as the aussies only need a draw i've had a look at the weather forecast and apart from the possible odd shower its set fair for the next 3 days, so there is going to be a result one way or the other

the british weather - marginally more easy to forecast than the english teams performance

Not over but I would like a lead of 350 to be sure. Bags of time in the game and Australia might just dig in and play really patiently and wait for the bad ball. They are certainly capable.

If we can score 200 this time then we should have enough.

Went to the Oval yesterday, a proverbial day of two halves (three thirds?). The atmosphere was very nervous and subdued all morning, but rocking in the afternoon until falling away a bit with England's late failures.

Not sure which way the game is going to go but I can say that in watching the warm up in th morning that England players are to a man rubbish at football.

Just read this line in a blog, which just about sums it up for me...

"England will have to pull off something spectacular to lose from here, which, on the patternlessly inconsistent form both sides have shown this series, is not out of the question."

Jammy git



Anybody who went to the test yesterday could come away thinking they'd got value for money.

We really need to turn the screw this morning. Lets play a few shots, get 100 runs in the morning session for no more then 3 wickets and we're hugely in the box seat.

I was told last week that Andrew Strauss has never added more than 6 to an overnight score before losing his wicket.

I haven't checked it out, but hopefully if it is accurate he'll break that record today!

COME ON ENGLAND!!!

Oh my god i thought that was OUT. About the first decision that umpire has got right all series

Pannesar should always be included in the England squad, if only to provide the pre match entertainment

50 for Trott, looks like he's got himself a free ride home this winter.

Looks a very assured Batsman and very comfortable on the International Scene and on that note Andrew Strauss 75 (191) has gone Caught by Clarke to Marcus North...

Lunch 157/4.

Great first session for us, 329 ahead now - Trott and Strauss have shown that you can bat on this pitch, albeit not against a frontline spinner, so expect the likes of Ponting and Clarke to put up one hell of a fight once they get back in.

Just think how well we could bat if we didn't have to pick any English batsmen

In your face Ponting...quite literally

Took it very well full credit to the Great Man...

If things couldn't get any worse for the wee man



That session has put some huge nails in Australia's coffin. I don't think losing Strauss is that big a blow for us. We have stroke players now right down to number 9(and even Harmison) and can really kick on. We should be looking at scoring pretty quickly in this afternoon session and getting that lead upto 450 ready to have a bowl at them after tea.

england are to good for us aussies

... at the moment

Period.

Nice to see Trotty coming to the party after Ponting's pre match poor attempt at mind games.

Poor decision making from Prior there.

Chance for Flintoff to take the game away from the Aussies now, in his last test innings (until the next home Ashes).

Hes outta there

'Mind the windows Tino!'

Cheers for the memories Freddie.

Another poor dismissal.

can we bat out a draw. any rain soon

Maybe on Monday by which time it SHOULD be too late

Wonderful knock yet again from Swann, 63 off 55 balls (higher average than Flintoff I believe?)...we must be declaring once Trott (hopefully) gets his ton...over 500 ahead now...come on England!!

Trott needs to get these 4 runs asap.........he deserves the ton but we need to declare now and get some overs in tonight.

Come on England