The Ashes; First Test, Cardiff, July 8-12

[captaincolly]

Saw my first bit of ashes action on Ch5 tonight. England seem to be well in control of the match. Cautionary note though; England gave a few wickets away trying to be very positive, so it might not be quite that simple to lift 10 wickets for the win. They should go 1-0 up, though, and that will give the Aussies something to think about.

I confess that I enjoy watching Woody enjoying his cricket. He's come from nowhere really, done well and is clearly having a ball. An object lesson in how to flourish at the highest levels of any sport.

He looks in course for a half century. I remember when he started at Durham and there were suggestions he had all-round potential. Injuries meant he struggled to find batting rhythm but he looks more than capable.
Classic Nasser Hussain commentary-he was saying Woody looks as if he's going to nurdle the ball around and the next ball was smashed out of the ground into the river.

[sussexpob]

Saw my first bit of ashes action on Ch5 tonight. England seem to be well in control of the match. Cautionary note though; England gave a few wickets away trying to be very positive, so it might not be quite that simple to lift 10 wickets for the win. They should go 1-0 up, though, and that will give the Aussies something to think about.

I confess that I enjoy watching Woody enjoying his cricket. He's come from nowhere really, done well and is clearly having a ball. An object lesson in how to flourish at the highest levels of any sport.

He looks in course for a half century. I remember when he started at Durham and there were suggestions he had all-round potential. Injuries meant he struggled to find batting rhythm but he looks more than capable.
Classic Nasser Hussain commentary-he was saying Woody looks as if he's going to nurdle the ball around and the next ball was smashed out of the ground into the river.

Hell of a shot, even Tendulkar or Lara would have been proud of that hit

[captaincolly]

Saw my first bit of ashes action on Ch5 tonight. England seem to be well in control of the match. Cautionary note though; England gave a few wickets away trying to be very positive, so it might not be quite that simple to lift 10 wickets for the win. They should go 1-0 up, though, and that will give the Aussies something to think about.

I confess that I enjoy watching Woody enjoying his cricket. He's come from nowhere really, done well and is clearly having a ball. An object lesson in how to flourish at the highest levels of any sport.

He looks in course for a half century. I remember when he started at Durham and there were suggestions he had all-round potential. Injuries meant he struggled to find batting rhythm but he looks more than capable.
Classic Nasser Hussain commentary-he was saying Woody looks as if he's going to nurdle the ball around and the next ball was smashed out of the ground into the river.

Hell of a shot, even Tendulkar or Lara would have been proud of that hit

Yep, great shot. He's definitely got potential as a batsman. Batted a session and a bit against Notts earlier this year after coming in as nightwatchman.
Auto correct striking again in the earlier post-" He looks in course" should have been " He looked on course." !

[hopeforthebest]

England are favourites but that depends on the bowlers maintaining the standards they showed in the Oz first innings which is more difficult when bowling to win a game. If Warner gets going and Smith and Clarke are determined, England will need to play top cricket. I reckon it's 55-45 in England's favour.

[captaincolly]

England are favourites but that depends on the bowlers maintaining the standards they showed in the Oz first innings which is more difficult when bowling to win a game. If Warner gets going and Smith and Clarke are determined, England will need to play top cricket. I reckon it's 55-45 in England's favour.

80-20 for me but my predictions often turn out to be hopelessly wrong!

[GarlicJam]

I am more in favour of Colly's figures. 1 chance in five of Aus winning - that sounds about right.

While there is life, there is hope - and he gives us almost an even chance of winning, so things are improving all the time.

[Arthur Crabtree]

99.5% in England's favour if there are two days to play. If the last day is to be rained off, I'll go 80% England to win tomorrow, 20% the draw.

[from_the_stands]

To win from here, the openers would have to get off to a good start, with one of them going on to a big score. If Steve Smith gets settled, he could well anchor the innings. Clarke needs to do something too. Twatto will be batting to save his career. I'd say that the Poms are favourites, 75-25 for me.

[from_the_stands]

Actually it will finish like this; Australia will get to 300 odd for 9, with Adam Voges and Josh Hazlewood putting on another 100 odd. Ben Stokes comes in to bowl to Hazlewood...

[backfootpunch]

To win from here, the openers would have to get off to a good start, with one of them going on to a big score. If Steve Smith gets settled, he could well anchor the innings. Clarke needs to do something too. Twatto will be batting to save his career. I'd say that the Poms are favourites, 75-25 for me.

the history of the game suggests more like 98-2 in favour of us

warner and smith are the key, if one of them makes 100+ you have a chance

[hopeforthebest]

Everything depends on our bowlers remaining calm and patient which hasn't always happened in the past.

[Arthur Crabtree]

If the tourists get 280, that will be a very good fourth innings score. They lost the game in both first innings.

[hopeforthebest]

Tomorrows weather looks a wash-out so it must happen today. That makes Australia's chances of a win unlikely but puts added pressure on our bowlers.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Difficult situation, as he forecast might change. But I'd guess Australia's only meaningful opportunity is to bat the day out, which should be possible, and hope for rain.

[Arthur Crabtree]

The BBC forecast has light showers in the morning, and sun from late afternoon, so some play seems possible on Sunday.