UPDATES FROM REPORTERS, COMMENTATORS & FANS...
The log is over for the day. Please rejoin us again on Saturday.
1750: LaLu on TMS message board:
I am going to be stuck on a canal boat for most of tomorrow as my grandmother has hired it out for the day to celebrate her birthday - I am therefore hoping for rain so that I don't miss any/much play!
PLAY ABANDONED FOR THE DAY BECAUSE OF RAIN
1730: James Fretwell emails to say:
Why do the English batsmen wear helmets when playing Shane Warne? Let's face it, it's difficult enough already. When you wear a safety helmet and the like, you suddenly start bumping your head on door frames etc. Surely they'd be sharper and more aware without the added incumberance of a helmet.
1728: Rodney Marsh, TMS summariser:
Chris Read is the best wicket-keeper in England and should be in the England team. I would always give the wicket-keeper the opportunity to get runs. The batsmen are there to get the runs, the bowlers the wickets. Jones is a good cricketer - but he's not as good as Read as a wicket-keeper.
1716: Former England spinner Phil Tufnell on TMS:
In my last First-Class innings, I attempted a reverse sweep, it hit my groin and as I was writhing about on the floor in agony, I was given out.
1708: Mike Mackenzie emails to say:
Is it my stereo or does Phil Tufnell sound like Barry White today?
1708: Jonathan Agnew, TMS commentator:
Dermot Reeve was perhaps military medium - but he was a swinger as well.
1704: Graeme Fowler, TMS summariser:
Australia have taken the light because their intention is to bat way past England, bat only once and then bowl England out in four sessions. We're discussing the roots of the term 'military medium' - I'm sure some nerd will send the answer in...
1702: Former England spinner Phil Tufnell on TMS:
If we used sub fielders as much in my day, it would have been beautiful. I would have had time for a couple of fags, a quick shower...lovely.
1656: Carnation Cat on the TMS message board:
It's sunglasses weather here in Feltham now but there are some threatening dark clouds to the East (Central London).
1655: Former England spinner Phil Tufnell on TMS:
Wimbledon's not my part of town - they never used to let me in...
1648: Jim Maxwell, TMS commentator:
The covers are on again and the rain may have arrived at last...
1643: Former England spinner Phil Tufnell on TMS:
If I was an Englishman, I wouldn't mind sitting on the balcony and watching the rain come down. I can't understand why the Aussies aren't out there. England will quite happily sit around for the next three days.
1642: Bill Frindall, TMS statistician:
Have you noticed there are no pigeons at The Oval this year? There aren't any. There have been plastic spikes posted all round the ground and, like many spectators, they can no longer get in.
1640: Former England skipper Graham Gooch on TMS:
Talking of England's organisers organising a victory parade - which is such a bad story in my opinion - I remember similar stories about Australia filling their bath with ice and Champagne at Headingley in 1981. I think Beefy drunk most of the Champagne...
1636: Rodney Marsh, TMS summariser:
I now think Australia might have made the wrong decision going off for bad light...
1634: Chris Wreh on the TMS message board:
I still think Ponting looks like a cross between George W. Bush and Bryan Robson. Talking of Bush, apparently the White House website boasts of him being in the top 85% of his class at college.
1625: Rodney Marsh, TMS summariser:
Pietersen has taken his eye off the ball. I've heard all sorts of stories he's trying to make deals here, there and everywhere. I would say to him: "KP - if you don't get runs in this second innings, you're not going to Pakistan." He's bound to get runs then. He's a fine player, but he wants to get his eye on the ball again.
1624: MMD emails to say:
Richie's final words could be: "Super catch that - by Pietersen".
1618: Former England skipper Graham Gooch on TMS:
Former England selector Brian Close used to read the Racing Post while he was driving...I remember him taking some hits against Andy Roberts and Michael Holding in 1976...
1612: Jonathan Agnew, TMS commentator:
There is a betting book going round asking what Richie Benaud's final words will be as a commentator...
1610: Heart Break Cod on the TMS message board:
Any decent team should back themselves to bat out three sessions for a draw (despite the Aussies trying to claim doing this was a miracle at Old Trafford). England themselves have done it more than a few times under Vaughan (Sri Lanka, West Indies) and, even though it's not going to be easy against Warne, the weather is setting this up for a draw.
