Take from the BBC. 15.30 - Ashton Agar continues to play with the assured confidence of a man in his 100th Test, waiting patiently for a scoring opportunity before finally getting off the mark from his 17th delivery with a cut behind point for two. Graeme Swann then gets one to turn sharply. It was never going to take a wicket because it was so wide, but it will have planted a few more worries into the cluttered Aussie minds. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15.33 Australia are all over the shop, literally gifting England wickets. After Brad Haddin fends off a rising James Anderson delivery, Ashton Agar comes tearing down the pitch and the ever-alert Matt Prior throws to the non-striker's end where Anderson takes off the stumps and sends the 19-year-old packing.
I'd keep root in, he will be a fantastic player, has good technique and i feel that its only a bit of time he needs. I'd compare him with Agar who I haven't been impressed with as a spin bowler and this has be obscured by his heroics at Trent Bridge with the bat. however he will be a good test cricketer which is why i expect them to persist with him.
This is carnage but the poor shots and decisons the batters are making are a result of some very good, tight and accurate English bowling. For me this is the difference between the two attacks - I would argue that the Aussies have bowled as many top drawer potential or actual wicket taking deliveries in this series BUT they have also bowled a huge amount of dross and four-balls which England have not done which has meant that once in the English batters can score more freely and there is less pressure building up to play the big shot. Looking in the crowd the Aussies could call up Warne/McGrath/Ponting/Gilchrist/Border/Hughes and I would contend they would do a whole lot better than the current shower. In fact I reckon that the 2005 Aussie side would even now destroy the current mob. In fairness I would think that the Waugh team of the 90's probably would as well.
I think Root will go on to be a solid, reliable middle order player for England. I see him batting at 4 or 5 and emulating people like Graham Thorpe.
I don't think Trott will ever move from 3. At the moment he is arguably the best number 3 in the world. I think Compton will eventually become Cook's opening partner, Bairstow will be found out and Root will secure Bairstow's place in the middle order.
Away from the ashes for a moment, but good to see Essex's @JaikMickleburgh on 240 not out. Not many Norwich fans will have scored first-class double-hundreds
Completely agree about Trott. To move him would be insane. I can see Root taking Bairstows place although Bairstow will probably get a reprieve following his scratchy half-century yesterday. I am not sure that Compton will be recalled as I don't think the selectors see him as a long term replacement for Strauss as he is already north of 30.
Massive colape, the more I think about it the more convinced I am that the follow on would be a bad idea were not pressed for time and the pitch is still great to bat on. If we can put up a lead of 500 we'll have this test won.
I would say follow on, the bowlers won't be tired because they have only been going for a session and a bit. there is obviously enough in the wicket to get them out. plus mentally, an innings defeat would kill them for the next test!
The only person who I think would have wanted to open is Bell, always batted 3 for Warwickshire and opens in ODI's so if he wasn't volunteering when strauss retired I think they'll stick with root. Don't forget root has scored a huge amount of runs opening for Yorkshire so he can definitely do it, the aussies just happen to have some very good bowlers so give them a bit more time I say.
I would go for the follow on, the aussies jugular is exposed and they are down on the floor. Cant believe they have used up all their reviews again.
