Fourth Test

[Michael Rolls]

After 2 quick wickets, Australia - after winning the toss and choosing to bat - have rattled along at a reasonable rate to reach 98-2 at lunch, when Manchester's specialty -rain - arrived..Commentators are saying that given the forecast, it may even be the end of play for the day. Worried to read the comment that Archer seems to be down on pace - 0-16 off 5 overs so far. Broad seems to be going well with both wickets for 23 off 7 to date - and England only managed to bowl 26 overs in the two hours, despited Leach having bowled 6 of them - bit naughty. Now had 8 wickets fallen in the session it would be OK! 
Interesting state - a draw, of course, would really make the Oval a tenterhook affair
Mike

[zoony]

  Not a great day's competition today with the strong, blustery wind and periodic rain. Bails being blown off to be replaced rather slowly with the lignum vitae ones, debris blowing around the ground and a shivering crowd trying to lift a pretty average bowling display. Despite Smith still being there, it's quite nicely balanced I think..as long as they can get rid of him early doors.

[Michael Rolls]

Well, so far, pretty even stevens
Mike

[Michael Rolls]

Thinking about it, with 170 on the board, three down and Smith still there, this surely has to have been Australia's day.
Mike 

[zoony]

Especially with young Archer paralysed by the cold.

[Michael Rolls]

Because I was out and about during the day, I had to rely on this evening's highlights, during which Archer wasn't even mentioned - what has happened?
Mike

[Cassandra]

A day of nothing, freezing weather, indifferent performances and as flat as the wicket. Broad as usual was very good Overton tried all he knew and to honest attacked. Why did he not come on first change? another decision from the flat earth Root school of cricket strategy. This one’s got draw all over it, the climate will prevail. There’s a saying at Old Trafford that if can see the Pennines it’s raining and if you can’t its going to rain. Archer was strangely restrained today I thought, being cold isn’t really good enough. As Fred used to say bowling quick soon warms you up. I can’t stand Alison Mitchell’s voice so I resort to Classic FM as a background now as the standard on TMS is also not what it was and it’s hit and miss who you get? Why Sky’s female shriller takes up so much air time is beyond me? What do Bumble, Hussain, Atherton and co get paid £670k a year each for? Lets hope for sun and early wickets, but I fancy the Aussies topping 400 and thats match drawn, unless our brittle batting collapses!

[zoony]

  I share your view Cass but I'm slightly more optimistic weather-wise.
 It seems Jofra's Achilles heel is the cold weather. He never got above mid-80's today, though he took a wicket, and is a bit of a lame duck unless wearing a heated wet-suit..Though the pitch was no help either.
  (BTW...It's not for me to correct my learned friend but are you sure that the old saw you quoted about the weather was the right way 'round? ) Another half-bottle of Chateau Thames Embankment might well help the recall..

[Cassandra]

  I share your view Cass but I'm slightly more optimistic weather-wise.
 It seems Jofra's Achilles heel is the cold weather. He never got above mid-80's today, though he took a wicket, and is a bit of a lame duck unless wearing a heated wet-suit..Though the pitch was no help either.
  (BTW...It's not for me to correct my learned friend but are you sure that the old saw you quoted about the weather was the right way 'round? ) Another half-bottle of Chateau Thames Embankment might well help the recall..

Morning Zoon,
With the way the things are going I'm finding life pretty awful at the moment and I most probably did get the clouds at Old Trafford the wrong way round?

[zoony]

G'day sir..My sympathies and companionship in misery. I'm having a flare-up of an old ailment at the moment and also feeling rotten so given that misery loves company, we mun comfort one another.
  As far as Old Trafford is concerned, I think it goes If you can't see the Pennines, it's raining. If you can see the Pennines it's going to rain..
  Enjoy the game..

[Michael Rolls]

I don't believe it! Smith caught at slip off Leach - except that Leach over-stepped. NO BALL! How does a spinner who just about walks to the crease over-step?
Mike 

[Michael Rolls]

Sorry to hear that the two of you are under the weather - here's hoping for swift recoveries.
Mike

[zoony]

  Thanks Michael. I was lucky enough to see the GP straight away on Monday and she reacted fast. Feeling much better today.

[Cassandra]

G'day sir..My sympathies and companionship in misery. I'm having a flare-up of an old ailment at the moment and also feeling rotten so given that misery loves company, we mun comfort one another.
  As far as Old Trafford is concerned, I think it goes If you can't see the Pennines, it's raining. If you can see the Pennines it's going to rain..
  Enjoy the game..

Hope the magnificence of Steve Smith was a comfort today Zoon and that you feel better for day 3? What a continuing series of disasters unfold for England, the Aussies topped my predictive 400 with ease. Jason Roy dependably contributed with his usual fielding speciality of a dropped sitter, you expect that. For a slow bowler to deliver a no ball whilst getting the batter out however was not. Leach otherwise was reasonable, the big problem is Archer. I reckon he's got a small niggle strain somewhere, something's not right? Overton persisted and this wicket was not one he'd have chosen, overall the most economic of the seam bowlers he has a big heart you sense, an honest labourer. The home sides fielding was just atrocious even by their recent poor standards, we all saw it lest said the better. It was great for cricket lovers to see Steve Smith back and well. A ruminative innings in places, his wonderful hand eye ability compensated making some shots appear sublimely easy. The back foot off drive through cover on the up was worth watching all day for alone. Good to see the childish mob booing is desisting soewhat, we are witnessing a great player and should acknowledge his skills while we can. Mitchell Starc, as I said can bat and he chose today to reaffirm my judgement. If Denly had chosen the same calm shot selection that Overton latterly supplied we would not be a wicket down. You can say he was unlucky to get caught (magnificently too) at short square, but I have to say facing nearly 500 and with 15 minutes to go, Geoff Boycott would never had attempted such a shot. So three wheels on the wagon and look out for more disasters tomorrow I fear, 300 will be a good score for this side and if the weather holds and St. Stokes fails to show an Australian victory looms big, by both probability and margin.

[zoony]

Thank you Cass. It'll be right in a week or so but it takes a while to recover. No complaints, mostly self-inflicted, unlike your good self. Interesting choice you have of getting there. If you'll allow me to express a personal view, I've always found the Ocean, in most of it's moods, a soothing and meditative place to be. The folk on board, disparate and for the most part friendly and the service superb on the smaller ships. Which is possibly redundant information but offered in a good spirit to a new friend.
  As far as the game goes, it was a difficult listen as I feel one really has to see an innings like Smith's to appreciate the quality of the man and his wonderful abilities. A description by a commentator is a poor replacement.
  As Scarlet O Hara remarked.." Rhett Butler! That hurt!"