1605: Andy emails to say:
Could be a good decision to go off for the light. I'm sure the Aussies would prefer to lose as few wickets as possible tonight and then go for the runs tomorrow.
1600: Jonathan Agnew, TMS commentator:
The covers have come off but umpire Koetzen has raised a hand to signify he's not happy. The England team are ready - but Koetzen has waved them away again - so the light has not improved since last time. The covers are going on again...
1556: England skipper Clare Connor on TMS:
I think England are OK. There is so much resilience and belief in each other and there's so much time left.
1553: Christopher Martin-Jenkins, TMS commentator:
The covers are coming off at The Oval so it looks like the umpires have instructed play to start. The players will come on again at 1605.
1551: Richard emails to say:
I can't believe how negative everyone is! Have some faith - this England team is full of fighters.
1550: Tim Judkins emails to say:
Matthew Hayden has batted half this series with his eyes closed. Bad light shouldn't make much difference!
1543: Carnation Cat emails to say:
The stair rods in Feltham have given way to persistent spitting (and no, it's not the local youth). The light is certainly not good enough for cricket. Feltham is a charming town sandwiched between Heathrow to the north and Richmond to the south-ish.
1543: Tom Ellis emails to say:
I think that Micheal Vaughan will have pickled onion corn snacks and tomato ketchup in his sandwiches on a day like this.
1540: Christopher Martin-Jenkins, TMS commentator:
There is the lightest of rain, but everyone in the crowd is still in shirt sleeves. Australia could be accused of being a little bit over-cautious - un-Australian, even...
1537: Ben Makepeace emails to say:
People seem to forget we're playing the world champions and not some Village 2nd XI. We can't expect to win every session.
1536: Richard Arrowsmith emails to say:
What would you have in your sandwiches if you were in Michael Vaughan's position?
1534: Matt Rowe emails to say:
Why oh why have they taken the light? Surely they are going great guns and need to win?
1530: Graeme Fowler, TMS summariser:
I cannot believe Australia have taken the light. It's not that dark. I know they will have the chance to make time up, but if they get rain now, they will lose even more time. This may be a mistake.
1517: Lee James emails to say:
England are really missing Simon Jones! Without someone to shake them up, the Aussie pair are just growing and growing in confidence...
1515: Jason Yannacopoulos emails to say:
We're getting our behinds kicked out there! Quite typical of an English sports team, one step away from winning and they fall apart.
1511: George Dorling emails to say:
I can see them putting a 500 innings on the board here. England are going to have to play like absolute legends to pull this one out the bag.
TEA: AUSTRALIA 112-0
1508: Jim Maxwell, TMS commentator:
It looks like the ground staff are moving into position. It could just be a precautionary measure before tea. It's not often you hear the crowd cheer when the covers go on - but that could be the case this afternoon.
1504: Rain updates from various TMS listeners:
According to various emails, it is currently raining in: Balham, Dorking, Putney, Twickenham, Kingston, Lord's cricket ground, Richmond, Teddington, Acton, Hammersmith - and West Cornwall!
1458: Iain McLean emails from Spain to say:
I have no idea why Vaughan didn't adopt the anchor man role that Hayden is playing. Our skipper's oversight could cost us the Ashes. Big hundreds are required at the Oval.
1456: Kevin Doyle emails to say:
Come on England. We need a wicket to get the Barmy Army going.
1451: Mike Buckley emails to say:
Our department (30 people) has been made redundant this week. However, we are sat watching the ball- by-ball updates, cheering our spirits from the gloom. This company won't get us down whilst we cheer on Mighty England.
1447: Clive emails to say:
A rumble of thunder just heard in Earlsfield. Hope at hand?
1446: Stuart Brandwood emails to say:
Saint Heribert of Cologne is the patron saint of rain. Might be worth making a note of that. Come on England.
1441: Andrew Bevan emails to say:
I am sitting in my office in Surbiton and the sky has gone very dark!
1437: Rodney Marsh, TMS summariser:
I think Collingwood looks very tempting. He may have put some pace on over the last couple of years, but that may be a bad thing on this pitch...
