Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Off Topic => Sports Arena => Topic started by: Dante Lavelli on October 29, 2010, 07:21:16 PM
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Is it too early for an Ashes thread?
The players flew out yesterday and it's starting to hit the public's consciousness.
I like:
1. the fact that the BBC have introduced an ashes gossip column even if it does mainly consist of Swann and Anderson's twits (? tweets?) ...what they post on twitter.
2. that australia are not a particularly good team
I don't like:
1. TMS will not be available to anyone living abroad (although I understand Test Match Sofa will work abroad, anyone listened to it?)
2. That westminster council have kicked up a stink about projecting pontings image on parliament (man up)
Discuss...
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2-2, England win 1st and last, Aussies 2nd and 3rd, 4th drawn.
And I thought the projection on Big Ben was actually really funny.
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3-1 to England. They ain't all that, neither are we admittedly, but we'll edge it.
Another month of dozing off with TMS on, marvellous. I'm also taking a few days off work here and there so I can watch it all night, I can't wait.
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I reckon it'll be really tight series with England retaining the Ashes. 1-0 or 1-1.
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Is it traditionally on the way there or on the way back that the teams get absolutely battered?
Is it david boon that holds the record? Anyone recall how many cans of beer?
I hope this "tradition" still exists.
I reckon Sky's commentary team will do better than the current players.
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Is it traditionally on the way there or on the way back that the teams get absolutely battered?
Is it david boon that holds the record? Anyone recall how many cans of beer?
I hope this "tradition" still exists.
I reckon Sky's commentary team will do better than the current players.
I thought it was just the Aussies who did this..... may be wrong though.
Boon's record is 36 cans I believe.
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3-1 Aussies.
Which will be an improvement on the last series over there.
Botham and co never learn.
Last series?
"Dad's Army, the Aussies are on the way out. England will win"
This series.
"England by 3 games"
Partisan support/ bias is great but he tends to make himself look foolish if he keeps on getting it so wrong. They have an unbelievable record over there and even if the current lot aren't up to the standard of teams in years gone by they still have home advantage, home conditions and the kookaburra ball.
I fancy it to be competitive in most matches but them to edge the crucial sessions and periods of play when it counts.
They've targeted Strauss as the key man in the England side and if he doesn't perform it will be job done for them. I'd imagine most of the other South African-born players will come in for a fair amount of stick and they might find it a long, uncomfortable tour all told.
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Long but amusing:
http://www.thefanatics.com/web_blog.view.php?web_blog_ID=169
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Bell finished the season well and he owes them. Would love to see him step up and be the matchwinner.
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3-1 England, we are overall a much better side.
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Dante, Test Match Sofa is definitely worth listening to if you can't get the proper TMS, in fact it's worth it if you can. It really is like a few random blokes down the pub watching the telly and telling you what's happening while going off on the odd tangent about almost anything, I liked it a lot during the last Ashes.
England 3-1 by the way.
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Absolutely love the ashes, my favorite sporting event.
Was at Lords last year on the final day for Flintoff's incredible spell. Also at Edgbastion for all five days. Spent a small fortune but had a wonderful time.
I think it will be very close this time. Player for Player, England have a slight edge which is probably negated by playing in their conditions. It could come down to a bad session for either side ultimately deciding the outcome. I'll let my heart rule and go 2 - 1 England
On a side note, i cannot believe the way the Aussies are getting stuck in to Pieterson. He has been a shadow of himself over the last year or so, but is the type of character who relishes the challenge. I think the crap they've been spouting will bring out the best in KP.
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The Ashes is always good to watch (except staying up all night because Australia have silly time-zones) especially seeing that smug tosspot Ponting looking like a slapped ass when England win.
I feeling confident about England and I think they've got a really good chance of beating the convicts... even the Aussies acknowledge that we've got a pretty good team this year.
My prediction: England 3-2 with Bell playing amazing in all tests.
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On a side note, i cannot believe the way the Aussies are getting stuck in to Pieterson. He has been a shadow of himself over the last year or so, but is the type of character who relishes the challenge. I think the crap they've been spouting will bring out the best in KP.
I think how KP reacts to his dip in form and the subsequent abuse from the aussies will be crucial in this series. My hunch is that the extra pressure will focus his brain and result in him getting a few runs.
I certainly hope this is the case as I kind of agree with Buchanan that he can be detrimental to the rest of the squad if things are not going his way.
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The Sunday at Edgbaston 2005 was both the best ever, and the most horrible, sporting experience I have witnessed. It's right up there with the Tranmere semi-final for fingernails bitten to bloody stumps.
We had won it, then we hadn't, then we had again, then we fucking hadn't, then we had fucking blown it, then we fucking, bastarding, cunting well won the fucker!!!!!!! Stunning, sport at it's most raw and exciting. I didn't even cheer for a few minutes, I couldn't, I was drained.
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I like Ponting. The way his has taken the abuse over the years with - generally - good grace makes him a pretty strong individual in my view.
I think when the Oval (?) crowd gave him that standing ovation in 2009 was an amazing moment and showed that whilst we (England) abuse him, we realise that he is an absolute class act.
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I like Ponting. The way his has taken the abuse over the years with - generally - good grace makes him a pretty strong individual in my view.
I think when the Oval (?) crowd gave him that standing ovation in 2009 was an amazing moment and showed that whilst we (England) abuse him, we realise that he is an absolute class act.
That's why we abuse him. That and a few minor strops over the years, notably the Gary Pratt runout.
Plus he's the one class act they have left so he's the natural target. I mean, I can't imagine ever getting that worked up over Marcus North or Ben Hilfenhaus.
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Aussie will win, they're too strong in their own back yard.
Pietersen can't be trusted to regain his form.
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I think England to win 3-1 hope Ian Bell play's awesome.
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There is an Ashes thread in the Sports Arena section too.
I'm predicting a 2-2, so we retain the Ashes. Oh, and especially for Mr Cooper -
(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs911.snc4/72459_495958224368_723789368_7104702_8307250_n.jpg)
Not bothering with Perth, but I'll be there for all the rest!
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Their latest tweets:
Graeme Swann tweets about the long flight to Australia: "Jet lag? Jet lag's for wimps. It takes more than 35 hours awake to get the bett......zzzzzzzzzzzz"
As Jimmy Anderson touches down in Singapore after the first part of the flight to Australia he reveals on Twitter: " "Had good first flight. Bit of reading, series 3 of Inbetweeners and 5 hrs solid kip thanks to Straussy talking me through Zimbabwe's economy"
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I didn't even know the Sports Area bit existed. Even more reason to sit on H&V all day. There's a rugby thread and everthing.
Anyone know how to merge threads?
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There is an Ashes thread in the Sports Arena section too.
I'm predicting a 2-2, so we retain the Ashes. Oh, and especially for Mr Cooper -
(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs911.snc4/72459_495958224368_723789368_7104702_8307250_n.jpg)
Not bothering with Perth, but I'll be there for all the rest!
Do you have any idea how many people could be upset by this? I really don't think you'll ever be allowed back in the UK now. You can't afford Rushdie like protection.
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Might as well put this here:
Something which really annoys me, the way the Australians do the cricket scores.
If you have 230 runs and have lost five wickets then the score is 230/5 NOT 5/230!!
WE INVENTED THE FUCKING GAME, GET IT RIGHT YOU BASTARDS.
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Yes, that boils my piss too. The score is most important, then the wickets.
Just because you're on the wrong side of the world, it doesn't mean you're obliged to get things arse upwards.
With that out of the way, I've met Ponting and he's a top bloke unfortunately so its hard to dislike him. That doesn't mean I won't be willing Malfoy and Co to tenderise his ribs/smash his grill in during the contest. I genuinely wish this to happen to Shane Watson, the twat.
Really looking forward to this one but it will be bloody hard. We have the slight edge in personnel but its somewhat negated by them having home advantage with a wonky ball.
That said, we have picked an attack for the conditions. Once the sideways (if any) movement leaves the ball you're relying on pace and bounce. When Stuart Broad at 6'6" is the third smallest of your potential attack that's pretty good news.
Nitpicking, I would have taken Shahzad (quick, skiddy, reverse swing and decent batting) instead of Bresnan (who I like) and Rashid (three dimensional cricketer and a fine spinner) instead of Panesar but all in all it looks a strong squad.
Expect the first test team to be:
Strauss, Cook, Trott, Pietersen, Collingwood, Bell, Prior, Broad, Swann, Anderson, Finn.
No real suprises there but if Jimmy isnt getting the movement he needs we could spice it up with Tremlett (6'8"), Finn (6' 8") and Broad (6' 6") and bomb the Aussies from space with Swann settling in at one end.
I expect Flower to have them mentally ready for any Aussie juvenile shenanigans and for the conditions.
He's exactly the sort of character you need to prepare a team for this.
Prediction: 2 - 1 to England with wins in Sydney and Perth. And oh I wish I was going.
Very jealous Villasubmariner. Come back and drive Astute properly and I'll have your tickets.
One day I'm going to make it out there to watch an Ashes series.
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Believe me when I say that i've yet to see the Aussie media so unsure about an upcoming series. Plenty of debate about team selection and none of the usual bravado and chest thumping.
And so far this last week has seen preperations of England-esque style pantomime proportions.
Australia got hammered last night in the T20 by Sri Lanka (first ever T20 home defeat). I know it's not the Ashes but it's the kind of thing that sets the tone for the Summer. That's defeats in their last 5 games of competitive Cricket.
The Aussies have injuries disrupting the team from the Indian tour (Katich fractured thumb can't hold a bat yet, Bolinger stomach muscle injury and can't bowl) and they sacked one of their selectors (Merv Hughes) on Friday. Shame that as Hughes was an oaf.
They also upset both Mike Hussey and Marcus North by dropping them from the T20 squad so they could play in a Sheffield Shield match for Western Australia against South Australia and get some much needed time in the middle. Hussey ended up getting a first ball duck and 3, while North got 10.
I know this will probably all mean nothing come the First Test but right now it's fun to watch.
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Reading the press coverage the England group seem to be a tight bunch and having a good time. I hope they can maintain this as there will inevitably be periods where their heads are down.
Latest quote I like:
Graeme Swann needed ice treatment and strapping after being struck on the thumb by Tim Bresnan in the first net session on England's tour but the injury is not thought to be serious. "I think he's pleased his thumb got him out of the running session," said team-mate Stuart Broad. (Press Association)
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As long as Bresnan is nowhere near the test XI we have a chance!
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He wouldn't let anybody down but he doesn't quite make the XI by my reckoning.
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Anyone seen the latest Ashes commerical on Sky? It's great. "Get the car started", "How'd ya feel about that Shaaaaaane" - hilraious.
Can't wait until the first bowl in Brisbane.
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I've not seen it, but that sounds exactly like the one for the last Ashes too.
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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! ;D
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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What time does the first test start in UK time? I might book the day off.
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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?
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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.
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Thursday 25th now booked as holiday
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I'll give you a wave!
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Encouraging that KP got a half century.
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Good to see that we've started the tour with a six wicket win against Western Australia. Strauss scored 120.
Cook needs to stand up and be counted after two single figure scores in two innings, otherwise a winning start to an Ashes tour is always positive.
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Swann and Broad amongst the wickets (looks like Anderson needs another game or two but he'll be fine).
Pietersen follwed his fifty with 35 off 22 balls, so that's encouraging.
On the downside, the Aussies have actually won a game, albeit a dead rubber against Sri Lanka.
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Good stuff, but Cook does need to get some runs.
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Swann and Broad amongst the wickets (looks like Anderson needs another game or two but he'll be fine).
Pietersen follwed his fifty with 35 off 22 balls, so that's encouraging.
On the downside, the Aussies have actually won a game, albeit a dead rubber against Sri Lanka.
And Oz were seriously battered in the first two ODIs.
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Finn bowled a magnificent spell by all acounts. Good good.
I had concerns about how effective Jimmy will be in Aussie conditions and I'm affarid I still have them.
I'd be tempted to let him sit the next one out and see how Tremlett gets on. Jimmy is a bit of a campaigner now and doesn't need the practice. Then I'd let Broad, Colly and Swann sit the last one out and bring Jimmy back in with Panesar and Morgan.
I dont think for one moment Cook will be dropped but if he stuggles for form what's the contigency?
Trott to open and Morgan coming into the middle order?
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That would be my view on how we would set up the batting should Cook fail Maz.
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I wouldn't go with Trott at the top or Morgan in the team just yet. Everything will be about the 1st test and if Trott fails, and we get quickly down to the middle-order I wouldn't want Morgan there as he hasn't shown anything that suggests he is a test batsman yet. I think it shows, though, that by sticking with Cook as the best option shows our dearth of batting talent.
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i have it on good authority that the England set up are 'quitely confident'.
I'm going £20 on 2-1 England and £20 on 1-1.
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England unchanged for the 2nd tour match against South Australia.
Looks like that's the Test team then.
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Oh yes, you'd think so. They have to give the other players a run out at some point though surely? So I'd expect a couple of changes for the third warm up match.
And I would never suggest they'd drop Cook before the first Test. Maybe not even for the second or third but at some point, if his form didn't pick up (and I'm sure it will) what was the contingency etc...
The first XI is pretty much set in stone right now.
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The batting does worry me as the cupboard is bare. I would venture that Cook and Collingwood are there by default, and for all his good work over the past couple of summers trott is only a poor run from being dropped as i am unsure whther he is good enough to play against the top bowling attacks. poor last winter - after a promising start - and this winter will make or break not only his international career and its longevity, but will make or break ENgland's current batting ability.
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Andy Flower has said that the 1st choice bowling attack will not play v Australia A, they are expecting the pitch to be flat and conditions hot, the Test bowlers will be sent onto Brisbane to get used to conditions there. Looks like Tremlett, Monty and Bresnan will play in the last warm up game. Bad news that Carberry cant join the performance squad also
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The batting does worry me as the cupboard is bare. I would venture that Cook and Collingwood are there by default, and for all his good work over the past couple of summers trott is only a poor run from being dropped as i am unsure whther he is good enough to play against the top bowling attacks. poor last winter - after a promising start - and this winter will make or break not only his international career and its longevity, but will make or break ENgland's current batting ability.
Any player is only a poor run away from being dropped.
I think that Trott has the mental strength and technique to deal with the Aussies. It's Cook that concerns me. He's been woefully out of touch for some time now. If they dispense with him then Trott moves up to open and Morgan slots in. I think that Morgan has the sort of unorthodox technique that could prove useful.
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The batting does worry me as the cupboard is bare. I would venture that Cook and Collingwood are there by default, and for all his good work over the past couple of summers trott is only a poor run from being dropped as i am unsure whther he is good enough to play against the top bowling attacks. poor last winter - after a promising start - and this winter will make or break not only his international career and its longevity, but will make or break ENgland's current batting ability.
Any player is only a poor run away from being dropped.
I think that Trott has the mental strength and technique to deal with the Aussies. It's Cook that concerns me. He's been woefully out of touch for some time now. If they dispense with him then Trott moves up to open and Morgan slots in. I think that Morgan has the sort of unorthodox technique that could prove useful.
I would go the opposite way. I would tell Cook he's in for the series. If he fails this time i'd drop him next summer, this way his replacement would have a chance. England have to often chopped & changed & panicked in Australia, this time let's take a deep breath & go with what we've got, review performances at the end & make changes accordingly.
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Playing nicely in the game v SA then. Strauss is filling his boots, hitting 3 sixes already for his 50, Cook is still there playing a bit more fluently than of late. It was also good to see the bowlers do well, and all of them picking up wickets (albeit under cloudy skies). I'm getting very excited now - I may even order some HD on my skys ports channel.
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The batting does worry me as the cupboard is bare. I would venture that Cook and Collingwood are there by default, and for all his good work over the past couple of summers trott is only a poor run from being dropped as i am unsure whther he is good enough to play against the top bowling attacks. poor last winter - after a promising start - and this winter will make or break not only his international career and its longevity, but will make or break ENgland's current batting ability.
Any player is only a poor run away from being dropped.
I think that Trott has the mental strength and technique to deal with the Aussies. It's Cook that concerns me. He's been woefully out of touch for some time now. If they dispense with him then Trott moves up to open and Morgan slots in. I think that Morgan has the sort of unorthodox technique that could prove useful.
I would go the opposite way. I would tell Cook he's in for the series. If he fails this time i'd drop him next summer, this way his replacement would have a chance. England have to often chopped & changed & panicked in Australia, this time let's take a deep breath & go with what we've got, review performances at the end & make changes accordingly.
A sound philosophy.
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From the Beeb:
Tourism officials are predicting a sharp fall in the number of British cricket fans heading to Australia for this winter's Ashes series.
Numbers are expected to be down by almost half compared to 2006, with fewer than 20,000 supporters now likely to make the long journey from the United Kingdom to watch the battle for the legendary urn.
Cricketing authorities are blaming the runaway Australian dollar and economic uncertainty.
"Unfortunately we're not expecting as many UK visitors this time," says Peter Young from Cricket Australia.
"The huge tidal wave of UK visitors including the Barmy Army that we had four years ago is not going to be repeated.
"The twin impact of the financial crisis and the exchange rate has meant that the pound buys so much less than it did four years ago."
The Ashes will be the biggest sporting event in Australia this year and strong ticket sales have been reported for the first three days at all five test venues, including the much-anticipated blockbuster in Brisbane that starts on 25 November.
So, the grounds will be far from empty but those stay-away England fans will be missed.
The 2006/07 Ashes series and the one-day internationals that followed pumped $320m into the domestic economy, more than both the Formula One Grand Prix and Australian Open Tennis in Melbourne.
On average travelling England fans spent more than $10,000 during their stay, a sizeable chunk doubtless frittered away drowning sorrows during a forgettable tour that saw the tourists thumped 5-0 in the test series.
For Tourism Australia, a government marketing agency, the absence of thousands of big-spending England fans is a disappointment but not a disaster.
"Ashes cricket is always a great time," says said Andrew McEvoy, Tourism Australia's managing director.
"Once every four years we get to host it here, and last time about 30,000 Brits came and watched it all the way through or [in] parts.
"It hasn't sold quite as well this time but we could expect that upwards of 15,000 - 20,000 people will come.
"It is a great time and like a British and Irish Lions rugby tour, the Ashes tour is good news for tourism in Australia."
