The Ashes and Cricket World Cup Discussion Thread

I was one of those critics. I even said that he should be dropped!!He put me firmly in my place.I shall just stick to watching I think.

On another matter just how bad are the Aussie bowlers. I am old enough to remember Lillie and Thomson how sad is it!!!

Great to see Pietersen getting a century (with a little bit more) but I hope he doesn't return to the crease today and we declare and see what the Aussies have got left, even if they get 400 we'll only need a 100 and without any Lillie, Thomson, McGrath or Warne that shouldn't be a probelm.

There batting isn't the real issue here its just the quality of their attack, yes they have a '5th bowler' with a better test record than ours (Watson > Collingwood) but still there is a difference in what comes before them, I will put money on Swann appearing in the next game but I wouldn't risk any pennies on Doherty returning again anytime soon, the lad is a bit out of his depth in test match cricket and I wouldn't be shocked if they made another change to their seam bowling lineup before Perth since the best they can get here is a draw and they'll really, really need to start winning a couple of games soon.

I wish this was a timeless test and we could make the muffins suffer for another whole day in the field.

Getting Clarke in the last over was crucial!! With only North and Haddin to come as recognised batsmen, we should win this one if the weather allows it.

Forecast for tomorrow is crap though, the Aussies could well escape with a draw. Personally i hate the weather deciding the outcome whichever way it goes, even when England are getting thumped i'd rather just take it on the chin than have the weather save us.

A notable day for Kevin Pietersen, who began it by reaching his career-best score (227) in England's 620-5 declared and ended it by taking what could be a crucial wicket in Australia's second innings.

his wicket of clarke reminded me of harmisons against the same player in 2005 at edgebaston and we know what happened on the sunday. win by 1run. greatest ever test in the greatest ever test series. the old trafford test afterwards was brilliant and just showed how desperate the aussies were. australia dont play well when ponting starts throwing his toys out of the pram, trent bridge 2005 where he got run out by our 12th man gary pratt, gabba 2010 about anderson.

Getting Michael Clarke out of the last ball could be the turning point of this match as the pitch has just started to open some cracks and there is some rough out there too. The 5th day weather doesn't look good at all and it would be a shame if it ends in a draw because England have played far better cricket then the Aussies in all departments.

Some bad news guys....

Adelaide for Tuesday A morning shower, increasing to showers and a thunderstorm during the afternoon and evening. Warm to hot with moderate NE/N winds and a light to moderate SW afternoon sea breeze.

Hopefully we avoid all that and can take these 6 wickets ASAP

more sad news stuart broad out for the rest of the ashes tour and one dayers with adominal strain

i hope selecters give tremlett a go and not bresnan, ok bresnan may bat better but tremlett will get more wickets