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Chuk never knew when he was going to hit the pitch let alone which way it would turn.


Got the arthritis in the fingers to prove it.

Just watched Agar bowl for the first time. Thought he was a chinaman but looks like he bowls orthodox left arm offies so no wrong-un in the mix...does he have the doosra up his sleeve?

I know it's hindsight, but that's why I am so pleased Lehmann is the coach.....the guy does these far right selections because he has a feel for the game.....Arthur wouldn't of had the balls to pick Agar......Lehmann did and the kid showed his all round ability......time for the 'senior' guys to step up and back this kids efforts AND Hughes as well and get this game won.....

get these guys out for about 220 - 250....can't see us confidently chasing more than 200 on this wicket.....Cook and Petersien the key....early wickets.....would love for Agar to snaffle a 5 for here too!!!.....

....thanks to Beer for getting injured late last year.....if he hadn't, Agar would be watching all this on his sofa at home!.....amazing to think that!

The highest 4th innings to win at this ground is 283. Batting will get harder as the pitch drys. The forecast I heard for tomorrow up to 28 degrees.early tomorrow when it is fresh if the Aussies can take some wickets they are right in it. But if cook and kp get through the morning and bat on it is game over.

Well done to Agar, was absolute gold to watch. Also Smith and Hughes well done to you both.

I think Lehman was counting on that record breaking, I know it was Agar's debut, but if you have seen him bat ayou know that he is a far better batsmen than our other bowlers. Just lucky Hughes stuck in till the end with him, would have been a shame seeinf Agar playing well with Starc or Pattinson at the other end. Definately needs to be moved up the order.

Couple of early wickets tonight and then the game is definately in the aussies hands, would be only ours to lose. Which, going on our top order batsmen, is quite easy to do.

Yep first session tonight will set the course of the match. If we can get 3 or 4 wickets in the first two hours we will be in this game up to our necks. Alternatively if KP and Cook bat through the session we are looking down the barrel. Cook could bat for a day and a half if we let him settle. Full out attack first thing today!

Fridays play demonstrated quite clearly that England are a vastly superior side to Australia at the moment. They fought their way through a very difficult match situation by putting together a series of partnerships that has gradually batted Australia out of the game. All the Aussie bowlers tried hard, but there was noone who looked like taking the game by the scruff of the neck and getting 2 or 3 wickets in a hurry. Even Siddle didn't seem to have much energy. England could probably declare now and win the game, but I would say they would be eyeing off a 350 lead which will give them plenty of runs to play with. The roles are reversed in these ashes contests now in that in the 90's and most of the 2000's, England could compete with Australia for a session or maybe even a day but you just knew they would fall away in the end, now its the complete opposite.

Brickbat of the day goes to Clarke and Haddin for that ludicrous LBW referral, which even to the naked eye was sliding down the leg side. Even the bowler didn't look that interested and this stupidity cost them 2 wickets later in the day which could have been overturned if they had a referral left.

I hear what you are saying mike in regards to Clarke's silly decision to refer the LBW appeal against Bell but you have not mentioned probably the poorest non decision at a crucial time of a Ashes Test Series in the history of Cricket.
How on earth could Aleem Dar not see that most blatant edge from Broad's bat?
Time for Dar to give away his job as a well paid, well travelled hat rack because that is all he is useful for in all Australian's eyes!

Fair enough BH, but the DRS was introduced for exactly that sort of Howler. If Clarke hadn't frittered away his referrals on appeals that he thought might be out or worth a try, he could have referred that and the decision would have been overturned.

the aussies chasing anymore than 200 will be a struggle. we have a bad track record of chasing down totals, even when we had the best side in the world.