Fairly typical. A week before the 1st test the same media were questioning the wisdom of the selectors for sticking with Hussey whose form was lacklustre in the games played earlier this year.

I agree though that it was harsh, but no doubt similar to the pommy journalism when Strauss failed in the 1st innings.

There'll be no 'crowing' until the series has ended....I learned many a series ago that 5 tests is a bloody long time.

To the victor the spoils :DL

I honestly don't take too much notice of the press because their main aim is to sell print/newspapers.

Too much hindsight for me.

It's time for Ricky to retire...before he in inevitably pushed (although, with our selectors, that may never be likely).

Yes, as we've seen numerous times, you don't crow in Adelaide (bit of a pun there for AFL fans) until the end of day 5.

Of course, the difference here is that historically we've had the bowlers that could make the difference in the last session or so...

55-1 and Strauss gives the inevitable opportunity to the Old Enemy.....wake up in the morning and either cheer or jeer.

Goodnight http://www.fonefunshop.co.uk/forum/i...es/gdnight.gif

Taxi for Strauss!
http://images.smh.com.au/2010/12/04/...auss-200x0.jpg

Not that there's been much joy since then England squarely on top with Cook and Pietersen batting well. The Australian attack is looking lacklustre with only Siddle and Bollinger showing any signs of life. I'm not sure about Doherty's selection but you have to play what you've got. And right now we don't have a lot.

Woke up and it's a solid cheer....the Aussies are struggling :yep:

Probably a taxi or two waiting outside the ground tomorrow during the Aussie 2nd innings :DL

No point - they won't be needed until day 4, after England declare at 4 for 800 or whatever.

Unless we can actually start to take some control of the game with the ball, I fear that is all too likely.:damn:

The fielders could help the bowlers a smidge by catching the ball. Then move on to throwing it at the stumps. After Doherty missed the run out, Tony Greig made the observation that it was reflective of the difference between the two sides, given Trott's runout the day before. I'm not a Greig fan, but I had to agree with him on that one.

All joking aside...I can see this series hinging on one bad innings because both teams are capable of having 'a day off' and equally as capable of having 'a good day at the office'.

Long way to go yet but I still stand by my original prediction that the series will be won either way 1-0.

Looks like we are in the same boat then as I'm afraid I have no idea on the origin of the name myself however I will ask a few of the old timers down the club to see if any of them know.

I did however have a spot of luck when it came to the object of the spat that developed between Strauss and Ponting at the end of day one. A friend of mine with a few skills in the subject of lip reading was able to make out a few words. It seems that Ponting has mislaid one of his belongings and was enquiring as to it's whereabouts with the England Captain.

Towards the end of the second day I found myself feeling sorry for the poor Australians as they toiled in the hot baking sun with the wheels falling off around them but then I remembered the 90s and the feeling evaporated away, like Australias hopes of winning the second Test.

Cook with another ton, Peitersen heading for a ton - perfect start for England.

England are cruising now at lunch on the third day with Pietersen in imperious form and 150 to his name already whilst Collingwood is offering able support and well on his way to a Fifty. After seeing off the new ball and seeing off the boc bowling attack who are now reduced to a shambles, the afternoon session threatens to be a run fest for the England batsmen.

If I was an Aussie supporter I would be asking a lot of questions, such as why is Ben Hilfenhaus not playing ? Why is Doug Bollinger playing ? Why won't Ponting give Katich a bowl ? And as for Xavier Doherty... just why ?

England could win this one by a full innings and then Ponting will be under real pressure.

Superb innings from Peitersen, which will keep his doubters quiet (me included). England will probably add a few more runs on day four before declaring and winning this one by an innings.

Strauss is a cautious Captain and he may well bat again on the fourth day but it should not be for long, infact I would only use the first few overs up as a slog fest and then get the bocs in as soon as possible. The new ball is crucial and it is worth so much more in the first hour of any morning than at any other time, the so called golden hour.

Play is scheduled to start half an hour early on the fourth day to try and reclaim some of the time lost to rain yesterday.