Long way to go yet though. Read this.

Last meeting

England had Australia on the rack in this game. Having reduced Australia to 65-3 with a massive 551-6d on the board - Paul Collingwood made a double century and Kevin Pietersen 158 - they were looking good for victory.

Ricky Ponting steadied the ship somewhat but on 35 he made an error. His misjudged a hook and the ball was sailing straight down the throat of Ashely Giles at square leg. He dropped it. Had he held on, this extraordinary Test may well have only been notable for England levelling the series.

As it was they collapsed in a dreadful panic on the last day, from 69-1 to 129 all out. Australia needed 168 off 216 balls; they got it with 19 balls to spare. A nadir for England. One of Australia's greatest sporting triumphs.

All out for 245 in the first dig, not a good start but good recovery being at 3/2 after three overs. Best part was watching Braddin and Strauss go at it at the end of the day

roles reversed from the first test today will be a massive one for the series. if au can hold the scoring to say 450 and put in a decent batting could still manage a draw or even a win. England bat two more session and it is looking pretty easy for a victory. Gonna be a late one for me tonight

Get that portable workbench set up and settle in J-P. The first session today will be critical. If you guys stay the course and put on another good pile of runs the game swings your way, but if our bowlers find their form and send a few back to the rooms early it gets really interesting.

3 for 834 over the last two inning for old country, not bad! Shame they will capitulate and be all out very early this morning before the boys pile on the runs for the 2nd innings. Another hat trick for Siddle on the final day to wrap it up for the home side......

And now the rain has stopped play, saving England from almost certain defeat !! They may just salvage a draw in this game yet !!

BTW, well done Mr Pietersen, very nice double ton

So now the so called greatest sporting nation on earth needs the weather to help out???

Nobody's won a game yet so if the Aussies can survive this Test (they're still pretty good with the bat) they're right in with a chance. I wonder who they'll pick to bowl for the next Test though?

Simon (the pom in Qld)

PS Just heard Glenn McGrath's predicting a 4-0 win for Aussies.

Bring back Warnie, and Brett Lee is still available for selection.

Ok you lot, pour it on, I'm ready to cop it and we certainly deserve it after that dismal performance.

mmmmm, wheres that rock to hide under...

I can't enter this campaign! I'm not sure I can build as fast as England can bowl out Australia

thanks
Mike

Chin up! It could be worse. It could have been New Zealand. lol

Ouch!

Hi

Just a quick though, we at MJW Models have just got the Special Hobby kit of the Aussie Beaufort in stock now. Not sure how if it could be built in 5 days though but it would be a splendid model either way!

thanks
Mike

Here's my build for this campaign. I went for something small and simple given the limited time for the build.


I also chose this because I wanted to model an RAAF machine, rather than RAF, although to me the markings aren't obviously RAAF. Maybe RAAF adopted different roundels after 1941?

Cheers

Simon

Ok fellas, we almost ready to start it all again ?? A major overhaul of the Aussie squad, how about some predictions ?

I'm tipping Aussie win in 4 days. Not an innings win, England to bat first, Aussies to make about 80 runs more on the first innings, England all out for about 250 early on day 4, then Aussies to pass the English total with 2 wickets down late on Day 4.

Then again, I could be totally wrong. I actually thought I was wrong once, but I was mistaken

Can't decide whether it should be a Airfix/Vista Fulmar or a new Airfix Mk1 Spitfire.
I might even bat of the other side if I can pick up some decals.

To misquote the Telegraph (Sydney one)
"Is there anyone in Austrailia who can play cricket?"

Yeah, but they're all on the WRONG TEAM

Hmmm, well, umm, ahhhhh . . . . . no comment

The Aussie bowlers are looking good with willow in hand. Should give them a lift for when they bowl at England.

Since the final test will be a dead rubber we can all get on with our builds.

Think we'll be needing the "New Ashes".

Ok, one small comment . . . . . . .




MITCHELL JOHNSOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON !!!!!!!

Drop kick one minute, saviour the next. England will be praying he grows his tash back for Melbourne.

Well I got it half way right, Aussies bat first and up by 81 on first innings. I hope the rest of my prediction is that close.

Ponting fails again, Mr Consistency