Rain Stops Play

Unfortunately England started the third Ashes with frustration after seeing two sessions of play lost. This was due to the wet weather and England later watched Australia hit 126-1 in 30 overs later in the day.

Australia had an unexpected change when Glenn McGrath came in for Brad Haddin who injured his finger. England also made a change as Ian Bell came in for Kevin Pietersen, with Graham Onions preferred in the bowling department to Durham team mate Steve Harmison.

There was a huge crowd of 21,000 that arrived at 11 o’clock ready for the game however no cricket was to be seen. The ground staff were to be praised as they had fantastic round the clock work from groundstaff after 24 hours of constant rain.

The forecast is yet to improve as there will be occasional showers longer and more prolonged than predicted. There was a pitch inspection at 2 o’clock under bright sunshine which led to another 90 minutes of booing and irritation by spectators.

Later at 4:30 the sun and wind helped dry the conditions and England had no idea about Haddin’s injury. He had to ask Strauss for permission to allow Manou as a replacement .

Bowling did not begin well as Flintoff was rather slow. Scoring rapidly increased with the two aussie bats men timing their shots with precision.

Woodworm who are currently sponsoring Graeme Onions are supporting the bowler in hope of a victory! We hope the rain will hold off play for the second day!