Good hundred given the circumstances.......good day for Australia so far, putting them in a strong position and England for possibly the first time in this series under some pressure....
Clarke is a class batsman and was always going to do it at some stage. Excellent toss to win and England may well be looking to settle for a draw.
If the Aussies can push on to 450+ they could pull it off, England won't fancy batting last on that pitch...
Proper days Test cricket, good stuff. I thought the bowling was fine in the circumstances, Clarke at last delivering with good support. They could still easily be all out by lunch tomorrow though.
Depends whether Broad can bowl full-pelt, he seemed to have a niggle with the new ball, if he goes down we'll struggle...
TBH England will do well to bowl them out for under 400......would settle for a draw if offered now...
Great innings from Clarke considering the pressure that the Aussie team, and he as captain, were under. Going to be difficult for England batting last.
Agreed, I must give credit where credit is due .......................... Always been a good batsman over the years, it has only ever been his perceived lack of backbone his off field demeanour that has let him down. He has often let the team down when we needed him the most but I must admit that over the past 6-12 months, he has presented himself better and this good innings is much needed. Well done Michael Clarke. Now if the rest of the team can support him, we may be competitive which everyone will appreciate.
Well the Aussis will be happy they have batted themselves into a position where they shouldn't lose this test, Smith will be very annoyed with himself as he had a century in his grasp but threw it away and god knows what Warner was thinking off in reviewing his dismisal, wasted their last review, although Clarke also at fault, should have simply told Warner he was out. 450 - 500 will put England under pressure although pitch is as flat as a pancake....
England should be able to bat out tomorrow, the pitch is dead. Sunday and Monday meant to be washouts. Pity given how nice July has been.
I may regret saying this but......I can't see Australia getting 20 wickets on this pitch and if days 4 & 5 are weather affected they need to bowl England out twice by close tomorrow.....
You may well regret it, Aussies have their tails up and we will have to bat with care tomorrow to avoid the follow-on. Weather will still be our best player...
Well at least this test isn't a bowling comp. Well done Clarke, really classy knock considering the pressure he must be under, captaining one of the worst Aussie test sides I've ever seen. We finally have a competitive game!
Poor start this morning, Trott and Cook gone. We need a big KP innings and Bell to continue his good form...
