Print

[Jeet]

In their hour of need, Johnson rediscovers himself. When he bowls like this he's fantastic. Top stuff

[mdl_1979]

World class when he has an inswinger.  Village when he doesn't.

[will5210]

Ponting must be due a score. What odds a career saving, match winning ton?

[will5210]

Ponting must be due a score. What odds a career saving, match winning ton?

He's out - good times!

[Beachcricket]

  What the bloomin heck has happened?

[GJ]

Good to see Johnson has got some form back with bat and ball, should make for a great end to the series. I think this game has gone now for England, can't see us chasing anything more than 300 on that pitch. Unless we roll them for not much tomorrow morning... Just looks like its a bowler friendly wicket now.

[Buzz]

Good to see Johnson has got some form back with bat and ball, should make for a great end to the series. I think this game has gone now for England, can't see us chasing anything more than 300 on that pitch. Unless we roll them for not much tomorrow morning... Just looks like its a bowler friendly wicket now.

Have more faith - SA chased 400 on this pitch. Johnson got lots of confidence from his batting and from the highlights seems to have had a golden spell or two today.
Aus have a lead of 200 - but will want to have a lead of over 500 before they declare. That will mean batting, if they can, all of tomorrow and maybe some of day 4 to put us out of the match. If they do that then a draw is the best we can hope for. If, however, we bowl them out for a lead 300-350 I would put a tenner on us chasing that as the pitch is getting better...

[Byo]

Think we will struggle to chase anything over 250 - we seem to have a real problem batting on fast bouncy pitches.  Hope I am wrong though!!

[Kulara]

I agree Buzz. Ponting will want as big a lead as possible.  Only need to look at England's second innings in Brisbane and first innings in Adelaide to see what can happen if the track flattens.

[andeke11]

Was a good day at the cricket today, 13 wickets in one day, great value for money.

England need quick wickets tomorrow to get rid of this partnership, the pitch is only getting better, watson and hussey are showing that runs are to be had on this pitch and i wouldn't be surprised if england chased down anything up to 420.

[roco]

I have faith as our 2nd innings batting is always better for some unknown reason and we have proven we can dig in and fight hard when we need to but failures for ponting and Clarke again cue the press

[uknsaunders]

I don't think many of the dismissals had much to do with the pitch. Gun Barrell straight johnson finding a huge sea breeze that even he could swing it in was more the problem. That and batsman getting their pads in the way...

Perth has a recent history of getting flatter. If england have a bit of luck and polish Aus off as the track flattens then who knows?

[andeke11]

Surviving the new ball will be key for england, if they can get through only 2 or 3 down then batting should get a lot easier as it has done this innings for Australia.

[100 not out]

cricket is a funny game . . . . anything can happen.

Aussies were down and out last nite, but are back in it today.

I just like to see a contest. . . i hate one sided games/series.

[golders]

Id love to know the stuff troy cooley worked on with Johnson, to rediscover both his inswinger and accuracy in a couple of weeks is impressive work- just shows what a difference top coaching makes. No doubt the 50 helped his confidence no end.
I think we are gonna lose this one, which should keep the grounds full and us all excited- and an even contest makes good viewing. What i'd really like to see is Aus still play well but England to be so damn good we blloming kill 'em!
Also, Collingwood can't buy a run at the mo, do you think him and Bell should swap?Don't think they will drop Coll, they seem to be using his bowling a fair bit too. Took a pretty useful catch in this test too!