Ian.....are you ready for some early mornings?

[Roland Hearn]

Well here we go Ian, this is it, do or die, it all comes down to this. Day 1 Test 3 at the WACA.
Hugh Jackman made a bet with his best mate, who he has known from preschool. He challenged him (of course they are both cricket loving aussies), because he lived in England, to join the Barmy Army for the tour and barrack for Australia from the middle of those 6000 crazy pommie supporters. If Australia lost the series the bet was that he would have to be an English supporter for the rest of his life. A fate worse than death obviously. They have made a sort of reality TV show out of it called "An Aussie goes Barmy." Have you seen it? It is the absolute perfect back drop for the test matches. It is hysterical.

If it isn't on there it should be, the Barmy Army are doing a great job.
http://www.moviehole.net/news/20061113_hugh_jackman_returns_to_televi.html

[Ian Gentles]

Dosent look good for England now :(

[Ian Gentles]

Sad that our American friends dont appreciate a real sport. ;)

[Roland Hearn]

There is plenty more cricket in this test. I'm hoping Australia will get 400 and that will at least give a theoretical hope for England if they could go for it. Monty Panesar has been a revelation. Pietersen is continuing to warm to the occasion, Flintoff needs to fire today or it is too late, Harmison looks like he is on the way back and Strauss just needs a little luck. It is going to be tough to get a draw with three days to go but an England win is not out of the question. I really want Melbourne to be an alive test. I will be getting up on the morning of boxing day and spending most of the rest of the week in front of the tellie. It will be great.

[Ian Gentles]

Looks all over for England, oh well! ;)#

[Roland Hearn]

Well yes it does, I'm sorry.
Saturday evening is always family evening. Emmy makes a special meal, we set out lollies, chocolates and pop corn, rent a movie and sit down together and have a great evening. It is a sacred time. The game is being played in Perth which means, with the time difference I missed the last couple of hours while I spent time with my family. I woke up this morning to see that Gilchrist had scored the second fastest century in history. 57 balls. Australia had declared with 520 on the board, I couldn't believe it.
We have just entered the next phase of Australian dominance at world cricket - World Cup here we come.

[Ian Gentles]

Gilchrist did magnifecently, what a performance.

[Ian Gentles]

PS Great about the family evening, far more important that any sport!

[Roland Hearn]

Yeh, I guess you are right but man I would have loved to have seen Gilchrist strike form.:basic05

[Ian Gentles]

England coach still beleives England can do it, but its going to take some magnificent cricket!

[Roland Hearn]

A world record to win from here, wouldn't that be cool.

[Roland Hearn]

The highest score by England to win a test match was 332 against Australia in Melbourne in 1928. They would have to score 557 to win this game, which the pundits will tell you is impossible. The highest score ever to win is 418. Although England once scored 654 to draw.
I became a cricket tragic in 1970 at the age of 8 listening to John Snow play havoc with the Australians. I fell instantly in love with all of the statistics and records so it would just be incredibly fun if England pulled out a miracle in this match. So far today they are keeping their heads down and limping along - records are made to be broken.

[Ian Gentles]

I just hope they go out there, make a fight of it, and give us a load of runs. I expect an Aussie victory, but it aint over till the fat lady sings. ;)