Top, top knock today from Bell. I can only assume he was rummaging in his kitbag this morning and as well as finding some form, found a pair of cajones.

Broad used up an entire summer's worth of luck in that innings, but fantastic that he stuck around.

I've heard people saying that Agar's innings was a one-off, a freak, so we won't have that to contend with 2nd innings. I tend to agree it was a freak and unlikely to happen again (possibly ever ), but there were other convict batsmen who are similarly very unlikely to be so shite next innings. Clarke got a pearler 1st innings that would have done for pretty much any batsmen in the world, but he's one of the few (possibly the only) world class player in that convict team, and has the ability and experience to dig in and lead a chase.

Can understand what he's saying. If you're there, caught up in the magical atmosphere of watching the convicts collapse spectacularly, the lager's flowing, the singing and the goading of the convicts is in full swing. A massive first innings lead is certain, and then.... some unhered of, lanky sprog comes in at 11 and wees all over the fun. Yes, it was a great and historic innings. But if you're there to get pissed and laugh at the convicts, it was a buzz killer.

Which continues.

Steady

 I have thr Aussie vesion of radio Talk Shite (Talk sport) on here this morning and there is some serious dummy spitting going on over Broad, lots of use of the term 'unsportsman like', they think he should have walked.

Broad is now public enemy number one here 

Well said Sir Geoff-

"There is no debate, it's quite simple. The Australians I have played with and have watched, with the exception of Adam Gilchrist, believe in standing and it's up to the umpire to give you out - there shouldn't be a moral argument. They should be upset, disappointed and angered by the umpires. If they keep making poor decisions, it's up to the ICC to do something about it.

Didn't expect Bell and Broad to still be in, need to kick on a bit more and get as close to a 300 lead as possible now.

There was an excellent piece in The Times recently about famous sledges and exchanges, one of which is particularly appropriate.

Michael Atherton edged a ball and was given not out.  The Aussie keeper told him he was a cheat, to which Atherton replied, in classic Atherton style:  "When in Rome, dear boy...."

I must say I have sympathy with Aleem Dar: I train new umpires and I always tell them that you can only give what you see and hear and just occasionally what you think happened 25 yards away is not what happened.   It's why the review system is so good - and it's why both sides should use it for its intended purpose, i.e. to correct obvious, glaring mistakes.  If the Aussies had done that then they would have seen Broad depart.

Must be a decent chance that the innings will last an hour, which would yield another 30-40 runs.  If Bell and Broad can stick there for an hour or so and Bell can nurse the tail along then it could be another 75 runs.

I agree. I also think that Holding went a bit too far with his condemnation of the incident.

Michael Vaughan really is a total *****wit of the highest order. On the radio last night in his summary of the Broad incident he accused Broad of deliberately cheating and this is what has been played over and over in Australia today as the main Ashes headline and has been used to justify them calling Broad a cheat. After all if the ex England captain is calling him it! y Some of the reaction in Australia has been totally predictable, all of a sudden every past Australian has played absolutely by the book. Thankfully there are also a number who can see past the bullshit.

I have just read the full Vaughan extract and I see the Aussies have been doing a nice bit of editing and the bit where he mentions about Broad being right to stand his ground has been cut. Using the word cheat is a strong one to use though.

Century and half-century respectively - the Aussies must be loving it

Great ton from Bell easily his best Test innings. We look like we should get up to a lead of 400ish. Which is a great effort from where we were.

Could defo do with a 20-30 partnership  for the last wicket.

DOH!

Lets get a couple of wickets before lunch then.

Too tight 

It'll be fine.

Not sure think we needed nearer 400 as a lead will be very close. The Aussie openers look well set.

Interesting how the mindset of players can be affected by these situation. If they treat it as a one-day game, with limited overs to get the runs, it should be easy but with all the time in the world, batsmen stop scoring and stop taking quick singles and put pressure on themselves