Follow The Second Ashes Test Live- With Cricket’s Top Names…

July 16, 2009 By Carl Harris

Follow The Second Ashes Test LIVE with Racing Diary Live and some of the best known cricket pundits. From Twitter we have Live updates from David Lloyd (AKA Bumble), Tuffers, Aggers, Boycott and official serious news sources.

Here’s How It Happened….DAY ONE

The Ashes (Second Test Live)

(07/16/2009)

9:16

7:25

Ashes_Assault: Evenly poised at 6-364. Slight edge to England but big first session tomorrow – if the rain stays away. Forecast is very, very grim! #ashes

7:17

bumblecricket: Sir Ian Botham stuck in media centre lift….leave him there!!

7:03

Ashes_Assault: Brad Haddin: We were overawed by big occassion early on. #ashes

6:34

Aggerscricket: Many apologies..didn’t look closely enough…DELETE that pic. Sorry for any offence

6:31

bbctms: Fantastic application from Strauss though. See you all tomorrow – new ball only 5 overs old remember.

6:31

bbctms: Well, Eng 364/6 at the close. Strauss 161* Broad 7*. England should be in a more dominant position – loose shots from the middle order.

6:29

Aggerscricket: If you saw the other ones, I think Twitter would be closed down….poor Blowers

6:28

Aggerscricket: Look what they did to my cake. The other pics were obscene. http://yfrog.com/7b59tj

6:18

CricketAus: CATV: Day One at Lords: Comedian Matthew Hardy makes it his mission to get something out of the famous MCC membe.. http://bit.ly/A9Jo6

6:18

CricketAus: Border, Harvey inducted into ICC Hall of Fame: Ashes greats Allan Border, Neil Harvey, David Gower and Derek Und.. http://bit.ly/35Ng9F

6:09

EnglandCricket: Stumps 364/6. Honours even, maybe Australia ahead. Well batted Strauss & Cook. Let’s hope we can bat well into the afternoon…

6:09

TheAshesLive: Great day for the captain batting thru the day. 364 for 6 at stumps, Strauss 161 not out #Ashes

6:07

bumblecricket: off for a sherbert

6:07

bumblecricket: Take a bow Strauss . 5000 test runs …this is turning into a great knock

5:59

bumblecricket: Prince P coming too. Any ideas on conversation during line up?

5:56

bumblecricket: don’t tell Atherton but I am going to a posh restaurant tonight….two mates down from Mancland, Jerry the cash and Dave the bank

5:54

bumblecricket: Queen is here tomorrow….clean shirt and new tie for me ….

5:53

EnglandCricket: ”Rubbish, come on Mitchell,” barracks Warney. STRAUSS 150

5:52

bumblecricket: Warney sticking up for Oz. ….supposed to be neutral…will tell him after I get his autograph.

5:52

Aggerscricket: Cant believe what I’ve seen since tea. What on earth were Colly and Prior doing?

5:52

TheAshesLive: Missed the last hour or so and we are suddenly 6 down! Sorry everyone…!

5:46

bumblecricket: new ball …..should be easier to hit!!!!

5:46

bbctms: New ball taken Eng 340/6 Strauss 143* Broad 1*. Let’s see what Johnson can do with it.

5:42

bumblecricket: Strauss needs another partner but running out of partners

5:40

bbctms: Sorry – oops Flintoff OUT c Ponting 2nd slip b Hilfenhaus 4. But you all seem to know anyway!!! Just doing a run of 2 ways…

5:40

bbctms: The old ball seems to be doing a bit more… Ponting hasnt gone for the new one yet.

5:40

FollowTheAshes: Hop everyone! RT @venkatananth: 222 and 333 has produced wickets. Nelson’s looking from somewhere :)

5:32

Ashes_Assault: NELSON!! 2-222 and now 6-333! #ashes

5:17

Ashes_Assault: Big movement back in from Mitchell Johnson for that wicket – old ball due, but this one is moving around a bit. What will Ponting do? #ashes

5:17

bbctms: Think I missed a few tweets – apologies… but Prior OUT b Johnson 8, played all round it, lost off stump. Freddy in to big reception 317/5

5:17

ashesnews: npower Ashes Series 2009 | npower Test matches | England Cricket: Andrew Strauss registered England`s first Ashe.. http://bit.ly/AcccR

5:17

ashesnews: Glasses to ashes | Fired By Design: Concrete has completed full post title sequences and bumpers for the Wolf Bl.. http://bit.ly/Yefac

5:02

Ashes_Assault: Clarke does it again – partnership breaker as Collingwood has a brain melt. Where was that in Cardiff? #ashes

4:59

Ashes_Assault: England 300 up as Hauritz returns to the field. Won’t be bowling for a while though, havin been off the ground for a while. #ashes

4:55

bumblecricket: Advice courtesy of James Quinn the bent copper in early doors sitcom

4:52

bumblecricket: ….made by horses

4:52

bumblecricket: Had digeridoo advice from Tayo Akinbode musical director of the royal exchange – relax lipped and blow like trying to make a splutter sound

4:41

Ashes_Assault: Michael Clarke warming up for a bowl #ashes

4:32

bumblecricket: Rowley Birkin… that’s him!

4:30

Racing Diary (Carl):

Strauss celebrates his century.

4:29

bumblecricket: met a bloke last night who sounded exactly like the old buffer in The Fast Show…
you know the one …”I was frightfully drunk”

4:29

Ashes_Assault: Lots of excitement amongst the corporate fans – looks like a few Aussies have managed to get on the gravy train out there in Mound Stand

4:26

bumblecricket: reckon this pitch will have more pace tomorrow

4:23

bumblecricket: Bad time to lose a wicket .Strauss is important now for England. Warne giving clues as to where to bowl to individuals

4:23

EnglandCricket: Strauss should try and convert his ton to a biggie. He has the tendancy to get out 30 minutes before the end of play, so not today Straussy!

4:18

TheAshesLive: Good delivery and good take by Haddin. Another brief innings from KP, 32. Colly in now #ashes

4:16

SBSAshes: Ashes WICKET Pietersen c Haddin b Siddle 32, England 1st Inns 3/267. Good ball from Siddle, held its line and KP nicks it behind.

4:16

TheAshesLive: WICKET: KP edges and caught #ashes

4:11

Ashes_Assault: KP is creaming them off the middle against Siddle. Worrying signs for Ponting at start of evening session. #ashes

4:11

TheAshesLive: Straight down the ground for another four. #ashes

4:11

TheAshesLive: Warne: “The walking ego smacks that one through the covers.” #ashes

4:11

TheAshesLive: Four for KP, nice shot. 261 for 2 #ashes

4:02

TheAshesLive: Players are coming out again…let’s not throw away a strong position #ashes

4:02

SBSAshes: Tea on day 1 of the 2nd Ashes Test at Lord’s – ENG 2/255, Strauss 100, Pietersen 22. See the wickets here http://su.pr/2kyQcq

3:58

TheAshesLive: Haha. Please stay in! RT @bloodandmud RT @Matt_Gagger C’mon KP. You know you’re a twat. We know you’re a twat. Prove it. Again. #KPisaTwat

3:57

TheAshesLive: RT @SportGuru Eagle from Casey to move to 4 under. Great putting display, and he’s one behind Watson, the leader in the clubhouse

3:48

TheAshesLive: Another mention of Caption Comp to kill the time during tea http://bit.ly/VJook

3:47

TheAshesLive: RT @ burtonztweet #ashes guess Ponting will say that Tea and Lunch are just time wasting??

