Lords Test

[NEIL RUNKEL]

A good win but there are plenty of swallows to come. We had the rub by winning the toss and for two days batting conditions were helpful. As soon as the sun goes in at Lords there is likely to be lateral movement. I was there for most of the match and I can assure you that we deserved our victory. There have been plenty of occasions where the Aussies have had the rub and all the right decisions - don't forget the four bad decisiond that Strauss had in Australia last time. What was disturbing was the catch at mid-on that did not clearly did not carry - clearly different from the Strauss catch at slip where in the past the batsman would have looked at the fieflder and got the nod. What was particularly sad was that although it is possible that the fielder could not be certain about the ball bouncig first the other fielders could clearly see it wast clean but still continued to appeal and claim the catch. Technology will have to be used more. I heard
many on five live complaining about not enforcing the follow-on.- Benaud and Botham joining in- but on that morning the ball was doing nothing when Onions took the last two wickets. Our bowlers had had a long session and the weather forecast for the following day was cloudy with showers but warmer.

The Aussies definately thought they could break cricket history on this flat Lords wicket by scoring more than a 100 runs more than the last winning scoring in a fourt innnings and by the last morning they were still confident of scoring over 200 runs with only five wickets remaining. Well we now know that all those doubters who were phoning in to five live yesterday morning should no longer doubt Strauss. It should be more difficult to criticise our captain. Bring on Harmy especially if this is going to be another damp Summer.

[Gordon McIvor Wilson]

When von Runkel speaks, the World listens - well, except for Aggers, Blowers, Tuffers, Huffers and Co who never listen to anyone.
Can you imagine the bedlam in the Long Room when all the "egg 'n bacon" lot sound off with their opinions, all at once! That's why the rates are so low in St Johns Wood, noise pollution from The Hallowed Turf.
I think a small Speckled Hen to start with, steward, and a Gin and Dubonnet for the Mem Sahib here, we're pleased one of our Realms came out on top.
Not sure about all this gum-chewing in our presence, we must say, I thought someone said Lords had been reformed?

[Richard Stoddart]

Honestly think that when they didn't win that first test it would have hit the Aussies really hard - they certainly didn't look in the same form or in the same mood. For me there are questions about Bopara - poor with the bat against a good team and very poor in the field (yet to bowl?) - and Broad - always tend to be luke warm. But question is do u change a winning team?

Agree with Neil, would like to see Harmy back in the fold now that his confidence is at a high.

[john Tuohy]

Excellent Stuff MIster Runkel Sir.