The Ashes, 4 Th Test, Melbourne, Day 4

[ChillDoubt]

..will get underway shortly.
As a result of the most spectacular collapse since Alec Guinness fell on the detonator on the banks of the River Kwai, England went from 173-5 to 179 all out.
As a result, we went from potentially restoring some pride and confidence to an outfit who made the Keystone Cops look like a crack crime fighting unit.
I fully expect the Aussies to knock off the necessary by about half an hour after tea and earn themselves another extra day off with which to steel themsleves in preparation for the probable 5-0 drubbing.

I seriously cannot see Oz imploding as spectacularly as we did and any light at the end of the tunnel will probably be the headlight of the steamrolling juggernaut building up some serious pace.

[jno]

it won't be all that easy against spin on a slightly deteriorating pitch, but I can't see them losing more than 3-4 wickets in the chase. England really, really blew it last night and I doubt they've got any fight left in them at all.

[jim360]

Well, we all know it was too goo to last. The English, good at sport? And Cricket, of all things! First sign of the Apocalypse, isn't it?

Even optimistically I think Australia will win by 4 wickets or something. Well, only one way to find out.

[Zacs-Master]

Why are u putting yourselves thru this? Just leave it.

[jim360]

Following sport is the purest form of masochism.

[ChillDoubt]

Because Zacs, for all the doom and gloom there is always that element in cricket of if you get one, you may just get another, someone might panic, bit of chin music to soften them up and they go for the big hoik but it's short and they're caught, a few balls later there's a bit of a mix up running to the wrong end and all of a sudden.....



actually, you're right!
OK, I'm rambling, but you really do never know.

[Buenchico]

England deliberately lost those wickets just to lull the Aussies into a false sense of security. They'll now power on to remove all ten Aussie wickets before lunch.

Sorry, I can't type any more. There are two guys in white coats who want me to try out some sort of special suit . . .

[ChillDoubt]

Maybe England DID give it away in order to put a wager on some very long odds, a la Marsh/Lillee in 1981 at Headingley.

Fingers crossed......

[ChillDoubt]

We need a repeat performance of Dean Headley in 98, but who is up for seriously bending their back?
Jimmy owes us a 5 fer in this series, Broady had his in the First Test.

[trt]

You should be on the radio ChillDoubt as a commentator, you are very good on here!

[ChillDoubt]

Thanks trt!

As I type, a catch is missed as it split Cook and Bairstow. General feeling is that as he has the gloves, it should have been the keeper's.
Hopefully that'll be the last slice of Aussie luck for today....

[sir.prize]

48 for 0 so it's Goodnight from me and goodnight to them.

[jim360]

Another dropped catch!

[Cloverjo]

Oh dear. This is horrible. I don't know if I can watch this.

[ChillDoubt]

It would appear that Alistair Cook had toast prior to entering the arena. I say that because he obviously had butter all over his hands as he spills a straightforward catch at first slip.
Chances gone, Aussies into the 50's without loss.
At this rate, the cuddly lady in the wings will shortly be clearing her throat.....

[ChillDoubt]

Cook must be suffering brain fade as the choice of bowler (Root) and field set for him would ensure that Australia would reach their target at a record rate.
What is he thinking?

[jim360]

Lulling the Aussies into a true sense of security?

[jim360]

Stokes makes a breakthrough, caught behind! 64-1.

And that's all the excitement for today...

[ChillDoubt]

This is where the close-in fielders need to be a bit chirpy and get in Watsons ear, he is known to react to a bit of chat.

[ChillDoubt]

Rogers gets his 50 quite deservedly too. Sir Geoffrey in the TMS box describes England's general performance in the second innings and since as 'rubbish'.

[seekeerz]

Rogers made 116, and Clarke is at the crease, Ozzies need 16 runs to win the 4 th test