Australia will crush England at The Oval

[reds4ever]

I think Winston was pointing out the arcane nature of the game and it's terms. Fair comment IMHO, I'm a sport loving Pom and the game confuses me.....;O)

[Cort Haus]

Sorry, Winston - I understand your comment now. The difference between Mornington Cresent and Cricket is that one is a kind of surrealist joke and the other is a kind of religion.

[duke o' york]

I loved the pictures of all the England fans doing their rain dance with their umbrellas, and the Aussies getting their sunglasses out for a sun dance.

[Alexander's Horse]

Its a real shame the climax of this test series has been spoiled by yet another stupid ICC rule change.

[Drake Tungsten]

I always knew that America was right in rejecting the authority of the ICC.

[Cort Haus]

Originally posted by Alexander's Horse
Its a real shame the climax of this test series has been spoiled by yet another stupid ICC rule change.

Ah yes - that would be the rule which says that batsmen must have a chance of seeing the ball coming out of a spinners hand, to have a fair chance of judging the flight of the ball, and a fair chance of estimating where it will pitch.

Get real, Horse.

The Great Austrailan Batting Machine lost 7 wickets for 44 runs yesterday. Why? Because it was too dark.

[Alexander's Horse]

obviously only a part time cricket watcher - until very recently the rule was the light was only offered if the batsmen were in danger - in other words batsmen have been playing in poor light against spinners for over a century - presumably that would be the century of cricket you missed.

[duke o' york]

Hmmm. Doesn't look too promising before lunch. We need another Flintoff-Pietersen whackathon here to build a half-dent score.

Both teams seem determined to take this to the wire, although I reckon England will lose. If only to annoy all the idiots on the radio this morning talking as if we'd already won. And apparently they've organised a victory parade for tomorrow. The hubris! (Not that anyone would want to encourage the idea that Shane Warne is an angel of vengeance - I doubt he could even get off the ground, no matter how big the wings. )

[MikeH]

Originally posted by Alexander's Horse
obviously only a part time cricket watcher - until very recently the rule was the light was only offered if the batsmen were in danger - in other words batsmen have been playing in poor light against spinners for over a century - presumably that would be the century of cricket you missed.

But then they changed the rule.

[MikeH]

Flintoff is out though.

I think this might go down to the wire. The Aussies are looking great at the moment though.

[MikeH]

RULE ON BAD LIGHT
Law 3.9 (b) Suspension of play for adverse conditions of ground, weather or light
If at any time the umpires together agree that the condition of the ground, weather or light is not suitable for play, they shall inform the captains and, unless
(i) in unsuitable ground or weather conditions both captains agree to continue
or (ii) in unsuitable light the batting side wishes to continue, they shall suspend play

[Cort Haus]

Originally posted by Alexander's Horse
obviously only a part time cricket watcher - until very recently the rule was the light was only offered if the batsmen were in danger - in other words batsmen have been playing in poor light against spinners for over a century - presumably that would be the century of cricket you missed.

How do you deduce that someone is a "part time cricket watcher" from the fact that they are more up-to-date on a particular ruling than yourself?

Anyway, you're gonna retain the Ashes so stop whinging.

[Solly]

"Anyway, you're gonna retain the Ashes so stop whinging."

Fiddlesticks!

[Maquiladora]

Definitely in Aus favour right now, but it wont take much for it to tip the other way, and the other way again, and back again.

Just best to sit back, get plastered, and watch it unfold...

[Cort Haus]

England need at least 220 to have a chance. Less than 200 is certain death and > 250 is promising.

Pieterson - Collingwood partnership is critical.