3:47

bbctms: Tea and Strauss has brought his 100 up! Huge ovation for Eng capt. Great celebration from him, thrusting his bat towards balcony. Eng 255/2

3:44

TheAshesLive: 22 for KP actually #ashes

3:44

TheAshesLive: Session over, it’s tea at Lord’s. 255 for 2. 100 for Strauss, 23 for KP #ashes

3:44

SBSAshes: 100 for Andrew Strauss – his fourth at Lord’s. The Eng captain has been excellent, scoring his ton in 178 balls, with 15 fours #ashes

3:43

FollowTheAshes: Well done andrew Strauss, even if you are going bald it was a good innings. #Ashes #Cricket

3:43

TheAshesLive: Strauss runs three to bring up his century. Great innings from the skipper, and he can now enjoy his tea! #ashes

3:43

TheAshesLive: KP needs a slice of pear tart to get his concentration back #ashes

3:42

Racing Diary (Carl): Well done Strauss… 100 not out!

3:41

TheAshesLive: oooooh! Top edge from KP, looked out easily, but there was noone there! Very very very very lucky #ashes

3:40

TheAshesLive: 251 for 2, looks like there is one more over before tea. Will Strauss get to 100? He’s on 97, could be a nervous tea if he doesn’t #ashes

3:38

TheAshesLive: Textbook nurdle for a single there for KP. One for you @TheNurdler!

3:38

TheAshesLive: KP over the top, one bounce inside the rope for four. Onto 20 now. 250 for 2 #ashes Nearly tea time.

3:33

TheAshesLive: Great drive from KP for four runs. He’s on 15 now. 245 for 2 #ashes

3:30

TheAshesLive: Close one…Ponting goes for direct hit with Strauss out of his crease. Misses, 4 overthrows! #ashes

3:28

bumblecricket: Lord Snoots [D Gower] inducted into Hall of Fame at T. Along with Larwood [posthumous] A Border, N Harvey, D Underwood

3:25

TheAshesLive: Big hit from Strauss and reaches the boundary for four. He’s onto 96 now, England on 230 for 2 #ashes

3:25

bumblecricket: ball swinging…..is it number of overs or bit of cloud or old fasioned spit and polish on ball?

3:24

TheAshesLive: McIlroy 2 under after 7 now, going nicely. Tom Watson still leading, looks like it was better to go out early. Tiger 1 over after a 71 #golf

3:23

FollowTheAshes: Shouts for bopara out of the team because he’s useless? #Ashes #Cricket

3:22

Racing Diary (Carl): Excellent coverage here from our Twitter pals…great!

3:21

TheAshesLive: Please Kevin, do not give your wicket away this time. Big innings required #ashes 224 for 2

3:20

bumblecricket: All eyes on K.P…………..Nothing daft required……..did Phil Collins record that , by the way?

3:20

TheAshesLive: Play and miss from KP. A bit of swing there… #ashes

3:20

Aggerscricket: Afraid I am not convinced about Bopara at 3. Bats like a 6. 224 for 2

3:18

TheAshesLive: KP off the mark with a quick single #ashes

3:18

bumblecricket: great set up from hilfenhaus to snare The Bopper..All outers and then the one he came for.

3:15

philtufnell: Ouch – not ravi’s day

3:15

bbctms: Bopara OUT lbw Hilfenhaus 18. Fair call. Eng 222/2 Strauss 90*

3:14

TheAshesLive: 222 for 2. KP comes in now. Disappointed about Bopara, he was looking good, but victim of a great delivery #ashes

3:14

Ashes_Assault: One for Richie Benaud – England two for two-hundred and twenty-two! #ashes

3:14

SBSAshes: Useless stat – Bopara is the 500th batsman to be dismissed leg before at Lord’s in Test matches. Fascinating. #ashes

3:13

SBSAshes: Ashes WICKET Bopara lbw b Hilfenhaus 18, England all the twos … 2/222

3:13

TheAshesLive: Caught lbw is a bit confusing…sorry – Bopara 18 lbw b hilfenhaus #ashes

3:13

TheAshesLive: WICKET: Bopara caught lbw bowled Hilfenhaus #ashes

3:11

TheAshesLive: Lovely stuff from Bopara…another four and he’s got 18 off 15 now #ashes

2:57

SBSAshes: England ticks past 200 for the loss of 1 wicket in the 50th over. That last 50 was the quickest, in just 68 balls. #ashes

2:57

TheAshesLive: RT @ashes_updates 200 up for England from 49.2 overs. Eng 200 / 1 #ashes #cricket

2:56

FollowTheAshes: As the kids say – r0flz0r RT @AndyinBrum: told you. @FollowtheAshes, you were saying about Cook’s clip off the legs?

2:54

Ashes_Assault: Johnson joins McGrath and Warne in taking 100 wickets in his 23rd Test. #ashes

2:54

SBSAshes: That’s Mitchell Johnson’s 100th Test wicket and arguably his least deserved. He’s bowled terribly today, but they all count. #ashes

2:53

Ashes_Assault: Johnson’s reaction said it all – no celebration, no smile, dropped arms in relief. He’s been terrible today. #ashes

2:52

TheAshesLive: Bopara at the crease now #ashes

2:52

SBSAshes: Ashes WICKET – Cook lbw b Johnson 95, ENG 1/196.

2:52

bbctms: Cook out! lbw Johnson 95 – he looks gutted he failed to convert, but gets standing ovation. Eng 196/1 Strauss 82*

2:50

TheAshesLive: Good innings, our for 95 though he’ll be gutted #ashes

2:50

TheAshesLive: WICKET: Mitchell Johnson gets Cook lbw #ashes

2:49

TheAshesLive: Bumble: “Awful bowling. Awful.” #ashes

2:47

TheAshesLive: 190 now, still no wickets #ashes

2:46

TheAshesLive: RT @TheBarmyArmy Great day at the home of cricket. Will johnson beat cook to a ton? #ashes

2:43

bumblecricket: Going on for an half with Gower

2:42

bumblecricket: Our colleagues from the BBC have brought us another Melton Mowbray. Beefy has munched most of it. Don’t tell Kath!

2:42

FollowTheAshes: Cook in particular is good off his legs. His lbw in Cardiff belied where he scores his runs. Loves that clip to mid wkt #ashes

2:40

TheAshesLive: 186 for 0 now…brilliant #ashes

2:40

Ashes_Assault: 0-183: Record opening stand for England v Australia at Lord’s, so says TMS #ashes

2:39

FollowTheAshes: Johnson just feeding Strauss is he? Very kind.

2:38

Ashes_Assault: Video of Andrew Flintoff on his pedalo http://bit.ly/B0ubS
#ashes

2:36

bumblecricket: Carnage!

2:36

Racing Diary (Carl): Doing well here England…could be worth laying the Aussies!

