Print

[coady123]

am I the only one who thinks steve smith is underrated ? a very good attacking batsman , one of the best fielders there is and very useful with his leg spin

[the little ripper]

clarke still look's like he's using his favourite bat http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/image/657469.html?page=1

[Gerry SA]

A quite brilliant innings by Michael Clarke.

I thought his back injury had finished him off, but he was fantastic today.

Most importantly first Test hundred at 4, blowing away the mental block and proving to Pup that he can bat at 4.

[potzy248]

am I the only one who thinks steve smith is underrated ? a very good attacking batsman , one of the best fielders there is and very useful with his leg spin

I was a big hater of Smith before the Ashes. I think he has proved that he is a fighter and although his technique is unorthodox I have enjoyed watching him play. Cemented the middle order spot for a few years to come.

[coady123]

I was a big hater of Smith before the Ashes. I think he has proved that he is a fighter and although his technique is unorthodox I have enjoyed watching him play. Cemented the middle order spot for a few years to come.

hope so , really enjoy watching him play and I hope they bring pat Cummings and mitch Johnston in for the tests in AUS , give England something to think about

[Gerry SA]

Gotta say Phillip Hughes is desperately unlucky to miss out in this match.

He's been batting out of position, played well in Nottingham at 6. Shunted up to 4 at Lords and struggled. He should be opening. Watson should be axed.

[Gerry SA]

hope so , really enjoy watching him play and I hope they bring pat Cummings and mitch Johnston in for the tests in AUS , give England something to think about

Give Cummins some time, he's only played 7 first class matches. Let him get some overs under belt without getting injured

[Marc28]

Working nights is killing my joy of the ashes as when i wake up its a different story to when i go to sleep.

I thought England would have the Aussies at least 5-6-7 down maybe after the first day with being 120odd for 3,
But today seems to be the first day of proper cricket and yet again decisions take away from 3 top innings,
Clarke one of my Favourite batsman brilliant innings aside from a half chance to Belly has played awesomely,
Rogers always liked him when he played for Derbyshire and can as seen today score very freely and quickly
Smith impresses the longer he bats, that aside was out twice to Lbw's which i'll move onto was truly shocking

Kawaga, unlucky in every sense of the word,
Watson is it just me or is he getting worse and worse,

Decisions,
Always thought Erasmus was a poor umpire and today it showed in every way possible, he is truly a shocking umpire, if you don't know how to give a plum as plum can be lbw then i'm afraid you need to go back to school shocking decision on Smith,
Even worse decision for Kawaga have to feel real symapthy for him as he was let down by ALL THE UMPIRES in this match.

Seems a pity we have so far talked about decisions in all 3 tests rather then the excellant bowling and batting on display, hope today is just as good and we see some runs from the England top 4 as we will need them for sure.

[Twelfth Man]

I'm with you on that one mate.  Night shifts destroy Ashes fever. Clarke's batting well and we need to get him early on tomorrow, I think Smith's style of batting will always offer a chance at some point. I've never been the greatesr fan of Rogers but todays innings showed his ability to score at a higher rate against a good bowling attack. Swann's continuing to show why a good spinner can make all of the difference in a bowling attack. Get to watch some of it live tomorrow thank god, Saturday there's no chance with playing duties but will be able to catch some Sunday.

[Vic Nicholas]

Gotta say Phillip Hughes is desperately unlucky to miss out in this match.

He's been batting out of position, played well in Nottingham at 6. Shunted up to 4 at Lords and struggled. He should be opening. Watson should be axed.

He would do better than Watson opening.

Infact, Watson seems to be regressing fast.

No where near the batsman he was 2-3 years ago.

[Twelfth Man]

What would your Australia XI be?

[Marc28]

What would your Australia XI be?

My Aussie 11 would be at the moment

Rogers
Hughes
Kawaga
Clarke
Watson
Smith
Haddin
Siddle
Starc
Harris
Lyon

[Twelfth Man]

The question for me is will Australia stick with Rogers beyond this series or will they just say thanks very much and then turn back to a younger option?

[lukemannionzimbabwe]

Finally clarke has done something, hopefully this will rub off on the team

The question for me is willll Australia stick with Rogers beyond this series or will they just say thanks very much and then turn back to a younger option?

thats the thing, do you think theyd use him in 50/50 ?

[smokem]

The question for me is will Australia stick with Rogers beyond this series or will they just say thanks very much and then turn back to a younger option?

I think he needs to stay on. We still need experience, especially in at the top of the order, to see them through for another couple of years.