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Ian Bell fought a gallant rearguard battle for England as they slumped to 118-5 at lunch on day three of the first Ashes Test against Australia.Ian Bell fought a gallant rearguard battle for England as they slumped to 118-5 at lunch on day three of the first Ashes Test against Australia.
The Warwickshire batsman survived the entire morning session to reach 41 not out, with partner Geraint Jones on 19.The Warwickshire batsman survived the entire morning session to reach 41 not out, with partner Geraint Jones on 19.
The day's play began disastrously for England as Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff were out in successive overs.The day's play began disastrously for England as Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff were out in successive overs.
Pietersen was lbw to Glenn McGrath for 16 offering no stroke, and Flintoff was caught behind off Brett Lee for a duck.Pietersen was lbw to Glenn McGrath for 16 offering no stroke, and Flintoff was caught behind off Brett Lee for a duck.
LATEST ACTION (all times local to Brisbane - GMT+10)LATEST ACTION (all times local to Brisbane - GMT+10)
By Ben DirsBy Ben Dirs
ENGLAND FIRST INNINGSENGLAND FIRST INNINGS
LUNCHLUNCH
"Next time we ship some convicts to a penal colony, can we make it the Arctic where it doesn't take spin?" Anon in the TMS inbox
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"Interesting to hear Tony Greig lament the loss of (former England bowling coach) Troy Cooley. Do England miss him more than Michael Vaughan's captaincy?" Allan texts from Milton Keynes
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"Sitting in Vietnam, watching the drama of England's shambolic performance unfold on-line, it's strangely comforting to know that our expat rag-bag of cricketing part-timers, has-beens and wannabes here in Saigon can no longer be branded the worst performers with bat and ball ever to represent their country." Tim Knight in the TMS inbox"Sitting in Vietnam, watching the drama of England's shambolic performance unfold on-line, it's strangely comforting to know that our expat rag-bag of cricketing part-timers, has-beens and wannabes here in Saigon can no longer be branded the worst performers with bat and ball ever to represent their country." Tim Knight in the TMS inbox
1201: Jones wins a little skirmish last ball before lunch. Warne spends more than a minute resetting his field and the sight screen, sends one down from round the wicket and Jones pulls him away for four. Bell and Jones have played well in very stressful circumstances. Bit more work to do though chaps. 118-51201: Jones wins a little skirmish last ball before lunch. Warne spends more than a minute resetting his field and the sight screen, sends one down from round the wicket and Jones pulls him away for four. Bell and Jones have played well in very stressful circumstances. Bit more work to do though chaps. 118-5
1159: McGrath sends down another maiden and England have six more balls from Warne to survive before lunch. 114-51159: McGrath sends down another maiden and England have six more balls from Warne to survive before lunch. 114-5
1155: Bell and Jones happy just to milk Warne right now in this sticky little period before lunch. Three from the over. 114-51155: Bell and Jones happy just to milk Warne right now in this sticky little period before lunch. Three from the over. 114-5
"I'm not sure Bell is totally reading Warne, but he looks comfortable and a lot better than last time against Australia." Geoffrey Boycott on TMS"I'm not sure Bell is totally reading Warne, but he looks comfortable and a lot better than last time against Australia." Geoffrey Boycott on TMS
1153: Just one from McGrath's over, a tickle round the corner by Bell. 111-51153: Just one from McGrath's over, a tickle round the corner by Bell. 111-5
1148: Another safely-negotiated Warne over and the legendary leggie isn't getting as much turn - at the moment - as we might have expected. Ten minutes to lunch and it's head-down time for the England batsmen. McGrath is back on. Like some horror film monster you think you've killed off, he just keeps coming back. Anyone got a knitting needle?110-51148: Another safely-negotiated Warne over and the legendary leggie isn't getting as much turn - at the moment - as we might have expected. Ten minutes to lunch and it's head-down time for the England batsmen. McGrath is back on. Like some horror film monster you think you've killed off, he just keeps coming back. Anyone got a knitting needle?110-5
1146: Belly scampers a single to move to 37. Another tight over from Clark, but the pitch appears to be flattening out now after those early dramas. 109-51146: Belly scampers a single to move to 37. Another tight over from Clark, but the pitch appears to be flattening out now after those early dramas. 109-5
1139: Umpire Bowden is decked by a Jones sweep! How marvellous...I mean what a choker...A sweetly-timed shot by the England batsman, which strikes Bowden on the hip, sending sunnies and walkie-talkie flying. Shame for Jones, that was going for four. Bowden will have secretly loved that, the old drama tart. 108-51139: Umpire Bowden is decked by a Jones sweep! How marvellous...I mean what a choker...A sweetly-timed shot by the England batsman, which strikes Bowden on the hip, sending sunnies and walkie-talkie flying. Shame for Jones, that was going for four. Bowden will have secretly loved that, the old drama tart. 108-5
1136: Four runs from Clark's over and Bell and Jones are looking OK at the moment. Now I've thrown that bomb, I'm off to take cover. 106-51136: Four runs from Clark's over and Bell and Jones are looking OK at the moment. Now I've thrown that bomb, I'm off to take cover. 106-5
