In the 1st set at least she leads 3 points to love in a tie break which has been going on now the set for more than an hour it's actually been bench atures have most of the chances 6 brite points in total 0 so far and rescued but she set 15 winners including a forehand down the line that saved a set point for under a skirt and now she's turning the tables 3 love are now full of up in the tie breaker trying to get through to face arena Williams in Saturday's final she barely knows for to lead or earlier today with the rest of the day's sport for Steve Smith says England's tactics played into his hands off his double century put Australia in control of the 4th Ashes Test at Old Trafford Smith hit a sublime 211 in what was his 1st innings back after missing the 3rd test with concussion Australia eventually declared on 497 for 8 so England will resume 474 runs behind on 23 for one they lost Joe Denly for 4 before the close of play elsewhere in cricket not laws won through to the T 20 blast finals day thrashing Owen Morgan's Middlesex by 10 wickets the Republic of Ireland drew one all with Switzerland in euro 2020 qualifying David McGoldrick late equaliser keeping them top of Group D. And Castleford Tigers have kept their hopes alive of reaching the Super League playoffs with a 4412 when of a fellow top 5 challenges Hull F.C. This is B.B.C. Radio 5 Live on digital B.B.C. Sound Smart speaker and the weather for Friday is can be largely dry for the southern half of the U.K. With just the odd showers across the north of if you sunny spells with a chance of some showers as well highs of 16 Celsius in Manchester 17 in London. Pretty. Much. The. Street. Creds was. A few. Next the free for a school training for. Some. 5. Sample night here on 5 Live for the next hour we've got one thing on this is any cricketing questions also known as in the less catchy version anything you ever wanted to know about cricket but were afraid to ask now let's face it there's quite a bit of a shoe knowledge involved in cricket tonight we're aiming to clear that up a bit if you don't know you from your silly made off your crease from your boundary and would like to hear from you any cricketing questions between now and 4 and to answer them I'm delighted to say we're joined by the man known as the voice of New Zealand cricket Brian was always commentated on more than 250 Test matches and 401 day internationals Brian that is quite a record. Takes all trying to do it because it's getting a little bit all right. But how did you get into it I mean it's an amazing record that number of Test matches to have commentated. Well I joined the national broadcaster in New Zealand many years ago when it underwent various changes in the way it was structured radio and television all split apart I mean we had a similar situation to the B.B.C. But then radio went on to China the T.V. Channels all because I'm separate minorities and jobs there I applied for it and didn't have yards in early on was given the job of taking on the cricket after a very very good commentator we had here in New Zealand Richard to be diver in England a number of occasions Anderson said time I have to continue doing the job and because of the small cricket now than there was a nice days I I remember when I did my 100th Test match it came up in a period of time that was half the time it took Alan Richards to do 98 and he did 98 in over 36 years casting and so that's that spicy Clee why the numbers stack up because there's a lot of cricket there's a lot of tours we have affection nation and a love the curriculum is part of the world you do and other countries have and it's you know it is listening intense it's something the listeners want and I like your program now have a chance to be involved and I love it we're talking about a sport I love and have a huge passion for what is it you actually love about it wants your favorite thing . I played cricket badly and I always enjoyed very contests between individuals and teams and the fascinations of Test match cricket 1st class cricket I'm not a great lover but a 20 cricket I have to cover it I have to follow it but to me the same thing happens over and over again now you look at it would take this Ashes series the number of changes they the why that series has gone you know it was dead and buried in the last Test match your England coach something out of the fire and it's alive again and that they haven't flown this Test match series is the sort of thing you like because there are so many changes there are so many differences in the why the game is tried and that's what I love about it plus being able to witness the greats of the guy in this time of day after being obviously Bradman plight I only say movies of them but the greats of the guy now are things that challenge me excite me and and keep me in boat who are your current favorite players I mean from any country. Well in that very. I have great admiration for the players at the moment who dominate state Smith as well and I have admiration for him very at Kohli as a player I enjoy watching that kind Williamson from New Zealand Joe Roach I enjoy those stop Laz I like seeing the very good bowlers who are up writing in and. There's not quite the same number of them around now as there was say the Shane Warne era and some of the quick follows but there are still very many good players and good policy. Good to watch and of course you can't dismiss the fielding aspect of the guy and the why is it that is developed over a period of time brought on by the short form going to some extent and those are the players that I enjoy carefully but I go back into you know history and some of the ones of really being fortunate to say you know we had Matthew Crowe in New Zealand great Chappell I always enjoyed watching Greg Chappell I think he was probably the most static bleak leasing player are sure in terms of the strikes that he could play and there are just so many of them you're a different why fascinate you and and give you the enjoyment and it's a time of the not you know I think about one cricketer who probably gets dismissed as as being up there with a great success as a guy like Jacques Kallis from South Africa I mean look at his record in Test match and one day cricket he was a wonderful player there are so many of them it's lovely to see them play to be able to draw on the memories and to talk about them too because that's what makes this guy so good the opinions that are offered by a lot of people even sing to the voice of Bryan waddle the voice of New Zealand cricket he's joined us here on up all night for any cricketing