England have the wicket they needed as Watson is trapped LBW off Broad’s first ball after drinks. He falls for 46 despite a review and Australia are on 85-1 needing another 226 to win. Cowan is the new man but it is Rogers in trouble in the next over as he is given out caught behind off Swann but a review this time works in favour of the tourists and he is reprieved.
Tony and Frank have the job of keeping the Nottinghamshire Cricket Club members in check. Not that’s it a particularly hard job, as they told Brian Fairchild. “The main priority is to make sure that everyone is in the right place. Not everyone gets tickets for the Pavilion area, so we have to make sure that only members with the right tickets get into the Pavilion itself”. The Pavilion dates back to 1886, which makes Trent Bridge the world’s third oldest cricket ground. Frank commented “You should see the competition by the members to get the best seat in the Pavilion. The Ashes have nothing on that!”
Hannah, Gertrude and Heidi look as if they have just come off the set of ‘The Sound of Music’. In real life they are Nottingham students Chris Hope, John Petty and Craig Jones. Getting into the spirit of the Ashes today, John confesses that their choice of costume might not have been the best colours. ”With all this green and gold, we look more Australian than their supporters do!” Chris told us his reaction to England’s second innings ” We have a decent total on the board. I think the Australians will do well to get more than 150.” An England victory today would certainly sound like music to their ears.
Oz will have to bat out of their skins to chase down 311 as 284 is the record total chased down at Trent Bridge…Clarke holds the key
Is Graeme swann bowling in a neck brace? What is with the poms and their stiff high collars #flogs #ashes
England never lost in last 17 tests when Ian Bell scored a hundred. He hit his 18th today!! @TestMatchSofa @forwardshortleg #Ashes
interesting start as @Swannyg66 starts what surely Is going to be a marathon spell for him next change tea?? #RISE #Ashes
This innings isn’t going to plan for England as the first wicket partnership has moved on to 68. Shane Watson has moved to 36 and Chris Rogers 32 as they continue to put England to the sword. Momentum seems to be back with Australia and that can be a dangerous thing when a man of Watson’s calibre is at the crease. The tourists need 243 runs to win whilst the hosts are still striving for the first wicket of the 10 they need. The general chatter around the ground has grown quieter over recent overs with the crowd sensing the important period ahead.
With lunch taking precedence at Trent Bridge at this moment in time the topic of Australia’s startlingly impressive run rate will definitely be on the lips of the crowd. Having almost made more runs in their second innings partnership then they did in their first at a much more confident and casual rate, Shane Watson and Chris Rogers seem to be playing the game with the passion that the Australian fans and players will undoubtedly be wanting to see. With 28 runs off 42 balls it is starting to look like a more promising approach by the Aussies and after their first Innings victory it will come as no surprise to see their confidence rising as each ball is struck to the boundary with a sense on nonchalance.
With England all out in their second innings for 375, putting Australia in the position of having to chase 311 runs for the win. It seems inevitable that the question is on everyone’s mind as to whether the travelling team can turn up any more surprises; especially in the shape of 19-year-old Ashton Agar.
311 seems like a long slog and a hard score to make for this seemingly lacklustre Australia yet as we witnessed in the first innings the Aussies weren’t too short of surprises. Reaching a record breaking debut score for a number 11 at the tender age of 19 Agar managed to surpass all expectation and came to the forefront of international cricket in a bit of rush, in such a manner that his success may influence his team to step up their game.
It remains to be seen as to whether Australia can do the impossible and scrape a win and as to whether Agar can remain unfazed by the pressure placed on his shoulders to perform to expectation for his country.
Australia negotiated the 7 overs possible before lunch for the loss of no wickets. They go into the interval on 28-0 needing a further 283 more to win. Swann will be key throughout the afternoon session but Shane Watson remains and he could be the danger man for Australia due to ability to take the game away from the opponent. He is on 18 at lunch with partner Rogers on 10. Join us in 40 minutes to see how the afternoon session unfolds.