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The Roar

Simon McInerney

Roar Guru

Joined March 2013

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Great analysis Andrew, you provide some compelling stats.

I wonder just how long Rogic played injured for. Perhaps the groin complaint went long undetected?

Victory have built up a head of steam at just the right time. Its partly down to an improved defence and inspired Nathan Coe; partly down to Mark Milligan returning to fitness (Victory are a shadow of themselves without him); and as you point out, the form of Finkler and Troisi has been superb.

For anyone who can’t get enough of this stuff and wants further public holiday reading, you can check out my semi-final lowdown here: http://www.theroar.com.au/2014/04/25/league-semifinals-lowdown/

Rogic's injury an unexpected Victory for Melbourne

Having 6th in the play-offs isn’t ideal — that a side as dire as Sydney will likely play finals seems ridiculous. I understand the “keeping interest up” reasoning though, especially as we don’t yet have relegation.

In Australia, we have two trophies in the one league. What ought to be remembered when giving weight to the achievements of Premiers and Champions is that one team is the best over 27 matches; the other, the best over 3.

So, regardless of what happens over the next five weeks: congratulations Brisbane Roar!

A-League's ten into six doesn't work

Good points, well made.

Admittedly, point 6 (the treatment of active fans) doesn’t effect most punters. A nuclear football family decked out in Adecco kits and Victory lanyards will never be stopped and questioned by police on Punt Road. Sadly, the people who do cop that treatment are also the ones that bring the noise and atmosphere. I can’t remember seeing the North and South Terraces as sparse as Tuesday night.

Six reasons why the Asian Champions League is flopping

Agree that Level 3 is okay for watching the whole game unfold, though on Champions League nights level 3 has been closed to the public. Seats on level 1 are too far from the action.

Swan Street is Much better for watching football but unfortunately has been scarified for a commercial deal.

Six reasons why the Asian Champions League is flopping

Name a country who would sack their coach just one match after he’s qualified them for a World Cup…

Our national team has problems, yes, and is badly in need of regeneration. But it’s only fair that the man who has taken us to within a bees dick of winning our first major trophy (Asian Cup 2011) and then to the World Cup (that was his #1 objective when hired, no?) should get the chance to make those changes and take the side forward.

Knee-jerk changes of coach this winter hardly led to miracles for our cricket and rugby teams.

Socceroos fans are a little spoilt, I feel. Yes, we have a right to demand results and performances, but no lets face it – we’re not a Germany or Argentina or Spain. In a generation or two we might be, but not now.

Near us on the FIFA World rankings lie Paraguay, Wales and Scotland, who will all have their feet up come kick-off on June 12 next year. Other nations around us, such as Burkina Faso and Slovenia, possibly will too.

We’ll only appreciate the good old days of 2013 when/if we miss out on Russia or Qatar in the years to come…

Holg' ya horses! Why Osieck deserves to stay

ENGLAND 7/294
Prior 6, Broad 9

The day ends with yet another maiden over.

Kevin Pietersen was the star of today, making a vitally important 113. He was ably supported by Ian Bell (60) and Alastair Cook (62). Stuart Broad and Matt Prior doggedly saw off the last ten overs of bowling.

Australia battled away well and Michael Clarke did a good job of rotating the bowling attack. Harris, Starc and Siddle, in particular, never stopped trying on a pitch not offering much support. Ultimately, though, it was England’s day on the balance of things and a draw is now the clear favourite in terms of a result, especially given the inclement weather forecast.

The Aussies will be looking to wrap up this England innings ASAP when play resumes tomorrow. It’ll be fascinating to see whether they enforce the follow-on (if the wickets fall cheaply) or set England a target. A more like scenario is England passing 327 and making Australia bat again.

Be on theroar.com.au from 8pm again tomorrow (ie today) for up-to-the-minute scores and text commentary.

You can follow me on Twitter @justsayin_89

Cheers and good night!

England vs Australia: 2013 Ashes 3rd Test cricket live scores, blog - Day 3

ENGLAND 7/294
Prior 6, Broad 9

Another maiden. There’ve been 34 of them in the innings.

Ryan Harris coming in to bowl the final over of day 3….

England vs Australia: 2013 Ashes 3rd Test cricket live scores, blog - Day 3

ENGLAND 7/294
Prior 6, Broad 9

Harris is nagging away on and around the off stump. Prior 6 (34) and Broad 9 (25) are doing a good job at seeing off this attack before stumps.

Brad Haddin, too, deserves praise for a near-flawless display behind the stumps today. He just dived to save four byes yet again.