In early December, the fever will reach Adelaide, the city of churches in sedate South Australia, which is also anticipating healthy financial returns despite muted interest from supporters in the UK.
"Business SA welcomes the economic benefit the Ashes brings to South Australian businesses and the local economy in general," says Business South Australia acting chief executive Brett Mahoney in a statement.
"The flow on effect from both international and interstate tourists can be seen across a range of industries like hospitality, travel and retail."
There will, of course, be enthusiastic swathes of white punctuating every test match in Australia this northern winter, where Andrew Strauss' team will have the near-hysterical support of legions of UK backpackers and expatriates.
But those gaps left by the travelling faithful do highlight broader problems within Australian tourism
Analyst Tony Charters told the BBC that a combination of competition from other countries, complacency, exchange rates, and declining investment had dealt the industry several painful blows in the past decade.
"The tourism industry right through the early 2000s became a bit punch-drunk from the impacts of SARS and avian flu, obviously September 11, and the Bali bombings," he says.
"At that point we thought 'things can't get any worse' but the reality is what the industry is dealing with now is actually worse.
"I wouldn't say crisis but it certainly is extraordinarily challenging for particularly the leisure component of the industry."
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Excellent stuff from England in their second innings. 240 for 1 so far, with both Strauss and Cook getting tons.
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A draw it is then but nice to see Cook in the runs.
We are starting to shape up quite nicely and at least we are actually getting some cricket into us before the big boys stuff starts this time.
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I'm worried because everything is going far too well for England.
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Aye.
It's like pre season when you piss it and then have a 'mare of a campaign.
The second string bowlers in Tassie should be enough to hopefully bring about a morale boosting defeat!
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"love to see Aussies prepare for next Ashes series by playing England A in Stornoway. Come on ECB."
Direct quote from Simon Mann on twitter.
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"love to see Aussies prepare for next Ashes series by playing England A in Stornoway. Come on ECB."
Direct quote from Simon Mann on twitter.
They played England A last year ;)
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Anyone been watching Swanny's Ashes Video Diary on Youtube? Much fun!
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Anyone been watching Swanny's Ashes Video Diary on Youtube? Much fun!
Funny stuff.
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Episode 2
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In the final warm up game, Australia A are 65 for 4 off 22 overs.
England's back-up bowlers are playing so it's a good effort so far. Two wickets for Bresnan and one each for Shahzad and Tremlett. All the fringe Aussie batsmen (Hughes, Khawaja and Ferguson) went cheaply. Be interesting to see how Cameron White gets on. He's on the fringe of their squad too, and being talked up in some quarters as an alternative to Michael Clarke when Ponting finally calls it quits.
ETA - And a catch for Monty! It's just going too well.
ETA - 68 for 5. Cameron White didn't even get started. Bowled by Tremlett for 5.
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Aus A 230-all out
Eng 22-1 Strauss gone for 10, playing at a wide one.
Close
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ITV4 to broadcast free to air ashes highlights I see.
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It's still going worryingly well at the moment isn't it.
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Wonderful century from Bell.
Can anyone remember an ashes tour where the preparation has gone so perfectly. The batsman have all had good time in the middle and look in good nick, the bowlers have all taken wickets and there has been no injuries to speak of.
By now we've usually been hammered by some backwater eleven and have had to fly in the 28th choice seamer as cover.
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Wonderful century from Bell.
Can anyone remember an ashes tour where the preparation has gone so perfectly. The batsman have all had good time in the middle and look in good nick, the bowlers have all taken wickets and there has been no injuries to speak of.
By now we've usually been hammered by some backwater eleven and have had to fly in the 28th choice seamer as cover.
I'm actually struggling to think of a series where that hasn't happened.
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Day 2
Aus A 230-all out
Eng 335-5 Bell 121 not out
Close
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Meanwhile, the majority of the Australian batters are getting bowled out for single figures in their State matches. And it's not the recognised Test bowlers getting most of the wickets either.
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It's still going worryingly well at the moment isn't it.
Well, it will. Until the first test proper starts!
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I watched the England game yesterday and Bell batted beautifully.
I agree it's all going far too well. Not only are the Aussie batsmen struggling the bowlers are not getting decent spells cause the sides are getting bowled out so cheaply. Bollinger needs some overs under his belt but only got 10 overs in the NSW innings.
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We seem to be going about things in a quiet, unassuming way. There's no swagger and they seem to have their feet firmly on the ground.
I don't want to get carried away but we do seem to be nicely set up for this series. The pre-tests prep has gone well and most of the players are strong enough to deal with Aussie hype.
I've got a feeling that Ian Bell will have a huge part to play in this series and he is in the form of his life.
As an aside (and I'm watching the game against Crims "A" live on Sky as I type) how nice is it to hear Richie Benaud commentating again? He's as much the sound of cricket to me as Johnners on TMS.
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Lads. We are 9/4 to win in Brizzy from 23/10. GET ON IT. I've never seen a more 1 sided ashes warmup, and I've never seen a better attack on the England side (2005 excepted).
We WILL win this series. And we WILL win the first test. The bookies are placing far too much importance on history. Make em pay.
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Another fine day for us. Roll on next Wednesday.
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Episode 3
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The sprinkler! Marvellous.
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The more I think about these Ashes the better chance I think we've got of winning them. Getting nervous now. Not too many days to go!
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What is going on with Chris Tremlett?
Have they been keeping him in a cage, feeding him nothing but red meat.
Always looked like a so-so bowler to me.
Decent height, would put the balls in the right area but little else.
Only against Australia A granted, but he's bowling with real menace and aggression.
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Cameron White has just hit a century for A.
Talking to a few Crims fans out here and they are all worried about how well our preparations have been compared to theirs. Some of them are even suggesting that they should drop some of the older, more out of touch players (including Ponting they say) and start building towards the future. Basically writing off this Ashes and getting a side together to win it back on our patch in 2013.
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I was hearing similar tales of woe when lived out there between 2004-06.
The series in 2006 was all set up for England apparently, a fast track with bounce at Brisbane (tailor made for Harmison and Flintoff) an ageing Australian side versus an up and coming England side and only one side (England) who apparently had the bowlers to take 20 wickets.
We all know how that one turned out.
They'll be ready and firing, don't worry.
Hometown conditions, the Kookaburra ball and a good (though not great side) with a very impressive home record.
I look at that bowling attack and of the designated bowlers Johnson, Hilfenhaus and a fired up Bollinger would be enough to deal with. Throw into the equation Shane Watson who was considered an allrounder a few years ago and is capable of bowling long spells and they're well stocked in that dept. Haven't seen too much of Doherty but he's a left armer and KP has been having 'mares with even bog standard spinners for a while now.
The Aussies looked good for long periods against India in India, pushed them all the way and with a bit of nous would have got over the line. They're still a very good side. England have improved a lot and consistency of selection means this is probably the most settled side to tour Australia for a while. They are still capable of some very average cricket though, you always get the feeling that some horror spell or session is just around the corner. As per Headingley 2009 and the West Indies a few months previous. They also struggled at times against Pakistan last summer.
Reason tells you that you shouldn't look to far into the future and try to call it, there are so many variables in cricket be they conditions on the day, injuries, form and whatnot.
So I'm going to run at complete odds with that and say a lot depends on the first test, in fact I think the whole series pretty much hangs on it. If Australia win -and win well- the momentum and support they'll get behind them will banish any concerns that the current lot aren't up to it. If England win -or even draw- it suddenly gives credence to all these doubts about the Aussie set up. The toss will be so crucial in that regard. If England can win it and post a total in excess of 400 (ideally closer to 500) the Aussies will know they are in the game and will do well to match that.
Thing is they probably can. If the roles are reversed and Australia are first up, I'm not sure England could match that kind of total. Scoreboard pressure and all that.
Also, even if everything was to go absolutely to plan for England and they won the first test I'd still back Australia to have enough in the tank to pull it back and win over the next four. If England lose first up, I don't see them pulling it back in the remaining tests -maybe winning a consolation one in Melbourne or Sydney.
Even drawing in Brisbane would be a big positive, as it would give this England side the certainty that things are already different on this tour and there won't be any whitewash. For the Aussies, a suspicious and increasingly critical media would put the boot in further. Again the key to that is to get a big total first up and I can only see that happening if England bat first.
So Australia can probably afford a defeat first up (hard as that will be to take for them). England really can't. And even if they were to win, whilst that might increase their chances I still back the Aussies to claw it back in the latter tests.
I called it as 3-1 Australia a while back and haven't seen too much reason to veer from that. Providing it's a hard fought series and hopefully goes beyond the third game that alone will be a vast improvement on 2006.
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I just don't think the toss will be as crucial as in previous years, infact it might even be a good one to lose.
Plenty of rain up here of late, forecast for another week of Sunshine and showers, it'll be around 27c with a bit of cloud cover. It'll swing alright and with all this moisture you'd expect to see some movement off the deck.
If Ponting wins the toss he'll bat, no doubt. If Strauss wins the toss it's not so clear cut what he'll do. He might fancy sticking them in if those are the conditions and back the boys to do a job on them and really send them a message. Their top order is under alot of pressure.
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Australia for the series is above evens. Like finding money in the street.
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I honestly think England will win this series. The Ausies are so out of form that they are there for the taking. England are improving match by match. We have a settled squad, while they seem to be panicking in who to pick in their squad. Nailed on 3-1 to us Poms. Fuck em. This is due and we are good enough. ;D 8)
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2-2 and we come back with Ernie Wise.
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2-2 and we come back with Ernie Wise.
I would take that, but i still think we will win.
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Where do we stand on Tremlett?
I'd say there are a few question marks over the effectiveness of the likes of Anderson and possibly Broad in Aussie conditions. A bowler like Finn should do well but he's still quite raw too.
I'm pretty certain they'll go with the four bowlers they sent up to Brisbane in advance, there was little point in the whole exercise otherwise.
But I'd be tempted to go with Tremlett.
OK he might only have done the business versus Australia A but the accuracy and rhythm seemed to be there and that's crucial against any opposition.
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I think it depends what happens in the first Test, but I think Tremlett is a good option.
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If there is one track that should be ideal for a bowler like Tremlett it will be Brisbane though.
Or Brisbane and WA.
I like Finn, but has he done enough to be a guaranteed starter?
The concern would be that if Jimmy can't swing it and Broad has one of his ineffective periods you're suddenly relying on a young, inexperienced bowler who still has issues with his technique to produce the goods.
If for whatever reason Tremlett plays and doesn't get wickets he seems to have enough control to not let the opposition build up too much momentum.
I'd have concerns about Broad too, but he does seem to have the priceless ability to nail the oppositions top batsmen or pick up a wicket at a key time so if anyone was to make way it would be Finn.
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If there is one track that should be ideal for a bowler like Tremlett it will be Brisbane though.
Or Brisbane and WA.
I like Finn, but has he done enough to be a guaranteed starter?
The concern would be that if Jimmy can't swing it and Broad has one of his ineffective periods you're suddenly relying on a young, inexperienced bowler who still has issues with his technique to produce the goods.
If for whatever reason Tremlett plays and doesn't get wickets he seems to have enough control to not let the opposition build up too much momentum.
I'd have concerns about Broad too, but he does seem to have the priceless ability to nail the oppositions top batsmen or pick up a wicket at a key time so if anyone was to make way it would be Finn.
Dont worry about Broad. He might get caned now and again but the fucker has a lovely habit of bowling good batsmen out.The weather forecast is cloudy so that puts Anderson in the picture. Tremlett and Bressnan will enter the equation when we have injuries or lack of form. Miles better back up bowlers than the convicts. Its all gravy mam.
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Australia for the series is above evens. Like finding money in the street.
Not really, considering we are the better team. Australia have a slight advantage in conditions, but all of our batsmen and bowlers have shown good form. Our pace attack has even got the ball to swing, something we were told wouldn't happen with the kookaburra. Swann is by a mile the best spin bowler in the world. We have a very impressive air of confidence about us and for the first ashes tour in living memory, we don't have countless injuries to key players.
On the other hand Australia's batsmen look badly out of touch, they've lost their last 3 test matches and something like 7 out of 8 in all forms of the game. Whilst Ponting is one of the finest batsmen of all time he is a poor captain at best. They picked 17 players in the original squad, showing they are confused and concerned. They have a debutant spinner who takes his first class wickets at an average of 48. Their media has panned them and the pressure on Australia is HUGE.
It's only my ridiculous English pessimism that says we won't win it tidily.
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I was hearing similar tales of woe when lived out there between 2004-06.
The series in 2006 was all set up for England apparently, a fast track with bounce at Brisbane (tailor made for Harmison and Flintoff) an ageing Australian side versus an up and coming England side and only one side (England) who apparently had the bowlers to take 20 wickets.
We all know how that one turned out.
They'll be ready and firing, don't worry.
Hometown conditions, the Kookaburra ball and a good (though not great side) with a very impressive home record.
I look at that bowling attack and of the designated bowlers Johnson, Hilfenhaus and a fired up Bollinger would be enough to deal with. Throw into the equation Shane Watson who was considered an allrounder a few years ago and is capable of bowling long spells and they're well stocked in that dept. Haven't seen too much of Doherty but he's a left armer and KP has been having 'mares with even bog standard spinners for a while now.
The Aussies looked good for long periods against India in India, pushed them all the way and with a bit of nous would have got over the line. They're still a very good side. England have improved a lot and consistency of selection means this is probably the most settled side to tour Australia for a while. They are still capable of some very average cricket though, you always get the feeling that some horror spell or session is just around the corner. As per Headingley 2009 and the West Indies a few months previous. They also struggled at times against Pakistan last summer.
Reason tells you that you shouldn't look to far into the future and try to call it, there are so many variables in cricket be they conditions on the day, injuries, form and whatnot.
So I'm going to run at complete odds with that and say a lot depends on the first test, in fact I think the whole series pretty much hangs on it. If Australia win -and win well- the momentum and support they'll get behind them will banish any concerns that the current lot aren't up to it. If England win -or even draw- it suddenly gives credence to all these doubts about the Aussie set up. The toss will be so crucial in that regard. If England can win it and post a total in excess of 400 (ideally closer to 500) the Aussies will know they are in the game and will do well to match that.
Thing is they probably can. If the roles are reversed and Australia are first up, I'm not sure England could match that kind of total. Scoreboard pressure and all that.
Also, even if everything was to go absolutely to plan for England and they won the first test I'd still back Australia to have enough in the tank to pull it back and win over the next four. If England lose first up, I don't see them pulling it back in the remaining tests -maybe winning a consolation one in Melbourne or Sydney.
Even drawing in Brisbane would be a big positive, as it would give this England side the certainty that things are already different on this tour and there won't be any whitewash. For the Aussies, a suspicious and increasingly critical media would put the boot in further. Again the key to that is to get a big total first up and I can only see that happening if England bat first.
So Australia can probably afford a defeat first up (hard as that will be to take for them). England really can't. And even if they were to win, whilst that might increase their chances I still back the Aussies to claw it back in the latter tests.
I called it as 3-1 Australia a while back and haven't seen too much reason to veer from that. Providing it's a hard fought series and hopefully goes beyond the third game that alone will be a vast improvement on 2006.
I think they are currently a decent side at best. They did lose two nil to an Indian side who has since drawn two tests against a very poor New Zealand.
Australia's batting is strong if it clicks. Ponting is always a worry. Not sure about Watson and Clarke really struggles against good short stuff. North is okay but can be got at (Swann could make mincemeat of him). Hussey is either awful or brilliant. Haddin is coming back from an injury.
Australia quite simply do not have a test quality spinner. Doherty takes his first class wickets at 48 and has only been picked because of KP's recent struggles against that type of bowler. He is definitely due some big runs though and i'd be suprised if KP doesn't have a great series.
Mitchell Johnson has really gone off the boil since his wonder year in 08. He is undoubtably very talented, but has shown little reason of late to suggest he can get back to his best.
Bollinger and Hilfenhaus are good solid bowlers but not spectacular.
Pontings captaincy leaves a lot to be desired for me. Had a good record whilst the likes of Warne, Mcgrath, Gilchrist, Hayden and Langer were around but then so would any captain. (He also lost an ashes series with those players).
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Australia just added Khawaja to squad as cover for injury doubt Michael Clarke. Khawaja didn't look too good against Englands back up bowlers.
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Of course we'll win - Freddie Flintoff says so!
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There was a pre Ashes programme on Sky last night and Ponting looks as concerned an Aussie captain as i have ever seen prior to a series.
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There was a pre Ashes programme on Sky last night and Ponting looks as concerned an Aussie captain as i have ever seen prior to a series.
Good. The arrogant jug eared little shit.
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So come on then, how's everyone proposing to stay awake and not fall asleep at work?
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So come on then, how's everyone proposing to stay awake and not fall asleep at work?
I'm on nights, so a small radio & TMS & i'll be well away. Off shift I intend to stay on my night shift pattern, with the added difference of beer & curry at 3 in the morning.
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We having a match thread tomorrow?
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I'm getting pretty excited about it now, although the first sustained about of action I'll be able to see is the third day which is annoying.
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We having a match thread tomorrow?
Shall we start one?, or keep it here?
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I'm getting pretty excited about it now, although the first sustained about of action I'll be able to see is the third day which is annoying.
We'd have won by then
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Just heading to Brisbane now.
That is all!
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Just heading to Brisbane now.
That is all!
Bastard!
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Woke up strangely early this morning, I think my body's telling me I need to get a few hours sleep after work this evening so I can catch a few hours of the cricket. I'll probably watch it til about 4-5am then go back to bed for a few hours (with the radio on).
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Teams have been announced, no surprises. I've got a feeling Finn could be the major player for us.
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There was a pre Ashes programme on Sky last night and Ponting looks as concerned an Aussie captain as i have ever seen prior to a series.
Good. The arrogant jug eared little shit.
I just don't understand why people (English people especially) dislike him so - he's an Australian captain who's won nearly everything in his time, is the second highest test run scorer ever, and has the most wins as captain of any test team. He's a phenomenal player and a good captain, by and large. I listen to him speak and don't hear arrogance at all. He's got to be respected. He, and his type, have contributed to what has made the modern Ashes a test series that is definitely worth caring about, because if the opposition is not much cop, what's the fuss about?
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Just heading to Brisbane now.
That is all!
Bastard!
You lucky what he said...
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There was a pre Ashes programme on Sky last night and Ponting looks as concerned an Aussie captain as i have ever seen prior to a series.
