[jawfin]

Yep sadly dont expect to be watching any cricket this time tomorrow it will be over by then

/amagree
And yea, I think the rest is all true too - still there's been some good play, still worth the watching!

[Melissa]

Yeah

Both good or Both a bit ropey it is still the ashes andc swings and roundabouts anyway!!

Makes a good series.. so after tomorrow its over to Boxing day!

(where is the next test held?)

[jawfin]

Is Melbourne for the 4th and Sydney for the 5th - pretty sure.

[jawfin]

So, I'd say that's the ball game, England gets to keep the proof that their sport has died, ironically...

[Melissa]

With all lost in the tornament there is still a series to level. (which with the ashes behind them they will have a decent go at it)

Australia should consider a full time spinner, watched a little bit yesterday they were showing Warne with onty in the nets and even just a few casual tosses Warne gets almighty turn.. Absolute class act and In my opinion the best spin bowler ever. To not have any full time spin replacement is gonna hurt any side.

Is Ponting officially out of Sydney? I hope so, he has been a fantastic batsman one of the best over the years but he has always been a vile cretin. Him moaning to Aleem Darr and then followed up by a hollow apology was not good at all..

Anyway I know he is out of form too but I hope Clarke takes the helm, he seems a decent enough guy and when in form a good bat, Id rather him than the likes of Haddin , Siddle etc who are made out the same stuff as Ponting with the attitude.

[jawfin]

Yea, Clarke is brilliant! I'd like to see him at the helm.

[Melissa]

Difficult to say who is in front here

Like for like England are ahead but things can change fast and we have to bat on 4th innings on what looks like a tricky pitch which will only get worse.

Tomorrow is the keystone, especially the morning session. If England can bat they take control of the match, If Australia can topple England they take control.. Obviously Anderson in to bat skews teh perception of the scorecard somewhat

Spin will be key to the final innings, Beer and Swann will be key.

[Melissa]

Yea, Clarke is brilliant! I'd like to see him at the helm.

If he is going to win a toss and bat on a green pitch with over cast conditions.. Maybe Hussey would be a better stop gap until someone else comes along.

Tough day for Australia tomorrow.. I suspect we will be gone all out shortly or mid way through the morning session..

[jawfin]

At the moment Australia doesn't have the team to stand against England. I'd think even if bad decisions were made by the English captain they would still win. After all, think of all the times Ponting won with some horrendous decisions he made (like not enforcing the follow on) when he had an elite team.

[jawfin]

*sigh* Watson's run out. I'm not taking sides, but neither am I going to watch this mess. I turned my TV off

[Melissa]

If it helps I have had to do that many times over the years and will probably continue to have to do so on occasions.

Like you say with Clarke's toss choice, maybe might not have effected the result but the days where Ponting could make a howler and his elite world class side pull the result regardless are gone, for at least now. So now is the time to start making the right calls to give his team the best position he can. It might well have made the game closer, England are nothing special, they are a team getting better with a few decent players in but nothing more at present.