Ashes 2010/11

[VillaZogmariner]

I've not seen it, but that sounds exactly like the one for the last Ashes too.

[OzVilla]

Aussies have just lost again this time in incredible fashion. 

Chasing 239, Sri Lanka put on 128 for the 9th wicket and got home with 7 overs to spare.

They are really making losing a habit right now.  He he! 

[hilts_coolerking]

I know I should be delighted as the Aussies suffer yet another defeat, and part of me is, but I can't help feeling someone is going to feel the backlash soon.  Just hope it isn't us.

[Mr Diggles]

It would have to be some backlash. Also that is the one day team, and it was only a narrow defeat (despite the number of overs left for Sri Lanka). One better batting contribution from a player of 50 or so with a strike rate over 100 or one more wicket could have won them the match.

I still think the Test team in an Ashes series will be a different prospect altogether. I think if England are to be successful it will take a massive effort, sustained brilliance and a bit of luck. But I do think it can be done, and they'll draw the series to retain the Ashes.

[hilts_coolerking]

It would have to be some backlash. Also that is the one day team, and it was only a narrow defeat (despite the number of overs left for Sri Lanka). One better batting contribution from a player of 50 or so with a strike rate over 100 or one more wicket could have won them the match.

I still think the Test team in an Ashes series will be a different prospect altogether. I think if England are to be successful it will take a massive effort, sustained brilliance and a bit of luck. But I do think it can be done, and they'll draw the series to retain the Ashes.

I take your point, but probably 6 of that side will start the first Test (Watson, Clarke, Hussey, Haddin, Johnson, Siddle), possibly 7 if they go with Steve Smith as the spinner.

But it wasn't the batting that lost them the game, it was their inability to close out the match, something which has become a problem for the Aussies in all forms of the game recently.  Cardiff springs to mind, as does the first Test against India last month.

[Mr Diggles]

Thats true too - mental fragility - not something you'd have associated with Australia until you saw Mitchell Johnson bowling at Lord's in 2009! Seriously though, as they say, losing or winning both become habits, and the Aussie press, nevermind the players, must be wondering aloud when the worm will turn for them. And that is pressure in itself.

That first morning of the first test is going to be really interesting no matter who wins the toss.

[VillaZogmariner]

I was chatting to an Aussie at work last night and he was saying that if England come out on top after the first day at Brissy we'll win the series.

There seems a distinct lack of confidence from the Aussie support over here about their chances of retaining the Ashes, and I'm loving every minute!

[hilts_coolerking]

First tour match began just now; Western Australia won the toss and chose to bat.  Swann and Anderson both fit to play.

After two overs they are two down for no score.  Stuart Broad got both in his first over.  An auspicious start.

[Mr Diggles]

Rattling along nicely now, 201 for 6. Also with a full strength team out, its nice to see England taking these games seriously. Just need Anderson and Swann to start excelling, but Broad has hit the ground running.

[Mr Diggles]

Sri Lanka won their series then. Still I don't think Australia are the cowering wreck of a team some in the media are trying to portray them as. Its not like our boys did alot with the ball today after the first session. Having said that, it sounds like the England lads did well and are aclimatising nicely.

[OzVilla]

It's been very hot in Perth lately - 36c - so I expect that the pitch was more like a road.

All in all a good work out in the field and some of the lads taking wickets will do them the world of good.  A great chance for the batsmen to get their heads down tomorow and bat in Aussie conditions - be great if Strauss, KP and Cook got runs so they'll be the nucleaus of our batting and we need them confident.

Just watched Australia lose again to Sri Lanka - rain effected but Sri Lanka still dominated the game and were well worth the win.

Say it quetly but I think Australia might have more than a few problems.

[cheltenhamlion]

What time does the first test start in UK time? I might book the day off.

[Mr Diggles]

First test starts for us here in Blighty at midnight on Weds 24th Nov.

OzVilla - did you get a feel for how the bowling looked despite the state of the pitch? Did  it look like Anderson and Swann struggled?

[hilts_coolerking]

First test starts for us here in Blighty at midnight on Weds 24th Nov.

OzVilla - did you get a feel for how the bowling looked despite the state of the pitch? Did  it look like Anderson and Swann struggled?

From what I have read it was Finn, if anyone, who struggled.  But it's his first day bowling over there so not sure too much be read into that.  Swann got 1 for 60 but it's a first day pitch.

Overall a very good day for England, although not the start Cook would have wanted.  Puts him under pressure straight away.

[cheltenhamlion]

Thursday 25th now booked as holiday