Good. The arrogant jug eared little shit.
I just don't understand why people (English people especially) dislike him so - he's an Australian captain who's won nearly everything in his time, is the second highest test run scorer ever, and has the most wins as captain of any test team. He's a phenomenal player and a good captain, by and large. I listen to him speak and don't hear arrogance at all. He's got to be respected. He, and his type, have contributed to what has made the modern Ashes a test series that is definitely worth caring about, because if the opposition is not much cop, what's the fuss about?
I lost a lot of respect for him when he was run out by Gary Pratt and when he was leaving the pitch he hurled abuse/pointed his bat at the English players/staff that were sitting on the balcony. That was not the way to react and if he had a problem he should have taken it through the proper channels
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I just don't understand why people (English people especially) dislike him so - he's an Australian captain
I think you answered your own question there.
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There was a pre Ashes programme on Sky last night and Ponting looks as concerned an Aussie captain as i have ever seen prior to a series.
Good. The arrogant jug eared little shit.
I just don't understand why people (English people especially) dislike him so - he's an Australian captain who's won nearly everything in his time, is the second highest test run scorer ever, and has the most wins as captain of any test team. He's a phenomenal player and a good captain, by and large. I listen to him speak and don't hear arrogance at all. He's got to be respected. He, and his type, have contributed to what has made the modern Ashes a test series that is definitely worth caring about, because if the opposition is not much cop, what's the fuss about?
He's just very, very easy to dislike. Possibly stems from the time when the Aussies were close to untouchable as he was part of the old guard. But then Warne and Gilchrist were big players for them yet always came across as good guys.
He comes across as a petty little bastard, be that the Gary Pratt run out or badgering the umpire prior at the start of the third day at Edgbaston in 09.
It's one of the great joys in sport to see his world collapse and the pain etched on his little face. More please.
Great batsman though, one of the alltime best.
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Ponting?
Fantastic player, great captain, hope the bastard averages 3.05.
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Good morning from Brisbane people.
It's just gone 7.30am and it's quite cloudy but warm. Forecast here is for it to stay mostly cloudy for the next 5 days and very very little chance of rain.
We did have a bit of a shower yesterday afternoon for about half hour, but nothing major. Should be a good days play and I'm sticking with this being a very good toss to lose (I'd bowl first and I don't think Strauss has the balls to put the Aussies in and Ponting always bats first) and it will be over by Sunday lunch with an England win.
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Ponting?
Fantastic player, great captain, hope the bastard averages 3.05.
i'd settle for that,
he's probably the only truly world class player out of either side.
history will treat him well. but i hope the next few weeks will be uncomfortable viewing for him when looks back at it in his retirement
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Good morning from Brisbane people.
It's just gone 7.30am and it's quite cloudy but warm. Forecast here is for it to stay mostly cloudy for the next 5 days and very very little chance of rain.
We did have a bit of a shower yesterday afternoon for about half hour, but nothing major. Should be a good days play and I'm sticking with this being a very good toss to lose (I'd bowl first and I don't think Strauss has the balls to put the Aussies in and Ponting always bats first) and it will be over by Sunday lunch with an England win.
jammy fecker wish i was there
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Have a great time VS, I'm green with envy.
Foaming at the mouth here waiting for it to start.
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I've been up since about 5am, and am nursing a hangover from hell from the Barmy Army piss up last night.
I'll be wearing the Warwickshire One Day shirt (Dark Blue with Yellow Sleeves for the uneducated) so if you see that in the crowd chances are it's me!
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I've got a cracking HD stream on t'internet, so I will be watching as much as possible.
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Where is the stream from USAV? Thanks.
Very excited and nervous now. The US is the best place to watch this for time difference.
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Try this: http://www.vip---tv.com/
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Try this: http://www.vip---tv.com/
That is a top feed.
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Strauss out.
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FFS!
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Bloody third ball. Pillock.
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Nice one, Strauss.
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Fucking hell! Catching practice!
Oh fuck, this is going to be a long, long few weeks!
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Wasn't even a good ball.
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Bollox
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4-1
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1-8... we're cruisin' now.
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Terrible start, but if we can get through the first session without loosing another, I fancy us to win this test.
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The worst thing is over the next few weeks everytime I wake up during the night I know I ll just pop the tv on for a score update. So not a lot of sleep coming up !!
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Bloody hell, that was close.
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Horrifying. You just KNEW this was going to happen.
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I thought that was out with that virtual eye.. It made a ball on stumps noise I m sure!
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Horrifying. You just KNEW this was going to happen.
Sadly yes. Despite it being a supposed batting pitch I d have bowled first. If we they made a big score it would be expected anyway and by batting we have put ourselves under pressure. A good start is vital in this series IMHO
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Oh I'd still have batted first, the pitch has flattened out a bit, and if you put Ponting in first under that much pressure you know damn sure he's going to get a hell of a score. If you bowl the wrong length on this pitch at the moment you will get punished. Plus, if we bowl on the first day then we have to use Swann earlier in the game than we would like, particularly as Johnson's left-arming will create rough for him outside the right-hander's off-stump, and with just the three seamers otherwise it would be a very trying day for us. No, I agree with Strauss's decision to bat. I just don't agree with his decision to play at that ball like that so early in the game!
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1-8... we're cruisin' now.
1-8? 1-8?!? What kind of flamin' galaah talk is that?! It's runs and then wickets, dear boy!
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28-1 but at times Trott makes me look world class!
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36-1. Trott has got 25 of them. As you do, Cooky, as you do.
Edit: Trott out bowled. For god's sake.
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Trott's off stump has gone - and so has he, back to the pavilion.
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Get 350 1st innings and it's game on.
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Spinner on for Pietersen, but fuck him, bash him out the ground Kev.
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Spinner on for Pietersen, but fuck him, bash him out the ground Kev.
Pietersen always thinks that against the left-armers and gets out stupidly. His record against them is very poor.
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Spinner on for Pietersen, but fuck him, bash him out the ground Kev.
Pietersen always thinks that against the left-armers and gets out stupidly. His record against them is very poor.
I know that, you know that, Pietersen knows that, but today he'll twat the newcomer out of the ground, trust me.
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Well with catching like that, why not? Cook gets a life.
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Honours even at lunch?
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I'd say so. Cook especially has responded to the early trauma of losing Strauss with calm and resilience. Shame to lose Trott in the manner that we did, but Pietersen seems (touch wood!) to be playing himself into the innings rather than going for too much too soon. About as difficult to call as we thought it would be.
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86-2 in the balance, looks better than 0-1.
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Balls, Pietersen. Balls.
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And Collo as well, balls. It's all up to Ian "Mental Strength" Bell now.
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Ponting telling how the umpire to do his job again.
Concentrate on your shit field placings and your bowlers who can't seem to bowl straight this session.
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Only about 250 runs short.
English batsmen: Once again making dreams come true. For Australians.
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Strange first night, in hindsight probably just a tad too much wine before settling down on the settee, so it was more of a wake up every half hour to see the score rather than a proper nights cricket!
Saw every bloody second of Siddle's hat-trick though, of course I bloody did.
Need at least one wicket before close, this isn't over yet.
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Full and straight Broady, full and straight.
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Letting a donkey bowler like Siddle get away with a hat trick on the first days of an Ashes series does not bode well.
Good job Bear's man was there to add some respectablility to the score.
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Well that was depressingly predictable.
Australia's game to lose from this point onwards.
Only realistic hope is that as this isn't the Australian side of old and if an opportunity presents itself in the next few tests England take it.
260 all out on the first day, on a flat wicket not doing much is a poor effort.
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Australia will win the series, the England side have been hyped up beyond belief and the Aussies will be keen to make amends.
Pietersen shouldn't even be there, the arrogant ******.
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Overall, that wasn't great.
To be fair, Siddle bowled probably the best spell he'll ever bowl in his career. He was excellent and England were well and truly bowled out today. Strauss played a loose shot as did Prior while Swann just played across a straight one - Bell and Anderson's dismissal was just slogging.
I thought the others were got out with really good bowling.
On the plus side (and there are a few) 260 may not be great but also it's not a disaster. Cook, Trott, KP and Bell all looked in great touch. Bell would deff have got a Ton today had we not collapsed around him. Also Johnson bowled like a drain - just a shame we didn't really make him pay.
Obviously we were on the back foot from the first over, but we fought back and had a couple of chances, notably Cook and KP partnership and Cook and Bell's partnership to take it away from Australia. But every time we got into a healthy position we'd get pegged back before Siddle broke the game open. Prior's shot was ordinary but Cook and Broad both got good balls.
Channel Nine went to the Antiques Roadshow after we were bowled out so I had to go for a walk listening on the radio - unbelievable - amateurs. Didn't see anything of our bowling however they sounded fairly comfortable to bat out time.
We need to really did deep 2mo, bowl and field well or we could be in big trouble as opposed to slight trouble. Must, must, must bowl the right length - nothing short other than the odd surprise effort ball. The right length and batsman looked uncomfortable all day today.
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I thought the others were got out with really good bowling.
And really poor shot selection - loose drives at full balls moving off the seam is insane at the Gabba, and most other grounds for that. You're just giving your wicket away.
Thought Pietersen played well before that, Cook did ok, Bell was brilliant, and with a bit more support he would have gone on to a big century, easilyu - I can easily see him ending the series as our highest run scorer.
How laboured did our bowling look at the end of the day though? I fear for the match now.
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Well Trott, KP, Collingwood, Cook, Broad all got done by good bowling. It's not like they were going hard at the ball outside off stump. Struggling to think of another shot they should have been playing.
Pitch it up and get some movement, either towards or away from the bat, and on this pitch it'll get wickets. It's what England need to do tomorrow to stay in the match.
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(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs1195.snc4/154703_10150099872289369_723789368_7357314_579583_n.jpg)
View from my seat up on the top tier.
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New South Wales got bowled out for 260 at The Gabba a couple of weeks back and won the game by an innings.
This ain't over yet.
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I must say that was a strange first day.
I honestly don't know what to make of it to be honest, as in if it is as bad as it sounds. At start of play I'd have said we should've bowled first, but I can't say I've seen too much in it that would suggest that our bowlers would get much joy.
Take the Siddle hat-trick out and I think their bowlers didn't offer that much to be honest. Johnson is shit and Doherty I'm not too sure about to be honest. Only Watson I thought was possibly a danger for them.
Bell was superb, as was Cook. I'm still trying to work out what the fuck Prior was thinking with his shot though and the same goes for Strauss too.
I'm a bit concerned though that we had 7 overs to bowl at them but didn't look like taking a wicket, not to mention losing 25 runs off them. It's going to be a key morning tomorrow (something I think we'll say a lot during this series), if we can get 2/3 wickets and keep them below 100 by lunch then we are right back in it. If, however, they run a bit of a score up I think we can kiss goodbye to this match and possibly even the series.
About 36000 fans in the Gabba today, and I was sat next to a fucking Bluenose!
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I must say that was a strange first day.
I honestly don't know what to make of it to be honest, as in if it is as bad as it sounds. At start of play I'd have said we should've bowled first, but I can't say I've seen too much in it that would suggest that our bowlers would get much joy.
Take the Siddle hat-trick out and I think their bowlers didn't offer that much to be honest. Johnson is shit and Doherty I'm not too sure about to be honest. Only Watson I thought was possibly a danger for them.
Bell was superb, as was Cook. I'm still trying to work out what the fuck Prior was thinking with his shot though and the same goes for Strauss too.
I'm a bit concerned though that we had 7 overs to bowl at them but didn't look like taking a wicket, not to mention losing 25 runs off them. It's going to be a key morning tomorrow (something I think we'll say a lot during this series), if we can get 2/3 wickets and keep them below 100 by lunch then we are right back in it. If, however, they run a bit of a score up I think we can kiss goodbye to this match and possibly even the series.
About 36000 fans in the Gabba today, and I was sat next to a fucking Bluenose!
We did look out for you on TV, but you really should wear a Villa shirt - it's be much easier to spot.
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Hmmm well I was woken up by hearing Siddle got a hat trick, so I thought the score would be lower. 260 isn't great, but it could have been worse. We just need to come out all guns blazing today and bat properly in the second innings.
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Christ this thread has just reminded me i was watching the game for a while last night when i came back from the pub. Must have fallen asleep soon after. Australia to win, I don't know much about cricket but I don't think we've won on their patch for a while have we?
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Haven't won a series there since 1986.
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There's still everything to play for in this test. Our bowlers have won plenty of games for us recently and while 260 isn't a great score it's not a complete disaster either.
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(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs1195.snc4/154703_10150099872289369_723789368_7357314_579583_n.jpg)
View from my seat up on the top tier.
you could have mentioned you were going for the Ashes?
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Never judge a pitch until both teams have batted...
He says, clutching at cricketing cliche for comfort.
The other one, unfortunately, is that a first day can set the tone for a while series.
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Hmmm well I was woken up by hearing Siddle got a hat trick, so I thought the score would be lower. 260 isn't great, but it could have been worse. We just need to come out all guns blazing today and bat properly in the second innings.
a bit the same for me,
looked at my mobile phone in bed and the headline was 'Siddle destroys England' when i eventualy found out we got 260 i was mildly happy, even though its still low, i thought it was gona be 125 or something like that
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I dozed off at about half past one and then dreamt we were 66 all out. Was actually quite relieved when I woke up at 6 and saw the scorecard.
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Letting a donkey bowler like Siddle get away with a hat trick on the first days of an Ashes series does not bode well.
I know we're the Poms and they're the Crims and we're really 'sposed to dislike each other but this was a potential Ashes winning moment.....the first day in an Ashes series, home or away, requires someone to stand up and be the man.
Siddle did and is.
Justin Langer on T.M.S. said how much Ponting and Mr Cricket thought about Siddle, it was no surprise to him that he got the nod ahead of Bollinger. He also pointed out that there are many, many hatrick opportunities in cricket, yet very few get converted due to pressure. Only those who can handle that get the third wicket. To get the ball right on the money for the third time is immense.
So give Siddle his due...it was a magnificent 3 balls and he cannot really be refered to as a donkey.
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The thing that they always say they really like about Siddle is that he'll run in with just as much energy at the end of the day as he will at the start. Yesterday proved that well.
England were looking comfortable at 197-4, two batsmen well set. Aus bowling wide outside off stump as their only way of building some pressure (very negative imo).
Siddle then gets trown the ball in the middle of the Evening session and the bloke whose been bowling at 135-138 kph suddenly bowls at 142 kph and then a 145kph inswinging yorker to get rid of Broad - turned the whole game.
These two teams are very evenly matched so it'll take someone on either side to stand up and do what Siddle did here (similar to Broad at The Oval) to win Test Matches.
Over to the English bolwers - weather today is slightly more overcast, 27c, dry but a bit blustery (although we live on the Coast so it might not be as bad in Brissie).
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Fair comments Andy but I can not accept that Siddle is a world ranked fast bowler because he is not. There was poor batting and yes you are right this incident like Warne's ball to Gatting will ,unfortunatley ,colour the series from now on. Yes only those who can handle the pressure survive and there was Braod getting caught like a rabbit in headlights to a straight full length ...not good enough.
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To be fair to Broad, an inswinging yorker at 145 kph, on a hat trick ball in your First Test in Australia is about as tough as it gets for a lower order batman.
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To be fair to Broad, an inswinging yorker at 145 kph, on a hat trick ball in your First Test in Australia is about as tough as it gets for a lower order batman.
Or a birthday boy!
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I didn't watch it live. I get up for work at five. At 5.15 after my shower i turned the tv on to see us looking not to bad at about 180 for 4. Cook and Bell were fairly well set and looking patient and comfortable. I watched about 15 minutes of Bell and Cook shouldering arms to off side balls and then left for work at 5.30.
It takes me about 15/20 mins to get to work and i was listening to T.M.S.
Fuck me but by 5.50 am Siddle had ruined my day!
When Cook went i'm shouting at the radio..."Don't let it be get one get two" Then after Prior had gone, i was going potty shouting "don't you fucking dare let it be get 1 get 3"
I think we'll lose about half way through the fourth day, maybe before the end of the third. Happy to be proved wrong.
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And a quick word about the umpire Alim Dar. Four times he had his decisions referred and four times he was vindicated.
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Aleem Dar and Taufel are comfortably the best umpires around.
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And as if on cue, the skies are clearing and the Sun is coming out.
Looks like a decent batting day to me.
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I liked Siddle's honesty when asked after the day's play about his 'perfect' hat-trick ball to Broad.
He said that he was intending to bowl one to hit the top of off but that with the crowd roaring and the situation, ''it just came out wrong''.
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(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs1195.snc4/154703_10150099872289369_723789368_7357314_579583_n.jpg)
View from my seat up on the top tier.
One strange thing about yesterday was the crowd, they kept saying on TV about the full house/all tickets sold but the pictures told a different story.
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this is quite a good stream (http://www.everythingon.tv/channel/view/sky-sports-1-1)
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We're trolling the convicts now... 143-5. A few more wickets quickly from England bowlers plz.
EDIT: I just heard 'Holte Army' being sung. nice.
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come on lads, one more before tea.
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Firmly in the balance now. New ball to come first thing and seamers well rested. Can't believe they went off though.
Batting last and having to chase anything over 200 could be very difficult.
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Aussies are in the driving seat, Swann playing well below par.
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for me it's a pretty even game at the moment and the only defining thing that seperates the two teams was that hat-trick.
Come on England.
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for me it's a pretty even game at the moment and the only defining thing that seperates the two teams was that hat-trick.
Come on England.
Yep, an early start tomorrow with the new ball gives us a good chance to knock them over quickly.
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I dozed off at about half past one and then dreamt we were 66 all out. Was actually quite relieved when I woke up at 6 and saw the scorecard.
I had two very vivid dreams last night, one where the Aussies had been bowled out for 185 and another where they were 289-2!
We've got months of this to go yet as well, I'll be a wreck.
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Anyway, it's game on I reckon. Swanny won't bowl that badly for the rest of the series, bit of low cloud tomorrow morning and we could get them out for 275 or less.
Mind you, some more bad light would be fine too, if the Aussies can only draw this game after they were all over us on day one and it could demoralise them.
It's all 'coulds' and 'shoulds' isn't it? How it should be I suppose.
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Well overall we did well today - another wicket and we'd have done very well.
