And (although injured in this Test), Brett Lee is in the squad too.

There's a certain air of dreadful inevitability about the way this Australian innings in unfolding.

Harmison would have had them all out by now, or at least given second slip some catching practise.

Just gotta keep the pressure going with the spinners for another 10 overs then a quick burst of Flintoff before and after tea will bring wickets

Monty is casuing them next to no problems and Swann is keeping it tight and that's it. The Aussie bowlers even though supposedly weaker got far more out of the pitch and that includes Hauritz

Australian Ashes Touring Squad 2005
Ricky Ponting (captain)
Adam Gilchrist (vice-captain)
Michael Clarke
Jason Gillespie
Brad Haddin
Matthew Hayden
Brad Hodge
Justin Langer
Michael Kasprowicz
Simon Katich
Brett Lee
Stuart MacGill
Damien Martyn
Glenn McGrath
Shaun Tait
Shane Warne


2009 Australia Ashes squad:

Ricky Ponting (c), Michael Clarke (vc), Stuart Clark, Brad Haddin, Nathan Hauritz, Ben Hilfenhaus, Phillip Hughes, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Brett Lee, Graham Manou, Andrew McDonald, Marcus North, Peter Siddle, Shane Watson.

aussie ouh...aussie aussie aussie ouh ouh ouh...

A continuation of his form for a while, he's not doing much to justify his selection.

Got to open up after tea now with freddie and jimmy got to get an early breakthrough. Ponting looks set now and thats not a good sign at all. Been very impressed with Ponting looks to be battign perfect and not look like getting out (LETS SEE IF I CAN JINX THE AUSSIES TOO



HAHA )

I think you've mentioned him in every post in this thread!

OBSESSED.

Naaaaaaaa just the best player we have got and the only 1 that has looked like getting a wicket actually

Said Rashid should have played.

Just imagine the strength of the batting lineup if he did he would be batting at 10

lol and he would have had the rough to work with that Panesar hasnt used. Was a tough call either way tbh

Well, the groundsman at the SWALEC looks like he's fulfilled the instructions of his ECB paymasters and created a flat pudding that a 10 year old could bat on for five days.

Stuff whether it creates an entertaining contest between bat and ball, show me the money.

If the rest of the pitches are like this it's going to be the most boring Ashes summer in history.

4 years ago.

His form didn't warrant a selection, but what does form matter? I can't see the game because I don't have SKY, but I'm guessing Monty is just throwing the standard 50-60mph dart that barely turns?

Seen bigger angles on a ruler.

I didn't expect that

Great start this morning with the bat, and I felt 435 was enough to be honest.

But Ponting and Katich have batted superbly.

That said, disappointed with our bowling efforts throughout the day. None of the bowlers have really looked like taking wickets.

If you're wondering why Shane Warne hasn't been commentating on SKY as advertised

Shane is playing in the World Series of Poker and has made it to day 3, he could be in till July 15th if he makes the finals.

[url=http://www.shanewarne.com/blog/wsop_day_2Shane's poker blog[/url

top prize is $8,546,435

It's a shame Ashley Giles isn't still in the team.

Then we could say if only Panesar was playing, he would have been perfect for these conditions....why oh why was Fletcher so negative

Yes.

Flintoff has been dining out on his 2005 Ashes performence for far too long now. He is an injury ravaged show pony. Does it for 3 or 4 overs then just average.

freddie's bag of tricks

Shcoking performance from the bowlers yesterday, if the get 650ish then we could well lose this test match without them even having to bat again therefore nulifying the fact that they would be batting last.

Nice work skipper - the Aussies got the best of the bowling conditions on a pitch that still had a little life and under some cloud cover, and now get to bat in bright sunshine on a mattress.

England are now facing having to bat most of days 4 and 5 just to save the game as the pitch starts to break up.

Team selection dictated that Strauss was stuffed if he won the toss and had no option other than to bat.