dAVe80

Very much agree with this. Dropping Finn makes no sense at all. Yes, he had an off match, but he's still an exceptional bowler. Michael Holding rates him very highly, and he knows a thing or two about bowling, so I'm sure he'll come good again.

Then the public are idiots! Its sad but true though, their is no enthusiasm really except when Aussies come to England or maybe at a stretch India in 2011 but that ended quickly when they showed how shit that India team was minus Dravid. Didnt England play a game in Cardiff vs Sri Lanka and think was only 60 people there for final day and that was an amazing turnaround I don't dispute lack of interest with the populist vote, or the casual viewer, now and again, but test cricket is still alive and well, and will continue to be in my opinion. I'd still say it's the number one form of the game. Also if memory serves, the game you're on about was on a foul day weather wise, and no one expect there was going to be any play, let alone a result.

Then the public are idiots!

Brilliant, brilliant test match. How anyone can doubt it's the best form of the game, is beyond me. Credit to the Aussies, they never gave up, and kept on fighting to the end. Jimmy was an inspiration yet again, but must admit to being a tad disappointed not to see Belly get the MOTM. Still a very happy England fan today. On to Lords next week, for hopefully another enthralling test match!

Ha! And another!!

Timely wicket. Can't believe Clarke wasted their last review on that!

A wicket needed, and quickly!

He didn't get anything on it. Yes he did I think the issue with Trott's dismissal, was the fact that the on field umpire's decision was over turned, without conclusive proof that he didn't hit it. Bears beat Pears. All is well.

"Just want to apologise for not walking off the ground tonight when I hit the ball. I was just so disappointed, my emotions got best of me." - Michael Clarke, 2010.

The umpires have made some very big mistakes in this test, but it's all added to what has been an absolutely brilliant match! Long live test cricket!

I stopped caring how he met their mother a long time ago.

Another fantastic day of cricket. Must admit to feeling for the young man, missing out on a deserved ton. My inner Englishman couldn't help give a hearty laugh mind.

The new Yo La Tengo tune is rather spiffing:

Great fight back from England. Jimmy Anderson's ball that got Clake out, was an absolute Jaffa! This is what The Ashes are all about! Gonna be a hell of a Summer!

Finn on a hattrick!

This is absolutely woeful,

Jeez!

Hmmm, this isn't good at all. Siddle is a dangerous bowler, but we've not helped ourselves (the ball he bowled to Bell was a good one mind).

That's what you get with KP. Yes he's an arrogant git, but on his day, he's the best batsman in the world, and a joy to watch. He's capable of getting out in a ridiculous fashion, but by the same token he able to make a double ton. You want him in your side, I'd say.

There are more International grounds that there used to be, Durham has never had an Ashes match, so I think it's only fair that they get one (plus I live in County Durham, and have tickets!), I am of the opinion that Edgbaston should always have an Ashes Test though, as our record there is very good, but you can understand why we've missed out this time. London gets 2 every time, which as much as that p*sses me off, you've got to understand the ECB's decision, as they always sell out. Lords will always get one, as it's Lords. The Oval is the biggest ground in the country, so again it's hard to argue. If you added Edgbaston as an ever present, you'd only have two Tests to get shared between Headingley, Old Trafford, Trent Bridge, Durham, Cardiff, and Southampton.

Ok then, we're away! The pinnacle of Test Cricket is up on us! Any predictions for the Ashes series in England? I think the weather will play its part, so gonna go for 3-0 England.

I've mentioned it before, but Sound It Out, a documentary about my local independent record shop (and the last record shop on Teesside) is a really great watch. Sad, funny, nerdy, and inspiring. It also happens to be on BBC4 again, on Saturday night. Get it watched!

Can of worms. Because of the whole, is it fake or real thing? Having watched it before I realised there was a whole conspiracy thing going on with it, it did make me wonder if some of it was staged. Once I found out the controversy, I'm firmly on the side of saying it's a big hoax (very well made, and enjoyable, non the less).