England vs Australia: 2013 Ashes 3rd Test cricket live scores, blog - Day 3

ENGLAND 7/294
Prior 6, Broad 9

With four men fielding around the bat, Lyon beat Stuart Broad a couple of times to no avail. Another maiden.

Harris continues…

England vs Australia: 2013 Ashes 3rd Test cricket live scores, blog - Day 3

ENGLAND 7/293
Prior 6, Broad 8

Ryan Harris is back into the attack…

England vs Australia: 2013 Ashes 3rd Test cricket live scores, blog - Day 3

ENGLAND 7/292
Prior 5, Broad 8

Lyon resumes with a maiden. The scoring has completely dried up. England are aiming to get to stumps without any further loss.

England vs Australia: 2013 Ashes 3rd Test cricket live scores, blog - Day 3

ENGLAND 7/292
Prior 5, Broad 8

As per my post a couple of overs ago, here is Nathan Lyon. This is where he has to cash in. Prove himself. Make a mark.

Lyon to Broad…

England vs Australia: 2013 Ashes 3rd Test cricket live scores, blog - Day 3

ENGLAND 7/292
Prior 5, Broad 8

Yet another maiden from Siddle

England vs Australia: 2013 Ashes 3rd Test cricket live scores, blog - Day 3

ENGLAND 7/292
Prior 5, Broad 8

Broad again flicks a boundary.

By my count, we have seven overs to bowl in 23 minutes – and England require 36 to avoid the possibility of a follow-on.

England vs Australia: 2013 Ashes 3rd Test cricket live scores, blog - Day 3

ENGLAND 7/288
Prior 5, Broad 4

With the rough and all, might it be time to give Lyon a go at these new-to-the-crease batsmen now rather when they’re set?

England vs Australia: 2013 Ashes 3rd Test cricket live scores, blog - Day 3

ENGLAND 7/284
Prior 1, Broad 4

Stuart Broad clips a four to get off the mark.

England vs Australia: 2013 Ashes 3rd Test cricket live scores, blog - Day 3

ENGLAND 7/280
Prior 1, Broad 0

I should have mentioned – it was Mitchell Starc who claimed that crucial wicket.

England need another 48 to avoid the possibility of a follow-on.

England vs Australia: 2013 Ashes 3rd Test cricket live scores, blog - Day 3

ENGLAND 7/280
Pietersen 113, Prior 1

PIETERSEN IS GIVEN OUT LBW!

He asks for a review, rightfully so given the circumstances, which fails.

NOW are we into the tail, Chris?!

England vs Australia: 2013 Ashes 3rd Test cricket live scores, blog - Day 3

ENGLAND 6/280
Pietersen 113, Prior 1

It’s getting late and I’m sleepy. With ten overs still to bowl, it seems we’ll be up to somewhere near 3:30am. An ad just came on the television for a certain hardware store. Tough work this!

Siddle finishes another impressive over.

England vs Australia: 2013 Ashes 3rd Test cricket live scores, blog - Day 3

ENGLAND 6/279
Pietersen 112, Prior 1

Matt Prior has played and missed at a few early. One gets the feeling he’ll either score quickly or get out soon.

England vs Australia: 2013 Ashes 3rd Test cricket live scores, blog - Day 3

ENGLAND 6/277
Pietersen 112, Prior 0

‘Sidds’ bowls another maiden. The scoring is parched.

England vs Australia: 2013 Ashes 3rd Test cricket live scores, blog - Day 3

You’re right Chris, he’s definitely not a tail batsman.

Once you get to number 8, as Prior is here, that’s getting nearish to the tail.

England vs Australia: 2013 Ashes 3rd Test cricket live scores, blog - Day 3

ENGLAND 6/277
Pietersen 112, Prior 0

Nice over from Starc there, a wicket maiden.

Matt Prior – a quality player out of form – is the new man in.

England vs Australia: 2013 Ashes 3rd Test cricket live scores, blog - Day 3

Unusual from Bairstow. Why plat at it? As Shane Warne said, a “nothing” stroke.

England vs Australia: 2013 Ashes 3rd Test cricket live scores, blog - Day 3

ENGLAND 6/277
Pietersen 112

WICKET! Johnny Bairstow (22) nicks a wide Mitchell Starc delivery to first slip, where Shane Watson takes the catch.

14 overs are left to play. Can Australia briskly dismiss the tail?

England vs Australia: 2013 Ashes 3rd Test cricket live scores, blog - Day 3

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