1433: Jonathan Agnew, TMS commentator:
The two lads are still there sitting in their bucket watching the cricket. Apparently they've hired a cherry picker, stuck a couple of bollards out and are watching the cricket for the week. I suspect we may be surrounded by these mustard coloured buckets over the following days. The air feels heavy now...
1425: Faiwer on the TMS message board:
Looking on the bright side - the bowler forced an edge. Hopefully there'll be another one, straight to a fielder.
1420: Rodney Marsh, TMS summariser:
England have dominated the series so far by having a four-pronged pace attack and they've gone in with only three fast bowlers and I think that's a bad decision. Saying that, I bet Collingwood gets a five-for...
1410: Andre emails to say:
Regarding the first batsman to score a hundred on debut wearing an earring (Jim Maxwell, 1400). Jim said it was Michael Clarke. Didn't Dwayne Smith of West Indies score a hundred on debut against South Africa wearing an earring? That was before Clarke's wasn't it?
1404: Andrew Walpole, ECB media spokesman:
(In response to Bob, 0849) We haven't confirmed ourselves whether we will be going on an open-top bus. We have been invited to use Trafalgar Square - that's as far as it goes.
1400: Jim Maxwell, TMS commentator:
Who was the first batsman to make a century on Test debut wearing an earring? Michael Clarke. I don't remember WG Grace wearing one.
1359: Graeme Fowler, TMS summariser:
Apparently Pietersen has been loaned a pair of £50,000 earrings for this Test match. This is cricket - he's not Elizabeth Taylor. I remember Derek Pringle being told to take his earring out in a Test because chairman of selectors Alec Bedster said it would affect his balance at the crease...
1357: Alok Sinha emails from Ireland to say:
It is so heartening to see this Ashes series generating so much news in Ireland. Media coverage is fantastic and people here are talking about this in a more exciting way then they use to do it before.
1354: Graeme Fowler, TMS summariser:
Matthew Hayden looks to have a plan. Occupy the crease and wait for the bowlers to get tired - and then create carnage after tea. The blue sky's disappearing and a storm is somewhere out there.
1350: Nikki emails to say:
We are a bunch of girls having an Ann Summers party - but hey, the cricket is much more exciting. Does anyone want to join us?
1348: Graeme Fowler, TMS summariser:
I hope Pratt gets Ponting's autograph after the series: "To Pratt, best wishes, Ricky". There's been a shout from the back of the commmentary box to bring Giles on.
1345: Jonathan Agnew, TMS commentator:
Knowing how riled Ricky Ponting is about sub fielders, England must think about bringing Gary Pratt on when Ponting comes out to bat. Just stand him at silly point.
1341: Ben Powell emails to say:
I remember my grandfather telling me how he stayed up for nights on end glued to the 1948 Ashes series on the radio. And here I am, 57 years later, doing exactly the same - different technology, same medium! Keep up the excellent coverage!
1338: Jonathan Agnew, TMS commentator:
There are two roofers leaning over the fencing, sitting in their buckets watching the cricket. I hope their boss isn't listening. One of them's just answered his mobile phone and I think they've been rumbled. Sorry chaps.
1335: Steve emails from Ireland to say:
Good news - it's raining hard here in Dublin at the moment, so we can expect tomorrow to be rained off. Long live the British summer.
1334: Jonathan Agnew, TMS commentator:
As a sad child, I used to pull the curtains closed and watch a whole Test match. God knows what my parents thought I was up to. You need to see your heroes play - certainly kids do.
1332: Mick Potts emails to say:
Good to see a proper Test match developing with players digging in instead of trying to smash every ball.
1330: Jonathan Agnew, TMS commentator:
It's a bit hazy now - a lot more cloud about. We've been told there's a 60% chance of rain after tea.
1328: Christopher Martin-Jenkins, TMS commentator:
Lovely cut shot that - very John Edrich-like...
1320: Nigel White emails from Holland to say:
I know nothing about cricket but this is really exciting. Come on England - you can beat New Zealand!
