by comparison with the Captains he played under?

Possibly not, but then again he isn't blessed with the quality of attack other captains have. It's easy to be an aggressive captain when you've got McGrath and Warne, or Lillee and Thomson bowling for you. He doesn't tick every box IMHO, but he does a pretty good job.

[rod_rooster]

Aussies just in front after the first session. Pieterson is the big wicket. If we get him early this session we are likely to rip through the rest of their rubbish order. Prior batting at 6 in Test cricket is insulting. He is crap. Wow, he has made a few runs against attacks that i'd be comfortable facing. That's really impressive

Yeah, I was wondering about that. Flintoff batting behind him, does that mean Flintoff is out of form with the bat?

Nah, it means the Poms realise Flintoff is at best a "handy" batsman. He is no Test match player with the bat although neither is Prior. Both are just okay and that is not good enough in Test cricket. The Poms will come undone if they think Prior can bat at 6 and they can get away with it.

[MatteeG]

Hauritz on. This should take the pressure off Engerland.

[Pup]

Aussies just in front after the first session. Pieterson is the big wicket. If we get him early this session we are likely to rip through the rest of their rubbish order. Prior batting at 6 in Test cricket is insulting. He is crap. Wow, he has made a few runs against attacks that i'd be comfortable facing. That's really impressive

Yeah, I was wondering about that. Flintoff batting behind him, does that mean Flintoff is out of form with the bat?

Nah, it means the Poms realise Flintoff is at best a "handy" batsman. He is no Test match player with the bat although neither is Prior. Both are just okay and that is not good enough in Test cricket. The Poms will come undone if they think Prior can bat at 6 and they can get away with it.

Very similar to some people thinking Johnson could be a number 7 and Haddin a number 6.

As for Bopara, he had an excellent start to his career against some pretty mediocre attacks, It is pretty obvious that Ian Bell is a far superior player IMO. Get him back in the side.

Was really really surprised Clark did not play and i think the selectors took a huge gamble playing Hauritz and one that i think was a wrong one but time will tell.

Need to get KP soon.

[dedja]

i think the selectors took a huge gamble playing Hauritz and one that i think was a wrong one but time will tell.

Nah, it was just plain stupid ... couldn't he have just missed the plane over like the first time he was selected.

[RoosterMarty]

Has anyone picked up a copy of 'The Future of Cricket'?

[wycbloods]

Aussies just in front after the first session. Pieterson is the big wicket. If we get him early this session we are likely to rip through the rest of their rubbish order. Prior batting at 6 in Test cricket is insulting. He is crap. Wow, he has made a few runs against attacks that i'd be comfortable facing. That's really impressive

Yeah, I was wondering about that. Flintoff batting behind him, does that mean Flintoff is out of form with the bat?

Nah, it means the Poms realise Flintoff is at best a "handy" batsman. He is no Test match player with the bat although neither is Prior. Both are just okay and that is not good enough in Test cricket. The Poms will come undone if they think Prior can bat at 6 and they can get away with it.

Agreed RR i think that they rate Swann and Broads batting enough to have two number sevens in Prior and Flintoff. I don't think it is going to serve them too well. The same reason we shouldn't have Haddin and Johnson 6 and 7 IMO.

[wycbloods]

Aussies just in front after the first session. Pieterson is the big wicket. If we get him early this session we are likely to rip through the rest of their rubbish order. Prior batting at 6 in Test cricket is insulting. He is crap. Wow, he has made a few runs against attacks that i'd be comfortable facing. That's really impressive

Yeah, I was wondering about that. Flintoff batting behind him, does that mean Flintoff is out of form with the bat?

Nah, it means the Poms realise Flintoff is at best a "handy" batsman. He is no Test match player with the bat although neither is Prior. Both are just okay and that is not good enough in Test cricket. The Poms will come undone if they think Prior can bat at 6 and they can get away with it.

Very similar to some people thinking Johnson could be a number 7 and Haddin a number 6.

As for Bopara, he had an excellent start to his career against some pretty mediocre attacks, It is pretty obvious that Ian Bell is a far superior player IMO. Get him back in the side.

Was really really surprised Clark did not play and i think the selectors took a huge gamble playing Hauritz and one that i think was a wrong one but time will tell.

Need to get KP soon.

Judging by the pitch they had to play Hauritz he is turning it on day 1.

[Adelaide Hawk]

I agree that had to play Hauritz. Not sure he should be bowling right now though. England are suddenly looking comfortable and the Test could be getting away from us as we speak.

Collingwood in particular was looking rather shaky prior to lunch against the pace attack.

[RustyCage]

Need a wicket very soon, these two are looking comfortable.

[rod_rooster]

Aussies just in front after the first session. Pieterson is the big wicket. If we get him early this session we are likely to rip through the rest of their rubbish order. Prior batting at 6 in Test cricket is insulting. He is crap. Wow, he has made a few runs against attacks that i'd be comfortable facing. That's really impressive

Yeah, I was wondering about that. Flintoff batting behind him, does that mean Flintoff is out of form with the bat?

Nah, it means the Poms realise Flintoff is at best a "handy" batsman. He is no Test match player with the bat although neither is Prior. Both are just okay and that is not good enough in Test cricket. The Poms will come undone if they think Prior can bat at 6 and they can get away with it.

Very similar to some people thinking Johnson could be a number 7 and Haddin a number 6.

As for Bopara, he had an excellent start to his career against some pretty mediocre attacks, It is pretty obvious that Ian Bell is a far superior player IMO. Get him back in the side.

Was really really surprised Clark did not play and i think the selectors took a huge gamble playing Hauritz and one that i think was a wrong one but time will tell.

Need to get KP soon.

Completely agree with the Haddin and Johnson point. They are a 7 and an 8. Everything else is spot on too. Ian Bell is so far ahead of Bopara it's not funny. I am very happy they are playing Bopara because it makes it easier for Australia.

[wycbloods]

Bopara is carp he doesn't move his feet until he reaches 50 and i don't think we will let him get to 50.

[wycbloods]

KP looks as though he has hurt his Achilles again slightly or it is just giving him some discomfort atm. Hopefully he loses his head here .

[RustyCage]

KP looks as though he has hurt his Achilles again slightly or it is just giving him some discomfort atm. Hopefully he loses his head here .

Hopefully he loses his achilles! Averages 55.56 against Australia, in 21 innings

[Adelaide Hawk]

I never thought I'd see the day when Nathan Hauritz and Michael Clarke would be bowling in tandem in the 2nd session of the 1st day in a Test match. We are just handing this Test to England.

[dedja]

That's why I'm watching more of Le Tour than the Test at the moment