The Ashes; Melbourne

[Arthur Crabtree]

Forecast looks ok tomorrow, but with some cloud that might help the bowlers. Still could be an exciting finish to this game.

[meninblue]

England bowlers have not at all used the scorecard pressure created by massive lead of 164 runs. Under that pressure they should have taken more wickets for 103 runs , however Aussies are 103/2. Credit to Aussie batters, other teams would have lost 4 wickets under that pressure, batting second. Feel that rain has helped Aussies by playing out atleast 1 session ?

[Durhamfootman]

Aussies praying for rain to save their sorry @rses. pity it's too late. Starkers must be feeling pretty chuffed right now

[Arthur Crabtree]

Maybe CA will sack Lehmann after this disaster?

[Durhamfootman]

tough job description, when winning every ashes test at home is the minimum acceptable standard

deserves the sack!

[andy]

anyone know what forecast is like for tonights play? Tempted to stay up but not if its gonna piss down..

[Arthur Crabtree]

Cloudy, small chance of rain in the afternoon.

[meninblue]

anyone know what forecast is like for tonights play? Tempted to stay up but not if its gonna piss down..

It's confirmed that match will start half and hour early to cover lost overs.

[Arthur Crabtree]

The tour has just moved into another sphere of awkwardness with suggestions of ball tampering in the local Aussie press. The umpires haven't made a charge but this muck usually sticks.

A spark that never caught fire.

[bigfluffylemon]

The tour has just moved into another sphere of awkwardness with suggestions of ball tampering in the local Aussie press. The umpires haven't made a charge but this muck usually sticks.

A spark that never caught fire.

The umpires and match referee weren't interested. It's hard to escape the conclusion that it's just more Pommie bashing.

Draw has to be favourite today, but obviously if England can get rid of Smith and Warner early, or Smith makes a generous declaration to keep 5-0 alive, things might get interesting. Otherwise it's likely to be handshakes at the last hour.

[GarlicJam]

Not that there is anything wrong with a bit of Pommy Bashing - it is to be encouraged - but this one seems to be a case of premature exaltation.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Slow going and no early strikes. Anderson and Woakes in charge of the controversial Kookaburra.

[KipperJohn]

Is there anybody there?

[Arthur Crabtree]

They'd half fill Lord's.

[Arthur Crabtree]

It is odd I suppose that the biggest gate in the game subsides to such little interest in so few day, spanning the same Test. Like the 88000 is for the tradition, but the 10000 or so is for the game.