Will The First Test See Day 5?

With such a quick turn around of the first Innings for the English and Australian batsmen it is well worth pondering over the question as to whether the first Test of the 2013 Ashes will make it to its final day or not.

Coming into the third day it may have seemed preposterous to believe that the final day would play its part yet with the steady movement and batting safety of England’s Ian Bell it would seem that cautious tactics will play their part in English success (if there is to be any!).

It would be a good guesstemation to say that to reach a minimum of 250 runs for the home team would see them on their way yet it was previously believed that the powerful English bowling brilliance of Anderson, Finn and Swann would grant their opponents a doomed fate early on; that idea was quickly dashed due to the skill and diligence of young star Ashton Agar.

Despite all hope the chances of seeing day 5 are extremely thin. Fingers crossed for those with tickets but I wouldn’t hold my breath.

Kieran Matthews

Ashes Podcast: Harry Judd

One man keen to quash the notion of cricket being for a mature demographic is McFly drummer Harry Judd. After winning the hearts of the nation with his appearance on Strictly Come Dancing, Harry has come to Trent Bridge to take in the wily moves of the likes of Matt Prior, Ian Bell and Stuart Broad.

Day Three Live: Bell Holding Firm

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Ian Bell has passed the half century mark and in doing so has reached another milestone for the game of 6000 test match runs. The lead is creeping up, currently on 165 as tea is taken with England on 230-6. With more than 30 overs remaining in the day it is still a possibility that we could see Australia batting tonight.

A View From The Boundary

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Jocelyn Galsworthy has been painting at cricket grounds for the last 28 years and her favourite English ground (OK – after Lords, admittedly) is Trent Bridge. She’s returned to paint another portrait of the ground over the five days of the Test, hiding behind a screen in front of the new scoreboard and replay screen.

Jocelyn is based on the Isle of Wight, but travels the world painting cricket grounds of all shapes and sizes. Her first portrait of Trent Bridge was in 1985, so she has seen the ground develop radically since then. In 1998 she sat in front of the pavilion to capture the seen with the newly-opened Radcliffe Road stand and this time she wishes to include the New Stand into the portrait.

Although she is here for five days, it will take upwards of three weeks to add all the fine detail and complete the picture. However, she will be using a little bit of artistic licence as the final painting will not include the ‘cherry picker’ and elevated TV camera. And they say that pictures don’t lie!

Jocelyn loves Trent Bridge, particularly the atmosphere and the helpfulness of the stewards. I’m sure she’ll be back in future years!

Nick Shaw

Day Three Live: Wickets Keep Tumbling

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Prior is the next to go for 31 and that leaves England on 218-6 and out of recognised batsmen. Siddle is the wicket-taker as Prior tries to pull him but doesn’t catch it right and the ball loops to mid-wicket where Cowan completes the catch. The lead is just 154 but Bell remains on 48 despite a few convincing appeals. The Warwickshire batsman will be looking to prove some critics wrong and guide England to a comfortable position.

Day Three Live: Game On A Knife Edge

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As the new ball is in use this game still has the opportunity to take a big step towards completion today. The crowd know this and the atmosphere remains at a high level in keeping with the pressure situation of the game. England are up to 212-5, a lead of 147 with Bell on 47 and Prior on 25.

The Broad Appeal Day

Day three of the First Investec Ashes Test is Broad Appeal Day in aid of Motor Neurone Disease here at Trent Bridge.

The appeal led by Stuart, Chris and Gemma Broad was launched after the death of Chris’ wife Miche, who suffered from the disease, in July 2010 and aims to raise funds to continue research into MND, a disease for which there is no cure. Today Trent Bridge are hosting a Broad Appeal stand beneath The New Stand and former England player Chris rang the bell before the start of pay.

We have a full interview with Chris Broad on our AudioBoo channel

Further information about the Broad Appeal can be found at http://www.thebroadappeal.org/ and their JustGiving page  http://www.justgiving.com/The-Broad-Appeal