2:33

TheAshesLive: Two fours in a row from Strauss 177 now for 0 #ashes

2:29

TheAshesLive: Misfield from Ponting now and they grab a single – 167 for 0. The crowd enjoyed that one. #ashes

2:28

TheAshesLive: Four byes through Haddin’s legs from North’s bowling (he’s replaced Hauritz who has his finger in iced water) #ashes

2:26

bbctms: Mark Webber’s just popped up and sat in my seat to do an int for Tuffers’ Five Live Show tonight! Thoroughly nice man, he can come back.

2:17

CricketAus: Justin Langer: Playing at Lord’s: Lords is a magical place. From the moment you walk through the Grace Gates, th.. http://bit.ly/14GHTK

2:17

TheAshesLive: Missed the Hauritz injury. More bad news for Aus though…#ashes

2:17

bumblecricket: tatty should book in bed and breakfast. no reason why not

2:17

bumblecricket: awful for hauritz.. looks bad.

2:17

Ashes_Assault: Well, that’s Hauritz’s spinning finger dislocated. Not pretty. Dropped the catch too! #ashes

2:17

SBSAshes: Speaking of chances, there’s one gone, and a bowler with it – Harutiz looks to have dislocated a finger on his bowling hand. Strauss dropped

2:12

SBSAshes: England past 150 now, and still without loss #ashes

2:10

TheAshesLive: But then Cook pulls the next delivery away for four. He’s up to 81, Strauss on 52. #ashes

2:09

TheAshesLive: That was close. The ball whistles past Cook’s outside edge…#ashes

2:05

bbctms: Few more pics – including me at Downing Street on Tuesday! http://bit.ly/uTGYR

2:05

SBSAshes: Strauss passes 50, and in pretty chanceless fashion #ashes

2:04

CricketAus: is out of battery. Keep following the 2nd test wtih ball by ball updates here http://tiny.cc/ZLc2N

2:03

TheAshesLive: 139 for 0 now in the 36th over. Loving this… #ashes

2:03

FollowTheAshes: Well done Strauss, quickly heard it was a no ball, just to annoy the Aussies, and edged it. Nifty fifty there from t’skipper! #ashes

2:03

SBSAshes: Brad Haddin will be glad that was a no-ball. Sloppy effort with the gloves, dropping Strauss off Hilfenhaus. #ashes

2:03

TheAshesLive: Strauss reaches fifty with a nice nudge for 2. Half century in 104 balls. Well played #ashes

2:02

Ashes_Assault: Strauss dropped by haddin – off a Hilfenhaus no-ball. How many lives does he want? #ashes

2:02

bumblecricket: thanks Shirl

2:02

FollowTheAshes: Poor keeping there from Brad Haddin, even if it was a no-ball, he should be holding them. #Ashes #Cricket

2:01

bumblecricket: just seen the WAGS on camera….sky ladies and girlfriends not here today……

2:01

TheAshesLive: Edged and dropped by Haddin. And it was a no-ball anyway! Phew #ashes

2:00

TheAshesLive: Shane Warne on Sky Sports is suggesting that Hauritz is on top of Cook here. The reason: Cook’s frustration and subsequent big hits…

1:59

bumblecricket: didgeredoo practice… playing on sunday ..anyideas how to do it?

1:57

FollowTheAshes: RT @artworkerben: Freddie’s best ever over, Edgbaston, 2005 – glorious stuff http://bit.ly/2eYMWv
#ashes

1:57

CricketAus: Jonas Brothers trending at number 3? You people should be watching the #ashes

1:56

Aggerscricket: Hey, 10 000 up…well done everybody!

1:54

FollowTheAshes: No runs for ages, then a couple of wallops from Cook. Nice. #ashes

1:54

bumblecricket: rharris….press box

1:53

TheAshesLive: Big boundary over mid-wicket for four. Looked like a six, but must have bounced just inside the rope #ashes

1:52

bumblecricket: london ale price £3-40…any flatter they would serve it in envelopes….

1:52

TheAshesLive: There we go. Cook goes for four with a ‘swipe’ at Hauritz #ashes

1:51

bumblecricket: just been out the back. you can get a pie here for £6-50!

1:51

TheAshesLive: They are back out by the way, but no runs since lunch yet #ashes

1:50

bumblecricket: min 550 on this pitch

1:48

bumblecricket: well said gideon

1:47

CricketAus: Two maidens in a row after lunch. Remember, for ball by ball live scores go here http://tiny.cc/ZLc2N #ashes

1:46

bumblecricket: rory bremner in ..johnny borrell, john major mark webber…any many out of 10 for star quality?

1:43

bumblecricket: real poor morning for Oz. bowlers not coping with slope. Ricky Ponting seething

1:43

ashesnews: Book hotels in London for the Ashes and Cricket in the Park. A great British summer: Thousands of cricket fans w.. http://bit.ly/wXHxe

1:43

Aggerscricket: Duckworth Lewis http://yfrog.com/9ezhzj

1:43

CricketAus: And we’re back after lunch. Let’s hope this is a better session for Australia #ashes

1:38

bbctms: Everyone looking frantically for CMJ – where’s he gone?!

1:38

CricketAus: Johnson on 99 wickets. When will he get 100?

1:31

Racing Diary (Carl):

1:26

FollowTheAshes: So, who is going to be the first wicket taker/man out combination? I’m plumping for Siddle/Strauss #ashes

1:25

FollowTheAshes: Rife with self conflict! Ok quiz time! RT @MoocherGirl: @FollowTheAshes Not half obvious!

1:24

EnglandCricket: Great morning for England. What will the score be at tea? My guess, 235-1.

1:24

TheAshesLive: ’The Aussies were confused by the ‘bottoms up’ toasts eminating from the MCC Members’ area at Lords’ – http://tinyurl.com/nakkn9

1:16

Racing Diary (Carl):

1:12

FollowTheAshes: In case you were wondering, we are a bit of an Anglo-Aussie cricket loving Tweep collective :) #ashes

1:09

FollowTheAshes: Good lunch though? :) RT @ECB_cricket in the ECB offices a lot of the time hearing the crowd noise seconds ahead of TV is a weird experience

1:08

bbctms: #Ashes A Flintoff tribute on Test Match Special at the moment – some great moments remembered….

1:03

bbctms: Lunch here (and a Lord’s lunch is always one to be excited about) Eng 126/0 Strauss 47* Cook 67* Brilliant morning for them.

1:03

CricketAus: Good bowling from Hilfenhaus. Johnson was very expensive. #ashes

1:03

SBSAshes: Lunch at Lord’s – England 0/126 Cook 67 Strauss 47. Australia with plenty to think about over lunch. #ashes

1:03

Racing Diary (Carl):

1:02

Racing Diary (Carl): lunchtime scoreboard
England first innings 126 for 0 (29 overs)

AJ Strauss

not out

47

(80)

AN Cook

not out

67

(95)

Extras

7b 4lb 0w 1nb

12

TOTAL:

0 wkts , 29 overs

126

1:01

CricketAus: 126 for no wicket loss. England head into the break very happy. Australia have some work to do #ashes

1:01

SBSAshes: Lunch at Lord’s – England 0/126 Cook 67 Strauss 67. Australia with plenty to think about over lunch. #ashes

1:01

TheAshesLive: That’s lunch. 0 wickets down, 126 runs on the board. Great start for England, well done boys #ashes

12:59

Racing Diary (Carl):

England star Andrew Flintoff will revisit one of his most infamous moments – the pedalo affair – for a new TV advert.