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"Send an SOS to Ramprakash: 'Abandon your sequins, your country needs you!'". Nicholas texts from Guildford"Send an SOS to Ramprakash: 'Abandon your sequins, your country needs you!'". Nicholas texts from Guildford
1133: Jones skips down the pitch and plays a good-looking cover-drive for one. Warne raps Bell, attempting a sweep, on the pad and goes up for a big lbw, but umpire Bucknor decides it wouldn't have gone on to hit the stumps. 103-51133: Jones skips down the pitch and plays a good-looking cover-drive for one. Warne raps Bell, attempting a sweep, on the pad and goes up for a big lbw, but umpire Bucknor decides it wouldn't have gone on to hit the stumps. 103-5
"My mom, Marion, who is registered partially sighted and a pensioner is at the Brisbane's Gabba. I'm sure if you ask she'll be able to help England out, she even brought a white England cricket shirt to wear to the match."Pam Bayliss of Leeds in the TMS inbox"My mom, Marion, who is registered partially sighted and a pensioner is at the Brisbane's Gabba. I'm sure if you ask she'll be able to help England out, she even brought a white England cricket shirt to wear to the match."Pam Bayliss of Leeds in the TMS inbox
1127: Jones brings up England's 100 with a flick off his pads for two. Only 303 runs needed to make the follow-on. 102-51127: Jones brings up England's 100 with a flick off his pads for two. Only 303 runs needed to make the follow-on. 102-5
1122: Bell uses his feet to Warne and whips him down the ground for four. England nearly a hundred up now...little victories...99-51122: Bell uses his feet to Warne and whips him down the ground for four. England nearly a hundred up now...little victories...99-5
1120: Clark gets one to nip back and the ball almost squeezes through Jones' rickety defences. Clark over-pitches and Jones times him straight down the ground for four. 95-51120: Clark gets one to nip back and the ball almost squeezes through Jones' rickety defences. Clark over-pitches and Jones times him straight down the ground for four. 95-5
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"I have been having some root canal work done and the temporary cap has broken off. I am lying in bed with a throbbing tooth listening to our ever- decreasing likelihood of a respectable score, wondering which is more painful..." Andy of Blagdon in the TMS inbox"I have been having some root canal work done and the temporary cap has broken off. I am lying in bed with a throbbing tooth listening to our ever- decreasing likelihood of a respectable score, wondering which is more painful..." Andy of Blagdon in the TMS inbox
1115: Warne almost does for Bell, the Warwickshire man edging a sharp-turning ball and the ball running past slip. Warne is then convinced he's got Bell caught behind, but umpire Bucknor disagrees. Bell plays a lovely stroke, using his feet and caressing the ball to the deep mid-wicket boundary. McGrath it was taking an unnecessary risk on the boundary rope, tumbling over like a man half his age. Trying to prove a point? I think so. 91-51115: Warne almost does for Bell, the Warwickshire man edging a sharp-turning ball and the ball running past slip. Warne is then convinced he's got Bell caught behind, but umpire Bucknor disagrees. Bell plays a lovely stroke, using his feet and caressing the ball to the deep mid-wicket boundary. McGrath it was taking an unnecessary risk on the boundary rope, tumbling over like a man half his age. Trying to prove a point? I think so. 91-5
1112: Clark replaces McGrath, pretty much like for like. A typically metronomic first over from Clark, a maiden. 85-51112: Clark replaces McGrath, pretty much like for like. A typically metronomic first over from Clark, a maiden. 85-5
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"Ashley Giles said it was quiet in the England dressing room before play started on the first day. I reckon it will be even quieter now. Not only are England getting beaten, they're getting humiliated..." Vic Marks on TMS"Ashley Giles said it was quiet in the England dressing room before play started on the first day. I reckon it will be even quieter now. Not only are England getting beaten, they're getting humiliated..." Vic Marks on TMS
1105: Jones and Bell have some respite at last - some fat bloke called Warne is into the attack. Apologies, I've been reduced to name-calling. Bell plays an ugly stroke first up and the ball nearly finds a way through. Bell is beaten by a fizzer next up but paddles one round the corner to get off the strike. Jones gets a single down to fine leg. 85-51105: Jones and Bell have some respite at last - some fat bloke called Warne is into the attack. Apologies, I've been reduced to name-calling. Bell plays an ugly stroke first up and the ball nearly finds a way through. Bell is beaten by a fizzer next up but paddles one round the corner to get off the strike. Jones gets a single down to fine leg. 85-5
1100: Just one from McGrath's over and the England bats get some respite as the giant drinks vehicle comes crashing over the boundary rope. 83-51100: Just one from McGrath's over and the England bats get some respite as the giant drinks vehicle comes crashing over the boundary rope. 83-5
1055: Jones squeezes a couple into the on-side to get off the mark and survives the over. 82-51055: Jones squeezes a couple into the on-side to get off the mark and survives the over. 82-5
1050: WICKET England 79-5 (Flintoff 0) Flintoff out for a big fat duck, caught behind by Gilchrist off Lee. Poor shot by the England skipper, who gets neither back nor forward. England could struggle to see day four now.1050: WICKET England 79-5 (Flintoff 0) Flintoff out for a big fat duck, caught behind by Gilchrist off Lee. Poor shot by the England skipper, who gets neither back nor forward. England could struggle to see day four now.
