Well in Cooky

Great comeback at Fortress Gabba and although we got a draw that's really turned the heat up on Ponting and co.

Anyone think we can smash them in the 2nd test? Imo you just don't know whats gonna happen in any ashes test but I wouldn't be suprised if we take them to the cleaners. I've got a lot of confidence that we will retain the Ashes!

Wow, stunning effort from cook, Strauss , trott.


Moral victory and puts down a marker.

Great effort on Sunday & Monday. I was expecting a seconds innings of something like 180 all out, so to save the game, and apply a bit of pressure on the aussies was good.

Draw stops us all getting over-hyped, or over depressed too

Now do you believe me?

I seem to remember a certain Mr Hetherington coining the phrase "believe...." maybe we should???

It would have put down more of a marker if we'd just kept batting for the rest of the afternoon until Ponting waved the white flag and agreed a draw.

All that was achieved by the declaration was giving Punter time on a flat pitch to rediscover some form.

Important for England now to win the toss in Adelaide and bat first, two days in the field then a short turnaround will have taken something out of their quick bowlers.

I must admit I was atad surprised at the timing of the declaration.
I thought we'd bat on for another dozen or so overs until there were only 30 overs left & then declare.
Nevertheless a stunning performance by Cook, well supported by Strauss & Trott.

This is the kind of trivia question I like.

I don't know the answer but I know one which was almost as good, at Edgbaston in 1985. The Aussies had batted two and a bit rain affected days and made 300 odd, England wanted to force the win. Gooch went early then Gower came in and got a massive partnership with Tim Robinson. Gower got a double century, probably his best ever innings. I remember seeing an interview with Allan Border afterwards where he said Gower on that day was impossible to set a field to because he was in such a zone, even the good balls were going for four as well as the bad ones, wherever Border put the fielders, Gower just hit good length balls on the up, stroking them into the gaps for four with pure timing. One of the most glorious ever batting displays from an Englishman. When Robinson was out, Gatting came in and got a hundred, England were pumping it around at a one day scoring rate, the sun was shining and the England fans were like a football crowd revelling in the runs. Then Botham came in with no helmet against a snarling Craig McDermott....put McDermott miles into the stand back over his head for a six first ball....put him even further into the stand second ball....England fans went ape shining shet. We declared, Botham and Ellison skittled the Aussies in a couple of sessions and England won the Ashes. Great days.

Anyone play Stick Cricket? Theres some new challenge mode things. www.sticksports.com/play/stick-c ... dominator/ First one is get a 100 with Boycott. I just got 97 and was caught. G.U.T.T.E.D.

Anyone play Stick Cricket? Theres some new challenge mode things. www.sticksports.com/play/stick-c ... dominator/ First one is get a 100 with Boycott. I just got 97 and was caught. G.U.T.T.E.D.