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[awp]

Definately feeling the pressure.  Hes been quite feeble. 

[joeljonno]

Warner

I started writing this before he got out.

5 centuries, all at home, needs to prove it overseas. However, seems to have got rid of the 'slog himself out' that he used to have. When he wasn't scoring at 5 an over, he's start slogging, not anymore really.

Obviously he did today, but at 100+ and 300+ for 1 technically, you can allow him that.

It seems his talent is catching up with his mouth of previous.

If he keeps improving, and performs overseas, he "could" become as good as Hayden.

[mk_chappo]

All these Aussie players starting to lay to their potential. Worrying times for an England supporter! Another 20 years without the urn.

[Alvaro]

All these Aussie players starting to lay to their potential. Worrying times for an England supporter! Another 20 years without the urn.

Bit early to be drinking?

[awp]

All these Aussie players starting to lay to their potential. Worrying times for an England supporter! Another 20 years without the urn.

Definately getting results for the improvement, it has been coming since Lords.

War ers coming along nicely,  give him a chance to play overseas first!  I would like to see first innings centuries though.

 I wouldn't be too pesimistic as an england supporter.  It seems home country advantage is greater now.  In years gone by, the aussies played heaps of county cricket and were familiar in english conditions.  Similarly, a lot of english players played club cricket in australia.  With international schedules being what they are and with other commercial tournaments such as ipl, perhaps theres not the same opportunity anymore.  Perhaps batsmen arent as 'complete' as they once were but obviously excellent in home conditions?

[Alvaro]

And it was 18...

[joeljonno]

Looking at the quality and potential of the England batting, there is still a chance in this test match of it going into the fifth day.

[Manormanic]

Looking at the quality and potential of the England batting, there is still a chance in this test match of it going into the fifth day.

provided Clarke delays his declaration until, say, ten overs to the close you mean? 

[joeljonno]

provided Clarke delays his declaration until, say, ten overs to the close you mean? 

Well, he's unlikely to declare until just before lunch at the earliest, I think they can bat two and a bit sessions. I did say "in to" the fifth day, so doesn't have to be long into the fifth day.

However,I am confident it will be around lunch, early afternoon before the Aussies wrap it up.

I can see something special happening, like a batsman getting a ton, in a total of 300 all out.

[Giraffe208]

Currently watching the highlights and the first stumping miss was very poor.

Anyway, this whole series to date has been somewhat of a lesson. I will support the English boys to the bitter end but it's been a simple lesson of application. The Australians have applied themselves with both bat and ball. They have been far more disciplined and the results have not come as much of a surprise. It's a shame with all the good work Flower has put into the team that I believe he will step down after this series and take a well-earned break.

[ProCricketer1982]

Looking at the quality and potential of the England batting, there is still a chance in this test match of it going into the fifth day.

Only if he declares on stumps on day 5 !! Otherwise they will just collapse again

[awp]

Clarke always seems to declare earlier than expected.  Assuming a lead of 470 by lunch, that should be plenty? So im expecting a declaration 1/2 hour either side of lunch.  English top order is more than capable of batting well into day 5, but ive been saying that all series.  One main difference this series is thst england have been 4 out all out and they havrnt been able to get a partnership going between the big guns cook, kp, bell.  Whilst root has done ok at 3, and is a fine young player, by the time bell comes in, he gets left high and dry.  He needs to bat 3 in melbourne.

[ProCricketer1982]

Clarke always seems to declare earlier than expected.  Assuming a lead of 470 by lunch, that should be plenty? So im expecting a declaration 1/2 hour either side of lunch.  English top order is more than capable of batting well into day 5, but ive been saying that all series.  One main difference this series is thst england have been 4 out all out and they havrnt been able to get a partnership going between the big guns cook, kp, bell.  Whilst root has done ok at 3, and is a fine young player, by the time bell comes in, he gets left high and dry.  He needs to bat 3 in melbourne.

Nah sack it all off. Get rid of the old guard and play the youngsters. I'd rather loose like that than keep watching these muppets bat like village cricketers.

[smilley792]

England are poor, and the ashes are gone. Will we try something new and different in the next test? I hope so. But some how doubt it.

Root
Carberry
Bell
Pietersen
Cook
Ballance
Bairstow
Stokes
Bresnan
Mills
Panesar

I know people will say"why drop cook down" but I think a left/right opening combo will add something different.
Broads injured, so mills can be called up.
Bowlings probably light, but it's a decent top 9!

If they get hammered,then they'd have done just as well as the current lot!

[awp]

Nah sack it all off. Get rid of the old guard and play the youngsters. I'd rather loose like that than keep watching these muppets bat like village cricketers.

Dont jump off too quickly.  It wasnt that long ago that many suggested englands series win was largely due to them winning the critical moments.  Well this series, aus have done that.  Had the rub of the green too.  I do think aus have been significantly better in this series than eng were in their home series.  Certainly more dominant.  Dont underestimate how well aussies have bowled, its been clinical stuff.