More Australian Desperation

[ChillDoubt]

Seems Darren Lehmann has made a bit of an arse of himself and been spouting off again, not for the first time in his illustrious career:

http://www.espn.co.uk/cricket/sport/story/231693.html

Bit sad really, inciting the crowd to verbally abuse a player and smacks of desperation for the upcoming tour Down Under.

[doctordb]

Chill, it may be a dead rubber a few people (yourself, flower and miller included) but it certainly isn't for the likes of KP, broad, anderson, root, prior, cook, trott, kerrigan, woakes, bell, swann, the whole australian team and nation, ex-professionals and england fans! :-)

[jim360]

Play on day 2 finally about to start...

Good news for Bairstow, too, as he contributed a useful 62 with the bat, and has taken three catches as wicketkeeper for Yorkshire. Hopefully he'll have a decent run at Yorkshire to rebuild any confidence he may have lost after a disappointing series.

[doctordb]

Well batted steve smith, never rated him. :)

[jim360]

Trott gets a wicket! Haddin out, 385/6, Australia must be targeting at least 450 now.

[doctordb]

How about a cheeky declaration then test root and the rest in this tricky conditions?

[jim360]

Ooh, I hope not.

[jim360]

492/9 declared by Australia, wow! England survive the rest of the day, reaching 32/0 at close. Here's hoping Root can make something on day 3, a 50 at least would be nice.

[jim360]

A good if slow start by the openers today, surviving to a partnership of 64/0 so far, albeit at a relatively slow run rate.

[ChillDoubt]

Cook goes cheaply on a batsman's dream of a pitch, the only plus is that it's the first time he and Root have broken 50 in 8 innings.

[jim360]

Yeah, gosh darn it, that'll teach me to post.

[jno]

Root's already on his second highest score this series. Neither he not Trott have been kicking down doors so far, so they should concentrate on being 350/1 at close of play.

[ChillDoubt]

England make it to lunch without further loss, 3 runs shy of the ton.
It's got draw written all over it, as this doesn't appear to be a 'result' pitch.

[jim360]

On a "great batting day", England have managed to add 107 runs in 47 overs. Slow going, but still only two wickets down so this is definitely a draw surface.

[ChillDoubt]

Trott gone for 40, England currently 176-3.
The only other occurrence of note is some sort of 'difference of opinion' between KP and Clarke, with the umpires getting involved.