1318: Simon Shearman emails from America to say:
While sailing off Nantuket Island last night, the talk wasn't "are the Patriots ever gonna lose a game?", but when is Steve Harmison gonna come to the party and a deliver a KO to the Aussies?
1309: Angus Fraser, TMS summariser:
I've said it about 25 times already this summer, but I think this could be the most crucial session of the Ashes. If you've got any fingernails left, get both hands on the steering wheel and fasten your seatbelt.
1303: Neil Morris emails to say:
What is the weather forecast for tomorrow? I have had to pay my wife £100 to leave me in peace. I will be gutted if it rains!
1301: Stu emails from Brazil to say:
Minda (1220) - time to give your girlfriend the red card mate. Nothing should interfere with the next few days. It's not on TV here so I will not be leaving my lap-top and the TMS commentary (even if the Girl From Ipanema shows up at my front door).
1258: David Hughes emails from Slovakia to say:
Glued to the screen in my office in Slovakia. Can't discuss the game though, no one knows what cricket is here. Being a Welshman, only say this for the cricket - come on England!
1250: David Cooke emails to say:
Likewise I am attending Blenheim Palace as well, but my friend and I are taking a portable radio for updates, come on England!
1248: Peter in Watton at Stone, Herts emails to say:
Thank heavens for lunch, tea and drinks breaks, it means I can get on and at least do some work!
1247: Nick Barlow in the UK emails to say:
Collingwood's seven shows we should have gone for Jimmy Anderson. Might struggle now with only three strike bowlers on a flat batting track.
1244: Roy English in the UK emails to say: Harmy seems to be targetting a retired hurt more than a wicket.
1242: Mike in Japan emails to say:
Here in Tokyo it's hot and humid. Any rain clouds on the Oval horizon?
1239: ian_in_dublin on the TMS message board:
19-0 is ok. Another session that probably went more our way than Aussies, 110-3 by tea would do nicely.
LUNCH: AUSTRALIA 19-0
1229: Graeme Fowler, TMS summariser:
There are two types of left-handed batsmen. The obdurate batsmen who can sometimes look ugly and the graceful, flowing batsmen like David Gower. Langer is definitely the former. He's a gritty little character - you don't become a black belt in Tai Kwon Do unless you are.
1227: Looking Busy on the TMS message board:
Leave Langer at one end. The rest of them don't like being kept under wraps and will take risks.
1225: Tim Griggs emails to say:
Australia seem to be in a rush to knock of these runs. Bodes well for England...
1224: Wicket Burner on the TMS message board:
Having recently split up with my partner, I've got a spare ticket to tomorrow's play at The Oval. As we'll be sitting together, I would ideally like someone to come in themed fancy dress. I'm going as Sloth from the Goonies.
1222: Graeme Fowler, TMS summariser:
Hayden looks like a bully who's been stood up to and he doesn't know what to do. He's not sure whether to attack or just occupy the crease. England are doing all the right things with the ball and have the right field set. Conversely, Australia are quite jittery.
1220: Minda emails to say:
I've just been told that I've got to go and watch the Blenheim Horse Trials tomorrow as a guest of my girlfriend's company. Honestly, I've felt less upset when family members have died. I will have to rely on my mate Marlow texting me the scores. Come on England, pitch it up and let it swing late.
1216: Neil Walker emails to say:
When I was at university, over 20 years ago, we used to greet each other with Richie Benaud impressions. We used to say "morning everybodeeeee". Nowadays, Richie says "morning everyone". Has he changed his greeting, or did we have it wrong all those years ago?
1215: Bob emails to say:
Shows how far we have come - I'm dissapointed at 373 in the first innings. Was a time when a 373 total for both innings against Australia would have been considered something of a success.
1211: Anthony Jacks emails to say:
Will England rue the decision to not select Anderson?
1211: Jim Maxwell, TMS commentator:
A bit cooler today in the commentary box today. You look good Foxy - good shirt...
1210: Edward Sloane emails to say:
A good effort by the tail. I've settled down for the day with my pack of 24 donuts!
1208: Graeme Fowler, TMS summariser:
Justin Langer is the key player for Australia. He can be dogged, stay calm and collect his runs as Strauss did yesterday.
