Surprised to see Watson make so many runs. England didn't look so flash on the back-foot at Old Trafford, let's see how they go over the next few days.

Well that was predictable...sadly. However, The longer the test series goes on the more optimistic I've become about the upcoming home series. There are huge cracks in the England line-up but you've been saved by 1) Ian Bell 2) Our batting incompetence Factor 2) becomes less of an issue on home soil. We might even win a test at home

Someone's playing 'Vader's Imperial March' in the crowd.

I can hear the crowd singing to 'Yellow Submarine' "You all live in a convict colony"

Rogers has used up one of England's reviews...I thought he had used up two.

Only in your dreams! Siddle, Harris, Starc, Pattinson and Bird make a good assembly of quicks. Allowing Lyon to grab four wickets is a bit careless. Can Australia make over 200 in reply?

I heard the nick from here.

Beautiful ground and beautiful scenery.

Harris will probably be rested and young Jackson Bird will come in to replace him. Watson may get one more chance. Boycott and Botham have both rated Siddle highly on the commentary I've listened to but what would they know

Broad has 201 wickets at 31. In the current series he's got 6 wickets at 52. Siddle has 166 wickets at 28 and has 16 at 21 for the series. A good test bowler has to have an average under 30. Over 30 and you're a journeyman. Pietersen may be an egotistic @#/? but so was Shane Warne. A good team can use the talents of mercurial narcissistic match-winners. Cricket isn't like football. You don't have to have 11 mindless drones because one player can win a game, a series or a World Cup single-handedly.

If you don't want Pietersen we'll gladly have him LOL You need to develop some new pacemen. Your attack looks a little threadbare at the moment. If Anderson doesn't fire you've got no-one else capable of running through the top order and getting in the faces of the opposition batsmen. Broad will never get good enough. What happened to Tremlett? Based on your fast bowling attack I still think you're better off playing Panesar and preparing dust bowls.

And here I was thinking I'd be in bed early getting a good night's sleep.

So I guess Clarke will declare overnight?

Clarke often takes risks, he's on of the few captains to win a test after declaring behind on the 1st innings. Not sure he'll follow on if applicable, as our seamers will need a rest as it doesn't look like he can rely on Lyon to get most of the wickets. If we knock England over at some time on the 4th day, I'd bat again for a session or so, make a quick hundred runs and then send them in again with half an hour to go before stumps.

Yeah I agree with this. Cook, Trott and Pietersen are due for a big score. If you guys can get in front on the 1st innings there is always a chance Swann can run through us in the 2nd innings leaving you a small total to chase late on the 5th day.

Unbelievable decision that. Michael Clarke at #4. Wonders never cease.

I can guarantee you that won't happen. Can Australia make over 200?

Clarke will be sacked as captain inside 12 months anyway. Here is my dream XI for the 3rd test: Warner Rogers Katich © Clarke Khawaja Smith Haddin (vc) Agar Siddle Pattinson Harris

Look at the replay. Swan took two steps backwards right into Khawaja's path whilst watching the fielder.

RE : tennis. I think the rest of the world takes it seriously now. We don't even have that excuse with cricket

I just had a horrible thought. We aren't back in the 1980's in Australian test cricket, we are back in the 1970's after the WSC split. We'll get smashed 5-1 by the English just as Yallop's lambs did. We'll probably have to get some old fogey to come out of retirement to lead the team like Bob Simpson did. The problem is that there's no happy reunion a few years later when the WSC players come back. The WSC superstars of our generation are gone and aren't coming back.

And Clarke comes to the wicket at 3-63. Seriously...what's the f****** point?

From a mates' Facebook page : "There are undiscovered Amazon tribes, yet to play cricket, who know how to dismiss Shane Watson."

Nice armball. Annoyed for Rogers because IMO he seems to have good mind management and plays the seamers very well.

As opposed to your whole country declaring a 'state of emergency' when the weather reaches 30 degrees Or your entire transport network grinding to a halt with one inch of snow on the road Thank god he didn't waste a review. That's a change for the better.