The all-rounder was fined and suspended by England after getting into difficulties at sea following a drinking session during the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies.

12:58

Racing Diary (Carl):

Cook hits to leg at Lord’s.

12:57

TheAshesLive: And another four for Cook who’s up to 67. 22 fours in the innings now #ashes

12:57

Racing Diary (Carl):

12:57

TheAshesLive: 4 more for Cook. 121 for 0 now #ashes

12:53

TheAshesLive: Good over with a couple of boundaries for Strauss – he’s on 46 now. #ashes

12:53

Aggerscricket: Excellent morning for England. Aussies look rather ragged. DuckworthLewis singing at lunch. Shilpa working on MEGA guest tomorrow

12:53

Ashes_Assault: Different venue, but shades of 2nd Test in 2005 – England will rattle up a big, big first innings here. There’s no stemming the runs #ashes

12:50

bbctms: The pork pie to end all pork pies! Described by Tuffers as a ‘breeze block’ http://bit.ly/uTGYR

12:49

SBSAshes: 100 up for England in no time at all without loss – they’ve been rattling along at more than 4 an over. What can the Aussies do?

12:49

FollowTheAshes: Anyone at the ground today? I’d give my bowling arm to be there :) #ashes

12:48

Ashes_Assault: Overheard sledge: “Where do Australia think they are? What’s with the sunscreen?” #ashes

12:48

FollowTheAshes: Well, this’ll get a wicket “looking too easy for England out there” #commentatorscurse

12:44

Ashes_Assault: 100 partnership from 146 balls. Yes it’s a good batting pitch, but this bowling is really very ordinary from Australia this morning. #ashes

12:44

TheAshesLive: RT @TheNurdler What’s scaring us is that if England can score like this WHAT ARE THE AUSSIE BATSMEN GOING TO DO? #Ashes

12:44

ashesnews: Ashes tickets – First Serve Events: The ECB and Cricket Australia have reached agreement on the tour dates for t.. http://bit.ly/3ybZei

12:43

TheAshesLive: England’s 100 comes up in the 25th over. 0 wickets down, great start for England #ashes

12:43

Aggerscricket: With an unlikely scoreboard http://yfrog.com/9ej1yj

12:43

CricketAus: There’s the 100. Cook on 50. Still scoring at over 4 an over #ashes

12:43

Aggerscricket: Astonishing pork pie from Dickenson and Morris http://yfrog.com/b85ymj

12:42

bbctms: Some comm box pics for you b4 lunch …. Eng 100 nearly up….. http://bit.ly/uTGYR

12:39

Ashes_Assault: Australia are going to pieces – conceeding byes, bowling wild. What’s going on? #ashes

12:38

TheAshesLive: Wide is missed by Haddin and goes through the slips for England byes #ashes

12:33

TheAshesLive: Nathan Hauritz coming on now…for Johnson #ashes

12:33

TheAshesLive: Cook has left a couple of straight ones. One beat the keeper for four, the other hit his pads. Half-hearted appeal and not out #ashes

12:31

SBSAshes: That’s Ali Cook’s 20th Test 50. If he hits 100, it’ll be his 10th. Not bad for a 24-year-old #ashes

12:30

bbctms: 50 for Cook before lunch! 73 balls, 11 boundaries. Must build from here now.

12:30

TheAshesLive: 84 for 0 now #ashes

12:30

TheAshesLive: Cook gets to 50 #ashes

12:28

Aggerscricket: Where’s Rod Marsh when you need him…Johnson is bowling pies!

12:27

TheAshesLive: Johnson dispatched for another four from Strauss. #ashes

12:25

FollowTheAshes: On Andrew Flintoff http://bit.ly/WM58X
#andrewflintoff #cricket #theashes #followtheashes

12:23

TheAshesLive: RT @timlovejoy If you hate cricket, give it another go. Sit in front of it for an hour preferably when Bumble is commentating

12:22

TheAshesLive: Strauss plays and misses outside the off stump. A bit of swing for Siddle. #Ashes

12:22

Ashes_Assault: Mitchell Johnson 16 runs in two overs after drinks. Really struggling for consistent line. Hilfenhaus six maidens from nine overs #ashes

12:21

TheAshesLive: He’s all over the place! RT @GkswamyIs it me or does Mitchell Johnson seem out of sorts today? @BumbleCricket @theAshesLive

12:21

bbctms: Mitchell Johnson 7-0-47-0… gone off to graze at fine leg

12:19

TheAshesLive: Another four from Cook off Johnson’s bowling. Leg side this time. And again. Cook on 45 now, England on 73. #ashes

12:19

bumblecricket: on next with S K Warne…..

12:18

bbctms: RT @MikeBusson: @bbctms Think this was the link you were after – http://tinyurl.com/cricketfry. Yep dont know what happened there!

12:16

bumblecricket: spillers.. is that perth in Oz or Scotland?

12:15

bumblecricket: try again…England should set stall out 4 2 days batting. pitch is a belter. ..no specs for last tweet!!

12:15

CricketAus: England decides to bat: England will bat first after winning the toss in the second Test against Australia at Lo.. http://bit.ly/3iNvxp

12:15

TheAshesLive: I love a Lord’s Test match! It looks superb out there. #ashes

12:15

bbctms: Wonderful speech by @stephenfry at Lord’s the other night. Graeme Swann was telling me yesterday how captivating it was. http://bit.ly/ …

12:14

bumblecricket: England shouls set there stall out 4 two days batting. pitch is a belter. No daft shots please..

12:12

TheAshesLive: England now at 65 for 0 #ashes

12:10

GeoffreyBoycott: This Australian bowling is poor, they are struggling with the slope. I would love to have a bat against them today on this wicket!

12:10

bumblecricket: still can’t upload photos…mystery…will have to see my M.P.

12:10

bumblecricket: stephen fry in house. watching game not tweeting…..am trying to catch him up.

12:10

TheAshesLive: Short and wide again from Johnson, and it’s another four #ashes

12:09

TheAshesLive: And his first ball goes for 4 from Cook #ashes

12:08

TheAshesLive: Nasser’s analysis of the Aussie bowlers suggests that coach Troy Cooley has a lot of work to do. Johnson back on now #ashes

12:08

bumblecricket: star quality in posh seats. mick jagger and charlie watts. 10/10 score

12:07

TheAshesLive: 57 for 0 now #ashes

12:02

Ashes_Assault: Drinks at Lord’s – Eng 0-57 and looking pretty comfortable #ashes

11:56

bbctms: 50 partnership up for Strauss and Cook! Pitch not looking at pacey as thought it might be.