1205: Jonathan Agnew, TMS commentator:
The first over comes to an end with nothing particularly untoward to report in terms of bounce and pace. However, Steve Harmison was clutching his right arm at the end of the over.
1204: Neill Darroch emails from Scotland to say:
If England lose can we borrow the open top bus and celebrate our victory over Norway down Trafalgar Square?
1156: Richard Nagle emails to say:
Any chance of Sven giving me his ticket?
1154: Alan emails to say:
Well played Gilo. Billy must have thought he owed the Aussies a decision.
ENGLAND 373 ALL OUT: GILES LBW B WARNE 32
1147: Sven Goran-Eriksson cancels Oval visit:
It has been confirmed the England football coach will not be at The Oval today, with
the Swede, whose presence would have attracted media attention, not wanting to
take the focus away from England's cricketers.
1145: Mark Allen emails to say:
Any chance of persuading Boycott to come out of retirement for England's second innings? We're going to need to dig in like you wouldn't believe...
1143: Jon Shecket emails from Ohio to say:
I'm pulling for England, but at the same time I've got some laundry sitting in the basement washing machine that needs moved to the dryer and I can't do it until the innings break.
1142: Christopher Martin-Jenkins, TMS commentator:
Everyone is wearing their baggy green cap - except for Katich who has his World War One helmet on...
1138: Jane Leiss emails to say:
That last wicket going down was my fault. I looked away from my screen for one minute to talk to a client. Sorry everyone!
1137: Rodney Marsh, TMS summariser:
If the plan is good enough to get the batsmen out, why do they completely change what they're doing for the tailenders?
1135: Christopher Martin-Jenkins, TMS commentator:
I would have a bit more faith in Harmison if I were Giles. Harmison has a good eye.
1129: Adam Honey emails this poem from France:
Playing with poise and exceptional grace,
our boys will win this excellent race.
Here's praying for sunshine and no rain,
to finish the Aussies sparing no pain.
Thank you our boys for this summer's fix,
nothing's been better since '66.
Harmy's scored a four of exceptional strength,
let's give him a cheer for an innings of length...
1129: Angus Fraser, TMS summariser:
We've gone from shotless Hoggard to run-a-ball Harmison. But Warne might be a bit more of a problem than McGrath...Perhaps we should attach a 'Chunt-ometer to McGrath'...
1126: Castle Corner on the TMS message board:
Well tried Hoggy. Time for Gilo to let loose I think.
ENGLAND 345-9: HOGGARD C MARTYN B MCGRATH 2
1123: Marie Dunn emails to say:
Pardon me for being so naive, but should Giles not have walked if he knew he edged the ball that the umpire did not give out? I thought cricket was a game played by gentlemen? But being both Scottish and female, perhaps I am missing something.
1120: Katie Stevens emails to say:
I have never watched cricket in my life, am still not entirely sure what most of it means, but am utterly hooked!
1118: Angus Fraser, TMS summariser:
Rudi Koertzen seemed to say he couldn't hear Hoggard hit it - but I think the point is he's supposed to see it as well...
1117: Angus Fraser, TMS summariser:
(Hoggard is dropped by Ponting off McGrath) It's a catch you'd expect Australia to take - and it's a catch Australia needed to take.
1115: Jim Maxwell, TMS commentator:
Warne's warming up - Ponting has already got frustrated...
1113: Matt emails to say:
I feel anything over 350 is a good score for England. The ball is clearly swinging, which will suit Hoggard no end, and Giles will get some turn with the pitch.
1112: Andy Turner emails from Scotland to say:
I have a week off next week and have organised a whole party around Engalnd winning. Come on boys, do not let me down like the Lions did in NZ (my party then bombed!)
1110: Jim Maxwell, TMS commentator:
Why don't Australia's bowlers just bowl at the stumps!
1108: Bill Frindall, TMS statistician:
That was the third time Hoggard has connected in 23 balls...
1107: Jonathan Agnew, TMS commentator:
Giles will be looking in disbelief and thinking: "We're eight down, they've got McGrath and Lee on and they've got a deep cover point for me".
1103: Rob Whitaker emails to say:
Australia go well past 320? What series has Rodney Hogg been watching. Only if Warne scores a ton.
