I agree whoever wins the toss will bat, a brave decision would be to bowl first and exploit the first day pitch and then bat on days 2 & 3 when the pitch is at it's best but no captain would be the brave/stupid.

He was constantly injured for around 18 months and came back during the last Ashes series in England but never got back to his best, plus he is around 33/34 now so guess he has been fazed out. On the aussies wickets he was the epitomy of line and length.

Be interesting who the aussies pick for this one. Bollinger was unlucky to miss out last time, but the guy who got his place (Siddel) was their best bowler albeit very average (hat-trick aside). Can see Bollinger in for Johnson maybe, though i'm not sure who else they can bring in and with Clark, North, Johnson and Hilfenhous out of sorts i think they'll struggle again.

I just cannot see past an England series win.

I think Johnson will be dropped, the media want a scapegoat and are gunning for him right now. They have two choices, either Bollinger or Harris, Harris is the quicker bowler but I think Bollinger will get the nod as I think he would have played in the first test had he not been injured.

It's hard to say really, we are still prone to the odd collapse and the aussies have a huge fighting spirit, they were 143-5 remember and scored 481. I think it couild be a drawn series but either way think we will retain the Ashes.

The weather looks bad for Thursday, Friday and Monday.

Another draw.

could be one of those series. My money would be on a 1-0 either way

Mitch the bitch dropped

Told ya!! Good toss to lose maybe but we need a big score in our first inngs as batting last will be tough. Great effort today though!!

I take England to win 2-0.

Great effort by the English bowlers. We just need to see off a couple of new balls and we should be able to build a formidable first innings lead.

2nd test aus 245 all out eng 81-1 trail by 164 runs strauss out for 1 cook n/o for 29 trott n/o for 37 sorry no more updates, as i'm gonna bed lol news.bbc.co.uk/sport/hi/english/ ... recard.stm

2nd test aus 245 all out eng 81-1 trail by 164 runs strauss out for 1 cook n/o for 29 trott n/o for 37 sorry no more updates, as i'm gonna bed lol news.bbc.co.uk/sport/hi/english/ ... recard.stm

I know of a website thats showing the match if anyone is interested I'll pm / email you it.

How often does it happen that a player is massively out of form for a couple of years and then gets to an ashes series and hits back to back centuries?

Fantastic batting, Cook was outstanding and Trott was really positive too, great to have KP back in the runs too.

Can't believe how average Oz are right now. Then again, they've lost Gilchrist, Wawne, Mcgrath, Haden and Langer in the last few years. Most of that list is irreplacable.

Hopefully get up to the 600 mark and stick them in for an hour in morning.
Who was the last person to get back to back double centuries in Oz?

Not to mention Jason Gillespie and Brett Lee. Their bowling attack at the minute doesnt deserve to wear the same Aussie badge that a bowling attack of Warne, McGrath, Gillespie and Brett Lee wore.

Quote ="east hull FC fan"Hopefully get up to the 600 mark and stick them in for an hour in morning. Who was the last person to get back to back double centuries in Oz?'" Not sure if anyone has done it since 2003 when this site was created www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/ ... 24667.html

Quote ="east hull FC fan"Hopefully get up to the 600 mark and stick them in for an hour in morning. Who was the last person to get back to back double centuries in Oz?'" Not sure if anyone has done it since 2003 when this site was created www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/ ... 24667.html

Quote ="Big Dave T"Not sure if anyone has done it since 2003 when this site was created www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/ ... 24667.html'" and this is more recent www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/tms/2007/08/ ... 51_1.shtml

Quote ="Big Dave T"Not sure if anyone has done it since 2003 when this site was created www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/ ... 24667.html'" and this is more recent www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/tms/2007/08/ ... 51_1.shtml

Lets see what time I nod off watching it tonight

Ton up for KP

all top 4 batsmen have a ton against the aussies and its only the 1st innings of the second test

Bloody useless Cook

Obviously just wanted to let the middle order have a go.

Good to see him in the runs. Fingers crossed we bat for the 1st session of day 4 and really kick on. (scoring at 4 an over already)

Would be nice to see a declaration before lunch with a lead of over 400 and KP 300no.

I'd declare now, weather could be an issue.