I'm sat here in Huddersfield (30 miles or so from Old Trafford), looking out the window, and it's pissing down. Thankfully the forecast looks more promising for tomorrow and we should get a full day's play for the start of the third test. We'll see...

Enough of the small-talk, Michael Clarke reckons Australia still have a chance in this series! I know, hilarious. Here's the quote in full for posterity, "Our backs are against the wall but I honestly believe we can still win the series. I know a lot of people will laugh at that but I wouldn't be here if I didn't think we could - we can shake up this series." Hmmm, I think Briss summed it up best.

More sensible talk from Alastair Cook, "It's dangerous to start thinking of a 5-0. We are a very good side but we take games one step at a time." Good man, but we're still having a whitewash (weather permitting).

Team news now. Kevin Pieterson has been training well apparently and his chances of making of the cut are "pretty good" according to Cook. They won't be taking any chances by selecting him if he's not 100% though.

For the Aussies, David Warner is back in the squad after the unpleasantness earlier this summer, no guarantees that he'll make the team, mind. Would it make much difference anyway?

Predictions please gents.

(31/07/2013, 19:32)ScottyRampant Wrote: I'm sat here in Huddersfield (30 miles or so from Old Trafford), looking out the window, and it's pissing down. Thankfully the forecast looks more promising for tomorrow and we should get a full day's play for the start of the third test. We'll see...

Enough of the small-talk, Michael Clarke reckons Australia still have a chance in this series! I know, hilarious. Here's the quote in full for posterity, "Our backs are against the wall but I honestly believe we can still win the series. I know a lot of people will laugh at that but I wouldn't be here if I didn't think we could - we can shake up this series." Hmmm, I think Briss summed it up best.

More sensible talk from Alastair Cook, "It's dangerous to start thinking of a 5-0. We are a very good side but we take games one step at a time." Good man, but we're still having a whitewash (weather permitting).

Team news now. Kevin Pieterson has been training well apparently and his chances of making of the cut are "pretty good" according to Cook. They won't be taking any chances by selecting him if he's not 100% though.

For the Aussies, David Warner is back in the squad after the unpleasantness earlier this summer, no guarantees that he'll make the team, mind. Would it make much difference anyway?

Predictions please gents.

Did you know that Huddersfield actually takes its name from "udders feeled" which was a popular bovine tit-groping pastime practised by young men in the town during the 19th century?

As for the cricket - it's got to be ours for the taking, and if Warner does play, let's hope he gets his just desserts.

I'm sure there are plenty of Udders feeled there to this day oilman :)

What's the weather like this morning Scotty? as I guess this could be the only thing to mess up this 3rd test. Last I heard there was scattered showers forecast over the days.
The pitch should have been prepared to suit England again, so our bowlers should get those 20 wickets easy enough? and that's the key with the Aussies - can they take 20 wickets. Also the wicket is now facing a new way from North to South, and will be the first time they have played this way, who can exploit this the better will take this one.
Both batting sides haven't been that impressive yet, or at least not at the same time. Should be 3-0 to us at the end, but discount those Aussies at your peril...

(01/08/2013, 09:50)RussyRover Wrote: I'm sure there are plenty of Udders feeled there to this day oilman :)

I was feeling udders just this morning.

Allegedly.

Weather's looking better this morning Russy and we should get a full day. They'll need to make the most of it though because tomorrow and Saturday aren't looking pretty.

Kevin Pieterson is fit to play apparently. What time do they actually announce the teams though? Need to get a move on...

I just caught the latest weather, and I saw a dirty great rain cloud over for what looks like the day on Saturday, even a draw though would mean England retain the ashes so I doubt they're too worried...

The toss has just happened and Michael Clarke wins this one and decides to have a bat first, and announces Warner is in the squad as well as Lyon and Starc who come in for Hughes, Agar and Pattinson while England remain unchanged so that means KP is there, and Cookie hopes there may be some swing this morning to get some quick wickets - he would have batted first also!

Australia captain Michael Clarke: "My mindset every time I walk onto the ground is that I want to win every game. I believe we've got the strength of character in our dressing room, and I'm looking forward to batting out here today."

England captain Alastair Cook: "We'd have had a bat as well. It's muggy so hopefully the ball will swing this morning and put some pressure on the top order. [On the squad] We had all the bases covered. It's a long series, it's important we set the tone in this first hour and hopefully Jimmy and Broady can do that for us."


England: Alastair Cook (capt), Joe Root, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Jonny Bairstow, Matt Prior (wk), Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, James Anderson.

Australia: Shane Watson, Chris Rogers, Usman Khawaja, Michael Clarke (capt), Steven Smith, David Warner, Brad Haddin (wk), Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc, Ryan Harris, Nathan Lyon.


Let battle commence...

One hour gone and it's the drinks break from what is being called a 'muggy' morning at Old Trafford. The Aussies are 49-0 so far from 14 overs and although there has been a bit of swing and movement of the ball, both Watson and Rogers are playing it well, and Watson desperately trying not to play at just anything and get out lbw...

I'm changing my mind and going for the draw in this one, as what I've seen from the weather forecast will probably mean a substantial loss of playing time...

And that's lunch!

A relatively decent start for the Aussies, putting on 76 runs before losing their first wicket. That was Shane Watson, caught by Cook on 19.

Then just before the break, the obligatory umpire controversy with Khawaja caught behind by Prior for 1. He doesn't think he's touched it but England force the review. No mark on HotSpot, daylight between bat and pad... The third umpire gives it out anyway. Later, Snickometer (not part of DRS unfortunately) shows no contact either. Poor decision.

They went in 92-2, and feeling rightly hard done by. The Aussie's have been pretty awful so far this series, but so has their luck.

Trust, I have to pop out and miss it all... It seems Watson's patience finally run out as he played at one and got an edge, he's really out of sorts lately, but at least he wasn't out lbw :P

and just seen the Khawaja incident on replay... let's call it lucky for England shall we, and when luck's going your way, you have to ride it till it breaks...

Chris Rogers seems to have gotten on with it, if only someone can stay with him now, the Aussies will be looking good for a change. But very early days yet with just the first session gone, a couple of quick wickets and it's not looking so rosy.

Just gonna settle down now for the afternoon session with a tinny :) , I've already layed the Aussies on the exchanges so waiting for the draw or an England win to collect... No D/L in tests thank goodness...

Big wicket, that. Rogers was going well but falls just short of his century, bowled lbw by Swann on 84.

What you got, Australia?

Currently 133-3.