1100: Mighty Carver on the TMS message board:
The 'experts' have declared that every England total in the last three matches has been inadequate. They have been wrong every time!
1055: Oliver Brett, BBC Sport website at the Oval:
On the sunny side of the ground, at the bottom of the gleaming OCS stand, bare-chested fans are drinking lager - already.
1042: Rodney Marsh, TMS summariser:
(On the queues still snaking round the Oval almost 30 minutes into the game) Apparently the Oval used to be a prisoner of war camp and I've been told it's a damn sight harder getting in now than it used to be getting out...Although Bearders has just ruined my story - it was never actually used as a POW camp...
1049: Alan emails to say:
C'mon Hoggard - you are Boycott reborn. Accumulate, nurdle, defend.
1045: Sajaad Farook emails from Sri Lanka to say:
Just got blasted by my boss for not finishing my work on time. At the end of the grilling he wanted to know the score!
1042: Rodney Marsh, TMS summariser:
If you wear one of those arm guards and get caught off it, you should be given out. Real men don't wear arm guards...
1040: Bromley Hornet on the TMS message board:
Hoggy and Gilo - the memories are still oh so sweet...Come on lads!
ENGLAND 325-8: JONES B LEE 25
1036: David Townend emails to say:
I wish this Test was being played at Headingley - it's pouring with rain in Leeds today!
1032: Ashes Come Home on the TMS message board:
A friend of mine has a hospitality ticket for tommorow's play (free drink, food etc). The trouble is he hates cricket and doesn't know a thing about it. I have said that I would take the ticket off his hands but the lure of free alcohol is too much for him. I think he is being hugely selfish in not letting me have the ticket.
1031: Owen emails to say:
Now is the time for Jones to answer his critics and show that he has the fire for the fight. If we can stifle the Aussies for an hour or so this morning anything is possible. Come on England!
1029: Christopher Martin-Jenkins, TMS commentator:
It's amazing how cricket has changed. Where once Jack Hobbs and Cyril Washbrook walked out to polite applause, now you half expect someone to shout "and in the red corner..." when the players take to the field.
1025: Hollywood Harris on the TMS message board:
What is everyone worrying about? This was in the bag from the moment Ponting called "heads".
1022: Rodney Marsh, TMS summariser:
England need to get lots more runs. Australia will go well past 320 - the boys will want to win the match for skipper Ricky Ponting.
1011: Henry emails to say:
How arrogant to book Trafalgar Square before the result of this Test is known - shades of 1981 and the Australian bath filled with Champagne at Headingley.
1007: Rodney Marsh, TMS summariser:
This game will go down to how well Ashley Giles bowls. I'll be disappointed if Harmison and Flintoff pick up three or four-for.
1000: Tony emails to say:
The suspense is killing me. I am sitting in the office just waiting for 10.30am to roll around so we can listen to TMS. Let's hope the boys can get over 350 and Harmison has the spell of his life to knock any remaining fight out of these Aussies!
0952: Chilli on the TMS message board:
Hopefully if we have a bit of rain it will put more pressure on the Aussies to score runs quicker than would normally have been required. With the fields that Vaughan is setting to block batsmens' favoured run- scoring areas this may allow us more opportunity to take wickets as the Aussies look to score elsewhere.
0949: Al emails from Hong Kong to say:
Justin Langer's column is a treat - an eloquent Aussie, what a find! Loving the series so far. It's my 30th birthday on Monday and, being 7 hours ahead, I'm hoping the Aussies will have 200 to get on the final day with five wickets in hand and Flintoff and Harmison do the job just before lunch. There'll be a ticker tape parade in Lang Kwei Fong, even if I'm the only bloke celebrating...
0935: Pat Murphy, Radio Five Live:
There is no better player than Shane Warne at mopping up the tail and he could go through them like a dose of salts. He only needs three more wickets to become the highest ever wicket-taker against England.
0931: Oliver Brett, BBC Sport:
Geraint Jones, who will resume on 21 not out when play begins at 1030 BST, has just completed a batting session with assistant coach Matthew Maynard.
