Picking the seam - 2009 Cricket Season

The Aussies, in particular Michael Clarke and Marcus North have salvaged a draw. This tour has stamped Clarke' papers as our next captain, as his last two tests he has shown great fight.

The 4th test begins on Friday, with doubts over Freddy Flintoff. He is looking like a bloke going on 50 or 60 the way his body is holding up. Whispers that Broad is out and will be replaced by Ryan Sidebottom. Also talk of Graeme Swann being replaced as spinner.

As for the Aussies, Mitchell Johnson has not done much to suggest he has turned the corner. Stuart Clark must be getting splinters in his bum, and should come into the team.

What a day one!! England knocked over for 102, with the mad Vic, Peter Siddle snaring 5 for 21. The Aussies lost Katich for a globe, but then Ponting and Sharron Watson (oops I mean Shane ) guided the Aussies past the Poms total. Late wickets to Broad and Onions have the Aussies @ 196 for 4. Great to see Stuart Clark in the team, for his ability to put the ball on a spot time in, time out.

Who knows what will happen today. North and Clarke are in, heroes from the last test. If they survive the first session, a score of 400+ is possible.

They need to survive and the bowling needs to go to plan. The english bowlers started pretty poorly yesterday and hopefully that will happen again!!!

We need this soo bad!!!!

It's Saturday night in with pizza!!!!

First session done and dusted. The Aussies have turned the screws, whilst the Poms dropped their heads and shoulders drooped. Clarke again shone as the form batsman of the series, falling just shy of of another ton, trapped in front by a full ball from Onions. Marcus North continues his good form and is currently in partnership with Mitchell Johnson.

The track is still providing plenty to bowlers bending their back. The Aussies are 227 in front. They will be lucky to survive to tea, but will be pushing towards a 300 run lead. This game could well be over this time tomorrow.

Aussies going great guns. Now 277 ahead on a pitch that is now starting to crack. Hoping that North can post another ton, and maybe some fireworks from MJ

Spoke too soon... MJ caught in the deep for 27 ans then Siddle done neck and crop 1st ball. Almost 300 in front. North 95, come on son, get the ton mate!!

What a way to get the hundred, big 6 off Swann.

BANG!!!!! North brings up his ton with a huge six over mid wicket/cow corner.

C'mon Aussies, bury them!!!

Stuey Clark now goes bang.
A massive, massive launch!!!

Out of the ground!!! That's the way to play if you're a tail ender.

Hahaha. Another plonk from Clark.
This is fantastic entertainment.
Edit: 2 in a row
Even Warney is getting carried away, but it was about a blonde crowd member

Clark goes, chopped on, giving Broad his 5th wicket.
Aussies 338 ahead.

North out going for the honky tonk. Gives Broad another cheap wicket. Quite possibly the worst 6 wicket haul I have witnessed!!
Aussies all out 445, just in front of the Poms by 343

Am a little marky that I fell asleep when the Poms were 0/40 odd. MJ and Hilfy produced a fine spell of swing bowling to reduce England to 5/82.

Unless the fickle English weather returns, this one will be over by lunch.

Jimmy Anderson goes 3rd ball for 4 off the bowling of Hilfy. 6 for 86. The fat lady is singing a lovely tune!

Haddin takes a ripper to remove Prior. 7/120. Hilfy with another wicket.

Broad and Swann providing a fair bit of nuisance value at the moment. Shows how feeble the Poms middle order have performed in both innings.

This is some awful bowling at the moment. Clark and Siddle have been sucked in by the Poms. 75 for the partnership. Ponting will need to change the field, maybe a one day in/out field.

At this rate, we will be batting in 15 overs time

Stuart Clark is bowling himself out of the next test. A spinner will be needed for The Oval and a quickie will be dropped. Last in, first out in my eyes, and his last 2 overs have been amateur hour.

Ponting is now being a stubborn little f*****!!!
For the last 12 overs, his bowlers have not bowled to a plan, so change the field. Broad and Swann have no interest playing defense.

Edit: Siddle buys a wicket.

Bill and Ben out in the middle adjudicating can't count today. I suppose, what do you expect, a Kiwi and a Paki.
Was looking forward to watching the Aussies clean-up the Poms. Will end up going to bed grumpy with on a number of fronts!!

England pile on 163 runs for the session. Deficit now under 100 runs. England showing some pluck, but all too late.

All over. England bowled out for 263 to win by an innings and 80 runs.

Worth staying up for!!!!!

It all comes down to this, the 5th test, with the series locked at 1-1. A draw will ensure that the Aussies retain the Ashes, whilst the Poms need to recover from their disastrous 4th test defeat and win to regain the urn.

Team selections are still up in the air. The Aussies have a fully fit squad to choose from (bar Manou). Talk about Brett Lee returning. I think he is 100-1 to play. They are angling for a spinner, therefore one of the quicks will be dropped. To think that either two of Siddle, Hilfy, MJ and Clark be dropped for Hauritz and Lee would seem extraordinary. I would personally keep the squad unchanged, unless the deck is dry and crumbling. If Hauritz does come in, who do you drop. Clark is the likely choice, despite a good showing (except for 4 overs in England' 2nd innings). MJ looks to have his mojo back. Siddle is bending his back and intimidating batsmen, whilst Hilfy is making the ball talk.

For England, Fredy Flintoff returns for his final test. His batting, bowling and general aggression was sadly missed. Can you prove to be the spark?? Will be interesting to see how many spinners they play and what their batting order looks like. Their middle order or Bopara, Bell & Collingwood have failed miserably.

8pm tonight on Fox Sports & SBS, be sure to tune in!!