I think recent Ashes history shows honours are pretty even at Edgebaston. I think the winners will be in a strong position to go for the urn. Suppose all eyes will be on the pitch. If the weather's good, bat first. I would prefer to get runs on the board if given the choice.
I think it's too early to say.
What you look for from any sportsperson after a poor performance and a heavy defeat is some sort of positive reaction - "form is temporary, class is permanent" and all that.
The Aussies are more restricted regarding any changes they might make, England have almost unlimited choice.
The notorious British weather will undoubtedly play some part. Edgbaston and Trent Bridge (the next two venues) tend to produce results over the five days if the teams look for one. The Oval is a classic batting strip with a huge outfield, so patience and shot selection is vital here.
Ideally, England would be leading the series by the time we get to The Oval. If not, then it's probably the Aussies to keep the urn. We just need to be more positive and risk taking, that's what they do.
Some not too shabby bowling from England today, cant see this being on the news here in Australia tomorrow morning!
Superb bowling from Anderson, but you've got to say that some of the Aussie shot selection was really poor. Batting first backfired on them big time.
Good stuff from England. Aussies looked like they were in a hurray with the bat.
Cook was batting well until he stuck one into the close fielders gut - lol
Shame about Bell's dismissal.
This is what I meant by looking for a positive response after a setback - well done England.
Now to build on it tomorrow by batting most, if not all, of the day and put pressure on the Aussies for their second innings.
Bad morning for England. Daft shot really by Bell last night to set it all off, totally irresponsible. Somehow got to squeeze out another 40 or so from the last three wickets.
Intriguing days play, thought it was going to be all over inside 2 days! - Jimmy looks in trouble, so something else to add to a curious series. Who knows what'll happen at Trent Bridge now!
Well, this is a series that's been all over the place so far:
Cardiff: England look like world beaters and Australia look hopeless.
Lord's: Australia look like world beaters and England look hopeless.
Edgbaston: England look like world beaters again and Australia look hopeless again.
Trent Bridge: they'll either both look like world beaters or both be hopeless!data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
And why bother scheduling five day Tests when you can be done inside 3? Utterly bizarre.
jimmy is in fine form and sadly now missing for trent bridge at least, however his record there has been pretty poor so it might not be as big of an impact as we might think. I think trent bridge will suit australia far more so I see the oval being the decider and thats when we could do with having him back.
As it stands the aussie tail is wagging a bit, 100 runs ahead now but only a wicket remaining. I can see us losing a few wickets and making it look a bit uncomfortable at first but we should see this home nicely today.