Test Champs final, Oz vs SA at Lords, June 11-15

[bigfluffylemon]

Definitely advantage Aussies. Would be the equal second highest chase at Lord's if SA pull it off. But day 3 pitch still, and looks to have flattened out. You never know.

[andy]

We are reading too much into highest chases etc especially at lords...more often than not those stats are for day 4/5 its day 3...ball and pitch been doing nothing... sun beating down it's the best time of the test match to bat....I'm not saying SA will chase it but I'm saying they will never have a better chance than they have right now

[sussexpob]

We are reading too much into highest chases etc especially at lords...more often than not those stats are for day 4/5 its day 3...ball and pitch been doing nothing... sun beating down it's the best time of the test match to bat....I'm not saying SA will chase it but I'm saying they will never have a better chance than they have right now

After 2 days of very low scoring, I am not sure there is much logic to suggest its easier to chase nearly 300 on Day 3, because usually the pitch is more worn..... because usually 300-400-500 more runs have been scored in the match to get to that point.

I am not convinced its as easy as you suggest to bat.

[andy]

Im not saying it's easy..I'm saying it's the easiest time of the game to bat which it clearly is given how long starc and Hazelwood batted and looked at ease the whole time....nothing troubled them at all so if numbers 9 and 11 can make it look that easy then surely the SA top order should look at that and go why can't we score runs here....

[andy]

Rickelton gone! Smith knew straight away that wasn't a bump ball...big wicket that!

[Arthur Crabtree]

If josh Hazelwood can hang around for as long as this then the pitch has clearly flattened out it is at its best for batting now

But was a big blow for SA morale. That's got to hurt. Last wicket runs are a killer.

[andy]

Lost the early wicket but run rate flying ..28-1 after 5

[Arthur Crabtree]

Andy will be starting to feel a bit more confident...

[andy]

Pitch is just good to bat on today...combine that with some an actual intent and it's good a mix for scoring runs

[sussexpob]

Rickelton gone! Smith knew straight away that wasn't a bump ball...big wicket that!

Not sure why we needed the replay, it looked out live. And looked very out on the replay.

[sussexpob]

Not sure after seam has caused utter carnage with the new ball all game, why Cummins is turning to Lyon so early. Strange move.... if South Africa want to go after Starc, then let them. Its cost them a wicket already.

[sussexpob]

Mulder started positive, then just dropped anchor. Cummins snags him... Australia needed that

[Arthur Crabtree]

SA not known for holding their nerve in tight situations...

[andy]

Smith drops a very very close catch and given his reaction to his finger popping out his game in the field could be done....no choice but to be that close

[Durhamfootman]

SA don’t look as though they going to die wondering. Going along at 4 an over in a low scoring game. It might well be the right approach