Australia need 209 runs to break the world record for the highest fourth-innings chase. England need five wickets. It could be a cracker. Ed Hawkins takes you through the action. Email him at hawkeyeview@hotmail.co.uk

12.50 ENGLAND WIN BY 115 RUNS AND TAKE 1-0 LEAD WITH THREE TO PLAY
So England have a 1-0 lead in an Ashes series for the first time since 1997. They lost that series 3-2 and although a repeat scoreline is impossible, it would not be a surprise to see Australia hit back. England are [2.18] to regain the urn with Ricky Ponting's side [3.60] and the draw [3.65]. The next Test, at Edgbaston, starts in 10 days. We'll be there. Same time. Same place.

12.46 AUS 406, ENGLAND WIN BY 115 RUNS
For the first time since 1934 England have beaten Australia at Lord's. Ever since Australia were bowled out for 215 in their first-innings they have been in a world of trouble. Graeme Swann took the final wicket, bowling Mitchell Johnson but it is Andrew Flintoff (5-92) who takes the plaudits. On his final appearance at HQ, he has produced a superhuman effort of the like we have not seen since the series in which he made his name - 2005. They say that Superman wears Andrew Flintoff pyjamas.

12.42 Aus 406-9
Mitchell Johnson and Ben Hilfenhaus have 20 minutes to go until lunch. You can back [2.50] that this Test ends in the afternoon session. They are [1.65] not to make it that far.

WICKET 12.32 Aus 389-9
With what was almost certainly his last ball of his spell, Flintoff has cleaned up Peter Siddle for 7. His first five-wicket haul since The Oval in the 2005 Ashes. He is a showman, for sure playing to the crowd brilliantly (and of course not at all intentionally) by bowling a no ball off what was supposed to give himself one last chance.

12.22 Aus 388-8
Andrew Flintoff continues to charge in (his 12th over of this spell), searching for his fifth wicket. This must surely be his last over. You can tell he is getting a little weary. Too often the ball is angling towards leg and even Peter Siddle is capable of turning those around the corner. Mitchell Johnson's aggression level is going up and up with every passing delivery. He needs just one for what looked an unlikely 50 when he first came to the crease.

WICKET 12.09 Aus 363-8
Nathan Hauritz gone now. He's left one from Andrew Flintoff which has nipped back down the slope and taken his off stump. Flintoff has four wickets. he has never taken a five-wicket haul at Lord's. In fact, he has only three first-class five fors in his whole career. It is a baffling statistic when you see how he has bowled this morning. He has been brilliant and brutal. Two to go for England.

WICKET 12.00 Aus 356-7
That is the wicket England wanted. Michael Clarke has been deceived by Graeme Swann, who has snuck one under his bat to break the timber. Clarke goes for 136 and England are on the brink of a 1-0 lead. Australia out to [19.50].

11.43 Aus 341-6
Australia take eight runs off Stuart Broad's second over and their price has come into [5.80]. It could be time for another lay soon. Just to reiterate what a stiff task this is for Australia. If they achieve an improbable 522, it would be the highest fourth innings chase not only in Tests but first-class history. The record is the 513-9 Central Province made to beat Southern Province in 2004 in Kandy. Who did they have in their bowling attack? Steven Hawking?

11.32 Aus 330-6
Andrew Flintoff fancies his chances of removing Mitchell Johnson, who looks shaky against pace. They need to get him quickly, though. He is a decent player once he gets in and is capable of scoring quick runs. Don't forget he has a Test century to his name, against South Africa no less. Stuart Broad has replaced James Anderson from the Nursery End. Surprised to see him taken off so quickly. Anderson set the tone for England this morning with a fine first over.

11.18 Aus 314-6
We should not be surprised about an early wicket. England have a new ball and Clarke and Haddin would have been like two new batsmen. Nasser Hussain said: "They're both on nought." Haddin played a shot of a man who was starting his innings, rather than one who had 80 to his name. Batting is a bit like every day life. To you and I it is the equivalent of getting into the swing of the day as the hours tick by so that by 8 or 9pm you're in your best form; charming, gregarious, funny. But next day we have to start all over. Those first few steps out of bed are precarious. You might stand on the cat, stub your toe on the bed or collide with the wall. And sure as hell you don't look your best. It's exactly the same for not out overnight batsmen.

11.06 Aus 313-6
That didn't take long. Brad Haddin's outside edge has been found by Andrew Flintoff, who has charged in to produce a brute to of a delivery. He's just smashed through the tension with a sledgehammer. He might have broken Australia's resistance, too. Australia out to [9.00] and our lay of Australia's means the champers is on ice. Decadent? Not on your nelly.

10.55 Aus 313-5
Panic has gripped the punting world overnight. Could Australia really chase down a massive 522 - the highest fourth-innings chase in Test history by a whopping 104 runs? The vice-like grip has squeezed Australia's price into [3.55] from the close on day four. And there we were thinking [4.60] was ridiculous. Some like to start their morning with a glass of champers to be decadent. We like to do it by having a bet. Lay Australia. England have a new ball and two batsmen effectively starting from scratch. England are [1.42] by the way.

Post a comment

Name:

Email Address:

URL:

Remember personal info?

Comment: