England v Australia, Trent Bridge, Day Two

I hope to be calmer than last night, and a few less no-balls would help – nice to get off the mark with number one comment Hope to be here when the 100 comes up.

Vaughn’s wicket was an important one, both teams had lapses, the toss was a good one but the weather and stopages mitigated.Both teams would settle for England 350, but those are good runs to have on the board in such a combative series, another crucial day looms. Pieterson’v'Tate should be a cracker.

Typically of this series, it’s impossible to predict what might happen now. With England 200-odd for four, a bit of inspired bowling and/or a few crazy shots could have England scraping 300. On the other hand, a KP & Freddy bonanza could take the game away from Australia by lunch. I think I’m punch-drunk from having my predictions blown away day after day, so I’ll give up trying.

Michael Vaughan has been the only wicket for both of Australia’s occassional bowlers in this series. In shedding his poor form he appears to have acquired Robert Key Syndrome, whereby a batsman plays with determination and at least a little flair to see off the regular bowlers, then gets himself out to Damien Martyn. Or Ricky Ponting. Or Simon Katich.

I think it was Flintoff that consistently got out to Sarwan on the last West Indies tour. Key did get out to Martyn once upon a time, too. Perhaps Australia should just forget these ‘bowlers’ they’ve got, and open with Ponting and Martyn, with Katich first change.

Big first hour.

I heard an interest interview with Stuart MacGill on Melbourne radio tonight. He says some strange stuff, and usually over the top in his bias, but he was quite frank about Australia’s woeful start, and quite honestly said he thinks it’s all even now. I had to disagree with one thing he said though – “even with 450, England will feel they don’t have enough”. He was critical of the wicket because it was so flat and hard.

I think 450 on any wicket is plenty, because it puts so much pressure on the middle order once a couple of wickets fall.

Anyway, I’m rambling – have a good night all – Just not Freddie or KP

KP should take the lead here and let Fred take his time more. There´s no hurry.

well ther goes ur theroy Will
YAY yAy YAY

Now lets see what Jones is made of.

Well if he bats as well as he keeps then the Aussies are set

Come on Aussies! I’m a bit hungover after drinking a full bottle of Bundy in one session. I’m getting too old for this sort of nonsense.

Will does it prove he’s getting better or just the fact that he wasted the first few years of his career?

England need 400 to put Australia under pressure, and they’re not going to get there in a hurry I don’t think. I’m very nervous at the moment because England have been in this position so many times before and then collapsed (even for under 300). We need a 100 from Flintoff or Jones and 50 or so from the tail.

Good, sensible cricket from Jones and Flintoff

I’m a bit concerned that five english batsmen have scored 30+ but none have (yet) gone to three figures. Tense isn’t it…….

Morning Will

Not cold here in sunny Spain.

Hmph, thanks for that chris. Actually it’s probably warmer in Australia – perhaps even at night?

300 up, and quicker than I expected.

6 and 50. What a great innings (again) by Flintoff!

Yes he has batted very well indeed and can now cash in.

I believe that in the last 2/3 years Flintoff averages over 40 with the bat and under 30 with the ball. Class.

Exctly Matt, that why i love him (well, not in that sort of way, not that there is anything wrong with it).

His ability to adapt his game to the situation is what sets him apart from the likes of Symonds and Afridis. He is probably a bigger and better hitter of the ball then both of them, but does not go beserk from ball one.

A great cricketing brain.

Australia looking slightly ragged now. Field settings sound a bit strange, too? I really thought England would be in trouble this morning but there seems to have been an avalanche of runs over the last few overs and the 100 partnership has come up in no time at all!

So that’s lunch. Australia started well and looked menacing after taking an early wicket – they really could have had their foot on England’s throat as on so many times in the past, but this is “New” England and the Flintoff / Jones partnership has fired at a crucial time in an innings yet again. Reminds me of the demoralising innings that Gilchrist has played on so many occasions.

