Could have been a lot worse that. Not too disappointed as long as we don't get all out for a couple of runs straight away that is. Still close but obviously their day.

You keep talking it up mouth. Every prediction you've made has been wrong so keep it up. 5-0?

I read on here that he was suspended.

That's a cracking post Dave and one not often made by someone on the inside. Fans of dominant sides often become so used to success that they ignore what sport is all about really. I do think a series win would have an effect on the other nations and remove some of the aura (sp?) around the Aussie team. It really will be a shame when this series is over and it's been pleasant to see opinions from Aussies on the board which don't come across like the stereotypical arrogant Aussie we are led to believe is the norm, well apart from Neekoy of course. Not long now.

I don't think i've ever been more nervous before a cricket match. It's sheer hell and not really enjoyable. If the Aussies manage to scrape a draw then i'll be gutted for sure but still proud of how we have taken the game to them. It will go down as one of the best test series ever, and rightly so. Weather forecast is good today, bad tomorrow and then pretty good Sat & Sun. Patchy on Monday if it's needed.

Because it is better for Tremlett to play for his county than sit on his arse. He is not on tour. Check the records and you will find we have used about 15-20 subs this tour. It would be unfair to deprive the counties of players for too long and not beneficial to the players either. If we were truly cheating we would have had Collingwood as sub all summer. Face it if you were winning Ponting would not have said a word. Just a poor loser.

Because the end of a day happened first.

Just look at Hayden's scores this summer not counting one dayers:- 75 against Leicestershire 79 against Worcestershire 136 against Northants all good scores but then look at what he has scored in the tests 1st Test 12 & 34 2nd Test 0 & 31 3rd Test 34 & 36 4th Test 7 & 26 He's had plenty of starts but it appears his arrogance is such that he refuses to alter his playing style against superior bowlers and is paying the price. Long may it continue.

They couldn't keep batting, the rules were they could bat either for a day or 120 overs whichever happened first. As for Hayden getting a hundred, I hope he gets 300. His ability to amass big scores is not in doubt, he has done it in most of these games against county sides. His ability to adjust his game against better bowling has been his downfall. A big score to increase his confidence, if that's possible, could play into England's hands.

Let's hope MacGill is playing if today is anything to go by. He's just got his hundred up, that's runs conceded, against Essex who are 357-1. Glad to see the Aussie bowlers are back on form.

I can't believe you would write off Symonds after the chance he has had and then include North in the list of players to come in. Anyone that has seen the two of them this summer at Lancs would know which one the English would rather see in the opposition camp.

I just find it amazing that somebody who believes he is intelligient cannot see the probelm with his and his fellow 'fans' actions. Norwich away last year, Rovers fans had to move and in the end leave because of abuse from fellow fans. Cardiff, a bunch of scrotes hanging over from the 2nd tier abusing fellow fans calling them every name under the sun. Newcastle last year, Villas this year. I could go on and on. You don't have a monopoly on drinking, singing and having a laugh. However if I am annoying someone I will at least have the courtesy to think about my actions. Now Mr Invisible I know think might seem a difficult concept but try to appreciate that other people pay as much as you to go to games and don't want them ruining. I know you only managed two years at Uni but surely you can grasp that can't you?

Aussies could win the Oval test but on the basis of what we've seen so far in the series you would doubt it. There was a correspondent on Sky last night from Oz who was pretty gracious and said that many Aussies have accepted they have been beaten by a better team. The stats don't lie, more centuries, more century partnerships, better bowling figures. If you do that over the course of a series you will deserve to win. Can't wait for the Oval and like others will be gutted when the series is over.

Why on earth have you chosen a City song and one of the worst ever at that as your anthem. Apart from making yourself look silly it is also not very original.

Katich was unlucky but then Warne was plum about 10 mins later. It all evens out which is why I cannot understand people who don't see that. Neekoy if you seriously think this will be a hollow victory you truly are clueless. Have a read of some of the many decent posts from fellow Aussies, and Don , who have pointed out the failings of your team. You cannot be outplayed in 3 tests in a row and ever seriously think you are unlucky.

It's funny how they didn't seem to be moaning about the sub rule whilst Hodge was taking catches at OT.

In fairnes Tris it is only Neekoy whining about the decisions. All the knowlegable cricket fans seem to appreciate it is part and parcel of the game. How on earth you can call Ponting & Jones' decisions poor is beyond me. It took 30 mins to get a camera shot that proved a nick, Jones' still hasn't been proven. How can you blame the umpires on those. Martyn has been very unlucky all series but the decisions do even themselves out. Accept you are being outplayed in all departments and have the good grace to admit it.

Yeah but when he said think big I don't think Lancashire United would have been part of those thoughts. You would hardly be honouring his memory by killing the club he loved now would you.

Actually the waiting lists are coming down rapidly at United and there are real worries they won't sell out when the ground capacity increases to 75,000. The biggest reason why they do sell out is supply & demand. If a lot of united fans could miss a few they would but they can't pick and choose matches like other fans can. There are a lot more problems with football at present than the entertainment factor.

Exactly which is why I don't know why there isn't an option for the fact that it is occuring all over the country. Football has become boring it is not just us that are suffering.

Charlton were 3,000 down on last season average gate yesterday. Bolton were slightly down on their average today in a game they would hope to sell out. It was on telly admittedly. It is not only us having problems but we have fewer fans to replace the ones that are choosing to stay away.

Couldn't agree more with this. I was amazed to see people standing and applauding Emerton off for that performance. It was easily one of the worst i've ever seen. Not only was he incompetent but he seemed lazy as well. Truly awful and I wouldn't have even rated him 1 out of 10.

I would feel a bit of a hypocrite slating anyone for not coming yesterday. I'm amazed you're surprised Preston Blue. You've told us all summer about how you know Preston have sold more season tickets, earn more from sponsorship etc etc. Just look around the league at the gaps in the crowds, it's not hard to work out why our crowds are low.

I'm amazed Boycott is so high and Lloyd so low. Also no Tony Greig, what's that all about.

Agree with some of what you say I do think C4 have done a very good job and if Benaud and Greig were on Sky i'd be happy. However prefer Gower to Athers, and Colville to Nicholas. As for Boycott, well less said the better really. I stand by the point that Sky will make a decent show of it and Lloyd will be worth the subscription fee on his own.