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The blog is over for the second day of the Ashes. Rejoin us on Saturday morning and stay all day to chew over all the action.

1845: Marko Koning, Netherlands, via email
And now it's England's turn. Tomorrow they can show the world how they have improved in the last few years and how good they are. There are no excuses this time. Take three wickets in the first half hour and then make 350 runs to win the match. And England have all the time. Come on England!

1829: Alec Stewart, former England captain, Radio Five Live
Australia are in the box seat, but the England spirit of the last 18 months has shown anything is possible. However, we have to knock them over early. We need more innings like Pietersen's and we must see off McGrath.

1827: Alfie, TMS messageboard
That last hour cheered me up! Is there just a hint? If we knock them over we're chasing less than 350, the wicket flattens out, the ageing Aussie bowlers start to tire... Ah well, a man can dream.

1819: David Davies, Bangkok, via email
The England opening batsmen have to do "a Boycott." It doesn't matter how many hours it takes them to get 10 runs, they just have to knuckle down. They will have nearly three days to win.

1808: Australia batsman Michael Clarke on Test Match Special
I was just trying to be as positive as I could be and fortunately a few of the times it came off - it's not every day you make 91 at Lord's. I don't think you can ever feel relaxed on this wicket and I don't think our 314 lead matters because we'll get some more.

1806: Randello Bee, TMS messageboard
It is interesting that adopting the wide bowling to Clarke worked in the end and has given England a chink of light - gutsy finish from the boys. At least the Warne catch went to Giles and not Pietersen.

1804: Mike Gatting, former England captain, Test Match Special
There's an outside chance but it is still a chance. Gillespie is struggling and there isn't much else after McGrath as we saw yesterday. If they can keep the lead under 350 it's not all over. This England team is resilient and they have players who can turn things round.

1801: Jonathan Agnew, BBC cricket correspondent
That has given England a timely boost, they really needed it. It still looks like Australia have a very useful lead but they only have three wickets left.

AUSTRALIA 279-7: WARNE C GILES B HARMISON 2

1757: Mirror Ball, TMS messageboard
I have a niggling feeling that England are going to win this!

1753: ExpatinGer, TMS messageboard
Does this mean that we've got a fight on our hands. At last!

1746: Jonathan Agnew, BBC cricket correspondent and Oliver Brett, BBC cricket journalist in unison
Flintoff's celebration was exactly what Courtney Walsh used to do!

AUSTRALIA 274-6: GILCHRIST B FLINTOFF 10

1743: Martin Gough, BBC Sport at Lord's
The sun is out for the first time today and the crowd has finally broken into beer-induced song. But the bright mood appears to be misplaced.

1742: Rarmruns, TMS messageboard
This is going to be the best Test series since the Australians played in India in 2001.

1738: Jonathan Agnew, BBC cricket correspondent
We all know how dangerous Gilchrist is anytime, but particularly so when he's got a platform behind him, as he has at the moment.

1733: Rarmruns, TMS messageboard
What a Test and still three days to go. Katich has the best temperament in the two sides I feel. Helps batting at six I guess.

1725: Sanjeev, England, via email
It's not over yet. I expect a few more twists and turns especially when Pietersen gets another go.

1721: Matt FD, TMS messageboard
England fightback, oh yes here we go, Harmison we love you. Heads down - never! Come on.

AUSTRALIA 255-5: MARTYN LBW B HARMISON 65

1718: Merv Hughes, Australia selector, Test Match Special
Hayden and Clarke have been unlucky to hit the ball onto their boot and see it hit the stumps, so the rub of the green is still going to England, but things are going well for Australia with this lead.

AUSTRALIA 255-4: CLARKE B HOGGARD 91

1714: Slowest Bowler, TMS messageboard
It's hardly surprising England are feeling shell-shocked after they were 21 for 5 yesterday. It usually takes time to recover from that sort of situation. On the other hand, we've seen remarkable swings of fortune before.

1707: Nigel, England, via email
Disappointing body language from England, very disappointing. It hasn't been helped by Giles bowling for far too long and Hoggard and Jones being too wayward with their line and length. You have to keep it tight in this type of situation, exactly the opposite of what has happened.

1706: Henry Blofeld, Test Match Special
A few people have been getting out of their seats and wondering around the ground, I just wonder how many have decided to leave. Though no one in a yellow shirt looks like moving.

1657: Tommy, England, via email
This is annoying. We are making Clarke look good but he isn't against pace and seam, as he failed in New Zealand and he got floored in the one day games. He still hasn't taken runs of Harmison yet, but we don't bowl Harmison enough at him.

