2009 Ashes, 3rd Test, Day 1: At the mercy of English weather

With Australia down 1-nil, the big question for the 2009 Ashes is will the English weather grant Australia enough time to take 20 wickets? Can we even take 20 wickets? Currently, Edgbaston is covered in so much water, there's talk the English team will replace their new kit with one of those superfast swimsuits employed at the current swimming World Championships.

But if we do manage to get on the field today, more questions abound. Will Mitchell Johnson be in the team? If so, will he land it on the pitch? Will Freddie still have the wood on Phil Hughes? Can Nathan Hauritz maintain his position of leading wicket taker? Is Ian Bell still rubbish? We'll find all these answers soon enough. Hopefully yes, yes, no, yes and yes.

Posted by JC on Thu 30 Jul

41 comments

Pre-game bombshell: Phil Hughes has been dropped, Shane Watson is opening the bat. It's a move that smacks of desperation from the Aussie selectors. Phil Jacques and Chris Rogers must be tearing their hair out.

Posted by JC on 2009-07-30 18:39:42

I'm listening to the ABC's broadcast of the BBC's TMS and Matt hayden is making a complete arse of himself trying to argue with Geoff Boycott. Say what you will about Boycott, he's still an excellent commentator on the game.
He's running rings around the Rev just with facts and stats... it's embarrassing...

Posted by virtualgaz on 2009-07-30 20:50:25

Phil Hughes announces his axing on Twitter. Welcome to cricket in the new millennium. Soon players will be taking their iphones out onto the field and twittering in between overs (or in between deliveries when Brett Lee is coming in off the long run).

Posted by JC on 2009-07-30 22:08:53

"i like to think of Lord's as OUR turf. we havent lost there in decades! WOOO!4:02 PM Jul 15th"

That was Michael Clarke I understand Tweeting merrily before the Lord's humiliation. It really is a new era of interaction between the players and the fans, though he does end up looking a bit silly if he cant 'meet the tweet' so to speak.

Posted by Ajesh Nag on 2009-07-30 22:48:47

we can only hope the selectors have some sense and Hussey will open, with Watson in as number 6. Can't imagine Watson coming off the field after bowling a strenuous 10 overs (all he's up to apparently) then having to drag is tired body out to open!

Have to admit though that Katich and Hussey opening won't exactly set the scoreboard on fire.

I think the Watson for Hughes swap is to cover the selectors' arses when Johnson and Siddle spray the ball around yet again. They need an extra bowler. Why not swap North for Watson then? Or just make the tough decision and put Clark in.

Posted by MT on 2009-07-30 23:17:11

Ricky Ponting wants to bat. Lets just hope the coin toss isn't as disastrous for Australia in Edgbaston as it was last time. Seems the ball is swinging around already in warm-ups, so an uneasy session coming up for Australia.

Posted by Ajesh Nag on 2009-07-31 01:51:08

Punter would bat even if it was blowing a gale outside after Edgbaston 2005. It's one of those formative matches like when India beat us in 2001 after we enforced the follow-on - we've never enforced the follow-on since. Similarly, Punter has never won the toss and bowled since 2005.

Posted by JC on 2009-07-31 11:36:35

well i personaly think the aussies are stuck in a rut,
how are they gonna get out!!!

Posted by steyn lover on 2009-08-01 16:04:47

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2009 Ashes, 3rd Test, Day 1: At the mercy of English weather

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