Second Ashes Test, Adelaide

[QF WP]

3.58pm And they're off for what appears to be bad light! The stadium lights have just been turned on ... the rain has not arrived yet. Clarke and Hussey marched smartly off as soon as the light was offered, but England didn't go anywhere and, indeed, are still out there.
Plenty of people out on the field. A few England players, umpires and a full complement of ground staff. As well as some neon-jacketed security staff. Everyone waiting for this storm to break...
Just to add to the anxious tension about the weather, the umpires have their light metres out too. The ground lights aren't on though. Jarrod Kimber, one of our spies at the ground, tells us that Stuart Broad has been in the nets with a massive great strap around his waist, lifting a medicine ball with considerable difficulty, and bowling off about two paces. All in all, he doesn't look entirely mobile.
4.00pm A fierce wind has now picked up, and the rain is starting to spit down quite heavily. This could be a lengthy delay, it's bucketing down.
4.22pm Andrew Miller has a promising weather update: "There's something of a chance that the worst has been and gone. It looks like it is brightening up, and the wind is pushing the monstrous knot of clouds further south with every minute."

Hmmm, think they got them off at the right time...

 

[QF WP]

4.36pm The worst of the weather seems to have passed and we have just been reliably informed by Miller that there'll be "a 4.55pm restart if there's no further rain" - just under 20 minutes.
4.48pm The latest images of the ground show much improved conditions. It's certainly much brighter so light shouldn't be an issue, and the rain seems to have stopped entirely. Which means we should have play in a few minutes time!
4.52pm England are back out on the field, and they've just been joined by Hussey and Clarke and play will start in a few moments. Some good news for England is that Stuart Broad is back out on the field, and so obviously isn't suffering too much with that stomach muscle strain.

Now 3/183, Hussey 25, Clarke 48

 

[samh004]

Hmmm, think they got them off at the right time...

When the umpires originally checked the light there was no issue, and it didn’t look like it was offered. They then went off when they looked at the large dark cloud mass moving in, but there was no rain yet. The covers came on, but were not rolled out and everyone stood around.

Ad break and when the cricket came back the wind had picked up and it started raining, but without all the walking around and pondering before the Australians moved off, they’d have got in another over.

 

[QF WP]

Now 3/217, Hussey 33, Clarke 70

I'm off home (and will listen in car until stumps). Until tomorrow.

 

[JohnK]

Unless the weather intervenes further then the Aussies would need to bat all day tomorrow to save the test....

 

[QF WP]

damn, Clarke out in the last over for 80, caught by Cook, Pietersen bowling.


Sent from my iPhone using AFF Mobile

 

[samh004]

Clarke c Cook b Pietersen 80

4/238

At first Clarke started to walk but when the umpire didn’t raise his finger he went back to the crease and made England challenge the decision. Bit dirty I think, of course both sides could have players that don’t walk, but I would’ve expected him to do the honest and right thing, given it was so clearly out.

 

[JohnK]

Uh oh! Not the news we wanted to hear Lindsay....

 

[tuapekastar]

A little related trivia-type question:

Melbourne breakfast radio announcer-person (Ross Stevenson, for MEL people) attended the races at Caulfield some years ago and met 3 international cricketers (who were together at the time).

Alphabetically: Brian Lara, Kevin Pietersen, Daniel Vettori

He said they were (one trait for each, alphabetically): aloof, arrogant, down-to-earth

Can you match personality with person (no cigars, it's not too difficult IMHO).

 

[samh004]

I don’t know much about either, but would assume Brian Lara was down to earth?

 

[RB]

A little related trivia-type question:

Melbourne breakfast radio announcer-person (Ross Stevenson, for MEL people) attended the races at Caulfield some years ago and met 3 international cricketers (who were together at the time).

Alphabetically: Brian Lara, Kevin Pietersen, Daniel Vettori

He said they were (one trait for each, alphabetically): aloof, arrogant, down-to-earth

Can you match personality with person (no cigars, it's not too difficult IMHO).

I believe they are probably in the correct order already

 

[QF WP]

aaaggghhhhh.....

MEK Hussey c Anderson b Finn 52

North and Haddin have to dig in now.

The BOM radar is looking disappointing clear. Does anybody know the steps for a good rain dance?"

 

[markis10]

There is a cloud seeding aircraft departing Parafield as we speak

 

[QF WP]

BJ Haddin c †Prior b Anderson 12

 

[serfty]

Aus 286/8 (91.6 ov, PM Siddle 0*, XJ Doherty 0*, GP Swann 3/83) | Live Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo

91.3

Swann to Siddle, no run​

91.2

Swann to North, OUT, 87.4 kph, another massive appeal from England as North played around his front pad and was struck in front. Given not out initially but England reviewed, North got a big stride in as he thrust bat and pad together, it hit pad first, in front and Hawk Eye confirms it hitting! North gone and Australia have crumbled here this morning​

MJ North lbw b Swann 22 (35b 3x4 0x6) SR: 62.85

91.1

Swann to North, no run, 89.2 kph, Swann finds turn and bounce, plenty of chat from the England fielders, they know they are on the verge of victory​

Anderson on a hat-trick but he'll have to wait to try and get it because it's the end of the over. 90.6

Anderson to Harris, OUT, gone! King pair for Harris! Anderson aimed the inswinger at a full length, Harris left alone and it crashed into the front pad bang in front. Harris reviewed but it only confirms the worst. Harris becomes only the second Australian ever to bag a king pair.​

RJ Harris lbw b Anderson 0 (1b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00

Ryan Harris is in on a king pair. The Aussie tail exposed.

90.5

Anderson to Haddin, OUT, 136.2 kph, Anderson gets his man! Finally this is full enough to drag Haddin forward, the full length means the ball can swing and nibble off the pitch, flicks a faint edge as Haddin aims a drive and Prior does the rest. England are through to the tail now!

BJ Haddin c †Prior b Anderson 12 (21b 2x4 0x6) SR: 57.14

90.4

Anderson to Haddin, no run, 135.2 kph, much better this time, offering to bring Haddin forward to defend​

 

[oz_mark]

There is a cloud seeding aircraft departing Parafield as we speak

Excellent News. :mrgreen:

 

[samh004]

It’s been a wonderful morning in front of the TV

It’s beautiful hearing Jerusalem!

 

[samh004]

Woo!

A well deserved victory.

 

[DrJ]

I assume you're of British ancestry Sam?

Congrats to England though, it has been a long wait for them. Looks like another dark age for Oz cricket a la the mid 80s

 

[samh004]

I assume you're of British ancestry Sam?

Congrats to England though, it has been a long wait for them. Looks like another dark age for Oz cricket a la the mid 80s

I’m not sure if I should call you DrJ or TTE but yes, born in England, grew up in a colony (HK) and now live on the Gold Coast.

I don’t think it’s a dark age for Aussie cricket, after all, to expect to win all the time is a little… what’s the word? But I think they’re not in form for this Ashes, and probably need a think about the squad looking forward.

When they compared the ages of the teams at the start of this last match the oldest English player was 34, while there were a few 35 year old Australians. I’m sure players can still be good after 35, but it’s showing a lot, the age of the team, when everyone assumes younger teams do better.