Clarke gone thats the one we want 22 for 3. We could have 5 or 6 tonight at this rate. 

Be all out for under a 100 at this rate

Gonna be a very short test at this rate!   All over by tea tomorrow? 

currently 53-4

The Brother in law is going Friday , he might not see a full days play

An even day characterised by an even display of poor batting by both sides.

One can't help but speculate on the detrimental effect that the ever multiplying short formats of the game are having on the ability of Test batsman to bat out a session keeping the scoreboard ticking over rather than going for the big shots. I think it's sad that when the weather does not interfere that Tests these days rarely run to a 5th day.

I was talking about this to a TNT driver today , we mentioned that all the short formsof the game have messed with players heads/ability to perform in a test.

How many hours did we bat for????..................not good

Pieterson's dismissal was easily the worst for me. He never looked comfortable and the ball before the one that got him out he wafted at one well outside his stumps with his feet firmly planted well away from the ball, awful shot. When he sent the next one down the slips throat there was almost a sense of inevitibility about it. He looks out of nick which isn't surprising as he hasn't palyed enough cricket.

I understand why Cook elected to bat first, it was simply because he would not have fancied batting last on this wicket as it is dry, dusty and full of cracks that are only going to get bigger.

It looks like it won't get as far as the 4th or 5th day however and my worry if that Australia could end up chasing something like 150 - 180 to win the test on a 3rd day / early 4th day wicket that is gettng worse but still not at the levels Cook might have been expecting as he would have been expecting Australia to be batting well in to the 4th day and the start of the 5th. The whole game has been moved forward and is progressing at a fast rate.

The Aussies are a happy bunch this morning, they fancy a possible underdog upset victory here. All about the first session later today.

There wasn't much confidence around going in to this test, many expected England to pile on the runs yesterday, they will take anything at the moment.

I think it's important to remember the weather conditions on Day 1.  It was overcast and quite humid and a day made for seam and swing bowlers.   The forecast says it will become sunnier and warmer from tomorrow and the ball should move around less as a result.

Assuming Australia get up close to 200 from perhaps 50 overs tomorrow it might mean there's a brief period when batting is easier.   I think Australia are short in the spin area, playing a relative novice.

The ball that Anderson got Clark with was an absolute jaffa - slight inswing then slightly away off the pitch to hit the top outside half of off-Stump.   That's the sort of delivery you want to cherish - about as good as it gets for a swing/seam bowler.  Class.  Clark's reaction was a picture - bewilderment/disbelief.  In it's way it was as good as that Shane Warne ball to Gatting.

I agree totally, that Anderson ball was a beauty, the kind of ball I dreamed of delivering for my village team but never seemed to quite work out as I intended  Mind Anderson never had to contend with cow shyte on the wicket  

Not sure about comparing it to that Warne delivery though, the movement on that ball to Gatting was jaw dropping, Warne said himself it was a total one off delivery, even he couldn't repeat it.

England could really do with Broad being fit

He's out on field having a practice bowl just now, so good signs.

Agreed. Mind you, if we go on to lose this first Test, at least it might shut up the know-it-all "experts" in the media.

I totally agree with one of the posters earlier, this morning is a massive session for this test and potentially the whole series. If Smith, Hughes or Haddin can hang around and get a lead of 100 then they will have the confidence that they can play our bowlers. If we can get into the tail this morning and get 3 wickets then 130/140 for 7 at lunch will look like a huge opportunity missed for them and give us the upper hand.

Concerns are that Broad might not be fully fit and that the sun is out making batting easier.

No swing this morning