11:56

TheAshesLive: Three runs for Cook who moves to 25. 53 for 0 #ashes

11:54

Aggerscricket: Mick Hunt (groundsman) told me there would be some bounce in this pitch. Looks terribly slow to me from here

11:54

CricketAus: There’s the 50 up for England. Too easy really… #ashes

11:53

bbctms: A trio of my favourite fast bowlers having a gossip outside our box – Gough, Gillespie and Hoggard. Lots of giggling from the Hoggster

11:51

TheAshesLive: 50 up for England with a four for Strauss. #ashes

11:46

TheAshesLive: Lots of fours already – makes you realise how long the boundaries were in Cardiff! #ashes

11:46

TheAshesLive: Four runs for Cook #ashes

11:46

ashesnews: Daily Express | Sport | Cricket: The 31-year-old Lancashire all-rounder had been a doubt for the second Ashes Te.. http://bit.ly/16NqLG

11:45

CricketAus: 41 runs in 11 overs but at least there are no extras #ashes

11:44

EnglandCricket: Agree with CMJ and Ian Chappell. Harmison should have played in this test instead of Broad.

11:44

TheAshesLive: Does anyone following us have more than 1,000 followers? That’s the stuff of dreams…!

11:43

TheAshesLive: Maiden over. 41 for 0. #ashes

11:43

Ashes_Assault: Despite early cloud cover, there’s very little swing here for Hilfenhaus, and even less for Johnson and Siddle #ashes

11:41

SBSAshes: Former Australia Ashes star Damien Martyn is chatting LIVE online right now at the SBS Ashes website http://su.pr/2rHOVS

11:36

CricketAus: England are off to a strong start in the 2nd Test @ Lords #ashes http://tiny.cc/ltWhf

11:36

TheAshesLive: Peter Siddle coming into the attack #ashes

11:35

TheAshesLive: 39 for 0. Eight fours already. #ashes

11:34

CricketAus: Forget the cooking, start watching the #ashes !

11:33

TheAshesLive: Four for Cook on the leg side #ashes

11:32

TheAshesLive: Dare i say it? Strauss and Cook are batting well #ashes

11:31

CricketAus: Get an English fans view of both teams performance in the 1st Test and tell us what you think http://tiny.cc/dkCQF

11:31

TheAshesLive: Single to Strauss. 34 for 0 after 8 overs #ashes

11:31

FollowTheAshes: Well, us Poms have to hope for the first english victory vs Australia at lords in many a year, 19 tests in fact #Ashes #Cricket

11:30

TheAshesLive: Slow start, but the rate has accelerated in the last few overs. 25 from Mitchell Johnson’s bowling #ashes

11:29

TheAshesLive: Another four! #ashes 33 for 0

11:29

TheAshesLive: Interesting stat – Strauss averages nearly 60 at Lord’s. There’s another four from a wide delivery #ashes

11:28

TheAshesLive: 25 for 0 now into the 8th over #ashes

11:27

TheAshesLive: Ponting got his fingertips to it diving from 2nd slip. The skipper had just removed the third slip. Unlucky! #ashes

11:27

TheAshesLive: Edged just past second slip. Close one. Four runs though. Woohoo! #ashes

11:23

TheAshesLive: Another 4 from Strauss. 15 for 0 #ashes

11:22

bumblecricket: Info: Same pitch as 2005

11:21

TheAshesLive: Short and wide, Strauss sends it to the boundary and rightly so. 11 for 0. #ashes

11:21

TheAshesLive: RT @SportGuru Tom Watson joint leader in The Open at 4 under. Westwood back to 2 under now. #ashes

11:18

SBSAshes: Our LIVE chat with Damien Martyn is delayed due to technical issues. We’ll update you as soon as we’re up. Apologies for the inconvenience.

11:15

TheAshesLive: Strauss off the mark with 2 on the leg side #ashes #cricket

11:14

Aggerscricket: The cheekie chappie http://yfrog.com/e163qj

11:12

Aggerscricket: Wonderful half hour before start. Good to see the hoggster http://yfrog.com/7581pj

11:08

TheAshesLive: We’re eyeing up another landmark today. 400 followers to equal Brian Lara’s Test record. Can we get there by lunch? #Ashes

11:07

TheAshesLive: A single…5 for 0 off 2 overs. #Ashes

11:06

bbctms: Tuffers and Gus Fraser part of the TMS team for this Test….. @Aggerscricket @CMJcricket @blowersh @tmsscorer all here in comm box

11:04

TheAshesLive: Four runs for Cook, and England are off the mark. It was in the air, but safe thankfully. #Ashes

11:03

TheAshesLive: Cook beaten on the off side by Hilfenhaus with last ball. 0 off the over. #Ashes

11:02

CricketAus: Hilfenhaus takes the new ball in the 2nd Test #ashes

11:02

SBSAshes: Our LIVE chat with Damien Martyn is delayed due to technical issues. We’ll update you as soon as we’re up. Apologies for the inconvenience.

11:01

bbctms: Aussies unchanged by the way – but you’re all much more excited by fact that Blowers is now tweeting! (Just explained the 140 thing to him)

11:01

TheAshesLive: First ball is a dot ball. Left outside the off stump. (I won’t tweet every dot ball, I promise). #Ashes

10:59

TheAshesLive: Hilfenhaus to open the bowling. First ball is imminent. #Ashes

10:57

TheAshesLive: Here come the players. Strauss and Cook are clapped all the way out…must be an incredible buzz! #Ashes

10:57

TheAshesLive: We could do with a couple of centuries in the first innings. KP, Bopara, Strauss…I’m looking at you. #Ashes

10:54

CricketAus: Follow the 2nd Test ball by ball here http://tiny.cc/SweHD #ashes

10:54

TheAshesLive: It’s nearly time. The blazers are quivering with excitement at Lord’s. #Ashes

10:49

Ashes_Assault: rt @ExtraCoverblog Bumped into Shane Warne in the lift. Told about his poker woes last week. $150,000 on the last hand

10:47

TheAshesLive: RT @TheNurdler Follow TMS here: @aggerscricket @cmjcricket @bbctms @tmsscorer @blowersh #ashes #cricket

10:45

CricketAus: Australia unchanged for the 2nd Test at the #ashes. Here’s hoping for 4 more centuries!

10:44

CricketAus: Onions in for Bopara #ashes

10:43

Racing Diary (Carl):

10:42

CricketAus: England to bat at the 2nd Test @ Lords #ashes

10:42

SBSAshes: England wins the toss and will bat, and picks Onions over Panesar – and Harmison, who misses out. Flintoff fit. Australia no changes #ashes

10:42

ashesnews: The Ashes 2009: a guide for cricket fans on how to get tickets for England vs Australia | Mail Online: If you we.. http://bit.ly/2Tn9Mk

10:41

Racing Diary (Carl):

10:38

SBSAshes: ”Steve Harmison is the Forrest Gump of world sport” – brilliant quote from our own Rodney Hogg #ashes #sbs

10:38

Racing Diary (Carl):

10:37

TheNurdler: BBC Live Text: ‘I was going to have a bat too,’ admits Punter. ‘But there are clouds coming in, so hopefully it’ll start swinging about.’

10:31

ECB_cricket: England win the toss and bat in 2nd #Ashes Test

10:31

TheAshesLive: And we’re batting. Need a better effort than last time. #Ashes

10:31

Ashes_Assault: Toss: England win and bat

10:30

TheAshesLive: England win the toss! #Ashes

10:30

TheAshesLive: Here comes the toss…#Ashes

10:30

Ashes_Assault: Australia team confirmed: Unchanged.

