The Raining Ashes Holders

Australia may hold the Ashes, but their grip is even more tenuous today as sunrise arrives in England, than it was after the Lords loss. News that Birmingham is wetter than an Incontinence Conference and intends to stay so for the duration of the 3rd Test, is further enhancing the chance that England may regain the Little Urn. One down two to play, is a great deal harder than one and three and as each cheerful tear laughingly falls onto Edgbaston, Australian skipper Ricky Ponting will squirm evermore uncomfortably in his seat. Only once before has the same Australian captain lost hold of the nations grip on the sacred urn for a second time and that was WL Murdoch, more than 120 years ago. To ere once is human but twice would seem like justice for the man who thinks he has everything.

Ably assisting our hapless, idealess leader are the Australian selectors, who it appears intend to sack the struggling Phil Hughes, who at least has scored some runs, whilst retaining the struggling Mitchell Johnson, who has taken very few wickets on purpose. Both are being found out for their technique but only one is doing anything about it ... so he's to be dropped. Its the lack of consistency that is worrying.

Watson at six is a good move. North at five is okay too and Hussey opening is the best news of the tour so far as it's his best spot in the order.

With a wet track which will be low and slow, Hauritz is a complete waste, despite his fair efforts in the opening games of the series. McDonald would be a far better and more penetrative option and would bat with authority at 8. The rest of Australia knows Johnson should have been dropped. Why else has Anderson talked up his chances? The Poms have so comfortably outplayed us at head games this trip. Ponting's answer is to snarl and spit. Meanwhile, Stuart Clarke, the best Australian bowler of the past three seasons, will continue to make guest appearances will gloves and headache tablets. Tip big fella ... don't expect to be asked for an autograph from the selectors because I don't think they know who you are.

Doesn't matter. Rain predicted on every scheduled day of the Test, it just varies from showers to pelting down. Reports from the ground say it is waterlogged and ground staff believe the first day will be completely lost. It would appear the dry English summer has been somwhat over stated.

A draw and some time to think.

Meanwhile, our current quiz beckons and only a few hours to cast your vote in the Tragics Poll below.

Q10 - Which school teacher who once took all 20 wickets for Emu Plains v Penrith, wrote articles in the 1950’s for the NSW Dept of Education Journal about how to teach cricket skills and then later turned them into a book with a foreword by the then Test skipper?

Click on "comments" below to answer the question.