1654: Mike Gatting, former England captain, Test Match Special
Flintoff's given his all but his head went down when the ball flew to the boundary in that last over. It's running away from them now but they have to show some fight, some resilience at least to pull it back as much as possible.

1651: Aussies own Ashes, TMS messageboard
Terrible attitude, when the going gets tough don't just roll over, stand up. This is when you see how good your team is. Stand up England, stand up!

1640: Abdurrashid, Pakistan, via email
Life is a game. In this game a man who has a great courage can be successful and he who has no courage will lose.

1630: Will, UK, via email
Credit to Damien Martyn, he has steadied the tiller and put Australia in a commanding position. Is he the only one who knows he's batting in a Test match?

1627: Jim Maxwell, Test Match Special
Hoggard came in to stop the ball there but just completely missed it, it went straight through him, and he kicks his hat in frustration.

1625: Ebarchery, TMS messageboard
Fair play to Michael Clarke, although remember he was dropped, Pietersen may have got a ton if he had been dropped. But Clarke's grinding it out and setting it up for an Aussie win now.

1618: Mike Gatting, former England captain, Test Match Special
England had Australia at a difficult time when Clarke came in but Pietersen dropped a simple catch and these two are looking really comfortable now, especially against spin.

1615: Oliver Brett, BBC cricket journalist
There's no erudite way to say this - the wheels have come off for England.

1611: Bruce Cameron, Scotland, via email
I think true class is beginning to show now. It will be all over in the fourth day. Question: will 'superhero' Pietersen get slated by the media tomorrow?

1603: Ebarchery, TMS messageboard
The only thing keeping Giles in the Test side is that he sometimes scores some runs down the order. It reminds me of during the nineties when we kept picking Irani, Ealham and the Hollioakes just because they were all-rounders. But half a batsman and half a bowler do not add up to a Test cricketer.

1556: Jonathan Agnew, BBC cricket correspondent
There's a rather ominous feel about this for England supporters I'm sure. The Australians have still got seven wickets in hand and they have picked the rate up too.

1552: Steve Johns, Newcastle, via email
Can everyone just CALM DOWN please! There will be times throughout the series when things don't go well both as a team and for individuals. But you have to back the chaps to come through. It's way too early to start rubbishing players just beacuse they have a bad spell or play a poor shot. Get behind your country!

1542: Merv Hughes, Australia selector, Test Match Special
My main concern with Giles is his mid-on and mid-off are a bit too deep, so the batters aren't really challenged and they can pick up singles pretty much when they like, especially Clarke on the leg side. He must start to tie them down.

1536: David, England, via email
Just a couple of points. How is it that this chap Pietersen has been allowed to come onto the field at the home of cricket dressed the way he is? Just look at those shoes! The other point: why is Giles is continually described as a spin bowler? He's not. He's a slow bowler - have you ever seen him get a ball off line?

1521: Paul Gates, England, via email
There is something soberingly ominous in the air over St John's Wood this afternoon. Can't see England successfully chasing more than 220.

1518: Mark, Australia, via email
Thanks Kevin Pietersen. Three dropped catches - that's the difference between the two sides. Anything over 250 will be too much for England.

1509: Christopher Martin-Jenkins, Test Match Special
Pietersen has dropped a straightforward catch there, he really should have taken it. Perhaps he's over-excited, it's been quite a start to his Test career. What's going through his mind? All that good work with the bat wasted.

1504: faiweirafma, TMS messageboard
I'm sure Geoffrey Boycott would fancy this situation, though I'm equally sure he'd be raging at the fact that such a situation had been created!

1457: Mike Gatting, former England captain, Test Match Special
Short leg is a specialist position and we don't know how much practice Ian Bell has done there. Thorpe was brilliant in the position but it's not easy, especially when the ball is bouncing around like this.

1449: Jon, Japan, via email
Someone wake me up when Damien Martyn hits one off the square. It's 11pm here and I need entertainment!

1441: Mike, UK, via email
My compliments to Merv. Spotted the exchange between Trescothick and Giles. Team spirit will win the match. Have we got it?

1437: Mike Gatting, former England captain, Test Match Special
The three Australian guys so far who are out have all got themselves out. Maybe we'll never know what a good score is on this pitch. It's a bit two-paced, fine, but there have been some poor shots.

1431: Mightyhawkeye, TMS messageboard
Michael Clarke is no good, he will be back in the shed in no time. Dont know why he even bothered to walk onto the middle.

1428: Tommy, USA, via email
England are in a great position to win this Test match. They will get Australlia out eventually, then they will have two days plus to score the runs.

