It's just not cricket

[flash_uk]

Agree with all of that, Owen. I get the sense this Aussie team might just crumble. Starc has a bad injury, Clarke's back is unlikely to survive five tests, Johnson looks timid, Lyon is alright but no match winner, Watson is suspect, Warner not on fire. Smith could be dangerous though. Our boys just look a lot sharper and in better form.

[LGTrotter]

Yes I thought the Australians looked a bit flaky. Both batting and bowling, Haddin might not stay on if he doesn't shape up. And Clarke always looks anxious. I too thought England looked better in the field than I have seen in a long time.

[djewesbury]

Derek?? Hello??? Derek..? Turn on the light on, I can't see you...

[DRT]

I am keeping the powder dry.

It was encouraging to hear on this morning's news that "Ian Bell has silenced his critics" - the Auzzies might as well go home now and leave the little urn behind.

[Alex Bridgeman]

Don't you just love Bell. He's rubbish for game after game and just as he's about to get dropped he drags something out of the hat.

Still, I will be glued to the radio all day.

[DRT]

At 106-5 chasing 412 I am starting to wonder where this Auzzie victory is coming from

[jdaw1]

And it’s only day 4: playing for a draw would require standard Welsh weather, rather than what’s happening.

[djewesbury]

122/6. I expect the Australian comeback is only minutes away Derek.

[jdaw1]

What’s the likelihood that it’s all over by tea?

[DRT]

Australia's only hope is to cling on until stumps and hope that tomorrow is a washout. I don't know whether or not their tail-enders are capable of doing that.

[jdaw1]

and hope that tomorrow is a washout.

Fair chance of which, says Met Office.

[jdaw1]

151 - for 7 wickets

Australia's only hope is to cling on until stumps

Little chance of which.

[LGTrotter]

Don't you just love Bell. He's rubbish for game after game and just as he's about to get dropped he drags something out of the hat.

Is that you Alex, moaning about Bell? I thought it was a problem localised to my head.

It is interesting though, it was a low enough score to make no palpable difference to the match but just enough to put the increasing clamour of 'get rid of Bell' on hold for another few tests.

But this looks like one nil up. Who'd have thought? Not me as can be deduced from my previous posts.

[jdaw1]

But this looks like one nil up.

Rain tomorrow — let’s finish the task before assuming that the task is finished.

[jdaw1]

But this looks like one nil up.

Rain tomorrow — let’s finish the task before assuming that the task is finished.

Finished!

[DRT]

Australia's only hope is to cling on until stumps and hope that tomorrow is a washout. I don't know whether or not their tail-enders are capable of doing that.

All out for 242. Luckily I couldn't find an in-play bet on PaddyPower

Well done England - a well deserved victory - and great to see Bell back to world class form with 61 runs in two innings.

[djewesbury]

Derek: wrong but still crowing. I can sleep easy tonight.

[DRT]

Well done England - a well deserved victory

I don't think that is crowing?

But feel free to join the Bell fan club - I hear there are still a few places left.

[LGTrotter]

But feel free to join the Bell fan club - I hear there are still a few places left.

You can have my place on the committee if you like. I heard Cook say that 'Ian has returned to form' in the post match interview. No mention of the players who actually made a difference, ie almost everybody else.

But what a great win. It didn't feel flukey, everybody contributed, they bowled, batted, fielded, caught, captained better than Australia. Can they do it again at Lords? Well, I don't see why not.

[djewesbury]

I'll let you know when I'm there on Saturday and Sunday.

[DRT]

I heard Cook say that 'Ian has returned to form' in the post match interview. No mention of the players who actually made a difference, ie almost everybody else.

I didn't mention Cook due to the fact they won and he is the Captain. But 32 runs in two innings from England's all time greatest run scorer when the team are playing excellent cricket doesn't sound great to me.

[jdaw1]

Did England win, or did Australia lose?

[LGTrotter]

I heard Cook say that 'Ian has returned to form' in the post match interview. No mention of the players who actually made a difference, ie almost everybody else.

I didn't mention Cook due to the fact they won and he is the Captain. But 32 runs in two innings from England's all time greatest run scorer when the team are playing excellent cricket doesn't sound great to me.

Give the man a chance. I think he scored a century in both the previous tests, I know that sometimes batsmen go through purple patches (as Root is now) but in life this the exception rather than the rule and he is allowed to have a day off now and again. Vaughan stopped opening the batting once he took on the captaincy as it is hard to clear the mind after being in the field. I rather think Cook won't, due to wooden-headed ideas about not giving in. But I think you are right in the sense that he seemed to be reaching for the ball and his footwork didn't look right, reminiscent of how he was when he was struggling for runs, but hopefully it was just first night nerves and he will come through, he is too good a batsman to fail for long.

Did England win, or did Australia lose?

Both, IMHO.

[djewesbury]

England won. Cook's captaincy was supreme. Derek, sometimes you just want something to complain about. Bad luck. Cook was invaluable in the field - several absolutely stunning catches not to mention the actual field setting. You remind me of a carp when you are carping.

[DRT]

England won. Cook's captaincy was supreme. Derek, sometimes you just want something to complain about. Bad luck. Cook was invaluable in the field - several absolutely stunning catches not to mention the actual field setting. You remind me of a carp when you are carping.

And you remind me of Jimmy Hill when England are winning. One test does not make a summer.

A time will come soon when Bell and Cook will need to perform with bat in hand and on the evidence of the last four days they might be found wanting. That is all.

I agree with Owen that both sides contributed to England's victory - a victory that was well deserved.