Problem for the Aussies is, if they don't bowl England out to win then England retain the Ashes. I think that means they have to risk losing.
The only way Australia win is they declare over night. They are already too far ahead for England to chase. If the Aussies carry on batting they've no chance of getting the result.
Don't know if they'll manage any play today. I live in Manchester, there's heavy cloud and it's absolutely chucking it down, ugh. Strong wind though so maybe that'll move it off.
So the rain has relented and the chase is on for England. Cook out for the quack already, good work there cap'n.
Yeah, really poor show. By the sounds of it the decision to review it was ridiculous. England need to not play for the weather and just go for the win, I reckon they owe it to the crowd as they've been set a target that is realistic by Clarke. It would be a bit **** to not back themselves to win at this stage.
Trott gone cheaply now too. Our openers leading by example as usual. Is that Robert Smith up in the stand? [video=youtube;OTXYXM6d4Mg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTXYXM6d4Mg[/video]
Another good start from the top order boys how long do we carry on with it....Root lucky....dropped on 4. Ffs England don't blow this
Showers forecast all day but worst of it was supposed to be this morning so we'll have a fair few overs to face either way.
It ain't looking good is it. Pietersen is in form I guess and Root might have a decent knock. In a way if Australia win at least it makes things more exciting. BBC weather is giving it the black cloud with one rain drop till 4pm when a second raindrop appears. Looking out the window there's a **** tonne of heavy white/grey cloud, some sun breaking through in patches. I would say more rain is inevitable.
Aaaaaand as soon as I've said it Pietersen obliges with an edge. Oh well, Ian Bell looks in good form...
KP goes and we are in the ****. If we do lose this Flower and co need to take a long hard look at themselves. The bowlers have been digging us out time after time and the top order issues left to fester. Good players or not the lack of pressure for their positions has led to serious complacency.
That's the win gone IMO, no one else is capable of clocking up the amount of runs we need in such a short space of time. Draw is subject to rain too IMO