Would it be against the spirit of the game for someone to put Sir Jimmy in a wheelchair and push him up to the crease and allow him to turn his arm over?
Can't be worse than using sandpaper!

2 in 2 for Curran but dog crap still there

No hat trick but 170-7

We’ve done well here. If only we could get Smith out.

ClaretTony wrote:We’ve done well here. If only we could get Smith out.

Yes but you can’t give him extra lives

ClaretTony wrote:We’ve done well here. If only we could get Smith out.

We've been saying that all summer CT,it shows that the Australians have just as many problems with their batting as England,sadly their one world-class player comes to the party time after time,we'll just have to bowl the rest out and leave Smith high and dry.

What’s most disappointing about Curran’s performance is (a) we’ve not picked him till now and (b) he shows what jimmy could have done if fit.

tiger76 wrote:We've been saying that all summer CT,it shows that the Australians have just as many problems with their batting as England,sadly their one world-class player comes to the party time after time,we'll just have to bowl the rest out and leave Smith high and dry.

There are some very average players in this Australian team but two very good bowlers and a world class batsman who is in unbelievable form.

Smith has probably played more false shots today than in the other 3 games combined

Got him

Well done Woakes

Smith out cheaply

The Buttler/Leach partnership could be massive for us now

Woakes with the most innocuous ball ever and Smith misses it. Awesome

Smith even walked off with an arrogant smirk !!

At least everyones happy today.

FCBurnley wrote:Smith even walked off with an arrogant smirk !!

You really do have a problem with him don’t you?

He’s the best batsman in the world, got suspended, served his time and has returned as the best batsman in the world.

Archer gets his Michelle.

Decent tailenders cameo by Lyon.

225 all out

Lead of 69

Put Leach in to open,jobs a good un.

ClaretTony wrote:You really do have a problem with him don’t you?

He’s the best batsman in the world, got suspended, served his time and has returned as the best batsman in the world.

No problem. I just dont like people who cheat. Lance Armstrong is another dislike with a passion. You are entitled to your opinion of Smith and I am entitled to mine. Your opinion doesn’t bother me but mine obviously upsets you. Am I missing something ?

6 fee Archer and a great catch by Burns

Love a Michelle

FCBurnley wrote:I just dont like people who cheat

A few years ago I was at a function at the football club at which Jimmy Mac was asked what he thought of these players who go down to try to win penalties.

“I used to do it,” he said.

What an awful decision at the end. Pitched way outside leg stump.

Alllllll sportsman do, it’s a human instinct to win at all costs. I think Steroid abuse is a little different as it’s dangerous but ball tampering and coning a referee is frustrating but will always happen in one way or another

Phew. Eventful last over but England’s day

Looks set to be a great finish to an enjoyable summer of cricket

Burnley1989 wrote:Alllllll sportsman do, it’s a human instinct to win at all costs. I think Steroid abuse is a little different as it’s dangerous but ball tampering and coning a referee is frustrating but will always happen in one way or another

I think there is a huge difference between say a player trying con a referee in the spur of the moment ( such cheating cannot be pre planned) and say taking banned PED’s during the build up to some sports event ie Lance Armstrong. Imagine being the guy who came second to him in the Tour de France ? The Aussie sand paper incident was also carefully planned ahead of time and was not just a spur of the moment thing. In My book there is a huge difference between playing professionally and cheating

As somebody (I think Butler) said in an interview after play yesterday- it's a good cricket wicket in that batsmen can graft some decent runs if they apply themselves sensibly but also bowlers can take a few wickets if they bowl well.
Good to see that.
I've got tickets for tomorrow and Sunday so hoping to see England establish a good position and push for victory- they need to apply themselves better at the batting than hitherto though. It'd also be helpful if Australia can shell a few catches like they did on Thursday.

Broad didnt bowl up to his usual standard in the pieces of play I watched on TV today and wasn't used much, was there any news of an injury/illness? In contrast Archer was pushed hard by the overs he was given, though I suspect he wanted to get his fivefer. Obviously he got the reward- hope he can recover for their second innings.

I respect your opinion and on another day I’d be inclined to agree, I’m borderline with it all

In reply to FCBurnley

Burnley1989 wrote:I respect your opinion and on another day I’d be inclined to agree, I’m borderline with it all

In reply to FCBurnley

Thanks. I too always respect other peoples opinion even if I disagree. And yes it is a fine line professional sportsmen walk.

What kind of lead is beyond the reach of Smith? A scary thought....

I'll open the bidding at 460. I reckon, given enough time, that's how many the Aussies could chase with Smith. He's playing ridiculously well.

Foulthrow wrote:What kind of lead is beyond the reach of Smith? A scary thought....

I'll open the bidding at 460. I reckon, given enough time, that's how many the Aussies could chase with Smith. He's playing ridiculously well.

It is scary. He’s at a different level to anyone else in this series. Batting fourth could prove tricky so if we can get a decent lead then it will be tough for the Aussies, well ten of them at least.

Some truth in what you say Foulthrow but, thankfully, an innings closes when 10 men are dismissed even if Mr Smith is still batting away in excellence at his end. If we can get a bit over 230 this 2nd inning (big IF maybe), I'd fancy our chances- even if SPD Smith gets 100+ again.

Remember they only need a draw. We have to win. Would think we need to bat for 4 sessions minimum and score 250 plus giving us a lead of 320 to 350. Then bowl em out in 5 sessions. Problem is I don’t think we can bat for 4 sessions or bowl them out in 5 especially if they are batting for a draw !!!