1046: WICKET England 78-4 (Pietersen 16) Disaster for England as McGrath traps Pietersen in front playing no shot. Fine bowling by Pigeon, who got the ball to jag back a foot or so. Flintoff almost nibbles one behind first up. Two hundred looks a good score for England now.1046: WICKET England 78-4 (Pietersen 16) Disaster for England as McGrath traps Pietersen in front playing no shot. Fine bowling by Pigeon, who got the ball to jag back a foot or so. Flintoff almost nibbles one behind first up. Two hundred looks a good score for England now.
1045: Pietersen squirts a square drive away for a couple and is then beaten by one that keeps low. Three from the over, lots of oohs and aahs from the crowd though. 78-31045: Pietersen squirts a square drive away for a couple and is then beaten by one that keeps low. Three from the over, lots of oohs and aahs from the crowd though. 78-3
"Australia may be the better team, but if you give Pietersen a life he goes on to punish you. Remember Warne last year!" Bill from Ashford in the TMS inbox"Australia may be the better team, but if you give Pietersen a life he goes on to punish you. Remember Warne last year!" Bill from Ashford in the TMS inbox
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1039: A maiden over from McGrath. Bell solidly in behind everything. 75-31039: A maiden over from McGrath. Bell solidly in behind everything. 75-3
"If you stay at the crease and don't give your wicket away you're bound to get runs. I've never known anyone score runs in the pavilion..." Geoffrey Boycott on TMS"If you stay at the crease and don't give your wicket away you're bound to get runs. I've never known anyone score runs in the pavilion..." Geoffrey Boycott on TMS
1034: Lee strays on to Pietersen's pads and the ball is turned away for a couple. Pietersen then plays one of the most ridiculous shots I have ever seen, attempting a hook which balloons to mid-on where Clark, running towards the fence, makes an absolute hash of it. Not sure he even got a finger to it. Very un-Australian. Calm down KP. Bell digs out a yorker for a single and Pietersen gets one run into the off-side. Seven from the over and England hobble on. 75-31034: Lee strays on to Pietersen's pads and the ball is turned away for a couple. Pietersen then plays one of the most ridiculous shots I have ever seen, attempting a hook which balloons to mid-on where Clark, running towards the fence, makes an absolute hash of it. Not sure he even got a finger to it. Very un-Australian. Calm down KP. Bell digs out a yorker for a single and Pietersen gets one run into the off-side. Seven from the over and England hobble on. 75-3
1030: Pietersen plays his first expansive stroke of the day, a doozy of a drive through the covers for three. Into double figures. England hanging in there. 68-31030: Pietersen plays his first expansive stroke of the day, a doozy of a drive through the covers for three. Into double figures. England hanging in there. 68-3
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"What we need to have a hope of even drawing this Test is for Bell and KP to get to tea and just battle to save it." Matt texts from Bridgwater"What we need to have a hope of even drawing this Test is for Bell and KP to get to tea and just battle to save it." Matt texts from Bridgwater
1025: Bell very nearly plays on, attempting to pull his bat out of the way and the ball ricocheting onto his pads. Bell gets the first four of the morning, gliding Lee to the third man boundary. Bell then plays a silly shot, trying to drive on the up. The Aussies will feel they should have rooted one out in these first few overs. 65-31025: Bell very nearly plays on, attempting to pull his bat out of the way and the ball ricocheting onto his pads. Bell gets the first four of the morning, gliding Lee to the third man boundary. Bell then plays a silly shot, trying to drive on the up. The Aussies will feel they should have rooted one out in these first few overs. 65-3
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"They used to say Ashes to Ashes, dust to dust, if Lillee don't get ya, Thomson must. That won't happen now, unless you find us in the bar..." Former Australian fast bowler Jeff Thomson on TMS"They used to say Ashes to Ashes, dust to dust, if Lillee don't get ya, Thomson must. That won't happen now, unless you find us in the bar..." Former Australian fast bowler Jeff Thomson on TMS