The other men who can still push England's score beyond the 350 mark - the likes of Ashley Giles and Matthew Hoggard - look thoroughly relaxed as they get involved in the regular kickabout. It's incredibly hot for 9.15am in September and there's not a cloud in the sky.
0929: Christopher Ward emails to say:
If we can get to around 350 (330 or over should be fine) we have a great chance. I back our bowlers, even without Jones, to bowl any side in the world out for less than 400. The Aussies have yet to reach a good total when batting second remember.
0927: Derek Johnson emails from Scotland to say:
England need to bat one and a half hours to deflate the Aussies, then hope Harmy gets his rythym - most important day of the summer!
0922: Gary Whitby emails to say:
If it hadn't been for Shane Warne, England would already be over the horizon and out of sight, with only an honourable draw for the Aussies to play for. He single-handedly kept them in this match, inspiring his batsmen in what should have been a lost cause. Another tense Test Match beckons. Great stuff!
0908: Malcolm Speed, International Cricket Council chief executive, Radio Five Live
The interest in this series is massive right around the world. We are hearing of Ashes parties in Bangladesh and dinner parties in Pakistan being disrupted because people will not come to the table. In South Africa sports bars packed and in Australia cricket has pushed Aussie Rules off the back pages. As far as we can tell something like 200-300m people will watch this match.
0851: Stewart Robertson emails from Australia to say:
England definitely have the edge after the first day. Remember, they only have to draw the Test. The law of averages says that teams that get 7/317 on the first day usually don't lose. Australia would, for example, need to bowl England out for 350, get 600 and then bowl England out for under 250 to win (as rain is predicted). Based on how the series has gone so far, that seems unlikely to me.
0849: Bob emails to say:
If the series is a draw the teams should jointly take the Trafalgar Square parade to celebrate the best advert for cricket ever. It may also help overcome some of the England-Australia hostility that's been brewing up in the past decade.
0843: Tim Sinclair emails from Japan to say:
It's coming up five in the afternoon here in Japan and I'm up for another late night. People at work thought I looked a bit tired this morning....wait till they see me on Monday!!
0837: Sue Thearle, BBC Breakfast at The Oval England started really well but Australia fought back and will be the happier of the two sides. Shane Warne was outstanding and again took the important wickets of Trescothick and Vaughan. Andrew Strauss produced a superb innings and was the bedrock of the England innings.
0837: John emails from Canada to say:
It is 1:37am here right now and I am debating if I should get some sleep before my 11am appointment, or listen in...oh, the decision is killing me! Rest, or listen to the Test match of the decade? Decisions, decisions indeed!
0833: Mark emails from Scotland to say:
It's a cold, wet, miserable morning up in Glasgow. Would love to give you guys some of the same for a couple of days!
0816: Colin Langer, Justin's father, Radio Five Live It is very evenly poised at this stage and it will depend on whether Australia can get a couple of wickets early today. Australia probably did underestimate the level of competition they would receive from England. I have been trying to warn Justin that over the last couple of years England have developed into a fine side. I spoke to Justin last night and he said they were quietly determined rather than quietly confident.
0756: Mike Gatting, Radio Five Live
We did not take advantage of winning the toss, it was one of those days. Michael Vaughan could not suppress a smile when he won it but England will be very disappointed with that score. You can only hope that Harmison enjoys the bounce here, if he gets it in the right areas he could be quite good. And it might turn for Ashley Giles.
0621: Rohan Kapoor, India
I started watching the Ashes as a kid and always England would lose and with that, the flavour of Ashes was dying. However, this Ashes is possibly one of the best series I have seen along with the 2001 India v Aus series. I hope England can beat the Aussies 3-1. If England can get close to 370, and Freddie and co can bowl the way they have, then England have a fairly good chance of winning the rubber.
0606: Arlo White, Radio Five Live I saw people outside the ground yesterday climbing on fences just to get the briefest glimpse of turf at The Oval. It was extraordinary.
0535: Shane Warne, Radio Five Live
I think we will see a lot more turn in the wicket, we started getting a bit more reverse and the end of play on Thursday. Ashley Giles might come into play a little bit more. If we can knock them over cheaply in the morning and then bat well and get a good total, it will be fun bowling.
The 2005 Ashes series has been an epic contest.
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