That partnership is starting to hurt us and we must break it soon in the morning but they'll be some cloud cover then and our bowlers will be fresh so I'm not that fussed that it finished early today as they looked on a roll. We just can't bowl anything short to Hussey - he murdered us every time they dropped short.
Really liked the look of our bowling though. Apart from our bowling to Hussey early doors, we generally got the lengths spot on today - get it up there and move it a little. Finn bowled a great spell to Clarke - made him look like a novice really he played and missed so much. Anderson answered those he say he's cannon fodder if it doesn't swing. Swann bolwed better once he'd worked out the length.
Swann's first 4 overs were 4-0-34-0 - Hussey put him back over his head for six in his 1st over and after then he dropped short. His second spell was 16-3-25-1 and he'd worked it out. Broad bowled some great short stuff too - effort balls that shortened up Watson and later Clarke.
Get an early breakthrough 2mo and we can run through these - it's really hard Cricket though but great to watch. After today, regardless of this result, I feel we'll grow into this series as a unit while they'll have some question marks over Johnson's bowling, North and if he continues to bat like he did today, Clarke.
We might go on to lose this Test Match but not many teams oput up a fight at the Gabba - they've not lost here for 20 years. We made a few realise today that we have the measure of a few of their blokes.
Massive first hour 2mo though.
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Swann's first 4 overs were 4-0-34-0 - Hussey put him back over his head for six in his 1st over and after then he dropped short. His second spell was 16-3-25-1 and he'd worked it out.
Ah! Was dozing most of the night and didn't work out his second spell or see much of it. Good, I knew he couldn't have kept bowling as badly as he was at first, he's far too good for that.
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What an excellent middle session that was from England, just what we needed after what was a mediocre morning.
We need to get rid of Hussey though early doors as well as either Haddin or Johnson (who can be dangerous with the bat). From there I'd fancy us to skittle out the rest. If we can keep them below 310 and get them out before lunch I'd fancy our chances.
I called Cheltenhamlion at 9.15am (our time) and it was very cloudy and perfect conditions to bowl in, as the law of fuck would have it the clouds disappeared just before start of play. However, if it's like that tomorrow morning at 9.30am (new start time) then we're well in with a shout of getting them out cheaply.
It didn't seem as humid today as it did yesterday, but once the Sun hit where I was sat (around drinks in the afternoon session) it was very hot so I dread to think how the players felt.
With regards to the Clarke "nick" that was ruled as not out, I was listening to ABC commentary in my ear piece and they were saying that it was that hot out in the field that any slight nick of the ball isn't being picked up by hotspot, and as a result it could be removed from the referral process. I don't know if that was mentioned on Sky at all?
Desi - the big bank of empty seats you refer to from Day One is in the Members section, and it was like that today.
Today I spotted John McCirrick acting like a prick, and Gladstone Small posing for lots of photos, but like a twat I'd left my camera at my seat!
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Today I spotted John McCirrick acting like a prick, and Gladstone Small posing for lots of photos, but like a twat I'd left my camera at my seat!
You've got a photo of you and Gladys!
I see that the cricket curse of Bazz has struck again......
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Well woke up this morning and I was happy enough, don't agree with Finn that it's even at the moment. The Aussies have the edge, but we need a big morning session now. I'm delighted i'll be able to watch it!
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What an excellent middle session that was from England, just what we needed after what was a mediocre morning.
We need to get rid of Hussey though early doors as well as either Haddin or Johnson (who can be dangerous with the bat). From there I'd fancy us to skittle out the rest. If we can keep them below 310 and get them out before lunch I'd fancy our chances.
I called Cheltenhamlion at 9.15am (our time) and it was very cloudy and perfect conditions to bowl in, as the law of fuck would have it the clouds disappeared just before start of play. However, if it's like that tomorrow morning at 9.30am (new start time) then we're well in with a shout of getting them out cheaply.
It didn't seem as humid today as it did yesterday, but once the Sun hit where I was sat (around drinks in the afternoon session) it was very hot so I dread to think how the players felt.
With regards to the Clarke "nick" that was ruled as not out, I was listening to ABC commentary in my ear piece and they were saying that it was that hot out in the field that any slight nick of the ball isn't being picked up by hotspot, and as a result it could be removed from the referral process. I don't know if that was mentioned on Sky at all?
Desi - the big bank of empty seats you refer to from Day One is in the Members section, and it was like that today.
Today I spotted John McCirrick acting like a prick, and Gladstone Small posing for lots of photos, but like a twat I'd left my camera at my seat!
He definitely edged it. Heres how i know
1. The revolution of the seam changed as the ball passed the bat,
2. Snicko showed a deviation, which could only have been bat,
3. England referred the decision immediately. They knew he'd hit it.
4. He hit it.
There is absolutely no point in using the technology if it isn't working to one hundred per cent all of the time.
Also why is snicko not used?, surely all the technology avaliable should be used.
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for me it's a pretty even game at the moment and the only defining thing that seperates the two teams was that hat-trick.
Come on England.
Yep, an early start tomorrow with the new ball gives us a good chance to knock them over quickly.
Earlier start as well, to make up time lost..
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Big morning session to come. If we can knock over their last 5 wickets before the afternoon drinks break, we're still in with a chance. If they're still batting come the last session, I reckon we'll go 1-0 down.
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I was listening to ABC commentary in my ear piece and they were saying that it was that hot out in the field that any slight nick of the ball isn't being picked up by hotspot, and as a result it could be removed from the referral process.
In that case they shouldn't really be using it in any Australian Tests, not in India or West Indies either. Yesterday was a warm day but not 'hot' by Australian standards - that's 34c+. Although when your sat in a plastic seat in an airless section of the grand it certainly does feel hot.
Australia have had some good fortune in this Test with cloud cover when bowling and referrals but England are still hanging in there.
Unfortuntley, no clouds this morning, Sun is shining again.
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Either they should use Snicko or captains should learn to save their referrals for LBW decisions.
Glad it starts half an hour earlier tonight. Will stay up. Shame that bastard Murdoch has moved tomorrow's kick-off so I will have to go to bed eventually to be in a fit state for a nice drink in the Bart... I mean the err... Villa-Arsenal game that I'm really looking forward to.
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Shamelessly stolen from the Barmy Armies song book. The challange is for Bazz to get this song going, to film it and to post on Youtube!!
Don't look back in anger.
Slip inside Ricky Ponting's mind
He's trying to find
Some new players to play
He wants to play his older team
But that's just a dream
They're too old to play
He said he'd start a revolution in his head
But he's been through all the players A to Z
Now there's just a summertime of doom
If he loses the Ashes race
He is going to lose his place
Losing three would simply tear his heart out
So Ricky can wait
Shane Warne is too late
And there's no Glenn McGrath
Gilchrist's had his day
And don't look back to Langer
He cannot play
Where did all those old players go
Now everyone knows
You've nearly had your day
You'll have to leave the team in the hands
Of Michael Clarke and
He'll throw it all away
He said he'd start a revolution in his head
But he's been through all the players A to Z
Now there's just a summertime of doom
If he loses the Ashes race
He is going to lose his place
Losing three would simply tear his heart out
So Ricky can wait
Shane Warne is too late
And there's no Glenn McGrath
Gilchrist's had his day
And don't look back to Langer
He cannot play
So Ricky can wait
Shane Warne is too late
And there's no Glenn McGrath
Gilchrist's had his day
And don't look back to Langer
He cannot play
At least not today
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Jesus! They might lose their last 5 wickets by the time it takes to sing that song. "Hopefully".
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I have a funny feeling we might take a lead into the second innings, the first hour is crucial.
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England take the new ball...
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Hussey lucky man there
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Bit of swing so far
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Very lucky Hussey, literally millimetres.
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Good stuff by Broad and Anderson so far..just need a bit of luck
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Did he get any bat on that? No reviews left so...he survives!
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This is the bad side of the review system. Because we have no reviews left, the umpire is more inclined not to give him out knowing we can't review whereas if he gives him out, the aussies can review.
Especially after just having one overturned.
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Fucking hell, how many more will just miss the edge?
Anderson is bowling superbly but getting no luck at all.
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Well the first hour is done and it looks like it's not gonna be our session, but there is a long way to go yet.
I'm off to bed can't stay awake. Night all
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Hussey should be out.
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WE're bowlng well and with a little luck the Crims would be 7 down now
Got to be positive
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Australia 380 all out, lead of 120 on 1st innings. England to struggle to 300 in second innings leaving Australia to make 181 where they will creep over the line for the loss of 8 wickets.
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No luck at all so far tonight, I'm sticking with it though.
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Okay, so now we need rain!
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One thing that won't save us is rain, we're gonna have to do it tough here.
Unbelievably frustrating first session there, Hussey should have gone, Anderson has bowled superbly with no luck. Still punishing us when we drop short, sometimes there's no justice in sport.
We're gonna need to bat out of our skins in the 2nd dig to stand a chance.
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481- all out. Lead of 221. If hussey had gone earlier.... GRR
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What a long day. Please no wickets before close.
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That was a tough, tough day but i'm pleased we stuck at it when it would have been very easy for the heads to drop like sides in the past.
One thing I noticed was someone pulled off a great stop at mid-wicket (Collingwood I think) middle of the evening session and 2 or 3 England boys ran in to give him a pat - atleast the body language was good when we've endured a partnership of nearly 300 that's no mean feat.
If 'ifs and ands' and all that. We were so unlucky not to get Hussey well before he got his ton. Haddin looked in trouble early doors - Anderson bowled superbly. But you sensed we needed that breakthrough in the first hour as when the shine went off the ball, the pitch looked very flat and and they rarely looked troubled (something for our boys to remember tomorrow).
Prior - you may not be in his league as a batsman but please take note of Haddins knock - backed up his partner (first 25 runs off 104 balls) before pushing on himself (second 25 off 34 balls) when they'd got ahead and cut loose from there. A really excellent team innings.
We'll probably lose this game but remember their record since their last defeat at the Gabba is PLD 20 W 16 D 4 L 0.
For me, it's important that we put up a fight 2nd innings and not go down by an innings and something. That way we can take alot from the game (undone by a once in a lifetime hatrick and a once in a lifetime partnership) - obviously a draw from here on would now be as good as a win.
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We need big performances from our big players now and a couple of big centuries.
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I think we might save an innings defeat, but I can't see us batting the necessary four to five sessions to avoid losing.
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We need players to show the grit that Hussey showed, he rode his luck but he made a big score.
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thats it for me, not staying up late tonight,
i'l wait untill the second test to start getting excited again
if we are still batting in the morning, we will have done very well, but i doubt it
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Well, last night, i stayed up to watch!...started at 11.30pm and i lasted until 5am....all i saw was two Crims hitting us all over the park. Went to bed at 5 and slept until 9.30, got up to find we finally bowled them out and had a few overs ourselves!
FML.
Tonight i've set my alarm for 2.45...a few hours sleep and then i'll watch from after lunch.....if you do the opposite, you'll see loads of action!
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I've lasted until 2 each night so far... Am going to try to get a bit more tonight.
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These aussies can't fill a ground can they.
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We need a performance off these two now.
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They've started really well, but I always have fear for England.
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Well I made it too lunch, still no wickets lost, although Strauss dropped by Johnson.
England playing well.
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160-0 not bad so far.
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160-0 not bad so far.
182-0 now, going along very nice.
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188-1 Strauss goes for 110
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3 runs in front, 1 wicket down. Good stuff.
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230-1 now... England have been batting very well, keeping it consistent, not making any silly mistakes... we're cruisin along nicely. What a spirited performance by the boys out in Australia after we didn't do great on the first day... hopefully when I wake up we'll have a pretty big score up.
Off to bed now at silly o'clock... hopefully we can keep this up.
P.S. saw a couple of Villa shirts in the crowd... maybe they post on this site?!
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Cook gets his ton with a great shot for four of Siddle.
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Trott dropped on 34.
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Ponting goes for a referral on LBW of Trott. Not Out. No referrals left.
277-1. Lead of 56
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309-1 close of play. Lead of 88, well done lads.
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Thought I was mad putting money on the draw yesterday....
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Couldn't manage to stay up last night.
The thought of England being 5-6 wickets down before even clawing back the 200 probably didn't help in that regard.
Imagine my delight to get up this morning with 300+ on the board and only one wicket down. Caught a few of the highlights from just before the wicket of Strauss, looking good and composed. A shame he got out to that type of delivery, by all accounts not in keeping with the rest of his innings.
Cook and Trott need to hang about now they're set, keep the score ticking over and push the lead over 200. You always get a feeling with this England side that one wicket down could result in a cluster.
Initially I was chuffed to see that bad light had stopped play, but England were in such command that it would have been nicer to bat a bit longer and really milk the spinner. From the game winning position they were in every run will now hurt Australia.
Not wishing to tempt fate, but they look like they have their own problems. The Strauss wicket first inning apart, Hilfenhaus has looked ineffective and Mitchel Johnson has bowled some filth. Doherty hasn't looked much cop either.
It will be great to push for the win if the chance was there but realistically even a draw will be a psychological blow to the Aussies from the position they were in. Just see off the first hour again tomorrow and it should get quite a bit easier again.
Ladies and Gentlemen we have a Test series.
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Superb today, absolutely superb. Never really looked in any danger all day tbh.
Aussie commentators very impressed so suddenly, Australian doubts about whether they have the attack to take 20 wickets are becoming a reality.
Ideally Bat well in the morning and KP get's some good time in the middle and let's look to make the feckers stay in the field for as long as we can - it's back to back Tests don't forget.
If England play well, we'll wear them down both mentally and physically.
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Only note of caution I'd sound is it's quite rare for any side to post 400+ in the second innings.
Especially an England side.
Especially an England side in Australia.
What isn't so unusual is the first class exhibition of a batting collapse England teams have become famous for. This side should be different, that lower order is as good as any in the world.
But would anyone really be stunned if 9 wickets went down for say 50/60 more runs?
That would result in a second innings of 360/370, which is a far more regular occurrence.
That's why it's absolutely key that the current two hang about. They're in and look to be in good touch. Don't leave it to the next guy in as he has to get started and the Aussies will start to gain momentum again. Hang about, pick the bad ball (there seems to be plenty available) and kill their enthusiasm for the game. Make them stay out in the field for as long as possible, feeling that with every run the game slips further and further away.
I have a feeling that England will make it as difficult (or interesting) as possible for themselves though. Force of habit. It's the only way they know.
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I disagree Kevin. I think the Aussie bowlers haven't got it in them and the pitch shouldn't inspire them with confidence. I can't see this test being anything other than a draw, which'll do nicely after the first innings.
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My god that Aussie attack looks ordinary.
Fair do's they scored heavily against ours, but at least we had spells of looking dangerous and stuck to our gameplan when the luck wasn't going our way.
Strauss and Cook really got on top of them in a pressure situation. They had zero answer.
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Well, I woke up at 4 for a piss (I'm getting to that age) and rather than try to get back to sleep, thought I'd turn on the radio to see how we were doing. Very surprised and very pleased, so stayed up listening until the close. I'm knackered now!
Presume the Aussies will throw everything at us tomorrow morning, but if we can get through the first hour with the still new-ish ball unscathed, then the draw and the moral victory will be our's.
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Well done Strauss and Cook. I understnd Cook has taken lot of unfair sledging from Aussies. Best way to answer back.
And yes today proved that Siddle is a donkey bowler who got very lucky in the first innings. I suggest he savours that one because he will not get even close to another one in the series.
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I spent 2 nights at work listening to TMS & to be honest it sounded like England were slowly sinking to defeat. I was gonna watch it last night but fell asleep & woke up after play had ended, superstition tells me that I should do the same tonight, that way I may wake up to find out England win...... Sod that I wanna watch some cricket :)
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That was superb from England, real character shown.
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I set the alarm for 3 in the morning. woke up to 5 live sports extra.
Decided to come into the living room and watch. Pretty tired now but might just have an early night and see how they're getting on.
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I would play for a draw.
I'd bat for as long as possible, meaning we bowl for as less time as possible, keeping all our bowlers fresh and theirs knackered.
Also I could just imagine us declaring at lunch with a lead of 200 and the Aussies smashing us around the park for the win.
I think a draw will still be demoralising for the Aussies and a confidence booster for us abit like Cardiff last year.
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I would bat until just before tea........a lead of 250+ then let Finn, Broad loose on them and try and get some physicological advantages over them and getting Ponting, Clarke, North out would be excellent
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I would bat until just before tea........a lead of 250+ then let Finn, Broad loose on them and try and get some physicological advantages over them and getting Ponting, Clarke, North out would be excellent
Is the correct answer.
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I would bat until just before tea........a lead of 250+ then let Finn, Broad loose on them and try and get some physicological advantages over them and getting Ponting, Clarke, North out would be excellent
I concur. Maybe aim for their arms and heads rather than the wicket though... try and injure a few, especially that hussey Hussey.
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I was hoping that they would have bowled us out with a lead of 225 giving Swanny time to spin them out. But now we will hopefully bat till an hour left and then pepper them with bouncers and a load of sledging and a moral victory.
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I really wish I could stay up and watch the last day.
Is it starting early tonight?
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I would bat until just before tea........a lead of 250+ then let Finn, Broad loose on them and try and get some physicological advantages over them and getting Ponting, Clarke, North out would be excellent
May be so however to make them go for it and hopefully Swann to work his magic it needs to be before tea. England should score 100 in the first session and than go for it after lunch get another 50 in an hour and declare.
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I really wish I could stay up and watch the last day.
Is it starting early tonight?
No they start at 12.
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Are we not making up any lost time from the early finish yesturday?
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They've worked so hard to get into this position, the draw is like a victory, I'd be surprised if we declared before Tea. Strauss won't be prepared to risk a defeat to get a win, especially not if this pitch stays flat today. The scars of Adelaide remain for a few i'm sure.
I'm also sure he'd like to give Prior and Braod some middle time to get the first ballers monkey off their backs.
Keep em out there I say.
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Are we not making up any lost time from the early finish yesturday?
Yes, I believe it starts at 9.47am local time so that's 13 minutes.
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another rubbish attendance. Given that there will probably be a a full day's play, I'm surprised.
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another rubbish attendance. Given that there will probably be a a full day's play, I'm surprised.
Thats not a crap attendance. That is deserted.
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I know I've just realised when Botham did his 3rd man bit, there is literally no Australian fans there only English. So the Aussies are fairweather fans then.