Right, I’m off to the pub for some lunch in a few minutes – what are other people up to? Are you Aussies cracking open some more “stubbies” or crying into your beer after that session? You’ve gone very quiet, I must say.

You can’t afford to take any prisoners with the Aussies, even 450 wouldn’t make success certain, or even that likely if the first few Australian wickets take a long time to fall.

The way Australia have been batting, 350 is enough, but that has to change soon…right??

It only takes a couple of these (still) superb Aussie Batsmen to come of and a bit of rain and there´s the draw. But I agree 400+ and it´s difficult to lose.

This is when England have got to really rub it in. That killer instinct that´s been missing so far. 500+ and there are only 2 possible results

Can Warne save them again?

Warne has just changed ends. Did anyone notice how much he was walking on the wicket when bowling the one over from the other end. At one point he dropped the ball, and pivotted on one foot to pick it up. I didn’t think anything of it until he immediately swapped ends. A little odd, seeing as though Aus still have to bat anyway – maybe I imagined it?

YES! Well done Freddie!

fantastic innings! australia are up against it. agaon. wow…

some relief from the depressing goings-on in Bulawayo.sigh…

A pity. What about a Jones hundred?

Well done Freddie.

Can England still get to 500?

He’s conspicuosuly quiet isn’t he, will?

yes i know that sort of annoying. Gillespie, yes! (anyone remember Chennai?)

Back from the pub now. A belated congratulations to Freddie for a crucial innings. What betting a 5-fer to go with it?

Come on Jones the Wickey! Let’s put Australia out of the game.

Kasper has caught one … and it wasn’t off a no-ball!!!

There goes Giles. England is collapsing, and they’ve only got 450 on the board!

And Will gives Harmy the Kiss of Death ….

um, that’s one *committed* guy (and you, stu)

What’s the commentary team like on Aussie telly?

England needs around 20-25 overs to grab 3/4 australian wickets late in the day.

The Fox Sports coverage gets their live feed from Sky Sport. And it’s around $30 a month.

Free to air takes the Channell 4 feed and Foxtel takes the Sky Sports feed.

I have a feeling that this could be the most important innings of the whole summer. If they can´t sort themselves out…

Absolutely, Chris. If the Aussies can’t bat well here, then they’re not going to bat well anywhere. It’s a batting paradise out there … but given what has transpired so far in this series, I still don’t have a whole lot of confidence in them.

Check out Gunn bowling figures 16 overs 13 maidens 2 wickets for 4 runs (including 2 wides). That´s tight bowling!

Instead of changing Zimbabwe´s status and all that political hassle, send the women!

Pathetic. When are the Australian batsmen going to learn how to stick around? Or is it our bowlers who need to learn how to swing the ball?

Killing them

Poor Damien Martyn has copped another poor decision from the umpires … anyway, Australia is stuffed. They don’t deserve to be saved by rain … they deserve to lose by an innings, if that’s what it will take for them to bring in some new players and change their training programmes.

I wonder if Martyn’s bat manufacturer offended the umpires. They don’t seem to acknowledge the presence of his bat.

Martyn was very unlucky. Nevertheless, may I suggest a round of applause for Mr. Troy Cooley? Clappage.

Hoggard´s the man today.

We’re doomed

Another moment when England need to really put the boot in while they´re down.

COME ON ENGLAAAAND!! Harmison does it again!

Australia capitulates!! watched the first hour in a Sydney Pub, went to a Korean Restaurant for Dinner,(they seemed to have an embargo on cricket!!)smoked a reefer, headed back to the pub, Flintoff and jones still ‘in’ the australian attack labouring under a leaden Nottingham sky,Ponting has bitten them down to the Knuckle.
Home for last session, bleary and slightly pissed, my god what is happening? Australia are a demoralised team, England are full of menace and focused aggression,strange energies are making balls contort and spit, I think the cricketing gods may have passed judgement, well the Nottingham chapter has anyway!

ifancy andrew flintoff

he is really good at bowling i used to hate cricket but know i love it