[Off Topic] The Ashes Thread

[ruff_hi]

The 3rd test between Australia and England was meant to start today, but ...

10am A very warm good morning and welcome to Cricinfo's ball-by-ball coverage of the third Ashes Test. Or should that be drop-by-drop? It might as well be given the buckets of rain that have dumped themselves rudely over Edgbaston and poor Steve Rouse's head. The head groundsman and his team have been working through the night in their wellies and, unexpectedly, we're in for a bit of a delay. But fear not, people of the internet, for I, Will Luke, along with Brydon Coverdale - from the still-mourning metropolis of Melbourne - are here to keep you amused, informed and entertained.

Typical of England - they get the lead and then do a collective weather dance. How am I meant to get my 40g pieces back from sooooo in this situation?

[sooooo]

I don't want it to rain either - maybe if we were 1 up at the last test but not at the third. Was hoping to listen to some cricket today but this summer that had started so promisingly has turned out to be just as bad as the last two. The last good summer we had was 2006 and I want my season back!

[sooooo]

HELLS YEAH! 7 wickets in the opening session for England. Stay away rain, please stay away.

[ruff_hi]

dang nab it, '1 for' overnight and I get to work to find '8 for' - arggggggggggggggg

[Swiss Pauli]

Looks like ruff's raindance has borne fruit. Well, rain anyway

[ruff_hi]

actually - I said it was the English with the desire for rain ... but given the 2nd day's play, I don't mind the odd drop ... err ... continuous downpour.

[sooooo]

OK, the aussies batted well today and drew the third test match. To Headingley!

[ruff_hi]

and our 20g carries over to the 4th test. I am travelling home to Syd and had to leave at midday in NY ... landed in LAX and thought ... wonder if we are 2-0 down!

I get to watch the test on tellie next week - how cool is that!

[T-hawk]

I get to watch the test on tellie next week - how cool is that!

Except that the timing is somewhere between ungodly o'clock and the witching hour for that side of the planet

[ruff_hi]

Except that the timing is somewhere between ungodly o'clock and the witching hour for that side of the planet

Never stopped me before. From memory, 11am UK is 8pm Sydney. You can watch 2 sessions and fall into bed at 1pm

[ruff_hi]

I'm sitting in the Blue Mountains (100km West of Sydney) watching my first lot of cricket on the TV for 6 years and Australia is doing well (Eng 5 for 60 odd). My wicket taking power still holds - I have a documented history of turning on the cricket (or walking into the room that is showing cricket) and seeing a wicket fall first ball. I just got A. Cook!

It seems that Australia has missed my viewing power this series!

[Swiss Pauli]

Disaster for England: 63-5 having chosen to bat.

[LiPing]

102 all out... didn't even make 50 overs.

[ruff_hi]

some commentary from www.cricinfo.com ...

Possibly the best feedback email we have received for some time. Gordon Brown writes. "I think hard-working families up and down the country will be proud and will recognise how the England cricketers have fought through the difficult morning session and emerged into the far brighter afternoon session their hard work so richly deserves. After all, England lost seven wickets this morning, and predictions suggest they cannot possibly lose more than three this afternoon, so recovery is obviously just around the corner." Outstanding. Thanks, Gorders.

Time for me to go to bed so that I don't cause any aussie wickets to fall

@me who is a happy camper!!!

[T-hawk]

Ruff, I think you could have walked in pretty much any time of that innings and seen a wicket fall...