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This attendance thing is actually really poor. If this was in England even if we were under the cosh you'd still get a decent crowd on the 5th day, especially if there was probably going to be a full day's play.
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Shocking drop from Clarke, they're crumbling mentally it looks like. It can't help having no supporters at home.
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Nice juggling from Clarke. England fans sympathetic!
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Mitchell Johnson just bowled one of the worst deliviries I've seen.
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Lovely comment about the constant replaying of the drop by Channel 9. They are focusing on the Aussie fan and flag in the background. So there are 12 Aussies there then.
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I really think this day could potentially break Australia for the series if we get this right. If we can push on at a good rate and them put them in later and take a few wickets, they'll be on the floor mentally.
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If they can get the ton and double ton respectively then put them in. But with the pitch as it is unless they slog at every ball for the win we will still struggle to get any out.
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I'm not sure, they are mentally falling apart. Their fielding is absolutely atrocious. I've seen this with England in the past, seemingly easy pitches can be tricky if your confidence is gone. I'm not saying we'd win, there wouldn't be enough time but we could inflict some more psychological scars come late afternoon.
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Cook's 200.
Not sure England should bother making the Aussies bat again, the damage has been done mentally already and it's back-to-back Tests, save the bowlers, or maybe just give them a trundle out after tea.
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These aussies are poor..
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And Trott's century.
What fun!
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457-1... Is This Real Life? Gotta be breaking some records here.
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517 for 1 declared, a lead of 296,
42 overs to bowl the Aussies out. Unlikely but stranger things have happened.
The Aussies look shot to pieces mentally, their body language has been atrocious and Ponting looks a haunted man.
Get a couple early and this could be on.
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Just seen my first Villa top of the day.
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5-1 Broad gets Katich.
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457-1... Is This Real Life? Gotta be breaking some records here.
Loads of them, including the highest stand by England in Australia and the highest ever score in Test cricket for the loss of just one wicket.
If we could just get Ratface out I'd be happy, but a draw at The Gabbatoir after being bowled out for 260 is just excellent.
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So Aussies finished on 107-1. Match drawn, great fight back, bet the Aussies are gutted.
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Job done.
Bit concerning that Swann still looks ineffective. They are clearly targeting him and so far the batsmen are on top.
Good test of character for him. He's met most of the challenges that have come his way so far in test cricket.
BTW, anyone else catch that anecdote Michael Holding offered re his temper tantrum down in NZ in 1980? I was half a sleep but I'm sure I heard him say something along the lines of "based on my kicking skills Aston Villa offered me a trial soon after." I'm pretty certain no such trial ever took place so I don't know whether to be flattered that we were the first football team he could think of to mention or whether he was having a dig.
Then again, it could just be the mind playing tricks after a lack of sleep. That's happened before alright.
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This attendance thing is actually really poor. If this was in England even if we were under the cosh you'd still get a decent crowd on the 5th day, especially if there was probably going to be a full day's play.
7000 here today and virtually everybody English. saw quite a few Villa fans around the ground. Such a change from a couple of days ago. Aussies so arrogant; giving us grief on the bis from the ground, at the hotel and in the street. Today they are very quiet indeed and tv saying all the honours are England's and the Empire strikes back!
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This attendance thing is actually really poor. If this was in England even if we were under the cosh you'd still get a decent crowd on the 5th day, especially if there was probably going to be a full day's play.
7000 here today and virtually everybody English. saw quite a few Villa fans around the ground. Such a change from a couple of days ago. Aussies so arrogant; giving us grief on the bis from the ground, at the hotel and in the street. Today they are very quiet indeed and tv saying all the honours are England's and the Empire strikes back!
That's why it's so wonderful to bring them down a peg or two.
They most certainly don't like it up em.
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This is impressive. There have been lot of high scoring cards in the history of test cricket but this one infers total humiliation! The only batsman they managed to get out was stumped.
England 2nd innings
AJ Strauss* st †Haddin b North 110
AN Cook not out 235
IJL Trott not out 135
Extras (b 17, lb 4, w 10, nb 6) 37
Total (1 wicket dec; 152 overs; 630 mins) 517
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Stayed up until lunch time and I thought that Trott was very very lucky. Lots of edges and a simple catch put down. maybe I'm being hyper-critical as being a Warwickshire fan I want to see him and Bell succeed whenever they play more than the rest. Hopefully it will give him a bit of confidence.
I'm still worried by our batting though. Our first inning's total over the past year or so is just over 300 which is down on all other team's average by about 60 runs or so. We need to start the next test a lot better and so to get us into a better position with runs on the board should the Aussies crumble under pressure and collapse - which they did a couple of times in 2009. They are under all manner of pressure at home from their media and if we get our noses in front we could well walk away with the series quite comfortably.
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I don't think I've stopped drinking since Saturday night!
I personally wouldn't have put them in at all, at the time I thought 297 off 41 overs is just a tad too tempting for them and they'd look to put a quickfire 50 odd on and take it from there.
A draw though, after the state we were in after the first innings, is a fantastic result. I expect Adelaide to finish the same, and from there it's looking more and more in our favour.
Oh, and Ricky, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE continue with Johnson, Siddle, Doherty and Hilfenhous as your attack!
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Johnson was particularly shit
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Well that was a great fightback by us. Superb batting. Highlight of the day was when a bit of needle was going on between Anderson and Watson and Warne asking Michael Holding had ever been like that, and he referenced kicking the stumps out of the ground. Holding said 'put it this way, Aston Villa offered me a contract.'
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Well that was a great fightback by us. Superb batting. Highlight of the day was when a bit of needle was going on between Anderson and Watson and Warne asking Michael Holding had ever been like that, and he referenced kicking the stumps out of the ground. Holding said 'put it this way, Aston Villa offered me a contract.'
Think it was something to do with a reference to umpires favouring the West Indies on LBW decisions. I think he said it came up at Edgbaston one year and his reaction had Aston Villa on the phone offering a contract. Think it was Shane Warne who then said, you mean you lost your cool? Holding said the stumps went a long way. It went along them lines anyway. It was early in the morning you know.
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Great fight back that will have sent the Aussie selectors back to the drawing board.
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Oh, and Ricky, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE continue with Johnson, Siddle, Doherty and Hilfenhous as your attack!
Yep.
In this test neither side looked like taking 20 wickets, okay so Siddle got a hat-trick and Finn got a 6-fer but both were chucking pies down a horribly flat pitch most of the time, but I know which attack I'd prefer, Anderson on another day would have wiped through the Aussie lower order, never have I seen such good bowling take no wickets. Broad can, and will, bowl better, and this was a pitch that only Warne might have got spinner wickets on, Swann will get plenty of wickets in this series.
Australia have to win the series to regain the Ashes, at some point they have to prepare match winning pitches, we have the best bowlers and the best top order batsmen.
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I loved this, from cricinfo: Let (Marcus) North come out and publicly target Strauss for the rest of the series; let Mitchell Johnson concentrate on aiming for the pitch.
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Haven't seen too much of the other chap they've called up but Bollinger has always looked lively anytime I've seen him play. Surprised he didn't make the first test TBH.
They could go for Bollinger in place of the largely ineffective Hilfenhous, still keep Johnson but use him as a strike bowler. With the hope that the others keep it tight enough.
He was dire in the first test but he's the type of bowler who if he gets it right can nail a handful in pretty short time.
If he plays, England should be looking to target him though, get on top of him and create further doubt. They were expecting him to be their go to guy this summer, the bloke who would lead the attack. Smashing him out of it altogether would make the Aussie public and media turn against their side even more than they have done at present.
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Bollinger played for Worcester a few years ago and was absolutley garbage, he got picked for the Aussies not long after getting back home.
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Tbf, Bollinger has improved a lot over the last 18 months but whether he's improved enough to spearhead their attack (now that Johnson looks a doubt) i'm not so sure. Less zip than Siddle but does a bit with the ball. Like the others (and Engalnds bowlers though) he'll get stuck on flat tracks.
Personally, If I were them I'd probably still stick with Johnson for one more Test and see how he goes, swap Bollinger for Hilfenhaus and go from there. If they did drop Johnson their tail becomes alot longer in the batting stakes also. There's a chap called Harris whose a good bolwer who is in form but untried at this level - bats a bit too. McDonald is still injured or else I think they might have gone for him. Doherty is also a worry for them as his record is very ordinary.
Aussie press has been hammering them which is good to see.
England - as you were.
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From what has been said by Ponting in the press over here I think they will be going with Harris, probably over Johnson.
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Wonder if they might leave a bit of life in the pitch,
At some point they have to produce a pitch that makes a result probable.
Trouble for Australia is if it's seamer friendly, then a bowler like Anderson could have a field day. If it's spin friendly then it would be a no contest in our favour. They simply do not have a test quality spinner.
Your move Australia.
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I hope they stick with Johnson, I've got a tenner at 5/2 on him being the Aussies top wicket taker in the series.
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I hope they stick with Johnson, I've got a tenner at 5/2 on him being the Aussies top wicket taker in the series.
You'll probably get longer odds for that now.
Personally I think the outcome to this series is down to England from here, if we play well we win.
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Went to watch the fielding practice and nets session this morning. Fuck me it's hot out there, and still about 6/7 degrees cooler than forecast for the weekend, so that could be fun!
All players looking in decent nick, with Shahzad bowling very quickly. I think he could even be our quickest bowler.
It was nice that every England player bar one stopped for autographs with fans and saying hello to them. I managed to get Trott to sign my Bears shirt, Bell signed a few autographs but then apologised saying he'd been dying for the loo for about 20 mins and ran off.
Monty was the only one who didn't acknowledge any of the fans when he left the field, just walking down the tunnel with his head down.
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Oh, and the rumours doing the rounds out here are that Shahzad may get the nod tomorrow. Not sure who it would be instead of though.
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(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs1121.snc4/148322_10150103644564369_723789368_7415418_6431346_n.jpg)
Keep an eye out for me then at Adelaide, MCG and SCG.
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Nice flag Baz, hope you are enjoying Adelaide. Fingers crossed for a win in this test.
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(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs1121.snc4/148322_10150103644564369_723789368_7415418_6431346_n.jpg)
Keep an eye out for me then at Adelaide, MCG and SCG.
Great flag Baz me old mate. I've booked tomorrow off work so i'll be looking out for you. Where abouts in the ground are your tickets - are you on the hill?
I love the Adelaide Oval, great ground to watch Cricket at, 2nd only to the SCG.
So the Aussies have ditched Johnson, they'll probably go for Bollinger but Harris would be the form bowler.
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Oh, and the rumours doing the rounds out here are that Shahzad may get the nod tomorrow. Not sure who it would be instead of though.
I'd have thought Finn, who may have got a 6-fer but was still outbowled by Anderson and hasn't got the experience of Broad.
Unless we are going to go for five bowlers, then it could be Collingwood who misses out.
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I'm in General Admission, but will be aiming to get on the smaller of the two hills next to the Don Bradman Stand (one opposite the Big Screen and away from the Barmy Army).
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Shazad would be an interesting choice.
Can reverse it and bowls with real aggression.
Would be a big statement if the went with five bowlers, that would say (a) they trust the top 6 batsmen to get the runs required and (b) they are going all out to take 20 wickets.
Aussies have dropped Johnson too. Worries about form and a constant change in personnel are the things that have categorized English Ashes campaigns in the past. Looks like the Aussies are having to endure it now.
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(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs1121.snc4/148322_10150103644564369_723789368_7415418_6431346_n.jpg)
Keep an eye out for me then at Adelaide, MCG and SCG.
I'll be keeping an eye out for you tonight VS
Come on England
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Any decent feeds for this test?
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I'm in General Admission.
I hope you get well soon then Baz.
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Can anybody recommend a good stream? The one which was suggested on here last week, which was excellent, is not working anynore- just getting the "Error 403 forbidden" message
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Brilliant start Katich run out first over, without facing a ball
So glad I stayed up now.
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Aussies 0 for 2!
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2 out for 0 runs!!!
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Unbeleivable ponting first ball duck.
Amazing start Aussies 0 for 2
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lmao 0-2
Australia are awful.
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Come on lads, we're into the tail now!
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What a start!
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This is truly unbeleivable!!!!
I'm stayin up till lunch now!!!
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Thats 3 gone, easy street for England so far.
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This is ace.
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This is truly unbeleivable!!!!
I'm stayin up till lunch now!!!
I'm not in work til 12, I'm up for the night.
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This is truly unbeleivable!!!!
I'm stayin up till lunch now!!!
I'm not in work til 12, I'm up for the night.
I start at 7, but The car won't start
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I was planning on staying up until the first Aussie wicket fell.
I think I might last until they are all out on the form so far.
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This is just the tonic...
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I start at 7, but The car won't start
What a pity! Oh well, at least you tried.
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try this link lads and lasses...
http://www.fatbrummie.com/
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Best £5 a month I spend?
Getting Sky TV in the bedroom
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Bang Babes during the drinks break then Gibbo?
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Bang Babes during the drinks break then Gibbo?
No a snoring misses!
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this is a great stream[/url ] (http://www.everythingon.tv/channel/view/sky-sports-1-1)
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Just got up in time for the 5th wicket. 158-5. Hussey going well again though.
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Well what great news to wake up to. And then to listen to Swan taking two wickets whilst eating my breakfast made it even better!
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Brilliant performance.
Anderson excellent in unhelpful conditions and Swann stuck to task well with no help from pitch. Fielding was also outstanding.
400 would've been a minimum, 450 about par on that pitch after winning the toss.
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I fell asleep at 7pm last night and then got up for work today. So a complete surprise to see the score as it is. Brilliant. Well done Anderson in particular. He'd bowled really well in the last test and not picked up the wickets he deserved.
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Anyone any idea what on earth Ponting was having a go at Strauss about when the players came off?
Can't think of anything that happened that warranted it.
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Well I've seen worse days at the cricket!
Absolutely brilliant start, still can't believe it. Hopefully have a good day with the bat tomorrow and really put pressure on them.
I will say this though - it's fucking hot out in that sun. According to ABC that I was listening to in the ground it was 36.2c in the shade. That Sun though is fucking hard work when sat out in it. Hoping tomorrow to sneak into one of the stands cos don't think I can last another day in it, especially as it's forecast to be hotter tomorrow and Sunday.
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Anyone any idea what on earth Ponting was having a go at Strauss about when the players came off?
Can't think of anything that happened that warranted it.
And some on here wonder why he's not liked.
That kind of behaviour and constantly being in the ear of the umpire might have something to do with it. Good batsman, but a small, petty jobsworth of an individual outside of that.
Great to see though, if I'm honest. He's clearly rattled.
Would have been nice to skittle them out for 150-180 after the start England had, but you'd take that on a first day pitch. Bat sensibly today and the day after and one innings might even be enough.
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stayed up for the first hour,
jumping around the room at 12.10 like a madman, didnt make up for Blues /world cup, but at least it put a smile back on the face
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Anyone any idea what on earth Ponting was having a go at Strauss about when the players came off?
Can't think of anything that happened that warranted it.
And some on here wonder why he's not liked.
That kind of behaviour and constantly being in the ear of the umpire might have something to do with it. Good batsman, but a small, petty jobsworth of an individual outside of that.
Great to see though, if I'm honest. He's clearly rattled.
Would have been nice to skittle them out for 150-180 after the start England had, but you'd take that on a first day pitch. Bat sensibly today and the day after and one innings might even be enough.
Apparently he was shouting 'Piss poor umpiring' (picked up on Sky) at the Umpire after he made that referral in the 1st test.
I thought it was an instant fine for that sort of behaviour.
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Went to bed at 20 to 1 and then up at 6.15. Nice.
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excellent first day and now to bat for two..
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Happy to wake up to that this morning, now England a first innings score please. On the plus side I'm confident we'll avoid the follow on!
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Some good sporting news for a change. At least until midnight!
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Great days play. That popping into the office to do some catching up son Saturday morming is starting to look doubtful.
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Well I didn't last last night at all, i fell asleep.
But I managed to get up for work and caught the eighth wiley before I left.
Cracking first day, let's just get though the first hour unscathed then it's a 500+ job.
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Cracking day for England, see if we can turn the screw tonight. Knock 500 & we'll win by an innings.
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Anyone any idea what on earth Ponting was having a go at Strauss about when the players came off?
Can't think of anything that happened that warranted it.
Strauss was pointing out that the Aussie souvenir shops were having a "3 for 2" Sale to celebrate their batting performance...
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It would be great for KP to get a big hundred, if we could have our top 4 full of confidence it would be a massive plus.
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Strauss out already...
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Ponting was moaning about us timewasting last night meaning we only faced one over.
Strauss will be kicking himself now, but Trott will wind the Aussies up, he takes ages to do everything. Great stuff.
Remember you can never judge a pitch until both sides have batted.
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The Aussies are bowling very well, but missing whatever chances are coming their way.
The shine will be off the Kookaburra very shortly and then I reckon we'll make much hay.
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Good first session, Cook and Trott settling in well.
Pitch is looking very flat, especially now the balls a bit older.
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258-2 Cook 109, Pietersen 55. Well done lads taken us past their score.
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Very pleased to get up at 5.30 to watch some cricket to find that we're 2 down and almost ahead of the Crims total.
Cook is in the form of his life and I'd like to see KP get a big ton.
Already we're scored more tons than in all of the 2009 home series and the Crims are looking decidedly ropey which is a delight to see!
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317-2 Close of play. Lead of 72.
Good days work lads.
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Quite brilliant from Cook, Trott and KP. Cook has not given them a sniff of a chance and KP is looking in very ominous touch.
We are systematically ripping the heart away from the aussies. What a great chance we have given ourselves.
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Ponting was moaning about us timewasting last night meaning we only faced one over.
Strauss will be kicking himself now, but Trott will wind the Aussies up, he takes ages to do everything. Great stuff.
Remember you can never judge a pitch until both sides have batted.
We can now, it's flat as fuck.
North span a couple quite sharply though. Will definitely interest Swann the longer the game goes on.
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Decent performance from Pietersen, at last.
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Very good lads, now KP get that century and I'm sure many will follow.
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Great performance from Cook.
Apart from incorrectly being given out he hasn't given them a sniff.
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Isn't this great?
Went to bed at lunch totally confident that we would be in this position when I got up, the Aussies have nothing, we can set them something like 500+ with five sessions to go, then Swanny will spin them to death.
