It seems the English top order have been taking batting lessons from the Ozzies. Still, if they can add another 120 tomorrow it should be enough.

You're probably right but I'd be a lot happier with another 160+.

But was sitting here this morning and I must say there is not much that rivals the unadulterated delight of watching Aussies loose wickets.

I enjoyed one of the punters' comments on the TMS text feed: a guy just back in from work saying "good Lord, has Tim Bresnan carried his bat right through the day? Ah, no, maybe not." Who'd've thought, though, that the same nightwatchman would face both the first and last balls on the second day of a Test match?

A question for you cricket buffs Just how bad are Australia??

I have noticed a few little articles in the press trying to say that they are not as bad as people think........... personally I think is trying to beef up the 'feat' of defeating them from an English perspective....

I think Beefy Botham's prediction is right on the money ........that anything less than 10-0 to England would be unlikely ....

England are trying their hardest to play as badly as the Australians but it doesn't seem possible they can get that bad......

They have one world class player in Clarke and two and half okay players in Haddin, Watson and Siddle, the rest are dross.

I think we should just declare now

Agree. The joy of listening to an Australian batting collapse is unrivalled in all sports, except maybe England football team winning the world cup, oh wait.


Boycott was laying into them today - saying how for years they've gloated over us, now look at their team. Botham too loves sticking the boot in.
Why not? I grew up loving cricket but hating getting thrashed by Australia. This is payback. We only need another 50 runs, they wont get past 300 in their second innings, Swann will be unplayable by the end of tomorrow.

We're 500+ more than them and we're still batting batting?

But there's all those folk who spent money on tickets for the 5th day. It's only fair.

<not that I think Oz can bat for more than one day>

We should get a bit more of that tomorrow.

136-6 at tea. They only need 447 more. It's going to be a nail-biter.

One more wicket required.

Love watching the camera zoom in on a forlorn looking Lehman.

Done.

The good news for England fans is that there are eight more tests to go.

The bad news for cricket fans is that there are eight more tests to go.

If this was one of those wonderful all inclusive, non-competitive type schools that seem to have started to appear...... then we would stop keeping score and just tell the kids to go out and enjoy playing..... just to prevent future traumatic disorders.

Funny you should say that. Last night we went to see Japan play Australia in fastpitch softball. This is the elite level of softball in the world, yet they pulled the game under the mercy rules when Japan were 7-0 up after 6 innings.

Even if you have no real reason to cheer for Japan it is always fun to see Australians getting stuffed at any sport.