Things that matter

[Gob]

This is why...

Second Test, Lord's (day three):

England 361 & 333-5 v Australia 128


Joe Root scored a masterful unbeaten 178 to put England in total control against Australia in the second Ashes Test at Lord's.

The Yorkshire batsman batted throughout the third day as England lost only two wickets to close on 333-5, a lead of 566.

At 22 years and 202 days, Root became England's youngest Ashes centurion at Lord's and shared partnerships of 99 with Tim Bresnan and 153 with Ian Bell, who made 74.

On another miserable day for the tourists, who were bowled out for 128 on Friday to concede a 233-run first-innings lead, Bell was controversially given not out on three by third umpire Tony Hill despite appearing to be caught just above the ground by Steve Smith.

He took full advantage, unfurling some sublime shots after tea and marching towards his third consecutive century of the series, before dragging a long-hop from Smith straight to midwicket.

why just win, when you can send the Aussies into the rest of the series reeling from a massive embarrassment.

[Sean]

Yeah but it's more embarrassing to lose a test by an innings...

What happens if Oz somehow manages to battle their way through and force a draw? The follow on gives the best opportunity to avoid that scenario.

I for one will be mightily pissed off if this decision results in anything else than a huge England win...

[Gob]

I must say there would be a certain irony in Aus forcing a draw. But all out for > 200 is my guess.

[Sean]

That is the likelihood but all it takes is a couple of middle order twats with no interest in scoring runs defending their wickets for hours to spoil it all...

[Gob]

Heh, we'll see. None of the buggers have been any cop at defending their wickets so far!

[Lord Jim]

Attn. Homeland Security:

I believe there's a pair of Al Qaeda types over here planning a terrorist attack in code.


- A Concerned Citizen

[Daisy]

So like Sean I questioned why we didn't force the follow on, but beating them by 350 runs might be more demoralising to them.

One wicket to go... C'mon England!!!

[Lord Jim]

Oh my God, it's not just a two man cell, it's an international network....

[MajGenl.Meade]

So like Sean I questioned why we didn't force the follow on, but beating them by 350 runs might be more demoralising to them.

One wicket to go... C'mon England!!!

Ditto - I missed days 2 and 3 travelling but got back to Bloem in time to see the exciting conclusion. I couldn't believe that Oz hadn't been forced to follow on but that was by now past history (as history tends to be). I'm hoping that Australia sends out the First XI soon because these Special Tests are getting a bit one-sided.

In more tragic news of things that matter, the Brumbies hanging on by two points at home against the Cheetahs was just awful. If the kick goes through I think the FSC would have had them by the shorts in the next 20. Mind you, then we end up playing the Bulls and a loss there would be mammoth tragedy. So those grapes were probaby sour

Meade

[Gob]

The agony of my being a lark rather than an owl! I stayed awake long enough to watch the declaration, then had to turn in.

Roll on the summer Ashes series over here!!

Second Test, Lord's (day four):

England (361 & 349-7 dec) beat Australia (128 & 235) by 347 runs

Match scorecard

England crushed Australia by 347 runs at Lord's to take a 2-0 lead in the series and tighten their grip on the Ashes urn.

The hosts bowled Australia out for 235 late on the fourth day, having set them a notional 583 to win after declaring on 349-7 when Joe Root was dismissed for 180.

The tourists' last-wicket pair frustrated England for an hour and threatened to take the match into a final day.

But with just four balls remaining before a delayed close, Graeme Swann trapped James Pattinson lbw for 35 to send England's players into delighted celebrations.

England's biggest Test wins (by runs)

675 runs v Australia, Brisbane, 1928

354 runs v Pakistan, Trent Bridge, 2010

347 runs v Australia, Lord's, 2013

338 runs v Australia, Adelaide, 1933

329 runs v Bangladesh, Chittagong, 2003

The off-spinner finished with 4-78, and nine wickets in the match, while Tim Bresnan, James Anderson and Root took two wickets apiece.

Once again, the day featured controversies over the decision review system - Steve Smith and Ashton Agar fell to marginal calls - but there was no masking the gulf in quality between the sport's two oldest rivals.

[Gob]

"In two innings, Australia only has two batsmen that has scored more than the extras they gave away while bowling," observes Dean, piling on the pain"

[dales]

The Giants lost to the D0backs today.

[Lord Jim]

Am I correct in assuming from the lack of gibberish posts in this thread the past few days that this thing is finally over?

[dales]

Oh I dunno, Jim.....my luck of late has not been the best.

[Gob]

Jim, Jim, Jim...

beetlejuice...

beetlejucice....

England fast bowler James Anderson said the team was optimistic Kevin Pietersen would be fit for next week's third Ashes Test at Old Trafford.

Pietersen, arguably England's most talented batsman, was off the field when the side completed a 347-run win over Australia in the second Test at Lord's to take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.

The South Africa-born shotmaker tweeted on Monday that he was "stuck on a sofa tightly fastened to an ice machine" in a bid to be ready to play at Manchester's Old Trafford where the third Test starts on August 1.

Anderson said: "As far as I know it was a strain so we'll keep our fingers crossed that he'll be fine for the Old Trafford Test.

"For him more than most, the next 10 days will be crucial, a lot of rehab and trying to get himself fit for next week - which we're all hoping he will be."

There were no such worries for Pietersen's fellow England batsman Joe Root, who made a commanding 180 in the second innings at Lord's.

"He's been amazing," said Anderson of the 22-year-old Yorkshireman.

Fourth Test : 9–13 August England v Australia Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street
Fifth Test : 21–25 August England v Australia The Oval, London

[Gob]

Of course, you wouldn't have picked up what I meant by "back to back" series in another post...

After they finish the series in Engand....


.....they come over here to play another.......

Thu 21 - Mon 25 Nov 1st Ashes Test Gabba, Brisbane
Thu 5 - Mon 9 Dec 2nd Ashes Test Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
Fri 13 - Tue 17 Dec 3rd Ashes Test WACA, Perth
Thu 26 - Mon 30 Dec 4th Ashes Test MCG, Melbourne
Fri 3 - Tue 7 Jan 5th Ashes Test SCG, Sydney

[dales]

The Giants split a double header against the Reds the other day.

[Gob]

Stop that! I created a thread just for you and your basketball stuff!

[Gob]

[dales]

Stop that! I created a thread just for you and your basketball stuff!

NBA won't begin until fall.......in the meantime it's BASEBALL and the World Series Giants aren't doing so hot.