The Ashes: 3rd Test.

Well it looks as if Andrew Strauss’s team are going to have a good night’s sleep and in the morning come out fighting, only one wicket fell today – I hope to see more fall quickly in the morning, otherwise Australia will keep the momentum going!

BBC CRICKET: npower Test Match Series: England v Australia
30-07-2009 at Edgbaston, Day 1 of 5
Close
Australia won the toss and decided to bat
Australia 1st Innings
126 for 1 (30.0 overs)

Australia 1st Innings

The Ashes: 3rd Test: Katich OUT – LBW

Katich out- first one gone! Ponting in to bat.

BBC: “1823: WICKET Katich lbw Swann 46, Aus 85-1 It is – very defensive field for him, mind, with a deep mid-on and a sweeper on the midwicket fence. Big ell bee appeal against Watson as he slog-sweeps – looked out, that one – and then Katich tries to do the same – another huge yell – gone!.”

The Ashes: 3rd Test at Edgbaston.

At last the 3rd Test between England & Australia has begun.

Australia is batting (Katich & Watson) in this 1st innings and Freddie is bowling:

its 37-0. BBC SCORECARD

Umpires: Aleem Dar, R E Koertzen, J J Crowe, R A Kettleborough
England: Strauss (C), Cook, Bopara, Bell, Collingwood, Prior (W), Flintoff, Broad, Swann, Anderson, Onions
Australia: S Watson, Katich, Ponting (C), M Hussey, M Clarke, North, Manou (W), M Johnson, Hauritz, Hilfenhaus, Siddle

Iranian police beat up mourners at ceremony for Neda Soltan – Times Online

Iran’s clerical authoritarian state is acting with a vengeance against any criticism of the regime. Attacking mourners at a ceremony for Neda Soltan, murdered by Basij has to signal a new low,  one has to say the muslim community here seems deaf to appeals from the Iranian opposition. All those sick islamists here who accuse the West of killing muslims,willy, nilly as usual appear not to want to take on any regime that murders muslims.  Even the “stop the war” fools appear to be deaf to events in Iran.

THE TIMES: “Baton-wielding Iranian riot police arrested mourners and drove away opposition leaders as they tried to stage a ceremony in a Tehran cemetery to commemorate protesters killed in anti-government demonstrations last month.

Ignoring Islamic customs and traditions, the security forces beat and detained many of the 2000-odd people who came to mark the end of the 40-day mourning period at the grave of Neda Soltan, the young student who has become an icon of the opposition movement…”

via Iranian police beat up mourners at ceremony for Neda Soltan – Times Online.

Afghanistan – a just war against the Taliban.

There are people who are becoming opposed to the current work of International Security and Assistance force (ISAF) and particularly the role of British forces in Afghanistan. Because casualties have inreased during Operation Panther’s Claw there is a knee jerk reaction that leads some people to think we should run away from Afghanistan. In other words surrender the Afghan people to the Taliban and we know what that would mean – a bloodbath! a new reign of terror! Those in the “stop the war coalition” need to seriously think as to what the consequences of withdrawal would mean but then do they really care about Afghans let alone our soldiers and airforce personnel who have given their lives or have been severely injured.

Foreign Secretary David Milliband has recently clarified why British military personnel are in Afghanistan. The cause is a good and just cause. We cannot allow the Taliban to terrorize the Afghan people, the Taliban is an assortment of people including not only Afghans but many foreigners. We are acting in coordination with our allies not only on reducing significantly or neutralising the Taliban threat; it is hoped that talks with moderates might help to reach a long term settlement but also helping the Afghan population with construction projects. Operation Panther’s Claw in Helmand province is aimed at helping Afghan participation in the coming elections.

So I would ask those who think we should retreat from our commitment in Afghanistan to think again and think hard as to the consequences. Whilst I remain committed to the Labour Party as a member I place myself as a centrist, one who believes in serving the national interest and ensuring our national security and ensuring Labour has a chance to win elections. This nation cannot afford to listen to pot smoking (though to be fair not all anti war people are) and misguided anti-war ultra leftists who do a great disservice to progressive thought and policies for democratic socialism.

The Ashes: 3rd Test: England, Flintoff passed fit for Edgbaston

Today we hope to see the start of the 3rd Test between England & Australia, the weather being the key problem. The good news is Flintoff can play:

Third Ashes Test, Edgbaston: England v Australia
Dates: Thursday, 30 July to Monday, 3 August Start time: 1100 BST
Coverage: Live Test Match Special commentary (from 1025 BST on day one, 1045 BST on remaining days) on BBC Radio 4 LW, 5 Live sports extra, the Red Button and BBC Sport website. Live text commentary on BBC Sport website and mobile phones.

BBC CRICKET: “England captain Andrew Strauss expects all-rounder Andrew Flintoff to play a full part in the third Ashes Test at Edgbaston, which starts on Thursday.The Lancastrian has undergone intensive treatment on an ongoing knee problem, but Strauss said: “Barring any dramatic stuff overnight, he’ll be fit.”England, who lead 1-0 in the series, will pick from a 12-man squad after spinner Monty Panesar was released…”

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