1424: Jonathan Agnew, BBC cricket correspondent
James Hildreth is going off now, he's done his job. Fantastic, he'll be loving that. But it wasn't much of a ball from Hoggard and it wasn't much of a shot from Ponting either.

AUSTRALIA 100-3: PONTING C SUB (HILDRETH) B HOGGARD 42

1416: Merv Hughes, Australia selector, Test Match Special
While drinks have been going on there have been a couple of animated conversations between Trescothick and Ashley Giles, I don't know whether it was about cricket or what they're having for dinner tonight or what!

1413: Agnarv, TMS messageboard
Ricky Ponting and Damien Martyn are slowly taking the game away from England here. We need some wickets badly.

1409: Alex, UK, via email
The first innings' totals shows these two teams aren't used to playing quality bowling and the series will be won by the batting side who puts this right first. With better technique you'd have to back the Aussies.

1400: Martin Gough, BBC Sport at Lord's
Proper Test cricket returns to Lord's. This afternoon so far has been a cracking, even contest between bat and ball.

1351: Johnathon, Australia, via email
The MCC should be fined for condition of the pitch. This is the most eagerly awaited series in years, world number one and two going head to head. Yesterday's cricket did the sport no favours.

1346: Mike Gatting, former England captain, Test Match Special
I think Simon Jones is going to play a big part for England this summer, if he can just get his consistency right.

1339: John Phillips, UK, via email
Has anyone worked out what Ponting was saying to Vaughan yesterday as he took guard?

1337: Svsriram, TMS messageboard
Thorpe's retirment is a mistake. England could certainly afford to play him instead of Giles in the coming Test matches if the pitches continue to be seamer friendly.

1330: Jim Maxwell, Test Match Special
This is continuing to be the most engrossing spectacle. 17 wickets yesterday, five more today. England are by no means out of this yet, they just have to keep up the pressue on the much-vaunted Australian batting.

1327: Will Morgan, Australia, via email
England are great at being positive when they are right on top but a champion team maintains the intensity through the lows too.

1324: Oliver Brett, BBC cricket journalist
Hayden's played that shot four times now and it hasn't worked, he should just cut it out. There's such a lack of discipline from Test match batsmen these days.

AUSTRALIA 54-2: HAYDEN B FLINTOFF 34

1320: Simon Holliday, England, via email
Now is the time we watch to see who from our team will stand tall and turn the match. This is a great chance to shine and if I were in the England team now I'd be buzzing.

1312: Martin Gough, BBC Sport at Lord's
It's getting very overcast at Lord's now. May be a bit of rain on the way.

1302: Eleven_highlord, TMS messageboard
You would have thought Australia were 247-1 such is the negativity right now. England are still in with a good chance of winning this game. It is not the way of this side to cave in or give up. There's plenty of cricket left to play yet.

1300: Judderman6, TMS messageboard
There is little to no chance now if we are realistic. The situation needs someone to stand up on a now good looking pitch. Spin may help but since when has Giles spun the ball?

1255: TCWork, TMS messageboard
Is anyone else concerned about Hoggard's inaccuracy in this match? A beauty to get him his one wicket yesterday but too many long-hops today.

1251: Martin Gough, BBC Sport at Lord's
The brass band is playing the Monty Python theme. Perhaps a Terry Gilliam foot will come out of a cloud and stomp on a couple of Aussie batsmen.

1247: Ted Godden, England, via email
Modern batsmen don't have the technique for Test cricket. Solution? Ban all Test match players from playing any limited over cricket and send them back to the nets.

1239: Alec Stewart, former England captain, Radio Five Live
You'd have to say it's slowly trickling away from England at this stage and it will need a good spell of bowling after lunch to peg the Australians back a bit. But it's going their way at the moment.

1235: Phillip White, England, via email
Why when Paul Collingwood played the Aussies so easily in the one day games do we then drop him and bring in Bell? Collingwood adds to the side with the bat, in the field and with the ball. It makes no sense.

1225: Howzatmeboyo, TMS messageboard
Langer needs a tape measure and a sense of responsibilty. Why would you get out for the sake of one run when you are playing in what appears to be a low scoring game?

1221: Paul Witt, Bedfordshire, via email
With good weather, Test match cricket only seems to last four days at the most now. Something needs to be done - bring back Geoff Boycott and Chris Tavare!

1212: Merv Hughes, Australia selector, Test Match Special
I've been harping on about this for the past two days, but if the batsmen are just positive with their footwork and get forward, like Pietersen did, they aren't going to have as much trouble with the bounce.