questions anything you'd like to know about the game anything at all you can even ask something as simple as Watson over quite how we're quietly without once a night so anything at all don't be afraid you can text us now 185058 you can call 080-859-0969 extension 3 would love to speak to you where you can e-mail up all night at B.B.C. Don't code U.K. Now we've got had an e-mail already Brian from Helen in Maidenhead she raises quite an instinct question. He says he is a cricketing question why is there such a big debate about whether a particular batsman comes into an innings number 3 or 4 or 5 she asks surely it doesn't really matter what number in the batting order a batsman comes in the objective surely is to make as many runs as possible irrespective of your number in the batting order so she just wondering whether all the debates about who's the opening batsman or bats woman and then you get the order is that just all hot air what are your views. Well it's really not hot here and the people who have to ask I suppose are the players who occupy those positions a lot of it is about technique a lot of it is about mental preparation I think you have the argument in England about Joe Root batting at 3 didn't work out and because he feels probably more comfortable and can deliver a better result for England by betting down the order the technique of players who have the ability to play fast bowling and a short pitch bowling at the top of the order and that is brought about by the mental approach that they bring to the guy and I guess it's all about they the balance with an aside and pliers you can do different things and the game has a history of many players who have tried to change their positioning in the order and it hasn't worked out that well and so therefore it's a it's a it's a mental thing I like batting in this position I'm better suited because of my techniques and players prepare themselves accordingly and that that debate will continue to go on it should be not a lot of thought here but it's an interesting one and people will have their own opinions about the challenges that that players fight the ability to. Feis the 2nd new ball after 80 Ovitz Not every player is capable of doing it we have one in New Zealand there is a master at the 2nd innings we go past the J. What wing Our keeper who has built his career in recent times on the ability to bet with the tiles because he has a mindset that fits into that role he was a former opening batsman and I don't as a note or didn't file but he didn't achieve what he wanted and yet at number 6 for New Zealand he's brain a master struck and those are the sorts of things I think that come into play the betting order situation where Plaza like to bet and what about because this has been one of the questions I've had of watching this Ashes series and you know I've been glued to it because I'm I would have a describe as a working knowledge of cricket you know I'm a big big fan and every time I go to watch it or watch on the T.V. I have another question or learn something fresh and that's one of the key advantages and attractions of the sport for me and but what I've noticed from this particular Ashes series is that the opening batsman haven't really scored very highly it's been the middle order it's been you Steve Smith who's obviously as he was described today he's a freak he can just score runs for pleasure and today he got a double century and it's his 3rd century of this particular series you're getting the middle order scoring far better than the opening batsman I was just wondering will want to change the order won't want to just put Steve Smith in at the very top . Yeah well I've tried him at various places in the order not so much as a note nobody has batted at 3 and I think it was a floor in the States bench if I remember rightly so yeah enemy. We have and it seems to be the position that suits him the best one of the things that I will say about some of the opening batsmen in the world game today is the advent of the short form Geim has brought about a freedom within these classes that has tested their technique and the tightness of their defense and their ability to leave bullets whereas you don't leave so many a T 20 and one day cricket you know you can link if you've got that ability to judge the line and pick the ball up early then it works in your favor and you look now that many of the plaza plain tired of the O.D.I. Say and consequently their games haven't the bell developed accordingly fast bowlers are a lot better that got. Right a variety of what the right will to do and you know I'm not sure that the bulls are . Helping in a area as well I mean in England you use a different bull then we use in New Zealand and that swings a bit more so that those things that come into supply and that I think as well where they have been exposed their techniques have been exposed but you're getting quality class players down the order and currently the ones that I mentioned previously route Scully and a couple of others in the Indian side ran I. Williamson for New Zealand and state Smith stand out above all others because of the class that I have the skill the technique I bring to the international arena particularly a Test match level elicits a voice of primordial whose I joined us here on up all night to discuss any cricketing questions between now and 4 I'm delighted to say people are calling in already on our 808-590-9693 earth is in Cornwall one of the earth well it's only richer sure very well how you. Are not to try to good stuff was a question for Bronson I please but we really want to know when the 1st game of cricket was actually played each and also when hours younger or you're serious. Must have a prayer rug here in the cricket in our locker Archery is that our. Boys remember agreement to. Secondary School we are also aware that comprehensive school. Summer's day. Began on the critic here in the Strauss or signed story over very very good sense of smell Yeah yeah yeah I know it sir. There's a cracking very early space when it's safe to a going to air only 2 areas in the world. Also of course are correct were very common problem from Commonwealth countries. Here and Here are your ears for your interest Syria. Basically went from his 1st area trader Sri. Persis Fort. Bragg I had to fit a bit of history 1st before our time in quite a white bank I'm not I'm not sure of the actual date with it but it was it was somewhere back in the 1600s that was when cricket was 1st. Played in its full and those days in New Zealand of course and you talk about the Commonwealth countries because it was