1020: Pietersen plays an ugly shot, driving and getting a thick inside edge to mid-wicket. McGrath beats Pietersen - nervy times for England. 60-31020: Pietersen plays an ugly shot, driving and getting a thick inside edge to mid-wicket. McGrath beats Pietersen - nervy times for England. 60-3
1017: Lee digs in the first bouncer of the day and Bell plays it well, almost limboing underneath it. A bit of eyeballing from the blonde fast bowler, and Bell is happy to return in kind. 60-31017: Lee digs in the first bouncer of the day and Bell plays it well, almost limboing underneath it. A bit of eyeballing from the blonde fast bowler, and Bell is happy to return in kind. 60-3
1013: Pietersen is beaten outside the off-stump - it hit one of those huge canyons running through the pitch. Umpire Bowden signals two leg-byes after McGrath gets one to duck back a mile off another crack. That must have jagged back three feet. Good luck batters...59-31013: Pietersen is beaten outside the off-stump - it hit one of those huge canyons running through the pitch. Umpire Bowden signals two leg-byes after McGrath gets one to duck back a mile off another crack. That must have jagged back three feet. Good luck batters...59-3
1008: Lee finds Bell's edge, but the ball falls well short of second slip. Didn't really need to play at that one. Maiden over. 57-31008: Lee finds Bell's edge, but the ball falls well short of second slip. Didn't really need to play at that one. Maiden over. 57-3
1003: Players are out, McGrath has first go to Pietersen, and the batsman leaves it outside off-stump. Pietersen turns one away for a single. Bell tucks McGrath away to mid-wicket and gets three easy runs. I've just seen a picture of Mike Atherton sticking his fingers in a crack on the pitch - you could hide a jumbo jet in it. Four from the over. 57-31003: Players are out, McGrath has first go to Pietersen, and the batsman leaves it outside off-stump. Pietersen turns one away for a single. Bell tucks McGrath away to mid-wicket and gets three easy runs. I've just seen a picture of Mike Atherton sticking his fingers in a crack on the pitch - you could hide a jumbo jet in it. Four from the over. 57-3
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"To stand a chance we need two partnerships of at least 180 on a pitch with cracks as wide as your hand. 1-0 Aussies." Graeme texts from Southampton"To stand a chance we need two partnerships of at least 180 on a pitch with cracks as wide as your hand. 1-0 Aussies." Graeme texts from Southampton
"We're hoping the pitch will deteriorate. Pietersen and Bell are class players but we've got plans for them and hopefully we'll bowl well and get then cheaply. There's still pace and bounce in this pitch, it quickened up yesterday, so there'll definitely be some short stuff. Warney says he loves bowling here because he gets spin and extra bounce. He'll bowl a fair few overs." Australia's Mike Hussey in confident mood"We're hoping the pitch will deteriorate. Pietersen and Bell are class players but we've got plans for them and hopefully we'll bowl well and get then cheaply. There's still pace and bounce in this pitch, it quickened up yesterday, so there'll definitely be some short stuff. Warney says he loves bowling here because he gets spin and extra bounce. He'll bowl a fair few overs." Australia's Mike Hussey in confident mood
0955: Nerves pretty much gone now as I fully expect the Aussies to be halfway through our second innings by stumps. My God, I'm turning into my nan, who was so pessimistic she was genuinely shocked to find herself still alive every morning.0955: Nerves pretty much gone now as I fully expect the Aussies to be halfway through our second innings by stumps. My God, I'm turning into my nan, who was so pessimistic she was genuinely shocked to find herself still alive every morning.
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0941: Morning/evening ladies and gentlemen. If there are any leaders of rogue states reading this who are currently holding English nationals, I suggest you stick them in a very small room and make them watch day three of the first Ashes Test for the next seven hours. It's sure to be painful.0941: Morning/evening ladies and gentlemen. If there are any leaders of rogue states reading this who are currently holding English nationals, I suggest you stick them in a very small room and make them watch day three of the first Ashes Test for the next seven hours. It's sure to be painful.