10:30

EnglandCricket: For some light-hearted Ashes action, watch the lawn-mower race between @philtufnell and @Jason_Gillespie at Lords http://bit.ly/5WH4Z #ashes

10:29

TheAshesLive: Onions for Panesar in the only change. Not unexpected. I hope Fred is fit #Ashes

10:29

ECB_cricket: England XI at Lord’s: Strauss Cook Bopara Pietersen Collingwood Prior Flintoff Broad Swann Anderson Onions http://www.ecb.co.uk/ all day

10:27

ECB_cricket: England team: Onions in for Panesar for 2nd #ashes test. Flintoff plays

10:27

Ashes_Assault: England team confirmed: Onions for Panesar is only change #ashes

10:27

ECB_cricket: England team: Strauss, Cook, Bopara, Pieteresen, Colly, Prior, Flintoff (fit), Broad, Swann, Anderson, Onions. No Harmison then…

10:21

CricketAus: Paine century helps Aus A to series win: A century from wicket-keeper Tim Paine has helped Australia A to a 15-r.. http://bit.ly/QwmY5

10:21

CricketAus: Team Analysis: England Fan View: We’ve dug up an English cricket fan to give us his thoughts on each team http://bit.ly/3vvcjn

10:20

FollowTheAshes: When Flintoff announ’d retirem’t frm Tests I felt same relief as when my cat was putdown after battle with thyroid cancer http://ow.ly/hp7A

10:17

ECB_cricket: England’s 12th men today: Nick Compton (Middlesex) and Ian Cockbain (MCC)

10:16

Racing Diary (Carl):

10:12

Ashes_Assault: Australia set to be uncaed – Stu Clark has the baseball mit on to field for bowlers. Looks like Johnson will bowl from Pavilion End #ashes

10:11

TheAshesLive: It’s ok. I’m back. Phew! Shopkeeper gave me an extra pound in change, so who shall I bet on to be top scorer in the Second #Ashes Test?

10:09

Ashes_Assault: Harmison standing off to the side in jacket while players do fielding drills. Pretty clear indication he’s not playing. #ashes

10:06

ECB_cricket: Welcome everyone. Apparently the queues for members has been gathering length since dawn – and the weather looks set fair. Toss to follow

10:03

Ashes_Assault: Bright sunshine at Lord’s at the moment, but clouds are looming. Doesn’t look like rain anytime soon, but you never know… #ashes

10:00

FollowTheAshes: The last #Ashes win at Lords was against a team with Don Bradman in it. Not sure if this inspires hope or despair…

9:54

Racing Diary (Carl): BREAKING NEWS…

Nathan Lynch Bets for the Second test…
Cricket bets below are listed for the start of the 2nd Ashes Test between Australia and England.

16/07/2009 – Ashes 2nd Test
England v Australia = Batting HTH, (1st Inns) A Strauss v A Cook – A Strauss @ 1.80 = 4%
England v Australia = Batting HTH, (1st Inns) K Pietersen v R Bopara – K Pietersen @ 1.72 = 2%
England v Australia = Batting HTH, (1st Inns) M Clarke v M Hussey = M Clarke @ 1.85 = 5%
England v Australia = Batting HTH, (1st Inns) R Ponting v P Hughes = R Ponting @ 1.80 = 4%
England v Australia = Bowling HTH, (1st Inns) M Johnson v B Hilfenhaus = B Hilfenhaus @ 2.10 = 2%
England v Australia = Bowling HTH, (1st Inns) S Broad v J Anderson = J Anderson @ 1.80 = 2%
England v Australia = Hi Bat England (1st Inns) P Collingwood @ 6.00 = 1%
England v Australia = 1st Man Out, P Hughes v S Katich – P Hughes @ 1.87 = 3%
England v Australia = Highest Opening Partnership – Australia @ 1.75 = 3%
England v Australia = Hi Bat Australia (1st Inns) M Clarke @ 5.50 = 1%
England v Australia = Hi Bat Australia (1st Inns) M North @ 7.50 = 1%

9:53

TheAshesLive: Disaster. I’ve run out of milk. When to sprint to the shop? Before 11 of course, but will need to time my run between key Open moments…

9:51

SBSAshes: An over’s worth of questions ahead of the Lord’s Ashes Test http://su.pr/1wqPzp

9:47

Racing Diary (Carl): We have the BEST Tweets for you to get a FULL view of the Ashes- this is top quality banter!

9:46

TheAshesLive: RT @SportGuru Garcia holes a long putt for an eagle at the 7th. First Eagle of the Championship apparently. #golf

9:46

FollowTheAshes: Mad to think that England’s last #ashes win at The Home of Cricket was 75 years and 18 matches ago! http://ow.ly/hp7b

9:46

bumblecricket: Atherton column in posh paper this morning calls me Primus Inter Pares – is it anything to do with stoves?

9:45

EnglandCricket: Both @BumbleCricket and @Aggerscricket favour playing Onions in place of Monty, with no Harmison. I’d like grievous bodily Harm to play.

9:44

FollowTheAshes: Here we go again then! Roll up roll up – get your predictions in! Teams? No Flintoff, Harmison or Panesar? #ashes

9:43

Ashes_Assault: Flintoff spotted bowling on warm-up pitch – as was Onions. No sight of Harmison. Aussies are handballing Sherrins around.

9:43

ashesnews: CRICKET VIDEO: The Ashes second Test – Worthing Today: THE Ashes continues with the second Test starting at Lord.. http://bit.ly/6gXi5

9:42

ashesnews: Cricket – Her footy forums: The one thing i love is after footy season it is cricket season. i love cricket, it .. http://bit.ly/1sbYLx

9:42

Ashes_Assault: rt @Aggerscricket Freddie fit to play. One place for harmy, monty & onions. I go for onions

9:34

Racing Diary (Carl): England great Geoffrey Boycott warned on Tuesday Test cricket was “dying” around the world because of a lack of spectator interest and said radical action was needed to revitalise the five-day game.

The former opening batsman said crowds at Ashes matches masked the dwindling attendances for Tests elsewhere in the world, with even the recent series between South Africa and Australia, arguably the two strongest teams around, failing to sell-out.

Boycott, speaking to reporters at Lord’s here on Tuesday, said: “If you’re watching England against Australia this summer, we’re all seduced into believing Test cricket is fine because you could sell Test match cricket twice over for huge amounts of money because its the oldest form of Test match cricket and has history and tradition.

9:30

philtufnell: I think I’ll start the day with a bacon roll when I get 2 lords bad traffic round at johns wood

9:29

bumblecricket: I reckon no Panesar no Harmison. Flintoff having fitness test

9:23

TheAshesLive: Westwood birdies the first. He’s playing with Tiger who missed his birdie putt. Good start from the Englishman, textbook hole.