priced leak generated in England and you look like a. Couple of countries who initially played on other best players of the guy and New Zealand 1870 was a guy named Light in New Zealand in Nelson again I'm not actually sure they the dikes but my history tells me that those were they times the games were started but I think in terms of England and then it was in the 6900 and it was in southern England I'm just sitting by the history of cricket as such and the development of the guy but the 16th century is is basically when it happened can't is where I am reliably informed. Or even realise there's an old. That wasn't tied to the extent of his plight now courts dice and it's gone through many shapes and sizes in terms of how it's played the the white the bat was plight I used to bowl underarm. Nice guy he already went to step MCNESS biog now so there's all sorts of things in terms of the broad of the cricket history brought back to the 16th century that that guys back. In. A couple of guys. Dad got. It was all right of children about 2 years. Straight. I would never. Remember when I was at the last year primary school were going out often a cricket match and just too much. Watching a close play and rounders. We all mixed races 0 of. Second generation the top poles. Ukrainians so they come in for 10 more in the. Rogers spoke Bolton going to call me rugby Tree House lawn and. Caper He then told me Colombo city. Had a slowpoke would have died soon made it worse and here in motor oil I went. Over said well this. Motel you. Rode back from work and it just is just. How was the I did it recover well as toy boy is just like a turn of the. You like it was on your i have a mean. Or a serious injury that you probably can why was a pretty lucky. Carrot on clay no hurry so you buy Lefroy. Not I think that is a lot a lot going to. So you just take in 3 other enjoyed it immensely thank you very much indeed for your call That's a lovely 1st caller up tonight on any cricketing questions here on up all night you can call as well 590-9693 vehicles 850584 your text and email up all night at B.B.C. Doco dot U.K. For your e-mails any cricketing questions at all between now and 4 with me and Brian Waters the voice of New Zealand cricket a veteran cricket commentator and a true expert now we've had a text in from Stephen Bowen East London Brian he says he'll remembers a reading a story about a boy who practiced bowling a ball over a line strung up way above the track so the ball would fall down onto the wicket he says is that within the laws of cricket and does anyone else know if that is indeed a true story have you heard about that. No but I can not just try to imagine a situation it probably would be allowed a lot would be cold I know ball or a dangerous delivery was on the full I bet that's what I'm imagining what he says the line what was what was. Was that was not the line he tried to get over the top of that line I think so yeah look it's almost like a sort of like a washing line or a piece of a piece of cable or something like that you to sort of get it over the over a certain height so then the ball would drop almost vertically onto the stumps would that be oh yeah. No it probably wouldn't it might have been in times gone by we used to call that a donkey drop OK A bullet was up in the air and it was a sloth floater but of course there's a danger element now in terms of being hit there's a danger of the ball being dispatched to the boundary by good that's been as such and if you if you bought fast the course that immediately. Has you out of the guy because you can't bowl more than I think if you have 2 deliveries above waist high or suchlike about shoulder height then you're taken out of the attack so it's it's against the laws of the game as they exist now but I'm sure a lot of those things were tried as people experimented with the bullet and alpinist like it make it take a look at all the yeah another moment what's the sort of in vogue we had an awful lot today about you know the real problems of trying to get Steve Smith out and eventually was out with them a night 211 and then the thought of theory when the you should be bowling round the wicket what what how does that what does bowling around the wicket literally mean well it changes the line of the attack it closes down they trade a little class I must admit I'm surprised why that England have been bowling to states but he seems to be getting most of the delivery she watched got wonderful patients got wonderful concentration it doesn't give us. Why his work it easily but he's getting a lot of freedom to play to his strengths and if you go round the work at a place you feel Accordingly I know people probably don't you're talking Bodyline way back to well I wouldn't judge range day but you know you could you can change the line of attack and Stuart Broad has done that very well to dive at Warner he's got and just about every time and cheaply yet they continue to blow what I call links to liberate States met and he loves them there I don't think they work hard enough on trying to expose his weaknesses but then that becomes mainly as a cricket watcher Rosin a skillful cricket player and and I'd be interested take to hear the players answer that question as to why they haven't tried some of the Senate weren't wise of removing him because he is a thorn in the England side he is the man who will take the ashes away from England if I give him to the opportunities looking unfortunately bit like that I mean like I say I'm going to the test on Saturday I'm looking forward to it very very much to see some some cricket but I I sincerely hope that England are still be batting I'm not sure they will they've they're already one wicket down 23 for want of the end of today's bad play for you Have you ever stepped a bit of a tough come again but when I was at that stage to run against fresh bowlers have got 497 of the ball yes for a lot of 474 runs behind it sais quoi Yes it might be it might be a different story today what because I think once the ball gets a little bit All right looks to me as though it's a pretty flat there it may be a little bit dry and next in line might come into play but as I see it and a bit like you know I have to sit up all night and watch and then try and work work a job as well yes. We are we are slaves to cricket and that's certainly true Mike in Oldham has called us Hi there Mike Wallace traitorous to both of you how low the next back to Pleasure Island. Thank you Mike it's nice to be able to talk here and it's lovely to be talking cricket because that's the one thing i love of the ready a