I guess at this stage Australia wont declare.

So plan B for Australia is to build up a good lead, large enough so that Australia do not plan to bat a 2nd innings....set as a "target" for England. Try and bowl England out before they can reach the target>>>> Win for Australia.(by an innings)
If England do make the target.. they still have to bat on and set a target themselves, for Australia, but in that eventuality time is likely to mean the match ends in a draw.

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

I meant nothing YOU can do ... in reference to everything you suggested has happened today, almost, except you rallied for them catching up on lost overs.

But all you said about your solution is VERY interesting. You should be on some kind of Cricket commission setting rules, but I bet they are all former players. They need someone like you on the outside looking in.

I was very surprised to learn about the recent penalties ... this is the first time (I think) that I've heard it happening, even though you have talked about it.

Yeah... I should be In charge of Cricket... and the world

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Smith has made a double century

Smith 200* (298), SR 66.44

Australia lead by 57 runs with 6 wickets remaining in the 1st innings

Last 10 overs RR 3.8

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

A milestone for M Marsh might be his brother Sean Marsh's Test HS 182

M Marsh has already passed his father (Geoff Marsh) Test HS 138

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Steve Smith has bettered his Test HS 215
Smith 216 (354), SR 60.84


Australia lead by 123 runs with 6 wickets remaining in the 1st innings

Last 10 overs RR 3.2

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

YAY, Smith passing his HS.. so much success in one day.

Amazing info about Marsh's dad and brother.. thank you for it, I did a tweet that sounds like I know what I am talking about.

https://twitter.com/88raindrops/status/941957903740755968

I hope he can do it and pass his brother. Marsh has done so well (partnership stats included) in the shadow of Smith.

Will AUS declare tonight or tomorrow?

Australia wont declare tonight... only 6 overs left. (and lose 2 for innings break)

And... Smith may be keen on triple century now... and M Marsh a double century.

ETA
Good tweet..... you will have cricket blokes lusting after you

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

At Stumps, M Marsh didn't quite manage to better Sean's Test HS 182
M Marsh 181 (234), SR 77.35

Australia lead by 146 runs with 6 wickets remaining in the 1st innings

Last 10 overs RR 3.8


It seems weather forecast OK for tomorrow... but RAIN likely to wash out Monday?

Australia will likely bat again tomorrow, but declare before lunch?

Setting England a "target" of 250+

Australia will then have 2 sessions to take 10 wickets... to REGAIN THE ASHES.

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

3rd Test - Day 4

Weather looks great ... today... tomorrow still could rain.

IMHO
Australia need to go like hell.. get a good lead and put England in just before lunch

IF Smith and M Marsh want to reach personal milestones... they need to get on with it

Smith could get a Triple century... M Marsh could get a double century

ETA
M Marsh OUT 2nd ball today
M Marsh 181 (236), SR 76.69
Still one short of Sean Marsh Test HS 182

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Thanks for weather report. I ignored the one yesterday.

Dang, I hated to see that early wicket.

Brother keeps bragging rights.

Smith out.
Smith 239 (399), SR 59.89

Australia lead by 157 runs with 4 wickets remaining in the 1st innings

Last 10 overs RR = 2.60


The good news is.....
Commentators saying both outs.. and other batting difficulties are down to a CRACK in the pitch.... so England will face that problem when they bat.

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

F me....... now a run out!!
Starc out for 1

Australia lead by 158 runs with 3 wickets remaining in the 1st innings

The GOOD news is...
Australia wont be able to bat on and on (in case they were tempted). They should be all out well before lunch.

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

BTW

England are again just shagging about between overs.. wasting time
I BET they are 3 overs short by LUNCH

And... yes... I have given up on expecting a declaration. Australia will likely bat some more after lunch... aim for a lead of 250+


ETA
Just thinking.... in this case a slightly slow over rate by England could be to Australia's benefit...
Australia will have a few more "scheduled overs" available when they get a turn at bowling

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

3rd Test - Day 4 - LUNCH

England 403
Australia 643/7 * (176 ov)
Day 4 Session 1: Australia lead by 240 runs with 3 wickets remaining in the 1st innings



Minimum Ov. Rem 66
England FAIL by 6 overs... heads should roll


I guess there is a chance that Australia will declare over lunch break.... but my GUESS is.... NO

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Australia Declare
With the loss of Lyon's wicket.

England 403
Australia 662/9d * (179.3 ov)
Australia lead by 259 runs on the 1st innings


INNINGS BREAK (2 overs)

Australia have 61 overs remaining scheduled (they pick up 5 that England failed to bowl... 2 went to innings break)

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

This should be interesting.

I saw the cracks in the pitch in the pre-match show and wondering why it wasn't fixed. Do they prepare the pitch in the beginning and then it can't be touched in the remaining days of play? A commentator said the rain could help England. I am guessing he was talking about the pitch cracks.

I look for Smith to "catch" the first wicket. BTSport is a betting channel, all the adverts are betting ...

You CAN NOT mess with the pitch once game started (unless you are in India)

NOT allowed to water it, or repair the actual critical strip where ball pitches.... they can and do repair Bowlers foot marks etc, repaint lines. Lightly sweep debris.
The pitch is ROLLED between innings and at start of day.... batting captain can ask for light or heavy roller

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

THX.

Now I remember you explaining how play is different after a few days, after the pitch is worn down. Didn't know about the rolling rules.

LOL, yeah I think Kholi and the boys personally visit the pitch in the middle of the night and do their own repairs.