The Ashes; Second Test, Lord's, July 16-20

[Aidan11]

If Aus declare overnight it could be all over by tea tomorrow.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Well played Smithy and Ginger. Didn't look in a lot of trouble, and played positively, without being reckless.

[yuppie]

Well once again missed the whole days play, but it seems Australia are in a pretty good position.

Nice toss to have won by the looks of it.

From the little i have read it seems like this will be a draw Pitch? Is that the general view?

Well done to Ginger and Smith. Warner must be kicking himself.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Depends on the weather. If it swings, Australia will be quids in.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Light cloud tomorrow and hot sun on Saturday. I guess a lot of sun could cause the pitch to crack, if it is already dry.

[yuppie]

Whats the carry like? Im guessing it is a slow pitch as well?

[Aidan11]

Slowest of the slow.

[Aidan11]

Warner must be sick that he missed out.

[yuppie]

Oh dear ECB.

By making these pitches you also take out your own attacking bowlers.

[Aidan11]

Good job Bob Willis is more mellow these days.

[yorker_129-7]

Don't think you can blame the ECB, Mick Hunt is not a man known for taking instruction from anyone. This smacks of the South Africa pitch from 2008 which just died almost immediately. I think they made 270-1 or something similar on Day 5.

[backfootpunch]

Oh dear ECB.

By making these pitches you also take out your own attacking bowlers.

with the amount of tests we are playing this year it is not advisable to make pitches like this

it could be the premature end of both jimmy and broad

im just glad the british open was on

[Aidan11]

I bet we don't get anywhere near the Aussies score when we bat.

[yuppie]

Maybe im old fashion but i like to see a bit of help for quick bowlers on the first day.

Bit of carry to the keeper, some reward if you do bend your back. Something that can make the batsman think twice when pitching short.

Who would be a pace bowler on pitches that are this slow.

[hopeforthebest]

Whats the carry like? Im guessing it is a slow pitch as well?

The pitch is slow but because it appears rock hard the carry is not as bad as Cardiff. The main problem there's no swing and no seam. Starc and Johnson's 90 mph yorkers don't touch the pitch anyway.