2013 Ashes

Was doing stuff with the kids last night, finally got them to bed, thought I'd watch some cricket. Had to rub my eyes when I originally saw the score of 9/130. Made up with that last wicket stand. Gutted Agar got out for 98. (You heartless c**t, DLS    ). Great fightback to even get a lead and now have your lads 2 down with not much of a lead. Gonna be a great 3rd day.

One thing you can't knock 'Punter' for was his batting. Finished his career today saving the game for Surrey with a knock of 169 not out. Fitting way to bow out of the game with a big innings at The Oval.

Good to see Alistair Cook join the great list of the great all time captains: Captain Pugwash, Captain Ahab, Captain Beefheart, Captain Sensible, Captain Birdseye, Captain Mainwaring, honestly until england find a man with a brain and a mind of his own we weill never get better, game will end today.

Good to see Alistair Cook join the great list of the great all time captains: Captain Pugwash, Captain Ahab, Captain Beefheart, Captain Sensible, Captain Birdseye, Captain Mainwaring, honestly until england find a man with a brain and a mind of his own we weill never get better, game will end today.

Learning on the job a bit though Cook..
I have to say one of the captains that has impressed me the most recently is Mcullum but he hasn't got the job until his late 20's..
For Cook it's maybe a bit early but the selectors like a safe pair of hands who will tow the line, Cook was the obvious choice for them. There are a couple of others who would probably be more inventive captains in the side but they wouldn't fit the mould.

I'm not sure it will finish today.. Pitch looks flat ish right now, Emgland will try to bat slow and long, 80 runs a session, roughly 310-320 by the end of play 7 or 8 down would be my prediction.

England should be putting on at least another 200 with these 8 remaining wickets.

If they don't then I think it suggests it's going to be a very tight series.

Wish I had tickets for this test!

England should be putting on at least another 200 with these 8 remaining wickets.

If they don't then I think it suggests it's going to be a very tight series.

Wish I had tickets for this test!

I've got tickets for the Old Trafford test and I'd quite like it to be a tight series by the time they get there!

The Ashes make me feel conflicted, cheering for England against Australia... from my sofa in Scotland.

50 for KP

On the captain thing though, I'm not sure Ponting was all that.

I thought Ponting was a great captain. Having to replace Steve Waugh, who in my opinion is the best captain I've ever seen after Stephen Fleming, was always gonna be a difficult task for him but he handled it brilliantly.

People can say he had the players there but they still need to be led by a quality captain. Same way in football, quality players need to be managed by a quality manager.

Pietersen gone for 64.

50 for Cook

Oh F**k, real trouble for England now. Cook gone.

First Test cricket for Agar.

Can't have a much bigger scalp than the England captain.

Scratching around now. Need something big from somebody to have any chance.

England could do with a really good stand here. Pivotal period of the match!

Really liked that piece they did with Lara.

Really liked that piece they did with Lara.

Watched a bit of that then was really interesting. I know they get some sh*t on here, but Sky's cricket coverage is first class.

Watched a bit of that then was really interesting. I know they get some sh*t on here, but Sky's cricket coverage is first class.

Yeah it is mate.

I think that's the case because the people involved are impartial to a certain extent. Obviously the majority of them want England to win but they'll give honest opinions on everything which is the complete opposite of the football side of things.

Good test cricket here. Batsman need to dig in. Need to sack the cut shot off for starters.

Yeah it is mate.

I think that's the case because the people involved are impartial to a certain extent. Obviously the majority of them want England to win but they'll give honest opinions on everything which is the complete opposite of the football side of things.

Most of those involved in the presentation, commentating and opinion side have all played top-class cricket, tend not to go in for the sensationalised sh*te rather just discuss what has actually happened in the game which is the exact opposite of their football coverage.

Bell given out...reviewed it.

NOT OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

F***ing get in there.

Bairstow out now.

Bowled Agar, caught Haddin.

Come on Matt Prior