Ashes Test series

[dtaai-maai]

Watching the post-match interviews out of one eye at close of play yesterday I suddenly realised that Stuart Broad was announcing his retirement after this game. I've obviously heard many such announcements over the years, but this one really took me by surprise, and I found it quite moving.

He is, of course, well past retirement age for a quick bowler at 37, so fair enough. I think it was all the more surprising because we all assumed Jimmy Anderson would be the first to go, and he's 40! (41 today I think).

Still and all, it's a shame to lose one of the great characters of England cricket. Big boots to fill.

[Dannie Boy]

Let’s hope he marks his last game by taking a hatful of wickets and bowling the Aussies out for the less than 384 runs they need to win the game!!

[pharvey]

Weather permitting.........

[Dannie Boy]

Weather permitting.........

Before start of play, I was thinking the weather might save the Aussies, now at 135-0 I’m thinking it might save England!!

[dtaai-maai]

A cracking start to the day - 3 wickets in the first hour! Long may it continue...

[Dannie Boy]

Looking at the sky, it wouldn’t surprise me if rain decides the outcome?

[dtaai-maai]

The forecast is good - overcast all day but rain unlikely. However, I don't like the look of this current partnership between Smith and Head, and Anderson is not bowling at all well...

[pharvey]

The forecast is good - overcast all day but rain unlikely.

Oh dear....

"Posted at 14:1314:13
Post update

Daniel Norcross

BBC Test Match Special

Henry Moeran is showing me the doom. What I'm looking at is rain that extends from Peterborough all the way down the south coast of England and as time passes... 15:50 we can start the clean up. So an hour and 40 minutes of rain."

[pharvey]

And WTF?? - Stokes and the "Non-Catch"!!

[dtaai-maai]

So much for weather forecasts. I just took another look and it still says there's a 9% chance of rain...

And WTF?? - Stokes and the "Non-Catch"!!

He dropped it on the way down, and he knew it too. Silly referral.

[Dannie Boy]

I just looked at the sky when I predicted likely rain - the “good” news is that play is set to resume in about 10 minutes!!

[dtaai-maai]

All is not yet lost with Head just out. One thing I will say is that although there are technically (and theoretically) something like 43 overs remaining in the day as I type, the Aussies could reach their target in far fewer overs than that. I reckon we need to bowl them out within 35 overs.

[dtaai-maai]

274-6
Well bugger me sideways! I think I might have to have an early snifter....

[Dannie Boy]

All is not yet lost with Head just out. One thing I will say is that although there are technically (and theoretically) something like 43 overs remaining in the day as I type, the Aussies could reach their target in far fewer overs than that. I reckon we need to bowl them out within 35 overs.

Closely followed by Smith - could be an interesting hour or two?

[Dannie Boy]

All is not yet lost with Head just out. One thing I will say is that although there are technically (and theoretically) something like 43 overs remaining in the day as I type, the Aussies could reach their target in far fewer overs than that. I reckon we need to bowl them out within 35 overs.

Closely followed by Smith - could be an interesting hour or two?

Crikey, the wickets are falling faster than I can type!!