9:20

ECB_cricket: we’ll try to give you a flavour of the second npower #ashes Test throughout the Lord’s action

9:19

ECB_cricket: Lovely sunny day here at Lord’s. Not sure it’ll stay this way!…but there’s a real buzz about the place…fingers crossed for an epic

9:19

TheAshesLive: RT @SBSAshes Good news Goughie!! RT @DGoughie: Blue sky above Lords, lets hope for a full day’s play! http://twitpic.com/aiq9d

9:19

GeoffreyBoycott: Lords test between England and Australia. No finer match in cricket. All test cricket should be this special: http://mz9.sl.pt

9:19

SBSAshes: Good news Goughie!! RT @DGoughie: Blue sky above Lords, lets hope for a full day’s play! http://twitpic.com/aiq9d

9:16

GeoffreyBoycott: Lords test between

9:11

Aggerscricket: Freddie fit to play. One place for harmy, monty & onions. I go for onions

9:07

TheAshesLive: Tiger is on the first tee #golf

9:01

bumblecricket: atherton and hussain stoo on pitch with geoff miller …

9:00

bumblecricket: warney asking if there is a whist drive he can attend in st johns wood…..

8:59

bumblecricket: blonde aussie has arrived! thinks this is cardiff!

8:59

TheAshesLive: The Ashes Caption Competition…win some beer at http://bit.ly/VJook

8:55

philtufnell: On my way 2 lords a beautiful morning can’t wait

8:51

TheAshesLive: You won’t be the only one…RT @rich_w Today, I shall mostly be doing what I can to pretend I’m not preoccupied with the second #Ashes test.

8:49

TheAshesLive: Great news… RT @BumbleCricket all fit for selection, we hear.

8:46

bumblecricket: all fit for selection, we hear.

8:44

bumblecricket: pitch cut this morning…looks a belter

8:43

ashesnews: Andrew Flintoff | Test Cricket | Ashes | England – Oneindia Cricket: London: England all rounder Andrew Flintoff.. http://bit.ly/RXDF4

8:43

bumblecricket: sniffer dog ‘whizz’ just done com box and media centre…..springer…brilliant work, whizz

8:43

ashesnews: Official Ashes Fantasy Cricket | Cricket Australia: Official Ashes Fantasy Cricket Competition – the official fa.. http://bit.ly/NN9YK

8:42

bumblecricket: queues outside lords go all the way round. ..from 7am

8:35

Racing Diary (Carl): The Ashes: Andrew Flintoff planning to go out with bang

The Ashes: Andrew Flintoff planning to go out with bang

Focused: Andrew Flintoff wants to retire having regained the Ashes

8:34

Racing Diary (Carl): Did You Know…
Only two players from 2005 Ashes guaranteed to play against Australia
The Ashes: Only two 2005 heroes guaranteed to face Australia

The Ashes: Only two 2005 heroes guaranteed to face Australia

Inspirational leader: Michael Vaughan of England celebrates winning the Ashes after the fifth wer Ashes Test in 2005

8:32

Racing Diary (Carl): Odds: England are 7/2 to beat Australia at Lord’s, a feat they have not accomplished since 1934. Australia are 13/8 with the draw at evens.

8:31

Racing Diary (Carl): Funniest Fact of the test- Lord’s groundsman is called Mike Hunt!!!!

Lord’s groundsman Mike Hunt says: “This pitch has a nice coverage of grass and maybe more pace and carry than we’ve sometimes had. It may do a bit in the first session. It is also the same pitch that we used against Australia in 2005.”

8:30

Racing Diary (Carl): Jason Gillespie: “There’s no reason for Australia’s bowlers to do much differently for the second Test at Lord’s. They don’t need to make any changes for Thursday following their strong performance in the draw in Cardiff – they took 19 wickets on a benign pitch – but I reckon they have 5 per cent of improvement left in them. When in top form, like they were in South Africa, they can run through any team.”

8:30

Racing Diary (Carl): Andrew Strauss: “We have seen the Aussie batsmen and we have seen the other Aussie bowlers, now it is down to just knuckling down and playing cricket. We have got a nice little bit of momentum from that fifth day, which we are really looking to build on in that first day.”

8:29

Racing Diary (Carl):

8:29

Racing Diary (Carl): Some Quotes Ahead of Day One…
Andy Flower: “Ricky Ponting has got his own opinion (about England’s perceived time-wasting tactics) and I respect his opinion. But, in this instance, I think he has made a meal of it.”

8:29

Racing Diary (Carl): Weather watch
Thursday: Sunny intervals and a maximum temperature should make for a perfect day’s cricket.
Friday: Heavy rain.
Saturday: Light rain shower.

8:28

Racing Diary (Carl): Pitch report
Lord’s has become one of the flattest pitches in international cricket over recent years, and with the the match a lucrative five-day sell-out, that is unlikely to change dramatically. However, groundsman Mick Hunt expects the strip to offer more pace and carry than Cardiff – it should be easier to score on.

8:28

Racing Diary (Carl): Ponting Caned By Fletcher…

FORMER England coach Duncan Fletcher has reignited his bitter feud with Ricky Ponting by claiming Australia’s captain knows nothing about the spirit of cricket.

Fletcher, who was abused by Ponting in the 2005 Ashes over the use of substitute fieldsman Gary Pratt, says England would have been delighted to get under Ponting’s skin in the first Test at Cardiff.

He claimed England captain Andrew Strauss would have been “amused” to receive a blast from Ponting over England’s time-wasting tactics, sending a physiotherapist out with gloves in the tense final minutes.

“If any side in the world doesn’t play within the spirit of the game it’s Ponting’s Australians, yet here he is sitting in judgment on England because he’s frustrated that his bowlers failed to complete the job,” Fletcher said.

“We’re left with the ridiculous situation of being told off by an Australian captain for transgressing cricket’s spirit – a notion he seems to only vaguely understand himself.

“Ponting has to be careful. Someone needs to sit down and ask him what he understands by the spirit of the game. The way he plays is definitely not in the spirit. And if the Australians would have you think that they’d have done things differently on Sunday evening, then pigs might soon be spotted in the skies above St John’s Wood.”

Fletcher’s explosive outburst – in his column for The Guardian newspaper – will raise Ashes tensions another notch going into tomorrow’s second Test at Lord’s.

8:27

Racing Diary (Carl): TEAM NEWS…BREAKING NEWS

Australia set to resist changes for the second Test at Lord’s

FOX NEWS REPORTS

Australia captain Ricky Ponting has hinted that the selectors will name an unchanged team for the second Ashes Test at Lord’s.

The temptation to meddle too much seems to have been ignored and the tourists look set to stay with the eleven players that came so close to victory over England in the first Test at Cardiff.

Lord’s is a notoriously seamer-friendly wicket and that had led to speculation that, despite his six-wicket haul, Nathan Hauritz might have been omitted to make way for Stuart Clark.

England’s selection dilemma is a simple one: either Andrew Flintoff will be passed fit or he won’t. If he fails a fitness test on his knee before play starts, Steve Harmison looks set to be drafted in to replace him.

8:25

Racing Diary (Carl):

8:25

Racing Diary (Carl): From You Tube..

8:24

Racing Diary (Carl):

Andrew Flintoff – retiring from Test cricket.

This is why Freddie is so good…..

8:23

Racing Diary (Carl):

Australia captain Ricky Ponting hopes his side can benefit from this current Ashes series turning into an Andrew Flintoff roadshow.

All-rounder Flintoff’s revelation that he will retire from Test cricket at the end of this current campaign could disrupt England’s focus in the remaining matches of the npower series.

The 31-year-old will have his fitness checked this morning ahead of the second Test at Lord’s.