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I'm desperately trying not to get too far ahead of myself, but we are two good sessions away from definitely not losing this match - especially if KP gets the chance to hit out. Australia will have to reproduce what we did at Brisbane, and I can't see them doing it.
If we can move on to Perth 1-0 up, the Ashes are all but secure. This Australia team hasn't got what it takes to beat this England team twice in three matches.
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Isn't this great?
Went to bed at lunch totally confident that we would be in this position when I got up, the Aussies have nothing, we can set them something like 500+ with five sessions to go, then Swanny will spin them to death.
Cook and Pieterson should definiely push on, if for no other reason than form can be so elusive that when you have it, best to make the most of it.
I don't think it's just a formality that put 500 on the board = English victory though. That pitch seems to be flattening out and the Aussies still have a pretty solid batting line up. I'd back them to get more than they did first innings.
The weather could also have a big say. Possible showers tomorrow and rain definitely forecast for day 4 and 5.
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After Brisbane I remember the Adelaide groundsman promise that this would be a result wicket. Hopefully this will be the case and swanny can come to the party.
We have all day tonight/tomorrow to bat and then two days to bowl them out. If there is rain then hopefully it will coincide with some overcast conditions. "Every cloud - almost literally - having a silver lining."
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Just read on the beeb that Cook has not got out for the longest period as an English batsman (1033 minutes), over taking Nasser Hussian's 1021 in South Africa.
That's terrible english. I wish I'd cut and paste what was written on the BBC's page.
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2nd and 3rd days are always the best for batting at Adelaide.
Conditions should be good for Swann come 4th and 5th. North turned a couple quite sharply.
Weather is a slight worry, but i don't think they'll lose more than a session at most.
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Can someone tell me, other than Sky, do any of normal channel's carry highlights and if so what time ....please?
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Can someone tell me, other than Sky, do any of normal channel's carry highlights and if so what time ....please?
ITV4 10:00 PM.
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Can someone tell me, other than Sky, do any of normal channel's carry highlights and if so what time ....please?
ITV4 at 10.00 p.m.
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Thanks Chris and The Sandman
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This is brilliant stuff. If I wake up in the night, I check the score on my phone, then get up! I'm looking forward to day 3. If we can bat through the day then the match has got to be ours. Our bowlers will have had their feet up for two days, whilst the Ozzies have been toiling. I almost feel sorry for the Ozzies. Almost.
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Is VillaSub there? If so, I bet he's having a terrible time.
England to post 550 plus and then a day an a half to bowl at 'em.
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Anyone got a good stream?
At flamin work tonight. Well i say work, i mean sit, watch cricket and overdose on hobnobs.
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http://www.everythingon.tv/channel/view/sky-sports-1-1
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cheers
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Get in KP, well done.
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Cook gone, well played though.
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It would be so nice to stuff it up the arrogant Aussies
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They are bloody hopeless these convicts.
Kevin Pietersen is making hay at the expense of their poor fielding and bowling.
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Pietersen definitely looks back on his game.
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If we keep scoring at this rate we could stick the Aussies back in after tea today, get fifteen overs at them, maybe take a wicket or two.
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Pietersen has that great swagger and arrogance back. They can't bowl to him and he knows it.
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If we keep scoring at this rate we could stick the Aussies back in after tea today, get fifteen overs at them, maybe take a wicket or two.
Yep. Declare at tea and let Swanny loose.
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Collingwood gone, but no big loss as this unleashes our bigger hitters in Bell, Prior and Broad.
And Bell smacks one back over the bowlers head to reiterate my point!
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Another good session,
Now have a real go for an hour or so and get them in.
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Shame about the weather.
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I expect that'll be it for today. They'll make up some time tomorrow, with a forecast of cloudy but dry but the forecast for Day 5 is looking quite poor.
We may well look to have another thrash first thing for an hour but we cvan't hang around, let's get the Aussies batting as we wouldn't want to let them off the hook here having got ourselves into this position.
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Play abandoned for the day. England 306 in front. Think they might declare overnight.
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Is VillaSub there? If so, I bet he's having a terrible time.
England to post 550 plus and then a day an a half to bowl at 'em.
Yes I am!!
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Is VillaSub there? If so, I bet he's having a terrible time.
England to post 550 plus and then a day an a half to bowl at 'em.
Yes I am!!
Well get back out there man. your our bloke at the match. get some interviews.
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Is the forecast such that Tuesday may be a wash-out?
I'd still be in favour of having a two-hour thrash tomorrow morning before declaring.
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Get em in. If we start early tomorrow hopefully it might swing a bit. Will be very disappointed if Strauss chooses to waste time batting.
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As your resident Australian weather reporter, here is the forecast for Adelaide for Days 4 and 5;
Forecast for Monday
Cloudy with a shower or two and the chance of a thunderstorm. Light to moderate
northeast winds and a light northwest to southwest afternoon sea breeze.
Precis Shower or two. Possible thunder.
City: Min 20 Max 32
Elizabeth: Min 20 Max 33
Mount Barker: Min 18 Max 31
Noarlunga: Min 20 Max 31
UV Alert: 9:00 am to 5:20 pm, UV Index predicted to reach 12 [Extreme]
Fire Danger: Low to Moderate (Mount Lofty Ranges Fire Ban District)
Tuesday Showers. Afternoon thunderstorm. Min 20 Max 29
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Straus has form for being indecisive, if we dont get a win from this situation it will be madness,
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Not sure what I'd do in the circumstances.
300 could still be quite chasesable.
Ponting and Watson raced to 100 in less than no time in that short stint at the end of day 5 at the Gabba, and this pitch seems even more batsman friendly.
Having to chase something like 400 just to make England bat again would be a big psychological blow to the Aussies though and should mean -at the very least- that England don't need to bat again.
But you'd have to balance those kind of considerations against the time that could be lost tomorrow and the day after due to rain.
I'd be inclined to give KP and Bell an hour or two in the morning just to push the score on. Both of them + Prior tend to score their runs quickly. KP and Prior more than Bell, obv.
Time in the middle for the batsmen in favourable conditions plus topping the 600 mark should inspire confidence for the remaining tests anyroad, even if this one does become a washout.
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Nice to see 3 Aussies also get 100's:
Ryan Harris 29.0 5 84 2
Doug Bollinger 27.0 1 121 1
Peter Siddle 26.0 3 100 0
Shane Watson 19.0 7 44 1
Xavier Doherty 24.0 3 120 0
Marcus North 18.0 0 62 0
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We have to declare straight away. That is our best chance of winning the game. Losing the game is impossible from this position.
Katich is injured, Clarke and North are under massive pressure and their tail is very long. With the forecast cloudy conditions and humidity, the ball could swing around a bit. Swann will also be licking his lips at the amount of spin North got out of the rough.
We cannot bat on, that would be madness.
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Well said that man.
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We should declare overnight, but don't be surprised if Strauss bats for an hour (depending on weather forecasts), to eradicate the chance of a nasty couple of hours batting at the end of the 5th day. Personally I think we'll bowl em out for 200 anyway as I think they're ready to implode.
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There can be no cricketing reason for batting on. They need to face up to the west face of Everest and batting for two whole days to save the match. Taking any time out of that by batting on would be a tactical error and give them a slight chance of actually spoiling it for England..
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Is VillaSub there? If so, I bet he's having a terrible time.
England to post 550 plus and then a day an a half to bowl at 'em.
Yes I am!!
You ...could have mentioned that ;)
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There can be no cricketing reason for batting on. They need to face up to the west face of Everest and batting for two whole days to save the match. Taking any time out of that by batting on would be a tactical error and give them a slight chance of actually spoiling it for England..
Totally agree with you, but Strauss does have a habit of being over cautious & for that reason I wouldn't be surprised if we came out for an hour.
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Play is starting half an hour early today isn't it, to make up for the early finish yesterday?
I'd probably slog it for that half hour, add another fifty or so.
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I'd bat for half an hour, purely so the openers have to get into a fielding mindset first.
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Excuse my ignorance,,,but how the hell can you actually like a game that takes 3 days to get a result???
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It can take 5, and because it's very good.
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Because it takes five days to get a result! That's part of the beauty for me.
It is especially useful if you've got tonnes of stuff to do for something and are staying up until 2, 3 or 4 in the morning.
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I'm pretty tired but I'm gonna try and muster an hour or so.
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Excuse my ignorance,,,but how the hell can you actually like a game that takes 3 days to get a result???
And you are on this thread about a game we obviously like and you don't for what reason exactly?
I don't like rugby so I don't post on the rugby thread.
And it's five days.
Anyhow, another night on the settee for me, hope to make at least 4am before sleep takes me, either way hopefully I'll see most of the Aussie wickets.
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I'd declare straightaway, the first hour of the day is always the most dangerous for the batsman, so no point wasting it on a KP and Bell slugfest.
Especially with more rain predicted.
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Carrying on with the bat for the moment.
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Fucking declare you twats
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I agree with what Shane Warne is saying, we need as long as possible to bowl them out with the weather forecast.
Strauss has previous for declaring to late in this type of situation aswell.
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Pietersen gone.
Good knock.
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This is pathetic, the Aussies taking cheap wickets can only benefit them.
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Spoke to soon lol
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In the pub when I get home I better see convicts batting or Strauss is an idiot
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This is pathetic, the Aussies taking cheap wickets can only benefit them.
Then again, in their rather brittle frame of mind seeing that this pitch can give up wickets so easily might worry them a bit. It certainly doesn't look like a pitch for a team to bat out two days (weather notwithstanding).
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Hilarious stuff from the Aussie fielders.
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Ha Ha Ha Ponting.
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That's 600.
Might make sense to declare but no.
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Nine runs an over at the moment. Weather is looking good at the moment.
I'd say slog every ball for the next three overs, declare at the end of that or at the next wicket - whichever comes first.
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Declared for 620-5
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Now need to see if the Aussies are demoralised as their fielding suggested.
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Excellent - big fuck off AVFC flag.
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Great shot of a great flag!
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Great shot of the AVFC flag.
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Excellent - big fuck off AVFC flag.
Are blues fans out there? ;)
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Declared for 620-5
1,137-6
(winky emoticon)
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Excellent - big fuck off AVFC flag.
Are blues fans out there? ;)
Quite a few, Maccas must be short staffed at the moment
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My flag was next to that big AVFC Flag, and if you looked closely when they showed that flag you'd have seen me stood there!
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Massive wicket getting Clarke at the end.
I think the weather is a worry though if we don't get stuck in again early. Here's the forecast;
Adelaide Forecast
Issued at 6:35 pm CDT on Monday 6 December 2010
Warning Summary
Nil.
Forecast for Monday evening
Showers with thunderstorms, becoming rain periods this evening. Warm with light
to moderate northeast to north winds and a light northwest to southwest sea
breeze until evening.
Precis Showers/thunderstorm.
Forecast for Tuesday
Cloudy with a shower or two during the morning increasing to showers and the
chance of a thunderstorm during the afternoon. Warm with light to moderate
northeast to northerly winds and a light to moderate southwest afternoon sea
breeze.
Precis Showers. Afternoon thunderstorm.
City: Min 20 Max 32
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Well good luck lads, I think if it stays clear we should win.
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Anyone think England might have to bat again?
It's a turning pitch, but 137+ between Hussey, North and Haddin wouldn't be out of the question. Plus if they get a partnership going for any length of time they might even carry a narrow (but valuable enough) lead. Not necessarily enough to win the game (on a 5th day pitch never say never though) but certainly to ensure the draw.
Should England have declared earlier or stuck another 40 runs on, hard one to call. If it's a complete washout today it won't have made much difference either way.
Hussey is an aggravating barsteward who plays spin well, I can see him hanging around. But there is a chink of light with North fresh in. Get him early, nail Haddin and that should be the game. Siddle might offer a bit of resistance but you'd back Swann or one of the seamers to clean up.
Hopefully they get enough play in the morning to make serious inroads.
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We just need to get 2 wickets tomorrow out of Hussey, North and Haddin and the rest will follow soon enough.
The big rain that they forecast to hit us in Adelaide this evening hasn't hit yet, in fact it's gone around Adelaide itself and stayed in the hills, so hopefully we'll get a decent start tomorrow.
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The moisture in the air can only be good for Jimmy's reverse swing. Hopefully, might speed things up!
-
What time does play start tonight?
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11.30pm (UK time) I think.
-
3 hours of play and i'd be amazed if we didn't win the game.
Swann will bowl a lot lot worse than he did today and take 5 wickets.
Ball was turning square by the end.
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Right come on England erase the memory of that Villa shite. Bowl them out quick.
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Broad may be out of the series, with a stomach injury.
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Broad is out of the tour.
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Predict Aussies batting up to tea and than all out with a lead of 70 or so. England knock them off with ease!
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I have a horrible feeling this will be a draw. We need some luck this morning.
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That's cheered me up a bit!
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What do I know eh? Hussey was the danger man. Come on england.
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Another 5 wouldn't go amiss.
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Better than this football bollocks isn't it?
-
I'm just thankful my deep unyielding dislike of Aussies leads me to support England in the Ashes.
Scotland lost some tin pot to Afghanistan the other day. Eighty odd all out.
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Another one falls: Haddon out :)
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Oh Jimmy Jimmy.
That should be that.
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Get in jimmy.
How ironic, all the talk of spin and it's our 2 pacemen who take the two danger men.
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jimmy you beauty
-
Another one.
First ball for Harris
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I'm just thankful my deep unyielding dislike of Aussies leads me to support England in the Ashes.
Scotland lost some tin pot to Afghanistan the other day. Eighty odd all out.
Not really England though, is it? ;)
England and Wales cricket board containing batsmen from S.Africa and Ireland, the Empire Strikes Back.
Anderson on a hattrick...
-
Good here aint it.
-
Harris claimed to North it hit him on the thigh pad!
Sorry Ryan, you can't bluff technology
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plumb
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And North has gone too!
Brilliant middle order collapse!
-
God bless you review system.
-
Cheered me up after earlier.
-
Shocker from the umpire there.
-
Well I'm going to bed happy now!
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Anyone betting all out by 1am. They pointed out yesterday that after 6th man they have no one getting more then high teens in their tests. It not like when Warne and others used to be stubborn and get 50's and such.
-
I was hoping they would at least last past lunch as I have some stuff to finish off before bed and the cricket is great for getting me through that.
-
So lucky there Siddle,
-
Make him play Jimbob.
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Shocker from the umpire there.
It hit pad and bat in quick succession and was probably hard to tell the order in real time.
But have they checked for glue there.
-
So easy it's embarrassing.
Also love the barmy army singing Swann will tear you apart again to the theme of Joy Divisions Love will tear us apart.
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Collapse, get in.
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Australia obviously watched a video of our match with Liverpool and were inspired by the resilience we showed :-)
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Aye.
Shit start and it didn't get better.
Shame.
The camera hasn't panned around to Ponting yet. I want to see the crushed look on his little face.
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great way to finish it Swanny.
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Av it.
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And that's that.
Bloody shit Aussies and excellent England ruining my plan to stay up and get work done.
-
That Australia, is one hell of a thrashing.
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Easy peasy! Shame the next one starts at 2.30am though.
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Ponting just tried to claim the pace attacks of both sides are similar.
What utter utter bollocks Ricky.
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Ponting just tried to claim the pace attacks of both sides are similar.
What utter utter bollocks Ricky.
I couldnt believe it when he said that, what a complete sour shit he really is. He's becoming deluded, did he also say that he doesnt feel like he's done anything wrong so far?
England though, WOW! Is this the best all-round performance for a few generations? They are looking more than the real deal at the moment. Bring on the 3rd.
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Fantastic stuff.
Bit of a pisser about Broad.........
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Ponting just tried to claim the pace attacks of both sides are similar.
What utter utter bollocks Ricky.
I couldnt believe it when he said that, what a complete sour shit he really is. He's becoming deluded, did he also say that he doesnt feel like he's done anything wrong so far?
England though, WOW! Is this the best all-round performance for a few generations? They are looking more than the real deal at the moment. Bring on the 3rd.
Watched that aswell, he sounded like he's trying to grasp at anything. It must be hard to go from captaining the best side of all time to a very poor side in a couple of years....... i'm not sniggering here....honest.
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The aussie press will be interesting over the next week.
Sydney Morning Herald (http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/england-thrash-australia-in-second-ashes-test-20101207-18nkf.html)
The Australian (http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/england-on-verge-of-ashes-series-lead/story-e6frg7rx-1225966908030)
The Age (http://www.theage.com.au/sport/cricket/australia-collapses--england-takes-ashes-lead-20101207-18n7b.html)
The Daily Telegraph (http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/the-ashes)
Some of the reader comments are awesome.
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Well the rain and thunderstorms they were predicting have just hit. Shame it's about 2 1/2 hours too late for the Aussies! haha
What a fantastic morning!
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VillaSubmariner I trust you'll be nursing a rather sore head tomorrow?
Enjoy yourself chap.
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Fantastic stuff.
Bit of a pisser about Broad.........
Yeah shame bout Broady.
I do think we are equipped to deal with his loss well though. The back up bowlers have all looked good and the extra bounce at Perth should suit Tremlett.
Australia have massive problems though.
They've already dropped Johnson and Hilfenhaus from the 1st test. Now Katich is out injured, North will surely be dropped and Doherty has no place in International cricket. Bollinger also looked poor, he had no control and leaked runs.
What can they do though?
Phil Hughes will probably come in for Katich, but has had big problems with the short ball previously.
Khawaja will most probably come in for North. But is the third test of an Ashes series where your team has just been crushed the best time to make your debut?
Who comes in for Doherty? Steven Smith who looks like a part time leg spinner at best (although useful with the bat), or recall Hauritz, which would be a real admission of a serious error by the selectors.
If Bollinger is dropped do they recall the out of sorts Johnson or the ineffective Hilfenhaus? It would look pretty pathetic if they did but it doesn't look like they have any young quicks pulling up trees in their domestic game .
I remember when England use to have these sort of problems during Ashes series's.
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This is rather interesting:
http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/cricket-legends-come-to-blows-at-ashes-20101207-18o28.html
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VillaSubmariner I trust you'll be nursing a rather sore head tomorrow?
Enjoy yourself chap.
I've had an afternoon stuck in my backpackers because of how bad the storms are that have hit Adelaide. Good job we finished them off in the morning because after about 1.30pm we'd have had no play at all!
Luckily I've had a couple of bottles of vino to keep me company!
