http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/08/15/austrian_signs/

The ever-diligent Rajneesh Gupta notes that Australia has now had more sixes struck against them in the current Test series than in any previous series. And that with two matches to play.

England has clobbered 26 sixes over the ropes thus far in the 2005 Ashes, beating the 23 struck by the South Africans of 1966-67 at higher altitudes.

I've created a set of playlist files which bundle up most of the audio reports I could find for the Old Trafford Test. They arranged so that the files will stream in chronological order.

Following the amazing conclusion to the Old Trafford Test, here are the progress points in the 2005 Midwinter-Midwinter, my answer to the Compton-Miller award to the best player of the Ashes series:

Following the completion of the Third Test between England and Australia, we have two leaders in the Ashes and More Test Tipping Competition.

Geoff and Stu have 4 wins out of the 6 Tests completed so far. Tipping is closed for the Bulawayo Test in progress between Zimbabwe and New Zealand. The next Test to get under way will be at Trent Bridge between England and Australia, commencing August 25. Selections can be added or amended until the scheduled end of the lunch break on the opening day.

Play had begun on a bizarre note when Smith, the Scots wicketkeeper and also a policeman, was forced to miss the opening 40 minutes of play after being called to Aberdeen Sheriff Court as a witness. Smith headed for court but soon returned after the hearing was abandoned because the accused had slept in.

- David Kelso, The Scotsman, 16.8.05

Incredible to think Australia saved the Third Test. Great stuff. It's remarkable enough to score 371 runs in the fourth innings of a Test - even if the target is 423. Poor Harmison made a mess of the last over. One of Ponting's finest innings. Not much support from the specialist batsmen however, though the draw looked hopeful while ever Michael Clarke was out there. It should have been England's Test once Ponting was gone. Full credit to Warne, Lee and McGrath. Enjoy the rest of the tour, Diz.

News just in via the Press Trust of India following the BCCI's Working Committee meeting in New Delhi on Monday.

The BCCI's draft annual report and audited accounts for 2004-05 were presented. If they have been made public I'd love to see a copy, but PTI reports that the Board will distribute Rs.52 crore (that's 520 million rupees to the uninitiated) to its cricketers.

It's not so much that Australia appear all set to lose the Third Test tomorrow. It's the reports that suggest the whole fibre of the mighty Australian team is unravelling. Or are we witnessing more Sledging By Media?

http://www.supercricket.co.za/default.asp?id=3922&des=sportstalk

Neil Manthorp's take on the Afro-Asian extravaganza, which starts this Wednesday.

(And continuing on the subject of columnist archives, here is Supersport's Neil Manthorp page.)