My dear old things, it's STW TMS!

Given the record at the Gabba, there’s something to be said for playing for the draw from day 1 in the way they have 😉

Overcast so the first session could be pivotal; I fancy Moeen and Anderson to make inroads.
I’m usually wrong but…….

Broad.
In her face bogan 😆

Marsh out; b broad, c anderson.
Is the door beginning to open?

Hope so. Out being cultured in Melbourne today so sadly only discrete glances at wicket alerts will be tolerated.

Zokes – ‘being cultured’; what does that mean?

Presumably not the normal meaning if he’s in Australia.

Exactly, greatape! 😆 Culture nut usually the Aussies strong point unless we’re talking about yoghurt.

On this occasion I’m being a grown up looking at museums whilst my parents are back in Adelaide babysitting. Consequently MrsZ has made it very clear that actively following cricket is verboten.

Yep day out with the folks today so just bits of the radio commentary for me, some good some bad. Hoping they get a good start once the bowlers are finished saving it for oz

Hmmm. Managed to turn an advantage to a disadvantage, disappointed we couldn’t nail the tail but hey ho. Perhaps our openers like more pressure?!?

Does this mean we now demand that Cook is sacked for being selfish playing hook shots and getting out in the deep?

Fantastic ball suckered him in. . That 20 run lead could be crucial. Come on england

To be fair it was a pretty good shot, just better fielding.

That on the other hand…

Calypso collapso here we come. Again.

Went to sleep at lunch feeling hopeful, just woke and checked score, Smith really is a irritant

What a game of test cricket this is. Absolutely fantastic stuff. An extremely tense Saturday breakfast. I’m exhausted.

We are still very very much in this. Tonight is essential viewing/listening. Can’t wait.

Yes totally HYD, Aus have made a breakthrough

Assertive opening 30 mins from England’s duo before a bit of circumspection crept in. Bit of a giveaway wicket and the Aussies are now working their line and length a bit better.

Just about to say our first obvious target is hanging around til lunchtime but not anymore. Malan gone and we’re in trouble.

Given Lyon’s display, Ali’s gonna have to step up with the ball on Day 5 (maybe even Day 4).

Aussies on top now, Lyon is firing now. Just need to break this down, 50 at a time, build, play and block.

Crapola. Classic offspinner to LH batsman dismissal. Trouble.

50 at a time

10 mins ago I was saying 25 at a time. 50 too ambitious for Eng now I feel.

I don’t see JB and our tail getting more than 50 on this pitch right now. Moeen and Root have to stick around.

Yep these two really need to see it to at least 150, some better shots coming now and some pressure on the bowlers by getting it out there.

right now though lets get to lunch! Hoping for a well timed break in the rain here so I can run out to the shops

Root gone. No review. England posting sub 175 = game over?

Head down from Root as he walks there, guess saving the reviews for something later on might be a sensible idea but Bairstow and Ali need to get stuck in now

Game is now there for Australia but they still have to bat. Need another 100 minimum to make it a game and taking time to get there, not sure how these 2 will make that happen.

TV just showing that as plum LBW

Lunch.

I’m crashing out now, but will keep commentary on in the background. England still batting when I wake up? I doubt it. Aussies 40-0 more likely.

and Lunch….

Time for a good team talk there for England, not so much for Australia. Just feel that England have missed out on 1 or 2 chances in the game where as Australia have taken theirs. There was a stat that the England tail was worth 30 odd more than the Australians over this last year – it’s time to dig all the way to Anderson

– it’s time to dig all the way to Anderson

Anything can happen but I’m struggling to see us batting much past tea. Ali might well swashbuckle his way to 35 and JB may last 90 mins, but I see Aussie openers making inroads before sunlight here in the UK.

Yeah, not optimistic about making tea but it’s how they go really. It’s going to be a result unless the weather turns (it’s not http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/forecasts/brisbane.shtml )

Dammmmmmmmmmm about 2mm in that stumping there, England had that session going well up until this point so time for Woakes to step in, A prediction of 50 from the these 4 which is 12 each for the bowlers and another 20 from Bairstow takes them to a 200 lead or all out for nothing much more.

Ali gone. Normal service has been resumed. Doubly frustrating given the hard work of the first innings being so needlessly thrown away at the end of their first and now our second. Meh.

Up until that wicket I’d have given that session to England. If they can last until tea and get 40 it’s all to play for

Scratch that, bairstow gone time to let fly with the bat and get as close to a 200 lead as they can…

Bairstow suckered into that. Just not good enough.

When you’re in a tight position and time comes into it, if it’s not hitting the stumps just leave it alone ffs.

170 isn’t enough. Or is it…..?

In the days of T20, almost certainly not enough. Choked trying to get their tail out yesterday, and they didn’t today. That will probably be the difference unless Warner goes biffo and gets away with it.

Well Warner is in, he wants this done tonight but that shadow should mean a morning session tomorrow.

What are England missing? Ben stokes.
Positives for England, all bar cook managed to get runs.
Issues for he Ozzies? Not everyone has scored

Crappy end to a great test. Some positives for England, a great deal of negatives. Next test is a must not lose

Pathetic. This really is where the Aussie differ from us – they don’t just give in.