'ave that.

Bell end?

I'm not sure Bell at number 3 is the answer. Especially with openers that keep dropping early. And Root was doing just fine at 5.
I like Ballance. And even though he has been struggling of late be still averages nearly 50 in Tests. And knocked 67 in the domestic 50 overs yesterday. I know its different but it doesn't scream out of form. For all his jumping and dodgyness in recent Tests he still scored a half century.

I'm hoping for a green top and a bit of 'weather' about.
I've never been sure why people say that; there's ALWAYS weather.
Lose the toss so we get a bowl at them. It won't be green or grey enogj to put them in if you win it.

Here we go again...... Can't wait. I think.

Are you enjoying the silebce, Andrew?

That was properly shocking, even for us. Even considering we keep following wind with defeats.
Green top in Edgbaston...

Lords day 2

Amazing stuff, but I always feel that until both teams have batted + bowled hold off on any opinions. Some tools in the media here were gloating after day 1 even though England hadn't had the opportunity to bat.  Lets see if Cook and Co. can dig in and make a decent knock.

Broad bowled really well for long periods, Clarke just looks like a player scratching around - in need of a good bit of time in the middle. (Like Balance - no foot work)

The Aussie bowlers look much sharper - but this is a pig of a pitch, I am sure England don't wan't it either.  A corporate pitch?

I love the scenes of the players especially the batsmen having to wander out through the members - Lords is such a great place.

Some of these deliveries are staying very low, despite coming in at 90mph - very un 'Lords' like...

Looking forward to Day 3 - hope we can level this series....

Shut up, Andrew

That was a long day. I hope it rains all weekend.

It won't. Blazing hot sun is forecast.

I meant to say we have had a habbit in the past year or so of following up good wins with shoddy defeats.
Bit late to say that now...

Is Peter Siddle coming to Lord's?

Surely he would have done a better job that some in Cardiff?

And what about our mate Shane? Mitchell Marsh did well in the warm ups.
I did love Watson in the second innings, after calling for the review, turns to his partner and quite clearly says "Faaaaaaaack" as he shakes his head.
For the first time I actually really felt for him, instead of laughing at him for getting out the same way again. Can you imagine what that must feel like.

Also, can I take umbrage with the DRS 'umpires call'. Now I understand that umpires call is there for half a ball clipping the stumps. It's predictive technology and, therefore, they have a margin for error. This I like. What I don't like is saying that this particular LBW was umpires call when you could see about 9/10ths of the ball hitting leg stump. How is that umpires call? That's OUT! Surely they trust their technology more than that. If the seam is hitting, it's hitting, right?

Anyway, I can't wait until Thursday. I'm starting early so I can have the last hour of the morning in the canteen on the big screen, then the last 40 minutes of the afternoon in the Moon with some rum.
Friday: repeat.
Saturday: work, but there's a TV in an office at the end of the corridor which will be empty.
Sunday: won't it be all over by then? I hope so, the baby's getting christened. Handily at 1pm for half an hour. Maybe I can swing it. I hope the bar the missus hired for afterwards has Sky Sports!

Lyon, Clarke, Hazlewood.

They were some good catches.  Haddin should take note.
Im glad he didnt pull his 2012.13 rear guard trick.

Theres time to get the runs, but theres rain in the air tomorrow. But something amazing hapeneded if we dont win.
Still, a long way to go in the series. They cant all be that dead. Cardiff is usually like that anyway.

One in the gonads

Great catch from Cook to get Warner. Good field movement to get Smith.
Given that this pitch isn't carrying the edges through, should be move the slips forwards? That way it will stop things happening like a ball falling short catching the Captain on the nuts. Anderson at 85mph. No box.
I wonder what pennance he'll give vice skip Root for laughing in his ear as he lay on the ground.

Is Rogers the new Watson. 50, not a century.

And was that MJ offering to toss someone off in the crowd?

A good toss to lose, as it rained just before play.

Lots  of swing going on here. Hazelwood and Starc both getting some bend.  The ball that got Bell almost swung back past leg stump. It was umpires call, so good job they didn't review.

Lyon getting a nice bit of bounce and not a little turn. Interesting.

Root was dropped by Haddin - full stretch dive to his right - on zero.  Hope that's costly.
Balance hanging around so far. Big partnership please. 3 down after morning drinks indeed.

All set to go

Can't reply to any posts - sorry lads.

Did you see any of the action against Essex, I see they have asked the young fella Cummins to come into the Australian squad.  He is an excellent talent, just been injured a lot due to his young body and high speed bowling.

He hasn't played for a while, but the Australians must have known Harris was never guaranteed.  This is all exciting stuff, can you throw  in a heat wave and a few seagulls for our boys so they feel a bit more at home.

It will be around 8pm down under when things get underway, and its  all on free view - thanks Channel 9.

Lots of sleepy bodies on the trains going to work after being up all night, whats going to be the big thing - Warner out for a duck?  Cooks off stump cartwheeling down the field after he is yorked.

And we have State of Origin this week clashing with the Ashes

Sofia Gardens is very hot.

It's a resort in Thailand.
Sophia gardens is due to rain all weekend. Should be dry by Wednesday but there will be lots of cloud and possible rain throughout the day.
Win the toss and bowl? Or a good toss to lose?

Will the Aussies win at Essex today or will they only draw? Ravi got a century too. Essex were 150 runs behind on first innings, and our young opener Nick Browne didn't even bat: absent hurt.

Australia are 212 for 8 overnight. Clarke got 70, and the rest for a smattering of nothing.  We had a massive storm overnight too, but hot and clear all day. A job for your spinners to get us out, while our batsmen play backs to the wall.
I'd love it if we escaped with a draw. Keep your bowlers toiling for another day the week of the Test. I know they probably won't be the ones playing Wednesday, but still...

Am I the only one this excited? Where are all the replies? Is anyone available for the Moon at midday on Wednesday?

I cant reply from the blogger app, so...

I don't know what's happening with the pitch - or the weather - in Cardiff. I think they've had some rain yesterday, but otherwise hot and muggy like everywhere.

The Aussies spent all afternoon and evening in the field as Ton Westley reprised Alastair Cooks century against the Aussies at Chelmsford in 2005. Omen.
Of course we all remember Monty in Cardiff. Monty was last seen in our 2nd XI by a friend who was one of an official crowd of three at Southend.

This time next week we will be well under way.  Very excited. More and more cricket articles in the paper each day.

It was the company Summer Party last night. Brilliant fun down St. Katherines Dock. Glad I have the day off today to enjoy a picnic at the boys school sports day. Hope there's some shade.

The atmosphere building nicely - hopefully the hot weather sorts out that shoddy bog over there

England have done well against the Kiwis  ODI + T20, I see Ryder is playing for Essex......

I was hoping Rhino wouldn't have s sore knee - maybe something in the Dad's Army?

I hope Marsh gets the nod over Watson, back here we aren't hearing much, apart from all the bowlers wanting a piece of Jimmy...poor lad, Johnson will have about + 5kph for when Jimmy comes out.

How is that Cardiff dust bowl going, remember Anderson and Monty needing gloves, water and the physio all at 5 to 6 on day 5 last time...

Golden duck

That's what Michael Clarke got at Chelmsford today. 34 degrees of muggy heat, under cloudy sky. Disgusting weather today.
Some decent scores around him though.
David Warner rattled up a 90 in fewer balls in a couple of hours this morning.
Mitchell Marsh scored an almost a ball century this afternoon in the biggest partnership of the day.
Typically, Watson scored a 50 and... didn't get 100. Some things never change. Ryan Harris is injured.