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[Twelfth Man]

Cook can keep batting how he is if he's going to stay there all day! Trott look in pretty good knick, not a bad strike rate.

[Twelfth Man]

... I'm so sorry ever other England fan out there. I will stay quiet in future *hangs head in shame* 

[The_Bird]

... I'm so sorry ever other England fan out there. I will stay quiet in future *hangs head in shame* 

The important thing is that you recognise the error and learn from it.

 

[Vic Nicholas]

The pitch has looked totally docile today.

No pace and very little bounce.

[uknsaunders]

The pitch has looked totally docile today.

No pace and very little bounce.

seems to have quickened up, the bouncers are coming through now. Also looks like some lateral movement, most likely because the old ball is retaining it's shine. Certainly slow and Lyon got some bounce. No idea what a par score is on this, could be as little as 250-300 (ie. tough to score on, never in with the ball just nibbling around) or 400-450 (pretty flat dry and difficult to get nicks due to the slowness). Do know I'd rather being in Australia's position at the moment.

[procricket]

I guess I'm the only one finding this a tad boring.

Poor series so far and continuing in the same vain.

England scoring rate is poor and has been for a long time.

Sorry but if i was new to cricket and watching this it wouldn't captivate me.

It not engrossing either yes it a tad slow but we have been average for the majority of the ashes to be honest.

[Bulldog Cricket]

I'm with you Dave.

[procricket]

I just can't say i like watching England bat.

As a big football fan and this season a season ticket holder i like winning but in truth i prefer entertainment.

I'm a nudger and nerdler but this is poor poor cricket

[ppccopener]

the 1st test was fabulous, aussie swould of won the 3rd if not for the rain

i never thought the australians were as bad as made out,these 5 nil predictions were way off the mark.

England....not massively impressed I have to say and yes it's slightly boring cricket

i'm staggered we did not make any changes for this match.if Onions don't play here he's not playing anywhere

[procricket]

England are no where near what they think they are still not convinced about 4 of the players currently including Yorkshire 2 favourite sons

[Vic Nicholas]

I wouldn't be so quick to judge.

The pitch is unusual in that it looks docile and thus *in theory* should be easy to score on.

However, sometimes when you get a dead track with little bounce and the ball just doesn't come onto the bat, it is really damned hard to score.

The only point I would agree with you all is that for a first time potential fan, the play has to be entertaining more than engrossing. Now given that England hold an unassailable lead in the series, you would think it behoves them to keep the game moving with positive intent. Only Pieterson looked to attack and get the game going. It could be argued that Bell tried to do the same, he just miscued.

If I was really cynical, I would think that England have been playing for a draw from about lunch time. Of course that is not the case, but it has been a very slow days play.

Anyways, it is always unwise to judge what a pitch is like until both teams have batted.

[Twelfth Man]

I just don't think Bairstow is ready for Test cricket... still. I would have played Onions instead of Bresnan as well personally.

[procricket]

It boring i'm afraid i suspect Australia will score much quicker as they normally do.

The key to Australia great sides is score at 4 and of course take 20 wickets

[Bez013]

I've been on the beach for most of the day so just catching up on the goings on, wish I'd stayed there in blissful ignorance.

England appear to be batting far too slowly and putting pressure on themselves and allowing Australia to just bowl with a tight field.  Either that or the pitch is a shocker......which isn't what people were saying at the start of the day.

[uknsaunders]

I wonder if the deck has died a bit. 93 mins between boundaries is a bit unusual and the new ball seems to have upped the run rate a little. Also notice one from Harris stay very low and Bird has got one to kick a little. Perhaps the deck is a bit too dry. Lyon get 4 wickets and going for 2 an over is certainly a collectors item. 214-9 isn't a position of power though!