And if his knee stands up to its testing, Flintoff will be playing his last Test at English cricket’s headquarters, which in itself potentially proves a distraction for Andrew Strauss’ team.

“For us, knowing the stature he has in the game in England then I can see it turning into that,” said Ponting.

“Whenever he plays a game you get the feeling of the crowd getting involved and loving seeing him play.

“You can see the fans here are very passionate about watching Andrew Flintoff.

“If they know this is his last chance to play here, his last chance to play Edgbaston, and last chance to play Headingley, I am sure there will be a bit of a circus around.

“It could be good for us if that is the case. It could create some distractions but that is not for us to worry about.

“I have been in teams when it has happened and it can be a distraction not only for the person involved but for the captain as well.”

Australia had to handle a similar situation during the 2002-03 Ashes series when their revered captain Steve Waugh was on the verge of walking away.

“They’re probably similar sort of figures in either side, culturally as well,” said Ponting. “Everyone in Australia loved everything about Steve Waugh, the way he played and the way he led the side.

“We talked long and hard before that first Test match about what we could do to ensure it didn’t turn out to be a long farewell tour – but, as hard as we tried, sure enough it became very heavily focused on everything he did.”

Ponting and the rest of the Australian tourists listened to Flintoff’s lunchtime press conference on their team coach travelling to Lord’s.

They are preparing for the match as if they are going to face Flintoff, whose desperation to play was emphasised by him undergoing three cortisone injections in his right knee on Monday.

Of the 181 overs England bowled at Australia in the drawn thriller in Cardiff, Flintoff sent down 35, but Ponting is anticipating greater respite for the England man this week.

“He is obviously pretty sore, and understandably so, after the amount of overs he bowled last week,” Ponting said. “It is probably the most overs he has bowled in a Test match, or any game, for five or six years.

“But the way I am reading things, they could go in with four quicks in this game anyway which might take a bit of the workload from him.

“If he didn’t have to complete the same number of overs they might be able to nurse him through.”

Australia, still without fast bowler Brett Lee due to a rib injury, are unlikely to make changes to their XI after everyone reported fit from their Cardiff exertions.

“It would have been a 10-out-of-10 performance last week with one more wicket,” said Ponting. “I thought it was a really good team performance and that’s what we’re after.

“I said coming over here I didn’t want just one or two guys having outstanding tours, that doesn’t win you anything.

“You need a good, even contribution from the group and we had that last week without getting the result.

“We start from scratch tomorrow and we have to play at the level we played at last week if we want to win this game.”

Australia’s dejection at failing to polish off England’s tail on Sunday evening will not doubt be tempered by the fact they have not lost an Ashes Test at Lord’s since 1934.

Teams

England (from): AJ Strauss (captain), AN Cook, RS Bopara, KP Pietersen, PD Collingwood, MJ Prior (wkt), A Flintoff, SCJ Broad, GP Swann, JM Anderson, MS Panesar, G Onions, SJ Harmison.

Australia (from): RT Ponting (captain), PJ Hughes, SM Katich, MJ Clarke, MEK Hussey, MJ North, BJ Haddin (wkt), AB McDonald, MG Johnson, PM Siddle, SR Clark, NM Hauritz, BW Hilfenhaus, G Manou (wkt).

Umpires: BR Doctrove (WI) & RE Koertzen (Rsa)

Third umpire: NJ Llong

Match referee: JJ Crowe (Nzl)

8:23

Racing Diary (Carl):

Ricky Ponting – Aussies could benefit.

8:21

Racing Diary (Carl):

8:21

Racing Diary (Carl):

Andrew Strauss is confident England have the resources to forge a bright future as a Test side despite losing the all-round talents of Andrew Flintoff after the current Ashes series.

The England captain faces a major dilemma in the months ahead as he attempts to balance a side without 31-year-old all-rounder Flintoff, who has announced he will be retiring from Test cricket at the end of this summer after a succession of injuries.

Flintoff will still be available in one-day and Twenty20 international cricket, but the problem of balancing the side in South Africa this winter – England’s first series after Flintoff – will have to be solved before then.

“I think we have shown signs that there is life after Freddie,” insisted Strauss.

“Also, Freddie has always been just a constituent part of the side.

“I have never believed in the four walls of our dressing room that we’re a one-man team. As I said before he lends balance to the side and he has got ability to produce match-winning innings with both bat and ball.

“We have got some young guys coming through and looking the business. Jimmy (Anderson) and Stuart Broad have both bowled well when Fred hasn’t been around and we’ve got some good young batters as well so there is life after Fred.

“It’s a shame it has come as soon as it has done but that’s the way it goes in cricket. You’ve always got to move forward and possibly the fact that he has been injured so much over the last couple of years has made us better placed to deal with it than perhaps a year or two ago.”

Flintoff has missed 25 Tests since his man-of-the-series performances against Australia in 2005 and England have lost only three – underlining Strauss’ confidence his side can progress without him.

The first indication of Strauss’ solution to Flintoff’s absence was given yesterday when spare batsman Ian Bell was released to play for Warwickshire to leave England no option but to use five bowlers irrespective of whether their all-rounder passed this morning’s fitness test.

It is a clear signal Strauss favours a five-bowler option rather than strengthen the batting, particularly after conceding 674 for six during 12 hours in the field in the dramatic drawn opening Test in Cardiff.

“I think if you’ve gone for 670 runs and only taken six wickets, it’s probably not a great option to reduce your bowling attack,” confirmed Strauss.

“We’re pretty comfortable with five bowlers. That’s a nice balance for us. I know their bowlers are very keen to make amends for what happened in Cardiff and hopefully the conditions here will be a little bit more bowler-friendly.”

England are also confident key batsman Kevin Pietersen will feature having had an injection in his back before the Cardiff Test and another in his troublesome Achilles tendon, which forced him to miss the one-day series against West Indies earlier this summer, on Monday.

Teams

England (from): AJ Strauss (captain), AN Cook, RS Bopara, KP Pietersen, PD Collingwood, MJ Prior (wkt), A Flintoff, SCJ Broad, GP Swann, JM Anderson, MS Panesar, G Onions, SJ Harmison.

Australia (from): RT Ponting (captain), PJ Hughes, SM Katich, MJ Clarke, MEK Hussey, MJ North, BJ Haddin (wkt), AB McDonald, MG Johnson, PM Siddle, SR Clark, NM Hauritz, BW Hilfenhaus, G Manou (wkt).

Umpires: BR Doctrove (WI) & RE Koertzen (Rsa)

Third umpire: NJ Llong

Match referee: JJ Crowe (Nzl)

8:21

Racing Diary (Carl):

Andrew Strauss – confident of future.

8:20

Racing Diary (Carl): Some News ahead of Day one of the second ashes test….

8:19

Racing Diary (Carl): Its round 2- The Ashes Live- England v Australia at Lords!!

All the latest news from the finest sources on Twitter, inc official sites and excellent related tweets including the funny Bumble tweets live from the test.

Who will win- check out our preview here….

http://www.racingdiary.co.uk/2009/07/14/the-ashes-second-test-previewed-by-lee-keys/

Get a Bet on- log on to Betfair and get a £25 free bet…

Want a Bet- get on with Betfair…

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Ashes Twitter, Cricket, Cricket Betting, Lords Test, The Ashes