Fifth Ashes Test, Sydney

[QF WP]

Stumps. That's it for the day. The light has dropped and the umpires, after a quick meeting, have sent the players off. England won't mind - they have had a hugely dominant day - I suspect Australia won't mind either - they must be knackered. Coming into the day the match was fairly evenly poised but another marathon ton from Alastair Cook and a stylish, and at times fortunate, maiden Ashes century for Ian Bell has left England with a 208-run lead and utter command of the match.

Couldn't have said it better myself . Think it will be a long day tomorrow for the Aussies. Thankfully, the Test team have a long break before the next Test Series (October, isn't it?)

The only bright point about tomorrow is getting to watch Khawaja bat again.

 

[samh004]

Unlucky for Australia regarding Bell and the one that got away. But you can only fault the ICC for why "snicko" isn’t a part of the 3rd umpires tools for determining if someone hit the ball or not. After all, it’s not like the human eye can perceive heat spots on a bat, so an ultra sensitive microphone isn’t a stretch.

Good to see England batting well though, I’m guessing they’ll play through the first session in the morning, perhaps sending Australia in just before lunch? Should be a good day tomorrow regardless.

 

[RB]

Couldn't have said it better myself . Think it will be a long day tomorrow for the Aussies. Thankfully, the Test team have a long break before the next Test Series (October, isn't it?)

The only bright point about tomorrow is getting to watch Khawaja bat again.

Next play Sri Lanka in Aug

 

[QF WP]

That's right. Well, they'll need the break to find the form that has deserted them.

 

[simongr]

That's right. Well, they'll need the break to find the form that has deserted them.

They might need a map and a long run up.... and better selectors...

 

[samh004]

I see no one has posted wickets here this morning, but looking forward to what I assume will be the Aussies second innings after lunch. Nice to see Prior get his century, also good to see England beat their previous highest Ashes score at the SCG, with 636 so far.

They currently lead by 356.

 

[QF WP]

Sorry, had a morning appointment, but very casual as we had the cricket on the TV in the background, then I listened on ABC Radio on the return to the office (via the flooding roads in inner northern Brisbane due to yet another torrential downpour aiding king tides).

See England made 644, (yet another record to fall in this Ashes series ) and Australia now 0/18. A long road until Stumps today, let alone tomorrow.

Still, they have started positively after 8 overs....Watson has hit 4 x 4's in the last 3 overs and is 28 off 24 balls - must be warming up for the One Day series

 

[samh004]

Still, they have started positively after 8 overs....Watson has hit 4 x 4's in the last 3 overs and is 28 off 24 balls - must be warming up for the One Day series

Yet is involved in another run-out. Crazy stuff… I wonder who called and who didn’t listen.

 

[QF WP]

Another bloody run out in a Test Match....what was Watson thinking

12.4
Swann to Hughes, 1 run, OUT, 96.9 kph, oh no, that's hideous. Watson has done it again. Hughes worked to midwicket for what should have been a long single, Watson turned and hared back for a second that was never there. Hughes sent him back but Watson had no chance as the throw came gently in and Prior took off the bails. Complete waste, he'd been batting so well.

SR Watson run out 38 (40b 7x4 0x6) SR: 95.00

Watson has now been involved in seven run outs.

Australia again are in need of cheer and who better than Usman Khawaja to provide it?

 

[samh004]

From the replays I am seeing and hearing on the Tv, and also what the commentators are saying… Hughes didn’t say NO! So it’s partly his fault as they locked eyes and both started running, then Watson looked to the ball and continued, breaking eye contact and failing to see Hughes going back, but Hughes would have seen that and didn’t call out.

Australia again are in need of cheer and who better than Usman Khawaja to provide it?

In an earlier poll he was favoured to score the most in the second innings for Australia… though I’m not sure what that’s based on as he’s only had one innings and while he showed promise, wasn’t the top scorer of that innings. Certainly seems like Australians and pinning all their hope on the new boy

 

[QF WP]

19.2
Bresnan to Hughes, OUT, 139.9 kph, brilliant delivery does for Hughes! The battle is over for him again. England pinned him back, starved him of anything to score off and Bresnan has dealt the killer blow with a fuller ball that bounced and zipped away off a length, Hughes' feet went nowhere and it took the edge, Prior leapt across first slip to take a smart catch
PJ Hughes c †Prior b Bresnan 13 (58b 1x4 0x6) SR: 22.41

Both openers gone...should I start drinking now

 

[simongr]

Goodbye Hughes - hello test series

 

[samh004]

[/B]
Both openers gone...should I start drinking now

Prior leapt across first slip to take a smart catch

The catch was pretty lucky as he seemed to catch it high, around his wrists! Though he was moving to the side.

 

[QF WP]

At Tea, Australia are 2/77, Clarke 19 (off 28 balls), Khawaja 4 (off 36).

England will be happy enough with their two wickets. Shane Watson had batted so well before gifting his wicket away in a horrid mix-up with Phillip Hughes. After his dismissal England settled into their choking approach with Tim Bresnan and Graeme Swann starving Australia of anything before Bresnan landed a good delivery to dismiss Hughes. All of which leaves England eight wicket away from a triumph that looks inevitable

I can hardly disagree

 

[Alanslegal]

Goodbye Hughes - hello test series

It was Hello series after they got rid of Pointing

C'mon Australia's new #3 Khawaja! Slow but steady !

 

[samh004]

C'mon Australia's new #3 Khawaja! Slow but steady !

It seems not. Didn’t even do as well as Watson, so really it’s all down to Hussey and Johnson again I think.

 

[QF WP]

Damn!! I was hoping he'd bat for longer. Still, a nice Test average of 29 to start

37.3
Anderson to Khawaja, OUT, Anderson gets Khawaja! Really well bowled, he follows the bouncer with a fuller ball that pitches on line and moves sharply away from Khawaja, who chases one he should have left and edges behind
UT Khawaja c †Prior b Anderson 21 (73b 2x4 0x6) SR: 28.76

 

[Alanslegal]

It seems not. Didn’t even do as well as Watson, so really it’s all down to Hussey and Johnson again I think.

I posted too early & might have jinxed him But an ave. of 29 isn't too shabby for (what I hope will be) a permanent Pointing replacement :!:

 

[QF WP]

43.4
Anderson to Clarke, OUT, 138.8 kph, this is masterful old-ball bowling from Anderson! Really skillful. Full and angling in before bending away late, just enough to flick the edge of Clarke's defensive push and Prior did the rest
MJ Clarke c †Prior b Anderson 41 (73b 6x4 0x6) SR: 56.16

That's the game right there! Can't see us hanging out for a draw now....unless rain intervenes....which doesn't look likely today

 

[samh004]

That's the game right there! Can't see us hanging out for a draw now....unless rain intervenes.

I think you have misplaced faith in the newcomer Khawaja, while Hussey has consistently performed, and Johnson too when under pressure. Haddin has also got very lucky in the last over, and plays well sometimes

There’s still hope!