3rd Test

[David Morton]

Some serious weather approaching the UK overnight so expect a disrupted day today.
I thought of all sorts of silly quips about rain and England and summer and then deleted them again except one - there may be a hosepipe ban in the southern England Thames Water area. Apparently between one/ seventh and one/tenth of our drinking water (yes - we can still drink the water straight from the tap - allegedly ) is lost dues to leaky pipes.

 

[David Morton]

Just for chronolgy Pete, England were offered the light at 1745hrs. The light rain came about an hour afterwards with heavier rain over night. Should see some play today but probably sometime in the afternoon.

 

[David Morton]

IMHO - If play resumes under a cloudy sky I expect Ponting may go for Swing and maybe even Seam bowlers depending on the state of the ball, but I don't necessarily agree with that. My reason is it's going to be quite wet /damp away from the crease and therefore don't expect any real heroics in terms of acrobatic fielding and, if he opened up with pace bowlers at start of play, using at least 3 slips he may have a chance. A draw does not bode well though.

 

[David Morton]

Looks ominously like a draw looming up.
No play today as Edgbaston got it's fourth inch (100mm)
of rain in as many days.
Look on the positive side - with this one drawn and two more to go, it becomes the best of three, so the Ashes series cannot be drawn.

 

[David Morton]

For Sunday, the weather looks to be a lot better with only light returns showing in the west country /Cornwall area. High level cloud everywhere with 'watery' sunshine at the moment but definitely a lot better. Having lost yesterday to weather and the prospect of a draw in this match, the prospect of a total drubbing for Australia has diminished and the consequent interest level may just be affected by a lunchtime caiperinha.
Or three or four.
And then some Barolo with lunch.

 

[Pete McCluskey.]

Seems like my prayers for rain have been answered.
England has the psychological advantage.

:thumbsup:My inside sources say that Brett Lee has been doing alright at the indoor nets. He could be back for the next test.

 

[David Morton]

Well, today is the final day at Edgbaston and - according to out met office - the threat of light rain to start with (difficult to see why but thats what they say) and the threat receding after lunch. England are poised to take victory but it's still not a certainty if rain is the only thing playing today. If this one goes to a draw today , then the Headingley test next weekend decides the Ashes. Speaking of which, the next test is from Friday 7th until Tuesday 11th (instead of Thursday to Monday) and all the Sunday tickets are sold out. If anybody 'up int'north' knows of anyone in the Yorkshire Cricket Club who has tickets and not going please let me know as I'm looking for three for Sunday and Monday (though Monday is still available on sale).
In many ways I'd like to see a win for the tourists today but it would also mean the
series could be inconclusive and drawn by the time they play the Oval in London.

 

[Pete McCluskey.]

I hope someone comes good with tickets for you David, in the meantime I'm obviously hoping Punter's men can force a draw..:cry:

 

[David Morton]

Yes - a draw - it's just about a forgone conclusion now. Quite a lack-lustre performance by both sides and the only thing I can make any comments on has been that whining gob shite Boycott. I've told the BBC (radio) that he is responsible for more people switching off than any other factor but the silly tart I was talking to at the Beeb complaints office didn't know who he was and thought the Ashes was a radio play.

 

[Jimmy P]

David, Surely you jest.....Boycott not known....must have been a youngster. My brothers and I use to mock Boycott for his style at the bat. I remember my older brother doing the commentary while I was at the bat and he would say..."Yes up comes the 50 for Boycott. What a superb piece of batting. 50 runs in 150 overs and 6 hours and 18 minutes and there's his 50." Later Viv Richards would come in and have his 50 in 30 minutes! Boycott....I admired his stamina and protective attitude while batting but Jeeez could he plod on.

 

[David Morton]

You are saying exactly the same words as my wife this afternoon when talking of him.
She also said I was wasting my time talking to the Beeb.
Oh well. Back in my shell......
I forgot to mention - the third test was officially declared a draw at 1715hrs. Australia have to win the fourth test at Headingley to take the series on to the fifth test at the Oval for the decider. If England win at Headingly they can drive back down the M1 from Leeds next week with the Ashes. Wouldn't that be a party bus.......

 

[Jimmy P]

There's that damn "IF" word again....fingers crossed mate...party bus indeed!

 

[Pete McCluskey.]

Yes - a draw - it's just about a forgone conclusion now. Quite a lack-lustre performance by both sides and the only thing I can make any comments on has been that whining gob shite Boycott. I've told the BBC (radio) that he is responsible for more people switching off than any other factor but the silly tart I was talking to at the Beeb complaints office didn't know who he was and thought the Ashes was a radio play.

Hahaha, Obviously Boycott's commentary is similar to the way he used to bat, spiders would built webs from his bat to the wicket between runs.
I burst out laughing when I read your comments about the "silly tart".
Typical complaints desk technique, put your most junior and and ill informed employee on it to cop the flack.

A draw is a good result for the Aussies, if it wasn't for the rain I think you would be holding the ashes aloft in victory. Hopefully Brett Lee will play in the next test and put some fire into our attack.

 

[Price Walton]

Dave, I grew up the son of a man whose scale of dull went from grass growing to paint drying and then to the ultimate - Boycott batting.


More seriously though - binger's going to feel like he has to carry the quick needs on his own. I really hope he doesn't, because he's got a bit of a habit of doing too much, too soon. He doesn't go lame as often as Watson though....