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ooollllrrrrrry2 wrote: Was that Mark Greatbatch (nickname scones) leading the charge?

Indeed it was - Tuesday, 28 November 1989.

I remember it well, because I was there in the PriceWaterhouse corporate box, in the lofty heights of the Prindiville Stand, smooging up to the the captains of WA industry........... somebody had to do it!!

What an utterly boring day ........ only made bearable by the free piss and good food, plus some very, very gritty batting by Greatbatch (146no/off 485 balls), Jeff Crowe (49/115 balls) and Martin Snedden (33/142 balls) against a reasonable Oz attack - Alderman/Lawson/Rackeman/Hughes/Moody.

oool: thanks for reminding me about Greatbatch, another one whom batted forever and saved a game. I think the one I am referring to happened around 2001? I don't think they batted for six hours but it was close. It was Astle and Parore whom did the damage.

Getting back to the current game, England looked a broken side today, they just didn't have a clue how to dislodge Smith and Mitch finally played an innings worthy of his undoubted potential as a batsman. Englands assistant coach pretty much admitted defeat tonight when he stated that their bowlers just didn't have the ability to take 20 opposition wickets on Australian pitches. Even if the weather rescues England in this test and they scrape out with a draw,it is really hard to see them lifting themselves enough in the Boxing day test to keep the series alive. As for Smith his only worry will be the weather tommorow and on Monday. He would be hoping that most of the 20mm of rain forecast will fall on sunday night, so the disruption during the day is minimised. Ideally they would like to add another hundred or so quickly tomorrow and then they shouldnt have to bat again in the match.

mikeh: the point I was making in comparison with other test matches at the WACA was that such dominance of the bat over the ball has been common throughout the years. Astle and Parore batted against Lee Mcgrath Gellespie and Warne.

England don't have those bowllers, not even a Simon Jones, so what happenend today was perfectly understandable. Dependding on the weather, Smith should go for the Anglo-Australian record held by Sir Len Hutton, 364.

Having said all that, Smith is the difference between the teams. Or, put another way, Root's failure to match him has been costly. The Marsh borthers have helpped Smith out with storng efforts from the bowllers. Well done to Lyon for getting Malan when he was set.

You are correct AR. 14 wickets for 952 runs at an average per wicket of 68 speaks for itself. Even without much weather intervention, England should be able to draw the match comfortably.Scoreboard pressure may be the only factor.
Don't know if anyone has mentioned where South Africa chased down over 400 to win a test at the WACA about 10 years ago. More evidence of the placid nature of the WACA in more recent times.
I'm sure the Englishmen will be glad to see the end of test matches at the WACA though. They couldnt possibly go any worse at the new stadium.

mikeh: thanks for the good post. I do re-call that match against the S., Africans, a great achievement by them to make the runs, but at the same time I felt a bit for Ponting, as he set the game up only to see it slip away. I think the Aussie bowllers will get the home side over the line in this match, which, most certainly would be a victory well deserved.

I support Payne, but he was lucky today Anch -- his captain made him look good with that re-bound catch.

Aussies need about 40 overs I reckon to finish this game. Once they break the Malan/Bairstow partnership there isnt much behind that and the cracks on the wicket are quite bad. Englands best hope is for it to rain till tea time at least.
What a ball from Starc to dismiss Vince today. Completely unplayable.

Has the series just turned again? Rain getting on the pitch means the game may not go on today, and Starc looks like missing the next couple of tests with a bruised heel......Could the weather save the poms today and then can the poms win the last 2 games to go out 2 all?