Heads up for anyone else planning on watching tonight, play will begin at 11.30pm to make up for the loss of play yesterday. Oh and obviously now the Aussies are batting there isn't a cloud in the sky, no wind, just lovely sunshine
Posted at 23:45 8 Dec23:45 8 Dec How's stat?! please log in to view this image Andy Zaltzman BBC Test Match Special statistician The last time England beat Australia after being bowled out for less than 150 in the first innings of the match, WG Grace was captain.
Yep, I wouldn't say we are right back in this match as realistically there is still way too much to do. However, this 2nd innings has put us right back in the series - it has shown we can actually bat!
I'll certainly watch the first session of day 4 now. Such an important 2 hours in the context of the match.
In fairness Hameed has been decent since he came back in and in this test i actually think he has been good. He saw off the new ball for 70+ balls in the 1st inns and 60 in the 2nd - as well as contributing 53 runs across each. The pitch was bloody tough on day 1 and it is a big part of being an opener to see off the new ball so that when Root and co come in they aren't faced with fresh bowlers and a hard ball. Burns... no defence im afraid
Not sure I agree with Aggers that the draw isn't a possibility. Sure, it's hardly the most likely outcome, but to write it off completely seems odd. After all, an England win requires 18 wickets to fall - which in turn requires sufficient runs to be scored for those first 8 wickets, to provide sufficient capacity for the following 10 wickets to fall. So if there is scope for that to happen, then there is scope for a draw to happen.
So predictable. Especially given the overly optimistic article I read on bbc today comparing it to 2010
