The Ashes: Brisbane.

[Arthur Crabtree]

At work looking at the scorecard. It feels very tense.

Just as well we don't have four day Tests.

[Dr Cricket]

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

Hope you're holding it together on your epic shift.

Regulations say you have to have 11 hours between shifts, by the way.

Don’t think that counts when you have 2 jobs.

[bigfluffylemon]

As they start talking about highest run chases and 4th innings totals at the Gabba, some surprising stats:

Of 44 matches played at the Gabba that have gone to 4 innings, Australia have only batted last in 16 of them. Statistically it ought to be half, although with a small sample that is probably within a reasonable deviation (can't be bothered to work it out).

Of those 16, Australia have only been bowled out 3 times. The last time they were bowled out was in 1968! Those completed innings scores: 240, 232 and 58 (1936 Ashes, thanks to Gubby Allen!). And one of those wasn't even a loss - the 232 was in the famous tied test vs the West Indies.

Of the remaining 13, there has only been one draw (2010), the rest have been Australia wins.

10 of the 12 wins Australia have had to chase 160 or less.

The 240 is the highest score Australia have made at the Gabba in the 4th innings, while 236/7 is their highest chase. 9 other times have the visitors made more than 240 in the 4th innings here. And on every one of those 9 occasions, Australia have won or drawn the match. The highest successful chase by a visiting side here is 170/3 by England in 1978,

All this just underlines Australia's incredible dominance at this ground - they've either set impregnable 4th innings targets, or had fairly nominal totals to chase.

[meninblue]

What was that by Jonny!!

Tried to loft one even with the fielder there. Neither the fielding position not the scorecard permitted such a shot.
Poor dismissal like that of Cook.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Going to have to be an old style Aussie collapse from here.

[bigfluffylemon]

Johnny fell for a sucker trap, and from nothing (and not even bowling very well), Starc has 3 in 2 overs! England's tail really can't play the short ball.

Over the last couple of years Australia's batting from 7 down has been the worst in the world, while England's middle and lower order has been among the best. You wouldn't believe it from this game though - both times England have gone from 7 down to wiped out in no time, while Australia put on over 100 for the last 3. The ability to clean up the tail or not was a major factor last time, and it looks as if it could be again.

A lead of 170 is almost certainly not going to be enough, but it is just about enough for there to be a small chance for England. They will need to bowl out of their skin though. The question is more likely to be how many wickets they can take on the way. I'm going for 3-4.

[Red Devil]

Wow - that all changed quickly. Express pace from Aus giving Eng lower order a problem. Aus will be very happy with that

[Arthur Crabtree]

Can't say England don't have a chance. The scores are getting progressively lower and it's hard to score quickly. Might be some excitement ahead.

[bigfluffylemon]

Can't say England don't have a chance. The scores are getting progressively lower and it's hard to score quickly. Might be some excitement ahead.

Probably depends if Wee Davey gets going.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Who will be England's Willis, Headley, Caddick, Botham- all knocked over the Aussies from positions like this.

Sort of the eternal paceman, a mystical, misty figure glimpsed every ten years, cutting down Aussies in pursuit of small targets.

[Gingerfinch]

Close for so long, and we'll end up getting thrashed.

[Dr Cricket]

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

Hope you're holding it together on your epic shift.

Regulations say you have to have 11 hours between shifts, by the way.

Don’t think that counts when you have 2 jobs.

The shift isn't that epic anymore, didn't flex up at tesco so finish at 7.15 am although I left early at 6.45 am and my second job start at 12.30 pm so it isn't that bad.
Although now I have to decide if I want to watch the cricket for 1 or 2 hrs and then have a short nap before work.

[Dr Cricket]

Root really needs a century in the Ashes, If I was a coach of england I would be seriously pissed if he has another india type tour of when he kept on getting 50s and getting out.
the dude seriously needs to start converting centuries, if it carries on it probably affect how he will be regarded in the game compared to the other top batsman.

[Dr Cricket]

looks like Ali might be injured.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/cricke ... njury.html

[meninblue]

50 for Cameron and Warner. Both look well settled.