The Ashes: Brisbane.

[Durhamfootman]

Aus manage to get to a 26 run lead before Root gets Smith out - for 141.

Well done Smith. Yet again.

Well done indeed. England need to find a way to knock hm over, because up to now, he's the difference between the 2 sides

[Durhamfootman]

Up to capt Root tomorrow. England need to bat all day. If they don't, Aus will win this test

[alfie]

Up to capt Root tomorrow. England need to bat all day. If they don't, Aus will win this test

Pretty much. Don't think the pitch is going to go feral so anything less than 300 lead unlikely to cut it - and the last thing Broad and Anderson need is to be back out there within 24 hours.
I think it is already clear that they remain both the cutting edge and the control factor for Root.

England have competed well. The inch or so by which Smith survived padding up to Anderson just before lunch was perhaps the turning point of the day. Cummins did a fine job ; not totally unexpected. He batted well in India ; has a calm approach at the crease. Did what the England later order should have done and played patiently on a flat pitch.

Has been a good match so far. Still might have a twist or two ; but even if England do go on to lose from here I'd hope they can take heart from the things they've done right and not fold up the way the last lot did. Not to put too much pressure on Root : but tomorrow would be a good day for a Captain's Innings...

[alfie]

England need a better third seamer. Or they need one out of Woakes/Ball to bowl better. I reiterate they bowled such friendly stuff.

Spot on , greyblazer.

Disappointed with Woakes. Ball ...well I see things to like but he just doesn't look ready : can't help feeling his selection ahead of Overton was both questionable and potentially foolhardy.

Still only one innings. But still... Real pity TRJ fell to injury . I'd love to have seen him on this.

[meninblue]

Smith is arguably world's best test batsman at this point of time. And he is batting at home in the conditions he knows well. England bowlers are going to have a tough time if his form continues in remaining of series.

England will have to bat out entire day tomorrow. However I doubt that is going to happen because there is no long innings batsman left apart from Joe to bat the entire day against Starc, Cummins, Josh and Lyon. Have Aussies as favorites to win this.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Australia are better placed only as far as they have the better players. The actual match situation could hardly be closer.

[meninblue]

Cook's dismissal was bad for a player of his temperament and class. With a fielder there and having not settled it was a bad shot selection imo.

James got a ball which he had to play.

Josh bowled well. The bouncer to Cook was well directed, backed by the fielder in catching position. The other wicket taking ball was also nice. His bowling looked impressive and deserved wickets.

[The Professor]

Wary, dull and safe batting will be the order of the night tonight.

[Durhamfootman]

Smith is arguably world's best test batsman at this point of time.

not arguably..... he is the best batman in the world atm

[backfootpunch]

Smith is arguably world's best test batsman at this point of time. And he is batting at home in the conditions he knows well. England bowlers are going to have a tough time if his form continues in remaining of series.

England will have to bat out entire day tomorrow. However I doubt that is going to happen because there is no long innings batsman left apart from Joe to bat the entire day against Starc, Cummins, Josh and Lyon. Have Aussies as favorites to win this.

Don't think it's arguable

He has both roots consistency and kohlis ruthless ability to convert 50s into hundreds

His record is ridiculous

[backfootpunch]

England need a better third seamer. Or they need one out of Woakes/Ball to bowl better. I reiterate they bowled such friendly stuff.

Spot on , greyblazer.

Disappointed with Woakes. Ball ...well I see things to like but he just doesn't look ready : can't help feeling his selection ahead of Overton was both questionable and potentially foolhardy.

Still only one innings. But still... Real pity TRJ fell to injury . I'd love to have seen him on this.

Strange really as woakes did very well in the warm up games

With Jimmy looking like he has a potential side strain he will need to bowl a lot better

[bigfluffylemon]

Another good day's cricket, with initiative again seesawing, but Australia definitely have their noses in front now with those two late wickets.

There is obviously a fairly good chance that it could be all over today, but if England do manage to make a fight of it, what do we think they need? IMO, anything less than 200 then the Australians will cruise it, 250 is probably still Australia favourites but should be enough to be competitive and England to have a chance, and 300+ will make England favourites. It will require application and some good fortune, but they have shown some of that grit on the tour so far, and over the summer, that I'm not 100% writing England off yet.

Only 90%

[The Professor]

Smith is arguably world's best test batsman at this point of time.

not arguably..... he is the best batman in the world atm

After 57 Tests, Kohli had 16 tons, Williamson 15, Tendulkar 13, Root 12, Ponting 11, Lara 10, Dravid 10, Jayawardene 10, Kallis 9, de Villiers 9, Sangakkara 9.

Smith has 21.

[Dr Cricket]

Might be able to watch some of the morning session while I wait for the pizza to arrive.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Smith is fourth in the all time averages behind Bradman, Sid Barnes and ... Adam Voges. All Aussies.

Minimum 1000 runs. Set the bar at 1500, and Smith is number two.

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine ... pe=batting