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This is rather interesting:
http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/cricket-legends-come-to-blows-at-ashes-20101207-18o28.html
My money would be on Beefy in that fight!
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What do you reckon, Bresnan, Shazad or maybe even Tremlett in for Broad?
Perth will be another batters wicket so maybe the extra pace of Shazad to hurry them up a bit?
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What do you reckon, Bresnan, Shazad or maybe even Tremlett in for Broad?
Perth will be another batters wicket so maybe the extra pace of Shazad to hurry them up a bit?
I'd go Tremlett. He bowled well in the Australia A game taking 7 wickets.
Perth, whilst good for batsmen has the most pace and bounce of any service in Australia. Phil Hughes has had real problems against the short ball as has Michael Clarke.
Bresnan i think would be a slightly negative selection. We need to keep our foot on the Aussie throat and the best way to do that is attack.
I like Shazad, but he's more of a skiddy / swing bowler. Maybe Sydney would suit him quite well.
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This is rather interesting:
http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/cricket-legends-come-to-blows-at-ashes-20101207-18o28.html
Good for Beefy, Chapelle is an absolute cockwomble.
Brilliant win for the boys, Australia have huge problems.
Tall, pacy bowlers always do well at Perth - Tremlett is 6''7'' isn't he?
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Well done lads, excellent.
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What do you reckon, Bresnan, Shazad or maybe even Tremlett in for Broad?
Perth will be another batters wicket so maybe the extra pace of Shazad to hurry them up a bit?
Did you notice the Tamworth FC flag at the Ashes Dave?
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Did you notice the Tamworth FC flag at the Ashes Dave?
Yes, it's one of our regular away flags taken over by Brian Whitehouse and his wife (you probably won't know them)!
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Really chuffed with the result - and particularly pleased with how the Aussies seemed to have morphed into any one of numerous poor England sides from down the years. Poor fielding, ineffectual bowlers, batting collapses - and now scrambling around for replacements that are as every bit as weak as the players already in situ. My heart bleeds...
Ponting is one of the all-time great Test batsman, but its amazing how his credentials as a captain don't seem quite as great now that he can't simply toss the ball to McGrath or Warne and tell them to get on with it.
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Watching them in the nets prior to the Adelaide Test I'd say that Shahzad was by far the better of the 3 bowlers. After the test though we watched them in the nets again and Bresnan was the better of the 3.
Personally I'd go for Bresnan as he gives us more "all round" much like Broad does, but I think they'll go with whoever does the better at the MCG this weekend against Victoria.
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I'm presuming everyone saw this in the first test? Just in case I'll post it. Comedy gold. What a scream.
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The Aussies could do with Shane Warne bowling for them instead of commentating for Sky Sports... there bowlers are crap and it's the reason why England are destroying them with such high scores. Combined score for England in last 2 innings including Brisbane is like 1060-6. Australia's attack isn't that greatt either.
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In a survey in one of the papers out here 71% said he should come out of retirement.
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This is rather interesting:
http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/cricket-legends-come-to-blows-at-ashes-20101207-18o28.html
My money would be on Beefy in that fight!
You know what?.......I don't think so!...I love listening to Chappell on T.M.S He tells some wonderful stories.....he is not at all sour like "Lip up fatty, lip up fatty fatty Botham"....Who, by the way, stole the Ashes off of Bob Willis!
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This is rather interesting:
http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/cricket-legends-come-to-blows-at-ashes-20101207-18o28.html
My money would be on Beefy in that fight!
You know what?.......I don't think so!...I love listening to Chappell on T.M.S He tells some wonderful stories.....he is not at all sour like "Lip up fatty, lip up fatty fatty Botham"....Who, by the way, stole the Ashes off of Bob Willis!
Fair enough not liking Botham, but the resons you've given are completely stupid.
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This is rather interesting:
http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/cricket-legends-come-to-blows-at-ashes-20101207-18o28.html
My money would be on Beefy in that fight!
You know what?.......I don't think so!...I love listening to Chappell on T.M.S He tells some wonderful stories.....he is not at all sour like "Lip up fatty, lip up fatty fatty Botham"....Who, by the way, stole the Ashes off of Bob Willis!
Fair enough not liking Botham, but the resons you've given are completely stupid.
Fair enough you saying fair enough!!
As a youngster in the late 70's early 80's and a W.C.C.C season ticket holder, Botham was like Cantona, Extremely skillful bit distasteful and he played for a more atractive team than mine!....Just a bit to full of bravado, just a little bit to cocky and a little bit to overweight!...He thought Somerset was the centre of the universe, when we all knew Warwickshire was!!
And i'm sick of him basking in the glory of Headingly for his 149 n.o. when Willis got 8 for 43 and is toally forgotten!
It's no coincidence him not being a Selector and the England team being successfull!
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With you with the Ashes stuff Andy, but Botham V Chappell in a full on fight?
Only one winner I'm afraid.
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I am with Andy. I too was a WCCC member in the early 80's and fatso was a real arsehole around the county circuit. Fighting, boozing, and being generally arrogant off the pitch. He was also a bit inconsistent on it but put enough match winning performances together to gloss over the days when he didn't turn up. He was class though, the fat twat.
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If you want to redress some of the balance about Headingley '81, I'd recommend this (http://www.amazon.co.uk/500-1-Miracle-Headingley-Mike-Brearley/dp/0563538201). Bob Willis gets his rightful praise for his role in the win.
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Can they be serious about Warne returning?
I know what he brings to the game was never entirely fitness based, but for a bloke to be out of test cricket so long and to just walk back in from the commentary box would be an odd one.
Shows how desperate they are that the idea is even being discussed.
-
Oh yes, Bring Warne back please.
And then see Cook, Pietersen, Trott, Collingwood, Bell and Prior fuck him out of the ground for figures of 22-0-0-230.
I would fucking love that.
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(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs802.snc4/68236_10150107664144369_723789368_7476556_3726343_n.jpg)
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First blood to Bresnan.
-
Cricket Australia’s National Selection Panel (NSP) today announced a 12-man squad for the third Vodafone Ashes Test match beginning in Perth on Thursday.
The 12-man squad is:
Ricky Ponting (c)
Michael Clarke (vc)
Michael Beer
Brad Haddin
Ryan Harris
Phillip Hughes
Ben Hilfenhaus
Mike Hussey WA
Mitchell Johnson
Peter Siddle
Steven Smith
Shane Watson
NSP Chairman Andrew Hilditch said:
“Phillip Hughes replaces the injured Simon Katich in the squad for the third Test match in Perth. Phil is an exciting young batsman who has already proven his ability to succeed at international level and he deserves this opportunity to return to the Australian side.
“Steve Smith replaces Marcus North in the 12-man squad. This is obviously disappointing for Marcus who has played some outstanding Test innings for Australia but it was felt to be the right time to bring the exciting prospect Steve Smith into the Test team. Steve has already had success at international level and will also add to the bowling depth with his leg spin bowling and dynamic fielding.
“Michael Beer replaces Xavier Doherty in the squad. Michael is a left-arm orthodox spinner who has been very impressive at domestic level this year. He took wickets against England in the tour match earlier this summer and we expect he will bowl very well against the English on his home ground.
“Doug Bollinger has been omitted from the squad. Both Mitchell Johnson and Ben Hilfenhaus did not play in Adelaide but will be strongly considered for selection in the Perth Test match where conditions will suit them. Ryan Harris and Peter Siddle were the pick of our quicks at Adelaide Oval and these four make up the pace attack for the Perth Test match.
“The squad is a very exciting one with a blend of talented young players and experienced international cricketers. We are confident it will play an aggressive brand of cricket as we try to change the momentum of the Test series in this critical Vodafone Ashes Perth Test match.”
The Australian squad will gather in Perth on Sunday evening. Details of the team’s training and media schedule and accreditation collection details in Perth will be forwarded on Sunday on arrival.
So that is 4 changes for the Aussies, excellent!!
Michael Beer is 26 Years old, made his first class debut this October and has only played 5 First Class games in his career!
-
Unreal,
One mediocre domestic left arm spinner fails so they bring in another.
Smith is no great shakes either. He's handy with the bat but chris schofield like with the ball.
-
My guess is the Aussie team will be:
Watson
Hughes
Ponting
Clarke
Hussey
Haddin
Smith
Johnson
Harris
Beer
Siddle
-
&feature=player_embedded
-
My guess is the Aussie team will be:
Watson
Hughes
Ponting
Clarke
Hussey
Haddin
Smith
Johnson
Harris
Beer
Siddle
I think that's the team they will pick too, which for me, leaves them light on batting. With Ponting and Clarke in shall we say indifferent form, putting a lot of pressure on Mr Cricket and the openers. Chances for the opening bowlers as well, both Watson and Hughes like to go at the ball which may reap its rewards, but equally they could be 2 down as quickly as Adelaide.
It worries me, but I am ultra confident that we will retain the Ashes and if the weather stays fair, win the series by 2 matches.
One thing I would like, as a True Bear, is to see Belly move above Collingwood. The man is in the best form of his life and they need to use it and not let him waste away at No 6.
-
Hussey (Mike) could open the batting, as that's where he made his name with WA.
You'd take away the (relative) stability they have in the middle order with that mind. His brother David Hussey might come into the reckoning in the middle order, if they suspect that Phil Hughes still has an issue with the short ball.
But that would be changing two positions in the side to cover one vacancy.
Hughes will probably get the nod.
-
England 184 for 2 at lunch vs Victoria.
Bell not out on 60.
Strange really considering the amount of runs Cook, Pietersen and Trott have scored, that Bell seems to be in the best nick of all.
-
I'd keep Bell where he is. he seems to be best at number 6 and when he was last there regularly in 2006 he couldn't stop scoring 100s agains pakistan (or at least high scores)
-
I'd keep Bell where he is. he seems to be best at number 6 and when he was last there regularly in 2006 he couldn't stop scoring 100s agains pakistan (or at least high scores)
He bats well with the lower middle order. Prior, Broad (when fit) and Swann can usually be relied on to hold up an end.
That said I think that Bell should swap places with Colly and go in at 5.
-
'.......if it ain't broke'
-
Agreed.
I hear all the arguments about playing him higher up the order. Not just 5, but he should -in theory- be good enough to play even higher up. He has all the shots, technique and so on.
But for whatever reason it hasn't quite worked in the past for him there. He seems happy at 6, his average there is far healthier than in any other slot so lets not ruin a good thing.
I also don't think he's waisted there at 6, as if it's some type of rank or mark against his ability. The good Ausses sides of yesteryear had great players coming in at that slot.
How demotivating must it be for the opposition to do the hard work of getting 5 wickets down only to see a player like Bell stroll to the crease.
-
I think Bell averages around 55 batting at 6. His overall average is about 42 / 43.
One of the things thats impressive about the current England line up, is that they all know what their individual role is. No reason to change things.
-
I'm happy with having a batsman as talented as Bell at 6, let's face it, often you think that if you have taken the top four wickets you are well on your way towards the tail, but England have one of their best at 6, followed by Prior, Broad and Swann who can all hold their end up to help him.
-
It's also a crucial role that requires decent adaptability and a good mindset.
If the top order batsmen have been skittled out with the new ball or in conditions that seam earlier on, the responsibility is there to stabilise the innings and help to ensure a respectable total. If the top order have done well, the challenge is there to take the game even further away from the opposition.
It needs a good batsmen to really play the position well, not just someone to make up the numbers. And Bell is a good batsmen, probably in the form of his career.
-
My guess is the Aussie team will be:
Watson
Hughes
Ponting
Clarke
Hussey
Haddin
Smith
Johnson
Harris
Beer
Siddle
i think you will be right in your team selection for the crims! I love the fact of them chopping and changing all the bowlers, they really are in a quandry of how to stop us!
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Re Bell batting at 6 imo it's all about the balance of the batting order that works better with Bell at 6.
With Trott and Collingwood fairly similar types - hard to get out, head down grafters and Pietersen and Bell the stroke players it makes perfect sense to split them up in the order;
3. Trott
4.Pietersen
5.Collingwood
6.Bell
It gives us a far better balance to the batting order and ensures the run rate won't be in danger of stalling at any point. Also allows the stoke players the opportunity to play around Collingwood in particular. The order might change i we had a run chace on but other than that I can't see this changing.
News breaking here about Warnie having a bit with Liz Hurley - the jammy f*****.
-
agree with all the sentiment re Bell at 6 - compare him walking out to bat at 80-4 (if things go badly for any reason which i have to say i can't currently see) compared to how we feel when North / Smith walks to the wicket. Also, i understand Ponting has never even met Beer let alone see him bowl.....and Johnson has only had net bowling since being dropped having been 'protected' from the last round of Shield games - just serves to underline the state convict cricket is in compared to ours right now.
lets hope we pulverise them this week - having been in Perth 4 years ago when they reclaimed the ashes gutted at not being there now and comforted by knowing that those that are will milk it for everything
-
Episode 5
-
England are not revealing their side until the toss, i've got a feeling Bresnan will get the nod as Shahzad is a bit raw & Tremlett seems to have a touch of the Harmisons about him. Hope i'm wrong though as Tremlett (on fire & form) is perfect for this wicket.
-
Sounds like Tremlett will be picked, which would be good.
-
Thought Tremlett initially, didn't even think there was a debate.
Big tall bowler, ideal to exploit the extra pace and bounce traditionally associated with Perth.
But the more I think about it, the more I'd be tempted to go with Bresnan. Not just for his runs down the order (useful as they may be). That would be defensive, and you'd be picking a bower for the wrong reasons.
But as others have said, throughout his career Tremlett can blow very hot and cold. He looked sharp in Hobart and his body language was good. But when things start to go wrong it looks like he's got the world on his shoulders.
There is also talk that this pitch isn't particularly bouncy by old Perth standards, hasn't been for a while so that should open it up for the other two. I like the look of Shazad, and when the conditions suit I reckon he could be the most explosive option out of the three, capable of taking 5/6 wickets if it all clicks in double quick time.
Bresnan doesn't have that ability to go through a side single handedly, but he's a workhorse. Throw him the ball and he'll run in for plenty of overs and give you a degree of control. Tremlett is at his best in short sharp bursts and with Finn still finding his feet at international level, I'm not sure you could go with two bowlers who you have to use sparingly.
Finn ticks the box as far as height and bounce is concerned too, so I'd be very tempted to go with Bresnan. You could also look at the issue of consistency of selection and make the argument for picking a bowler who can feature in the next three tests, rather than the horses for courses/ chopping and changing model Australia seem to have adopted.
-
Is this a must-win toss? Get in, post a big score and hope our bowlers can make hay?
-
right i'm off to bed up at 4.40 for the afternoon session
-
Is this a must-win toss? Get in, post a big score and hope our bowlers can make hay?
Plenty of grass on the wicket apparently.
As we've seen at Adelaide, any movement first up can have a big impact on the course of the game.
The Aussies know they need a response in this game and conditions that favour their fast bowlers initially could bring them back into the series. In contrast, lose the toss and take a few early wickets and any semblance of planning or preparation they put in place post Adelaide will be out the window. There will be that sinking feeling for them of 'here we go again.' Great. Keep them down.
I think you'd have to bat first up if the coin drops in your favour but it might be one of those tosses where you don't mind losing.
I do expect a big reaction from the Aussies though. I don't think there is a huge gulf in class between the two sides and with Broad out and Anderson jetlagged - I expect this to be a lot tougher than Adelaide.
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Strauss wins toss and will....bowl?!
Wow, big decision, need to bowl them out for less than 250 now.
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Ponting says he'd have bowled too.
No doubt it'll be questioned if the Aussies go on and post 500+ though.
Momentum is with England, make some early inroads and the game is theirs to lose.
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Tremlett strikes!
3 more of these cants back in the shed before lunch would be just the ticket.
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King Rat walks.
Great work by Collingwood.
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England looking sharp in the field again.
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28-3 at the moment.....lovely stuff.
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Watson gone.
This just gets better and better.
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65-4 at lunch.
On the surface that looks like a fantastic effort.
But it hasn't been a relentless barrage of pressure by any means.
Anderson and Finn below par, but fcuk me you'd take this if offered beforehand.
Hussey looks solid, and this is his home ground. But you'd back one of the seamers to clean him up or at least limit his impact. Smith looks like what he is, a novice but with Haddin still to come there is a bit of resistance yet.
Hopefully there's not too many pats on the back in the dressing room. As odd as this may sound with 4 down at lunch, England can do better. Skittle this shower out for circa 200 and it would be very hard -even for England- to throw this one away.
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Now 69 for 5. Glad that partnership's been broken, wish it was Hussey out though.
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morning gentlemen
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This is like playing Pakistan - only without the controversy.
Knock over their top order relatively easily but then the real cricket starts when you get to the middle order.
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A 50 partnership up in double quick time.
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Hussey gone after a review.
Mr Cricket not walking despite a definite edge.
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Mind you, Holding didn't hear a nick first time.
Glad he's gone though.
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James Blunt AKA Finn has been awful, he can be expensive.
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Just woke up, great day so far, Johnson is putting up a bit of a fight but we should knock them over in thr next hour.
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267-9. come on lads finish em off!
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268 all out
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England 29-0 at stumps.
Decent day.
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268 all out
Disappointing after being 69-5.
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The Aussies either take wickets in the first session tomorrow or it's game over
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I know it's selfish of me, but I don't actually want England to win at Perth. I'd rather win the Ashes at the MCG!
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Wonderful day for England.
If you win the toss on the first day of a test match and ask your opponents to bat and they end up being all out before the close then you'd settle for that. Another big day tomorrow, if we bat as well as we have been so far on this tour then tomorrow could be the day that decides the Ashes.
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I know it's selfish of me, but I don't actually want England to win at Perth. I'd rather win the Ashes at the MCG!
Never fear, whatever happens here only a win at the MCG will see England win the series outright. A win at the WACA would only mean we'll have retained the Ashes by not losing the series.
How about we go 3-0 up at the MCG instead. How much fun would that be (and we always do well in Sydney).
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I know it's selfish of me, but I don't actually want England to win at Perth. I'd rather win the Ashes at the MCG!
Yeah, we'll only retain them in Perth though and not win the series outright. I want 4-0, just to rub their faces in it big style.
edit: which is exactly what OzVilla said, sorry mate!
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A fine day for England again. The Aussie tail wagged but 268 on that deck is well below par. Stick another 500 on the board and it's goodnight for them.