1207: Henry Blofeld, Test Match Special
This tension, this excitement, this exhilaration just goes on and on, what a truly great Test match this is turning out to be.

AUSTRALIA 18-1: LANGER RUN OUT (PIETERSEN) 6

1155: Spinning Davy, TMS messageboard
Why has Graham Thorpe retired from international cricket now? Considering how abjectly the England side batted it is clear that we need more experience in there, probably in place of Bell. Why Graham, Why?

1149: James, UK, via email
What an awesome display of bowling when Test cricket is normally so dominated by the bat. Can't people appreciate how hard figures of 8-4-5-20, which McGrath had at one stage yesterday, are to get?

1141: Phoenix, TMS messageboard
Not bad going from the tail I suppose... now let's get playing some chin music.

1135: Nick Gee, England, via email
I think it says it all when the last-wicket partnership scores 18 more than the first five English batsmen to get out combined!

1129: Mike Gatting, former England captain, Test Match Special
I don't think you can too much have a go at Pietersen for the way he played, if Martyn hadn't taken an incredible catch you'd be saying what a great shot it was again.

ENGLAND 155 ALL OUT: HARMISON C MARTYN B LEE 11

1121: Bill Frindall, Test Match Special
The last 50 runs came off only 42 balls, the fastest of the match so far.

1119: S Gregory, York, via email
Sadly I think the game is up. Modern players no longer have the skills and techniques to play five-day Test matches. I believe we are witnessing the end of the five-day game.

1116: Martin Gough, BBC Sport at Lord's
The days of the fast bowlers' union are long dead but this is not just naked aggression. It is a plan to combat the aggressive batting of the lower order.

1107: Juan Carlos II, TMS messageboard
If Harmy and Jones can manage another 20-plus runs then I think England can be moderately happy with the recovery. 45 behind isn't too tragic if we can bowl the Aussies out cheaply again.

ENGLAND 122-9: PIETERSEN C MARTYN B WARNE 57

1058: Jonathan Agnew, BBC cricket correspondent
Pietersen against Warne, this is very much a contest within a contest here. It will be very interesting to see if he takes Warne on like he just did McGrath.

1053: Emma, Munich, via email
I am sitting on the sofa in Munich, waiting for my first baby to be born. She was due yesterday, but I'm pretty sure she'll do me the favour of staying put until England successfully wrap this one up.

1049: Merv Hughes, Australia selector, Test Match Special
For Hoggard to play that shot when Pietersen is still in is reckless and he should get his backside smacked.

ENGLAND 101-8: HOGGARD C HAYDEN B WARNE 0

1045: Andy, England, via email
Is anyone else like me just waiting for the clatter of wickets? I don't think I've been so nervous for a long time.

1038: Henry Blofeld, Test Match Special
If Pietersen gets any chance to swing his arms he's going to take it. If he can stay in for an hour England could get close to the Australian total.

1035: IRS Walker, TMS messageboard
Regarding the "England batsmen should get forward to McGrath" theory, you've got to wonder exactly what Duncan Fletcher was saying to the batsmen as they went out. Surely as coach it would be his duty to point this sort of thing out?

1029: Merv Hughes, Australia selector, Test Match Special
You can't just say because 17 wickets fell yesterday it was bad cricket. The guys at this level don't play that much bad cricket so you have to look at the pitch.

1025: Andy N, via e-mail
If that's what we get for the first day of the Ashes I can't wait for the rest of the series. Bring it on.

1007: Alec Stewart, former England captain
I just spoke to McGrath, he's loving it and thinks he's got loads more wickets in him. It's the slope at Lord's which is the problem - last time I played against him here I shouldered arms and lost my off stump. I also saw Pietersen speaking to his mentor Ian Botham, so I didn't want to interrupt.

0941: Luke B, TMS messageboard
Big Kevin Pietersen to score a hundred today and Harmy for another five wickets. Job's a good 'un!

0935: Pat Murphy, cricket correspondent, Radio Five Live
I thought Pietersen played the best innings yesterday. My feeling is he will have to give it Botham-esque treatment today because if he doesn't play his shots he'll get the slow death treatment. The Australians are going to bounce the others out so he has to get England as close to their total as possible. Everything depends on him.

0919: Matt, TMS messageboard
This has already been a bizarre Test already and we're only just about to start day two! England are in trouble and it looks like they will get to around 120-130. But did you notice something yesterday? The English batsmen didn't get themselves out. I think it was a combination of the pitch and Glenn McGrath, who I have to say bowled an amazing spell.

The Ashes is one of sport's greatest contests.

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