The 66th Ashes 2010-11

Just over 12 hours until first ball, but it's been pouring down here all day.

Khawaja and Bollinger in for us with Ponting and Harris missing out through injury. Stake your claim, lads.

You reckon their will be delays Crouchie?

Definitely. Will be lucky if this holds out going by the severity of the thunderstorm in the afternoon/evening last night.

F***ing.... Boo

Starting on time at least.

Will switch on after the darts, cmon lads!!!!!

Come on lads , lets stand up to the Pom's for once . Great decision by Pup to bat .

Jeez , Poms are bowlin well . Hang in there lads !!!

Got a feeling a frustrating day in store for England. Oz batsman sticking in well, and with a bit of rain around I think we're gonna see Oz 2 down for 150 at close

Another classic from Bumble Lloyd. Getting questioned on NYE around Sydney Harbour Bridge by Atherton.

"I went back to my room and watched the darts and a film. Well you've seen one firework, you've seen them all and there was too many people around."

 

55/1.

I feel sorry for Hughes . Poor shot , fucken let those balls go lad . England bowlin well and now i'm lookin forward to seein young Khawaja make his debut .

Went to sleep when it was about 90/1 so a nice surprise when i saw the score this morning.

Once Hussey is knocked over it should be another good start from England.

I'd say its even after day 1 tbh, need to have them out for 300.

Going to be the closest of the games this one I feel.

Haddin already gone. Caught behind off Anderson.

Hello! Hussey has gone!

Another one two bites the dust! Anderson getting both wickets. 189-8. In full control here.

Went bed at lunch, very disapointed to see them make 90 odd runs for the final 2 batsman.

Could cost us.

Went bed at lunch, very disapointed to see them make 90 odd runs for the final 2 batsman.

Could cost us.

Johnson and Hilfenhaus dug in quite well.  Two cracking days of test cricket.  Australia good at both ends of the innings,  sh*te through the middle.

England came in looking very strong.  Strauss almost might want to get back in to 20/20 cricket - he raced to his 60.  Made Cook look like the plodder.  Not a bad score from England so far.  Would be nice if they ended up in the high 300's.  Although it's looking like it will be fairly even going in to the second innings.  Batting fourth could be a big problem on this pitch. 

Batting fourth could be a big problem on this pitch. 

Aye, thats my worry. I think we will end up chasing 300 to win, something tells me they will bat well second time around, the pitch looks flat to me. We need to get 370 and bowl them out for 300. Anything over 250 seems unlikely.

Cmon Coll, a nice solid 50 to finish of your England career!!

England could regret letting Johnson and Hilfenhaus get away. You expect tail-enders to throw the bat a bit but a 70+ run ninth wicket partnership is ridiculous.
They will do well now to get a decent lead on a pitch that is showing a bit of life. Tomorrow will be crucial, if England bat all day it is theirs to lose, especially as they know a draw will secure them the series.
Australia will want to have them all out by tea with little or no lead, to put them under pressure in their second innings.

Anderson to get 30
Coll to get 40
Cook to get 80
Bell to get 100
Prior to get 50
Bres to get 20
Swann to get 15
and Tremlett to get 150 N.O

England edging this morning session but it's very tight this match. 212-4. 68 behind. A lead of over 100 would be seen as good I feel.

Cheating Aussie bas**rds. What the F**k was Hughes going up for a catch when it bounced. Cheating c**t. Cook on 99 an all. Umpires got it spot on.

Got get your ton Cooky.