Damn! No-one picked up on the fact that that post *was* my 1000th. Was going to counter any corrections with "well, I can't remake my 1000th, so England can't win then"... poor attempt at humour. I am very nervous at the moment... an excited nervousness. I want to thank my fellow British board members for funding my streaming audio via BBC. Hope you've paid the rent, and it doesn't cut out too much over this month. Australia just won the toss and are going to bat first. I was hoping they'ed bowl, but looks like the commentators agree it is the right choice. We'll see...

I'm going to save up my 1000th post to congratulate England on winning.

I felt that Souness's strength was building from the midfield. In the promotion season, for a First division squad, we had a great midfield, Duff, Dunn, Flitcroft, Gillespie, with waiting in the wings Mahon, Hignett, McAteer and I think Hughes even played in mid-field. And upon promotion, we picked up Tugay as well, which helped us to 10th and 6th. Oops... I am applying rational thought to our ex-manager, what was I thinking. Sorry.

Yay That's the rather large entrée completed. Bring on the main course, the Ashes (that really would taste terrible).

I've voted appalled. No, it's not attention seeking. I am certain Bellamy will be on an inflated wage. Coupled with the 5 million pounds, it's too big an outlay on such a large risk. I could never agree with the attitude Bellamy adopted, even if it was to Souness (yes, those you may not know, I was a big fan of Souness. However there is no agenda attached with my comments). Indeed, I have felt concerned about McCarthy's attitude to a possible move to Rovers, even if it favours us. It's not dignified, and it only forebodes that it is possible for the players to fall-out in the same way at our club.

I'm sorry to be blunt AESF, but I have to put this into context... in light of what has happened today, and the general injustices that occur everyday in the world, what Scotty has posted hardly constitutes an attack. I offer as advise that you be less sensitive, although it is obviously very much in your nature to be so.

I agree with you AESF. It's not racist, but it is sensationalist. And that does grate with me a little.

Hey pg, your five days on me joining the messageboards looks like helping you pip me to that elusive 1000th post I've never really posted with an intention to get to that now "out of fashion" milestone, but I do like your matching posting style.

That's fair enough!

I'll wait... but I am completely stunned! I was extremely disappointed with the target. Now I would be extremely disappointed if Australia don't win... what the bloody hell is going on with the pitch???

And possibly the first act of unsporting behaviour of the summer. Should spice things up a little.

Sorry... I meant that at neekoy. Not having a go, just pointing out the error.

Another friendly tip. It's ODI, not WDI.

Yay! That's all I have to say. Well, actually, a little bit more. Englands performance in the field was pretty good. I hope that (grudgingly no doubt) you English accept that Australia's class got it to what turned out to be enough of a total, despite some quite restrictive bowling and fielding. Inversely, it is a credit to the quality the England team have at the moment, that I was dissapointed with the target Australia set. However, England couldn't manage it. I am treating it as a hiccup, because there is undoubted quality in their batting line-up. From this Australian supporting viewpoint, they still have to up their game, because England aren't going to let them win this ODI series easily.

England should have got that record really. I guess those few wickets had their impact. Second biggest though. Congratulations.

You can take your multiple quoting feature and...

Still think they will do it.

Don't think so. They still got 9 wickets in hand. They can be looser later on and really... oops, make that 8 wickets in hand now ... still could pile on the runs later though.

Get set for a huge total by England against Bangladesh. They are on course now to, and I think they will, better the highest team score in a one-day international: Sri Lanka 398/5 50 06/03/1996 Kenya Asgiriya Stadium Sri Lanka won by 144 runs Courtesy of Howstat

Don't get too carried away. I think neither team can be proud of their performance today, but credit to England for wanting it more. England really should have pegged back Australia more after Harmison had done so well. Australia were poor all round.

No, not enough wicket taking really. England should and will go on and win this match now. They are opening up now. 213/6 (42.2 ov). I am conceding now. Harmisson made the difference.

Well, sadly for this Aussie, England are well placed to win this match at 72-2 (16 overs) chasing 253 Here's hoping for some quick wickets

I don't mean to have a go at Hughes, because I do believe he's done a good job thus far. However, recently a lot of posters have heaped praise on Hughes for the improvement in a no. of players, such as Reid, Todd, Emerton to some extent... and I agree. But I can't help but feel that likewise, Hughes has to hold himself partly responsible for the deteriation in Steads performances. He looked such a prospect coming into the season just passed... I won't try and predict if Steads form picks up at Sunderland, but to me, improvement will indicate blame on Hughes, and likewise, downturn in form will highly vindicate Hughes. January should be enough time to seal it.

The Ashes series is going to be great filler for this off season. I hope it goes down to the last Test, and of course expect the Aussies to prevail. But I've never felt more impressed by an England squad in my adulthood then I have by this one. The results against South Africa, and the consistent competitiveness... no bravado from this Aussie supporter. Bring it on.