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All set for Gabba finale

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Oliver Brett | 21:22 UK time, Sunday, 26 November 2006

ob66.jpgMost of Brisbane is back at work on Monday, and England’s fans are not yet Adelaide-bound.

The ground will be far from full, but with tickets just $20 each (Β£8) and $6 for children, ground organisers are expecting a strong presence from the away supporters.

In fact I spoke to Stephen Gray, who as media manager at the has done a terrific job dealing with us all, and asked whether England fans would be in the majority.

He suggested it was, indeed, highly possible.

As for the weather, I heard a whisper that there had been a shower overnight south of the Brisbane River (where the ground is).

But it must have been brief and localised, because the city’s green spaces still look bone dry.

There are some clouds around, but not rain-bearing ones.

Going back to the Gabba for the seventh day on the trot feels a bit like taking a trip to the office.

But it’s certainly a more pleasant commute than the usual one!

Will England get as far as lunch? Perhaps, but we must be braced for the inevitable now, I’m afraid.

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And yet you never know. Whilst KP and Jones remain at the crease we might still be able to sit on crossed fingers and hope for some rain.

Allow me to fantasize for a moment, but how poetic would it be for Geraint Jones to fend off the Aussie attack until sweet rain falls on the gabba? It's time the guy got a break, and I'd love for him to stand up and be counted at the crease tonight, and send messers Warne and Ponting home with their tails firmly between their legs.

  • 2.
  • At 09:53 PM on 26 Nov 2006,
  • David Howell wrote:

I think the result is inevitable, weather permitting, but England can at least get beyond lunch, and then the weather may well make Ricky Ponting's decision not to follow on look like the decisive moment of the series.

  • 3.
  • At 10:27 PM on 26 Nov 2006,
  • JL wrote:

This test now looks to be decided by how we deal witht he new ball...if Jones and KP can hang about for the first 10-15overs and see of the ne wball which the aussies have avaliable tot hem then hopefully they can settle down and play for rain...on the other hand... McGrath could have it done with in an hour...

  • 4.
  • At 10:56 PM on 26 Nov 2006,
  • David Holmes wrote:

Since this first test started. I have become a "lounge lizard". And if England some how miraculously win, I am going shed my skin for the second time after Winter, walk out onto a busy highway, and sit in the middle until I get squashed by the next oncoming vehicle thus becoming a Road Kill statistic ...

  • 5.
  • At 11:01 PM on 26 Nov 2006,
  • Frank morris wrote:

With an hour to go, we have a humid day, and cloud cover. Having lived in SE Qld for a while now, with a bit of good fortune we could have showers by 2 or 3 o'clock. Hopefully the weather or stumps come in time. Then we will have a great psychological edge going into Adelaide.

  • 6.
  • At 11:07 PM on 26 Nov 2006,
  • Anthony wrote:

Engalnd, save the test? You've got to be joking. Well done for taking the game into the final day but, ultimately, you've got to be disappointed with Strauss, Collingwood and Flintoff throwing their wickets away. Still not all doom and gloom: we'll win the series 2 to 1.

  • 7.
  • At 11:17 PM on 26 Nov 2006,
  • simon higby wrote:

Hello people

I am currently in stockholm. Attempting to listen to the cricket. I have had to resort to some indian net station. Rubbish really. Wish I could get aggers and boycs on now. Anyone got any ideas how to get it?

I think if we get through the new ball we are in with a shout. We have to get after their bowlers again. Stand up and take it to them. Rain is our good friend.

How bad a captain is ponting? Warne must be gutted he isn't the skipper. I for one am glad he isn't!

  • 8.
  • At 11:22 PM on 26 Nov 2006,
  • Grizzlybaz wrote:

Let's see what develops when McGrath, Clark and Lee start bowling the new ball. I think the Aussie win is inevitable unfortunately but it was good to see a spirited fight back from some of our batsmen yesterday.

Whatever happens, it still makes Ponting's decision regarding the follow on look arrogant and misjudged.

  • 9.
  • At 12:21 AM on 27 Nov 2006,
  • Robert Evans wrote:

It would seem to me that English cricket is going the same way as the rugby team,(Backwards).Thinking you are the best team in the world is fine,but,in reality,one world cup and one ashes tour win are not good enough to sustain you as world beaters.I'm a welshman and only support england in ashes because Welshmen are also involved,but as far as i am concerned Australia & Glen Mcgrath and shane warne will win this ashes series.

  • 10.
  • At 12:38 AM on 27 Nov 2006,
  • Ken wrote:

Simon Higby,

Couldn't agree more about Ponting and his captaincy. I for one can't wait to see him leading Australia after Mcgrath and Warne retire.

Ken, Adelaide

  • 11.
  • At 12:59 AM on 27 Nov 2006,
  • MJF wrote:

I think it should be noted that we were the better team in 95% of the drinks breaks.

  • 12.
  • At 01:18 AM on 27 Nov 2006,
  • David Holmes wrote:

Ponting is a master at every thing he does. That includes captaincy. Every time he is on the field, there is a real focus and energy about things. He knows exactly what to do and when to do it. England would have been pretty much all out yesterday if Punter was still on the field. Having said that, a lot of Australian players could be the captain, cause they all know the gig. But Ponting has mastered the trait.

  • 13.
  • At 01:28 AM on 27 Nov 2006,
  • S A Malik wrote:

I dont think i need to plug my laptop into the mains now, looks like this will be over soon. pathetic!

  • 14.
  • At 01:45 AM on 27 Nov 2006,
  • A tragedy averted wrote:

Thankfully, the best side won the test. Back 2 back tests will be a real issue for England especially the bowlers. You can't expect the batsmen to perform with no bowling support. England will be lucky to leave Adelaide only 1-0 down. Highly unlikely though as Adelaide is a real results pitch these days and you can't hide any bowlers (Harmison) although the short square boundaries will suit England. Prediction for series 4-0.

  • 15.
  • At 01:51 AM on 27 Nov 2006,
  • David Holmes wrote:

Yep. That was over quickly.

  • 16.
  • At 02:37 AM on 27 Nov 2006,
  • Adam Othman wrote:

Positives for england?

Batting looks ok and managed to push it to final day.A victory of sorts considering poor first innings.

Strauss will not get out hooking again surely!

Collingwood will take his time next time

Gillo and probably Harmy will be replaced for better attacking options.

Mcgrath out for the series??

  • 17.
  • At 05:14 AM on 27 Nov 2006,
  • dr suryakant pandit wrote:

what a victory for australian, the standards are high in every aspect of game.

macarth and shane warne will continue to inspire inspite of personal reason and health reasons.

cricket is reach with the presence of these two giants
dr pandit
vasai
india

  • 18.
  • At 06:09 AM on 27 Nov 2006,
  • Ozgirl wrote:

I'm enjoying reading all these comments about everyone praying for rain that wouldn't have come anyway.

Oh well, keep praising the "barmy army" - I don't know why any true cricket fan (English or Australian) would want anything to do with them. I had about 10 of them sat behind me yesterday who didn't even know what to follow-on meant. I had an Indian friend with me who they were driving mad!

Currently looking outside my office towards the Gabba at 16:08 local time - nary a rain cloud in sight.

  • 19.
  • At 06:58 AM on 27 Nov 2006,
  • Tom wrote:

5-0 here we come. Sorry Poms it's a long way to come to lose the Ashes. It's shame cos we finally thought you had a reasonably competetive team.

Everyone thought that we could struggle with older players but they have pulled through as expected. However we have so much depth it didn't matter if the oldies didn't perform. Although I don't like Martyn's form at the moment. He needs to make way.

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