The Ashes: Perth.

[Durhamfootman]

impossible to rule out England losing their last 6 wickets in the first hour of the morning session for 30 or 40 runs.

35-6 in 9 overs for England. Great comeback by the Aussies.

it's as if it was written in the stars. Australia will declare in their innings and England will fall apart on day 4 leaving Aus with a 100 to win

[yuppie]

England opened the door a little, 10 overs this evening. Another wicket and they should be pretty happy with that. England just need to remember that this is not a strong batting line up.

Khawaja needed to go on, another start but on this pitch he needed a big score. Possibly unlucky with the call.

[Arthur Crabtree]

England's second string getting the wickets this time. Feels like the Aussies will get a decent lead and put on pressure in the third innings. But as things stand, with the Aussies batting last, England must be reasonably well placed.

[budgetmeansbudget]

A lucky break off Stoneman's boot and then a straightforward catch is messed up between himself and Bairstow.

Got to take your chances on this wicket and England haven't so far.

[andy]

OZ will be happy with that close of play score...should get up near england's score, nothing in the wicket

[yuppie]

Broads 5 wicket in this series at a strike rate of over 100 has to be a concern for England.

Worth noting that after these 2 bats, no one has made a 100 for Australia. M Marsh only has 2 international 50's, Paine is not known for his batting, and then there is the tail that can be stick around. 2 early wickets tomorrow and England are in prime position.

[Dr Cricket]

TBH Root and Cook have been the two biggest disappointments.
Especially root hasn't stood up in an away test since the joburg test in 2015.

[Dr Cricket]

Joe Root record in Oceana is quite poor.
Averages 26 in 10 test matches.

[yuppie]

Broad has 5 wickets at 43 and a strike rate of 109. Thats not great.

[Dr Cricket]

Wonder if broad still hasn't sorted out his outswinger.
I know last summer he was working on his bowling because he wasn't getting the ball to move and that was attributed to him changing his action to be more effective in Slow and low pitches and him working on his off/leg cutters.

[budgetmeansbudget]

Broads 5 wicket in this series at a strike rate of over 100 has to be a concern for England.

Worth noting that after these 2 bats, no one has made a 100 for Australia. M Marsh only has 2 international 50's, Paine is not known for his batting, and then there is the tail that can be stick around. 2 early wickets tomorrow and England are in prime position.

Methinks you are trying to keep interest in this series alive Yuppie.

Fact is Smith will make a big hundred tomorrow and there will be notable contributions down the order taking the lead to in excess of 100.

England will then collapse in their second innings and the series will be done.

[yuppie]

Broads 5 wicket in this series at a strike rate of over 100 has to be a concern for England.

Worth noting that after these 2 bats, no one has made a 100 for Australia. M Marsh only has 2 international 50's, Paine is not known for his batting, and then there is the tail that can be stick around. 2 early wickets tomorrow and England are in prime position.

Methinks you are trying to keep interest in this series alive Yuppie.

Fact is Smith will make a big hundred tomorrow and there will be notable contributions down the order taking the lead to in excess of 100.

England will then collapse in their second innings and the series will be done.

There are some pretty big chinks in this australian team though. S Marsh did not look sure today and Smith can not just keep scoring hundreds all the time. Its easily possible for Australia tail to collapse like Englands did. And England still lead by 200 runs, and you would say the tail starts at the next wicket.


Maybe im just trying to look at the positive side of this. One thing is for certain though, England will need their quicks to perform tomorrow morning, otherwise they wont win this test. Looking at the weather forecast, at present i would think the draw os the most likely scenario. Australia seemed to be batting with more urgency, possibly in recognition of the weather forecast.

[Arthur Crabtree]

A draw is good for England. Melbourne is a good ground for England and they can go 2-1 there and take the series to Sydney..

Still not convinced they won't lose this game though. Australia get a lead and then England fold second time around.

[GarlicJam]

Such a great day for England, and its so quite here.

Everyone in shock? Or do they prefer it when England are not doing well?

It has happened too often for it to be a coincidence, Yuppie...

and the thread is more lively today, Yuppie....

[Dr Cricket]

Draw is likely because of the rain around, the only advantage for Australia is that perth is a quick cricket wicket, runs and wickets can fall in a quick pace.
really looks like it is day 3 today but it is only day 2.
Day 4 the weather doesn't look too bad, rain after 2pm.
Sunday the rain stops around 2 or 3pm.
have to see if enough time is available to get a result here.
Sunday 100% rain to fall on that day although from hour to hour forecast rain only falling after 3pm.
monday the forecast look better only rain in the morning stop around 10am.
So maybe the forecast is better than expected.