General Chat

A better explanation: If this match is drawn then we win the series, 2-1 and win back the Ashes. If Australia win then the series is drawn, 2-2 but the Aussies retain the Ashes as they are the holders.

not looking good is it, still bad light has stopped play so perhaps this is the start of the rain ::he hopes:: Donna, no, we would win as we're 2-1 ahead and the scoreline would stay at that.

If its a draw, do aussies retain the ashes?

Crikey... just checked the score! I'm joining Clare in her rain dance lol c x

Clare, lol, good good.

Louise, yes, it's starting to look that way, lol

As an additional note, even though time can be made up for rain-breaks, if there has been a lot of rain - say an entire day is lost, which isn't that uncommon - then this makes the chance of a draw all the more likely as there won't be enough time for either team to win it.

Louise, A test match lasts a maximum of 5 days. These days, given good weather, a match rarely lasts that entire duration, as one side will have won before then. If it does go the entire duration and no side has won then it is a draw. Each day's play starts at 10.30am and finishes at 6pm. If time is lost during the day to rain then they will play to 6.30pm to try and make up some of that time. It all depends how much time was lost, if it was a significant amount then chances are that each of the subsequent days play will extend to finishing at 6.30pm, rather than 6pm. Hope that makes some sense.

Hiya Chuck... Thanks sweetie! Ok, so I'm starting to get worried now..... I understand absolutley everything you said!!!!! Help..... I'm turning into my Nan lol c x

Claire, Yes, you are right we have another innings each, and the 2nd innings score starts from 0, as does each player's score. The result is based on both innings. We scored 373 in the first innings. Let's say that Australia score 300 (wishful thinking ;-)) for arguments sake. We would then lead by 73 runs. In the 2nd innings, say we score 250. Add this to our 73 run lead and then Australia would need to score 324 runs in their 2nd innings to win the match and retain the Ashes. Make sense?

right...i've been following this thread, and I think i've pretty much understood everything upto now, but I have a question Am I right in thinking that after the Ozzies are done, we have another innings each? If so, do the scores just carry on or do we all start at zero again? c x

Bec, the players will all go off the field as will the umpires, the ground staff will protect the pitch by putting covers over it. Frustrating if you are sat in the crowd waiting for play to start again, especially when the rain is intermittent.

Andy - what happens if it rains though?

if it rains then they will stop play. However any time lost to rain can and will be made up at the end of the day (they may play for 30 mins longer) and at the end of subsequent days, depending on how much time is lost.

Bec, it depends, it can swing back and forth. At the moment, it's fairly evenly balanced. If England take a few wickets this afternoon and Australia are not scoring runs heavily then we will be back in command of the game. But if Australia don't lose that many wickets and are scoring easily then it won't be looking that good for England.

Rain is predicted for this afternoon and maybe some showers tomorrow... what does this mean?

So is it looking good or not?

373 is better than we could have hoped after Jones went early. Still don't think it's enough, just have to see what our bowlers can do in reply.

Come on England.

BEC,,England are 373 all out Australia are in just before lunch at 17 for no wicket. helenx