Current odds at Bet365 are: England win 1/3, Oz win 11/4, draw 25/1.

Obviously this may change if we perform the almost standard collapse tomorrow but England are clearly current favourites - despite Smith's obdurance/excellence.

The plan should be to bat well for two sessions and then go hello for leather after tea with the big guns.

Have 40 minutes bowling at them and get the two wickets we normally get early.

320 would be best for the game.

FCBurnley wrote:Remember they only need a draw. We have to win. Would think we need to bat for 4 sessions minimum and score 250 plus giving us a lead of 320 to 350. Then bowl em out in 5 sessions. Problem is I don’t think we can bat for 4 sessions or bowl them out in 5 especially if they are batting for a draw !!!

Neither team can bat for a draw so I wouldn't worry about that! If we put anything above 200 on the board in the second innings I think we win on a deteriorating pitch, even with Smith.

willsclarets wrote:Neither team can bat for a draw so I wouldn't worry about that! If we put anything above 200 on the board in the second innings I think we win on a deteriorating pitch, even with Smith.

The Aussies successfully batted for a draw at Lords and I'm not 100% sure Leach could knock them over on a final day.

But as long as they have a hope of winning,we have a big chance.

F C Burnley

"Lance Armstrong is another I dislike with a passion"

You might as well have quoted every winner of the Tour De France since the race was first introduced in 1903. Most of the past champions openly admitted to cheating and taking a mixture of caffeine, steroids, amphetamines, cocaine just to get them through the gruelling endurance race. During the first 60 years of the race doping was permitted but outlawed for the last 30. To compare Smith to Lance Armstrong is just absurd.

LeadBelly wrote:As somebody (I think Butler) said in an interview after play yesterday- it's a good cricket wicket in that batsmen can graft some decent runs if they apply themselves sensibly but also bowlers can take a few wickets if they bowl well.
Good to see that.
I've got tickets for tomorrow and Sunday so hoping to see England establish a good position and push for victory- they need to apply themselves better at the batting than hitherto though. It'd also be helpful if Australia can shell a few catches like they did on Thursday.

Broad didnt bowl up to his usual standard in the pieces of play I watched on TV today and wasn't used much, was there any news of an injury/illness? In contrast Archer was pushed hard by the overs he was given, though I suspect he wanted to get his fivefer. Obviously he got the reward- hope he can recover for their second innings.

Wickets still decent so IF England can apply themselves and bat most of tomorrow the lead should be over 300 and Jofra will get a rest.

Jofra will cause mayhem on the bouncier South African wickets,he'll collect bags of scalps over there.

Knowing this England team we'll be bowling again by tea

Broad had an off-day it happens,thankfully Jofra and Curran stepped up,and Woakes snared Smith for the 2nd time in the series.

If England don't go on to win this game serious questions will have to be asked,

kentonclaret wrote:F C Burnley

"Lance Armstrong is another I dislike with a passion"

You might as well have quoted every winner of the Tour De France since the race was first introduced in 1903. Most of the past champions openly admitted to cheating and taking a mixture of caffeine, steroids, amphetamines, cocaine just to get them through the gruelling endurance race. During the first 60 years of the race doping was permitted but outlawed for the last 30. To compare Smith to Lance Armstrong is just absurd.

Armstrong’s first win was in 1999. That is 20 years ago and is 10 years after drug taking was banned. I did not compare Smith to Armstrong. I simply said that I dislike both with a passion.

I think we can all accept that cheating is rife in professional sport.
The bans are too short to be a genuine deterrent. i'd love to see them substantially increased to the point where being caught cheating could actually wreck a player's career.

Not going to happen.

boatshed bill wrote:I think we can all accept that cheating is rife in professional sport.
The bans are too short to be a genuine deterrent. i'd love to see them substantially increased to the point where being caught cheating could actually wreck a player's career.

Not going to happen.

What would define as cheating?

For example, picking at the seam on a cricket ball is cheating. Should there be a lengthy ban for that?

Also, stealing yards at a thrown-in is cheating.

Quickenthetempo wrote:The Aussies successfully batted for a draw at Lords and I'm not 100% sure Leach could knock them over on a final day.

But as long as they have a hope of winning,we have a big chance.

They did, but they only had to bat 48 overs to survive and looked very shaky doing it. We should have two days to bowl them out at The Oval, there's no way they'll successfully chase something near 300 or survive for a draw.

ClaretTony wrote:A few years ago I was at a function at the football club at which Jimmy Mac was asked what he thought of these players who go down to try to win penalties.

“I used to do it,” he said.

And so did Harry Potts according to my Dad and for those on here who can remember Pilky- how on earth can your head flick backwards when felled whilst running forwards whilst both legs also flip backwards- we used to give him a 7 for artistic interpretation in addition to 5s and 6s for the dives.

willsclarets wrote:They did, but they only had to bat 48 overs to survive and looked very shaky doing it. We should have two days to bowl them out at The Oval, there's no way they'll successfully chase something near 300 or survive for a draw.

Apologies, I forgot about the extra day we have.

Too many Wednesday starts these days for my liking.x

The draw is a long shot from here.

Burns gone. Trying to be too aggressive against Lyon

58-1 Lead of 127

Gone after Lyon positively this morning.

Lyon got lucky with his wicket.

I can only assume Pattinson is injured because he looks a much better bowler than Siddle to me.