I remember that it was such big news when Gilchrist started walking that it probably shows it's a rare thing.



oh exactly!
Can you imagine if there were no restrictions on the amount of reviews?

While I understand the pragmatic view is to 'leave it to the umpire', I'm not sure that I liked seeing it happen. I've read that none other than Shane Warne has said that Broad did nothing wrong.

Let's hope sportsmanship continues to shine through. Remember that Swann caught Agar, then ran to congratulate him on his great innings. Shades of Flintoff/Lee, there.

There is more tendency in international cricket to "walk" these days, simply because, with the review system, they pretty much know they won't get away with it. Generally if a bloke doesn't "walk", it's because he doesn't believe he's nicked it, like Michael Clarke in the second innings.

Heartbreaking for Australia as they lost by 14 runs i thought for sure they would get them with Brad Haddin

It was a great game, despite the disputed decisions. From my position in the crowd, it was difficult to see (or hear) the latest ones, it will certainly be interesting to see the replays on TV later. The crowd loved every minute and to be fair, it was a shame to see either team lose.

2nd Ashes Test Team Changes


Australia:

In:
Usman Khawaja
Ryan Harris

Out:

Ed Cowan
Mitchell Starc


England:

In:

Tim Bresnan

Out:

Steven Finn

2nd Ashes Test


England have won the toss and decided to bat first

Well, Harris is certainly justifying his selection. Root and Pietersen dismissed in his first three overs!

He is with 3 wickets & Steve Smith is a suprise as well

Couldn't watch so much of it last night ... maybe after the footy tonight I can sit back and watch. Seems like England had a dodgy patch to start and to finish but were solid enough in the middle of it all!

We're just raising your hopes, ready to dash them again (I hope!).

Y'know it's only fair that Smith picked up wickets.

The Australian bowlers have been expected to score all the runs, so it's about time the Australian batsmen started to take wickets!

Man what happen to Australia i went to bed when Australia came in to bat and were all out for 128

The BBC headline said it all: "Australia folded like napkins".

And England got in a few pleats of their own before the day ended, 31-3? What's that about?

If you're looking for me, I'll be in my backyard doing a rain dance... by proxy for London

Can a rain event last for at least a month? That will allow us to escape with only a 1-0 loss. Things are looking extremely bleak.

I feel very sorry for Chris Rogers. He obviously wanted to review the decision but didn't so as to preserve the last team review. The less said about Watson's choice, the better. As someone posted on CricInfo, each innings has one review for Watson, another for Australia.

Don't forget we're talking about the UK. If I start the rain, it might well last a month. I just need to turn the tap a little. For the Brits here, I don't want it to flood, you've had enough of that lately. I'd just like enough misting rain during cricket hours to prevent play. *sigh* It wasn't that long ago that were were doing as well as the Poms in sport. Enjoy it while it lasts, duckies!

It was St Swithin's Day this week, it was sunny - so do the rain dance all you like, it won't work. Although we could do with some rain, it's too bloomin' hot!

I'll note the date in my diary for the next tour

It's about time for Michael Clarke to bat at No 3

Well, Khawaja looked ok, and Clarke didn't exactly set the world on fire. Clarke is most comfortable, and most effective, at 5, so if that's where he wants to bat, then he should. If you recall, Steve Waugh and Allan Border spent a large part of their time as captain at 6, and were very effective.

Of course, Waugh and Border had some decent bats above them...

It's going to be one of those weekends you'll hate. Mo Farrah broke the longstanding British record for the 1500m yesterday and he's not even a middle distance runner. Chris Froome should (fingers crossed, touch wood, barring accidents) win the Tour de France tomorrow - as if a Brit winning the Tour wasn't enough to send the French into paroxysms of grief last year, another one's going to win it this year, oh la la! And then there's the cricket... but you know about that.

I just checked the rugby union trophy case and felt like Old Mother Hubbard! We'll survive the weekend somehow and plough on until we reign supreme again.... one day... in one sport or other

Then you just had Manchester United beat A League All Stars 5-1 last night in Sydney

"The time has come," the Walrus said,
"To talk of many things,
Of the British and the Lions,
And all the British cyclists' wins,
While in cricket there's the Ashes -
So many sporting things."

"A game of golf," the Walrus said,
"Is what we really need:
At Muirfield there's the Open
With Westwood in the lead -
And Murray won the tennis so
Life's very good indeed!"

"Oh Aussies," said the Carpenter
"You had a pleasant run!
Shall we invent another sport
That you can play for fun?"
But the Aussies were quite silent
For trophies had they none.



With apologies to Lewis Carroll