Malcolm Ashton, BBC TMS
“This is a record-breaking seventh-wicket partnership at Trent Bridge in a Test for England. The previous best was 119 between Matt Prior and Tim Bresnan against India in 2011.”
Alan Tyers, The Telegraph
“Superb day again yesterday. Ian Bell produced, for me, his best and most important innings in an England jersey. If he had got out for a pretty 30-odd, I reckon Australia would have won. As it is, the has put England firmly in the driving seat. Scyld Berry reckons England can stick on another 50 today, and that should be enough for the win. Even if they were knocked over in five minutes this morning, I reckon 261 is still a serious target for Australia, probably beyond them already but you never know.”
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/international/theashes/10170731/Ashes-2013-first-Test-live.html
Sir Ian Botham, The Mirror
“I’d be a lot happier in the England camp, but before people start thinking about a win, I would say there is still a long way to go in the game – and nothing is impossible for a team with Michael Clarke in it. What was all the fuss about? Stuart Broad did absolutely the right thing in standing his ground after that edge. Broad was entitled to stay put, he did not try to influence the umpire in any way, he just stood there and waited for a decision. He’s got away with one. Good luck to him.
If you’re going to start banning and taking action against players who don’t walk, then Australia wouldn’t have a cricket team.”
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/cricket/ian-bothams-ashes-opinion-stuart-2048956#ixzz2Yv9JWQJF
Simon Burnton, The Guadrian
“I think it would have been bizarre, even reprehensible, for Broad to walk. Cricket isn’t about actually getting the batsman out, but convincing an umpire that the batsman is out. In the case of Trott, Australia didn’t get the batsman out, but convinced an umpire that they had. In the case of Broad, they did get the batsman out, but failed to convince an umpire that they had. They’re two sides of the same coin, and if Australia were happy to win the coin-toss with Trott, then they can hardly complain when it lands on the other side.”
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2013/jul/13/the-ashes-england-australia-live-report