Cricket

[GingerMagician]

I was lucky enough to get an invite to Old Trafford for day 1 yesterday.  Only managed a couple of half-decent pics - probably due to the drinking starting at 10.30am…

816s at the start of play...

Quick panorama…

[Giles]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/23555889

[RocknRoll]

Nice photos there GingerMagician. Makes me wish I was there!

Like many people, I can't believe how poor Australia's use of DRS has been in this series. Warner yesterday provided another good example of this, and that Clarke let him review it - despite (as he admitted after play) thinking that it was out - is amazing as well.

Hopefully I'm wrong, but I'm tipping a draw for this game.

And Giles, I have strong feelings regarding walking. I don't care if its a post WW2 thing or whatever, I have much more respect for players who do it - which isn't many of them. I've got no issue with guys hanging round to wait for a close LBW decision, but when you're clearly out caught I believe you should walk. Not doing so is like saying its ok to steal so long as you don't get caught.

[Giles]

I actually do not have strong views one way or the other.  It's a personal decision and that's it as far as I am concerned….

[Giles]

Bloody hell.  Unless we find a batsman who can actually bat today, we will be humbled…...

[RocknRoll]

Saved by the rain in the 3rd test.

Likely to be saved by Aussie mediocrity in this test.

…or maybe I just have to admit the Poms have a decent team...

[Winchy]

Some high scoring overs and now a lead approaching 270. Go Bresnan!

[RocknRoll]

@Winchy:

Some high scoring overs and now a lead approaching 270. Go Bresnan!

You have no idea how painful it is to watch this! Smith drops a skyer and now Swann is making hay…..I can see your English smirks from here

[Giles]

I can hardly read your post because my smirk is getting in the way…..

[Giles]

Phew, got rid of one of the obdurate openers…...

[Giles]

Clarkie has gone.  Game back on…...

[Giles]

Broadie doing a "decent" job, sorry Jake…..

[Maynard Friedman]

3 Ashes wins in a row… 10 years ago that would only have happened in the Fantasy Cricket thread!

[Giles]

Who says we don't want a 4:0 result….?

"Broad, bowling as quickly and aggressively as at any time in his career, then had Brad Haddin and Ryan Harris lbw before bowling Nathan Lyon."

[RocknRoll]

@Giles:

I can hardly read your post because my smirk is getting in the way…..

Alright, aright, you've earned gloating rights. Broad did indeed do a 'decent' job.

Well done, you annoyingly smug Poms. 

[RocknRoll]

Only a matter of time until Broad gets Clarke again…

[Winchy]

Oh dear. After a reasonable first day with the ball things went a bit shonky over night it would seem! Was pleased to see Broad bagging a decent amount of wickets and had high hopes for Carberry but didn't expect the domino effect from the middle order.

Roll on the second test…..

[Giles]

Yep, as Boycott said after yesterdays performance "I reserve judgement until I see how England bat".  Well we got our answer - pableedingthetic….

[simonc]

Good to see things have returned as they should be.

[Giles]

"should", are you Australian…..?