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Good performance, now another 600 plus innings for England will do nicely.
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I think we'll score something similar to them.
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Another day that we've domianted. We are stopping their top order from finding any sort of form and they can't make much of an impression on ours.
England are stronger individually and collectively.
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Need to get a lead of around 150-200. They will be ubder immense pressure then. I expect johnson to do well in this innings so it will be a lot harder than gabba and Adelaide.
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Very good day again.
Don't think we bowled as well as we could but i'd have bitten multiple hands of if offered 268 all out at the start of play.
Great job by Strauss and Cook in the last hour aswell.
If we can see of the next 10 - 15 overs then the ball will go soft and batting will be relatively simple. (As Australia's lower order proved).
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England are not revealing their side until the toss, i've got a feeling Bresnan will get the nod as Shahzad is a bit raw & Tremlett seems to have a touch of the Harmisons about him. Hope i'm wrong though as Tremlett (on fire & form) is perfect for this wicket.
It's possible to be both wrong & right in the same sentence :D
I wasn't a Tremlett fan, but today he proved me wrong, special kudos for Anderson though, he's worked out how to bowl on wickets that don't necessarily suit him, I loved the way he rubbed Johnsons nose in it after bowling Harris. England to post 400-450 & win by 7 wickets.
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Shame the tail wagged. 180 all out looked a pretty conservative bet at 60 odd for 5 and under 200 was still on when Haddin departed at 189.
Giving Johnson any kind of confidence isn't ideal but he looked in such a state at the Gabba it's hard to believe that a bit of work in the nets is all he needs to bowl effectively.
They gambled with that pace attack and it looked like if he was going down Ponting wanted to go down swinging too. Fair play, but lets go for the throat.
Should still be a bit of life in that pitch tomorrow so could be difficult first up. Ride out the first session with one, possibly two down and it should get a lot easier. All the pressure will be back on the Aussies and -as we've seen- this current crop don't seem to be able to handle it all that well.
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Just watched the highlights and that was a great catch from Collingwood to dismiss Ponting.
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Just watched the highlights and that was a great catch from Collingwood to dismiss Ponting.
Great?
It was fucking brilliant.
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Strauss lucky there.
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Cook gone, flashing at a wide one.
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Trott a gwarn.
I have a funny feeling KP might be following soon.
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Oh dear, need Bell and Prior to play well this afternoon.
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morning chaps
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187 all out and much as I hate to say it that was a superb bowling performance by Australia.
Johnson has just shown everyone that on his day he can destroy sides - he's either a world beater or a panal beater with not much in between. That's the first time he's bowled to anything like his potential against England.
I honestly can't fault the batsmen too much, they were got out by some really good bowling. We really need to start well against these now as 80 odd runs is alot to concede in a low scoring game.
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Another day that we've domianted. We are stopping their top order from finding any sort of form and they can't make much of an impression on ours.
England are stronger individually and collectively.
Don't believe the hype.
The media here made out that we only had to turn up to beat them.
It's the England Football squad scenario and again we've been found wanting.
We failed to nail it at 69-5.
Then the age old collapsing domino routine when we bat.
If the Aussies win this test, they'll go on to win the Ashes.
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Well, that didn't go too well, did it ?
However, on Radio Five this morning, even Sir Geoffrey (who's normally the first to have a dig) said that it was mainly impressive bowling rather poor batting that was the problem.
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The two sides are more closely matched than has been suggested.
The Crims best periods of play have coincided with some excellent performances; Hussey and Haddin with the bat at Brisbane; Siddle's hattrick and Johnson's bowling today. Whenever they've been on top we've clawed it back with strong performances of our own and every player has contributed in one way or another.
If we can grab another couple of quick ones today and have them 5 down overnight then game on!
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Still not comfortable with only 4 front line bowlers, you've got to be a top, top side to do that.
Still think the Ashes rest on this.
Hussey and Haddin are the danger men.
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So effectively 200-3 overnight - We looked like we were missing someone like Broad in that last session, someone with some experience of bowling in tight Test Matches. Well as they've done so far neither Tremlett or Finn has that and Swann bowled poorly.
Strauss field was strange. This in/out field works at times but if England are going to get back into this Test match it'll be by taking wickets consistantly and the best way to do that is by getting it up there and building pressure - easy singles down the ground are gimmies to the likes of Hussey and Watson. If they want to score runs straight then they need to go over the top, if they do then fair enough, they take that chance.
On a positive note, there's so much grass that I can't see the pitch breaking up at all so it should stay a good wicket right through the game - South Africa chased 414-4 at the WACA 2 years ago in the 4th innings to win the game.
Early wickets tomorrow and it's well and truely game on.
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Another day that we've domianted. We are stopping their top order from finding any sort of form and they can't make much of an impression on ours.
England are stronger individually and collectively.
Don't believe the hype.
The media here made out that we only had to turn up to beat them.
It's the England Football squad scenario and again we've been found wanting.
We failed to nail it at 69-5.
Then the age old collapsing domino routine when we bat.
If the Aussies win this test, they'll go on to win the Ashes.
I do not agree with this, domino routine ? we scored shed loads in the first two tests against their assorted test attack and as for winning it ? England are a better side than you give them credit for.
rarely are there two cricketing days the same and I cannot see England collapsing in the second innings.
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An interesting stat.
I can't remember exactly but in the last 4 matches at this ground, the team
Batting last has scored over 300 with south Africa scoring over 400.
So all is not lost if we can minimise their lead.
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Get them down to a 300 lead and we have a chance.
3 days left to go yet.
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Another day that we've domianted. We are stopping their top order from finding any sort of form and they can't make much of an impression on ours.
England are stronger individually and collectively.
Don't believe the hype.
The media here made out that we only had to turn up to beat them.
It's the England Football squad scenario and again we've been found wanting.
We failed to nail it at 69-5.
Then the age old collapsing domino routine when we bat.
If the Aussies win this test, they'll go on to win the Ashes.
I do not agree with this, domino routine ? we scored shed loads in the first two tests against their assorted test attack and as for winning it ? England are a better side than you give them credit for.
rarely are there two cricketing days the same and I cannot see England collapsing in the second innings.
Agreed, Doc. We're the stronger side. They've had a very good day because Johnson has at last found some form in perfect conditions for him but prior to that we've dominated the previous 8 days. Thats' cricket but even if we lose this one (and we're still well in it) I think we'll still win the series.
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I still maintain that Johnson is a chucka.
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I still maintain that Johnson is a chucka.
slinger,chucker,thrower
agreed VS
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Goofy prick was more appropriate I thought
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I was pretty gutted to get up this morning and see us all out. We are in big trouble here now, we've massively gashed this up. Need a huge performance from now on in this test.
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[Aggers]"Ricky Ponting looks absolutely devastated"[/Aggers]
Music to our ears !!
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Is it normal to be this upset at a game that I knew fcuk all about two weeks ago?
Only hope is to bring out just as good a bowler to keep them to about 300, then unleash fury.
Does that sound right?
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I still maintain that Johnson is a chucka.
slinger,chucker,thrower
agreed VS
Add Malinga to that.
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I was pretty gutted to get up this morning and see us all out. We are in big trouble here now, we've massively gashed this up. Need a huge performance from now on in this test.
Are you a student? I'd been at work for 2 hours when we got bowled out!
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309- all out. We have big chase on our hands but it can be done. We need 391 to win.
There's gonna be a result.
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Well I've just woke up too see their final 2 wickets fall.
Big ask for our batsman now too make 391, but they can take their time and you never know.
South Frica chased 400 on this ground recently, stranger things have happened.
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I got up just now, If we bat well 391 is gettable it still looks a good pitch.
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We have a chance. Aussies big favorites without doubt.
Recent history suggests batting last at Perth is by no means a minefield. Teams have consistently scored big. The batsmen are in good form, (apart from the 1st innings this match) and Australia's bowling is still pretty ordinary. Whichever Mitchell Johnson shows up could be the key to this one. He was close to unplayable in the 1st innings, but there is a lot of pressure on him to perform 2nd time around.
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Cook just edged and dropped short of Ponting.Lucky there.
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Well I've just woke up too see their final 2 wickets fall.
Big ask for our batsman now too make 391, but they can take their time and you never know.
South Frica chased 400 on this ground recently, stranger things have happened.
I think Johnson took 7 wickets in the first innings in that match, so theres quite a nice parallel there.
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Cook gone, fucking hell.
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Cooks gone LBW. oh dear
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Cook gone,
come on Trotty, your due a big one.
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Have to get to the close today no worse than 2 down.
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Strauss gone.
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Now it's gonna take some hard work.
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I reckon that is probably game over, we needed a good start.
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Hate to say it, but that could be that. I was banking on one of Strauss or Cook getting a good score.
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If we are going to lose, we need to at least make sure we make a real fight of it. Make Australia take every wicket, rather than giving them away.
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2 days to go yet. I'm not giving up until we have 6 down and are under 200.
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If we stay just 2 down by end of play, we have a chance. I'm sure SA chased down 400+ last year in Perth.
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Shocking shot from KP, shocking.............
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..............and seconds later KP edges to slip. Pillock.
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Well with 391 to chase and Strauss, Cook and Pietersen in the shed with 55 scored i'm fairly certain that that will be that.
I expect the Aussies will wrap this up before lunch tomorrow.
Shocking shot from Pietersen too. He should be seriously pissed off with himself about that one.
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That definitely is it, we've batted very very poorly in this game. They've rested on their laurels.
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Absolutely pathetic shot from Pietersen.
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That definitely is it, we've batted very very poorly in this game. They've rested on their laurels.
Very true, to get bowled out twice cheaply (most probably) against this attack on a good pitch is really bad. We should have got 300 to 350 first innings quite easily.
Bowlers have done well, batsmen have let us down badly in this game.
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Got a horrible feeling this is a turning point in the series, 180 degree momentum swing. I thought when Broad was injured and they let Anderson go away and get jetlagged that we might pay for this in this match, and we have. Add to that the fact our batsmen have decided to remember they are Poms in Australia and play accordingly, and Johnson finding some form. So true that you can't win a match in the 1st innings but you can lose one.
We had them down and out after the last match and could have crushed them here, like the Australia of old would have done to us, but we've let them off the hook and are going to pay for it. Hopefully it pisses down in Melbourne and Sydney.
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Our opening 4 batsman are out now, so game over.
The momentum has well and truly shifted to Australia, they have hammered us in this match. (well maybe Johnson has but he is an Aussie)
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Right Collingwood has gone. This is appalling, Collingwood has to go he is in no form.
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That is a truly cowardly batting performance.
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Gutless, and we have managed to completely shift the momentum of the series.
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Pietersen reverted to type.
Still think the Aussies will go on to win the series.
Maybe the hysterical media will clam up a bit, Only Yesterday Atherton in the Times said
'Ponting has completely lost the ability to fight back.'
Another article mentioned the Collingwood catch and stated
'Is this the moment we retained the Ashes' ?
Same old England, as in football - Bottlers.
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That is a truly cowardly batting performance.
That's a bit harsh as I reckon only Pietersen and Colluingwood played poor shots.
What we need to remember is this is 4th against 5th in the world, we don't occupy those positions because we are consistant.
This series will ebb and flow like in 2009. We've been well and truely turned over here, similar to us well and truely turning them over in Adelaide. Only trouble is that they now have the momentum.
We'll need to re-group now for Melbourne but not press the panic button. Two fairly average internatonal teams here so shit will happen.
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I do think Collingwood needs to be dropped, his batting is too poor.
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I do think Collingwood needs to be dropped, his batting is too poor.
It is a real worry, he looks like a walking wicket right now, poor foot movement, feeling for the ball outside off stump, their slip cordon know it's coming their way sooner or later.
Problem is he gives us some useful overs, especially when we only have 4 strong attack and he's good in the field. Morgan wouldn't do this so that leaves us a problem.
We actually have a few problems now I reckon, Finn (although he's taken wickets) is looking like 5 Tests in 6 weeks might be too much for him, Tremlett lacks experience in big matches and Swann is very in and out, they are going after Swann all the time.
Strauss is having a tough series with one highlight innings out of 5, same for Pietersen. These guys are the lynch pins of our batting imo. They must fire for us.
The good news is that they aren't world beaters either, Ponting and Clarke can't buy a run between them, their opener is hugely suspect as is their no 6, they have a long tail and no spinner.
Like i said, 4th against 5th so you'll get a tight series but not neccesarilly tight Test matches.
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With Bell coming in as No 7 he has no back up. Same as the first innings he has to hot out and get out or watch them fall around him.
Think they should move him up to 5 and put Collingwood down to 6
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Fuck me.
Wasn't about this time that a week ago we were all reckoning on us having retained the Urn?
I only hope that this is like Headingley last time round and we come back the stronger next Test.
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What we need to remember is this is 4th against 5th in the world
That's the truth of it, yet they've been built up as if they are the best in the world.
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That is a truly cowardly batting performance.
That's a bit harsh as I reckon only Pietersen and Colluingwood played poor shots.
What we need to remember is this is 4th against 5th in the world, we don't occupy those positions because we are consistant.
This series will ebb and flow like in 2009. We've been well and truely turned over here, similar to us well and truely turning them over in Adelaide. Only trouble is that they now have the momentum.
We'll need to re-group now for Melbourne but not press the panic button. Two fairly average internatonal teams here so shit will happen.
I thought Trott's shot was pretty poor aswell.
I don't go along with the average international team either, England have played excellent cricket for the vast majority of this tour. They have badly let themselves down with the bat in this match.
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I don't really thi
What we need to remember is this is 4th against 5th in the world
That's the truth of it, yet they've been built up as if they are the s best in the world.
I think the rankings are a bit skewed, in that there is no way that Sri Lanka are the 3rd best team in the World. They have by far the most helpful home conditions, yet still couldn't beat the West Indies at home.
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That is a truly cowardly batting performance.
That's a bit harsh as I reckon only Pietersen and Colluingwood played poor shots.
What we need to remember is this is 4th against 5th in the world, we don't occupy those positions because we are consistant.
This series will ebb and flow like in 2009. We've been well and truely turned over here, similar to us well and truely turning them over in Adelaide. Only trouble is that they now have the momentum.
We'll need to re-group now for Melbourne but not press the panic button. Two fairly average internatonal teams here so shit will happen.
I thought Trott's shot was pretty poor aswell.
I don't go along with the average international team either, England have played excellent cricket for the vast majority of this tour. They have badly let themselves down with the bat in this match.
I must say, I don't think you are giving the Aussie bowlers enough credit for the way they bolwed 1st innings - that wasn't down to poor batting at all.
To quote from Andrew Strauss, ''When we are good we are good enough, when we are bad we are are very bad''. sic
The same also applies to Australia. It's this lack of consistancy that means we have one bad innings during the last West Indies tour and we ended up losing a series.
At times we've been excellent in this series I totally agree, but it's maintaining that standard of performance over 5 days and 5 Tests in 6 weeks that sorts the men from the boys. We struggle to do that which makes us an average side, with promise agreed, but right now still an average side.
Both of these teams still have batting collapses in them I reckon when the pressure is applied.
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Time for Bell to be a hero. Double-century tomorrow and we'll piss it.
** Clutches at straws **
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Thing is this shouldn't be a surprise to any of us. Last summer our batting was poor at times to say the least and it was only poor 9or cheating) opposition that allowed us to get away with it. Our bowling attack has been fine, as it has in both unnings in this game. I was never convinced that our batting in the last two games wasn't as much to do with their poor bowling as it was our great batting.
Yes, this one's a goner but its 1-1 and the WACA is the bounciest pitch anywhere and we've been caught out by it. Melbourne and Sydney will be more to our liking, and our batsmen won't be undone by a pitch they are unlikely to bat on anywhere but Perth.
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Another world class exhibition of the batting collapse under way it seems.
Was enjoying the start of England's first innings on day two. Strauss and Cook had seen off the new ball in a tricky final session the night before and after plenty of chat and high fives from the Aussies in the field prior to day two, at 78 for no wicket the game was drifting away from them, and they knew it.
Then Cook chased after a wide one and England haven't really been in the game since, bar that little spell at the start of Australia's second innings. Probably not just a turning point in the game, but potentially the whole series.
Credit has to go to Johnson to a certain extent, but there was an air of predictability about some of those dismissals, particularly yesterday. That innings at the Oval in 2005 apart, KP is never the guy to fight a rearguard action. He seems to be fine if the top order have given him a decent platform but increasingly struggles if the conditions are anything less than favourable.
The temptation would be to make a few changes for Melbourne, Collingwood's form in particular being a worry. You'd lose what he gives you in the field (though Morgan is a decent fielder) and on occasion with the ball. But he's in the side for what he can do with the bat and he's not even average at present.
By the same token you wouldn't want to be seen to be making wholesale changes and panicking either. Even those who tipped an England series win at the outset (and I wasn't one of them) had Australia winning at least one game. If this is that one game so be it.
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Another world class exhibition of the batting collapse under way it seems.
Was enjoying the start of England's first innings on day two. Strauss and Cook had seen off the new ball in a tricky final session the night before and after plenty of chat and high fives from the Aussies in the field prior to day two, at 78 for no wicket the game was drifting away from them, and they knew it.
Then Cook chased after a wide one and England haven't really been in the game since, bar that little spell at the start of Australia's second innings. Probably not just a turning point in the game, but potentially the whole series.
Credit has to go to Johnson to a certain extent, but there was an air of predictability about some of those dismissals, particularly yesterday. That innings at the Oval in 2005 apart, KP is never the guy to fight a rearguard action. He seems to be fine if the top order have given him a decent platform but increasingly struggles if the conditions are anything less than favourable.
The temptation would be to make a few changes for Melbourne, Collingwood's form in particular being a worry. You'd lose what he gives you in the field (though Morgan is a decent fielder) and on occasion with the ball. But he's in the side for what he can do with the bat and he's not even average at present.
By the same token you wouldn't want to be seen to be making wholesale changes and panicking either. Even those who tipped an England series win at the outset (and I wasn't one of them) had Australia winning at least one game. If this is that one game so be it.
I'd say that summation is bang on, I do think Collingwood does have to go though or at the very least Bell be moved above him in the order.
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Right, my emotions got the best of me earlier, but i've calmed down now.
I still firmly believe we are the better team. We still have a good batting line up, a world class spinner and a very efficient pace attack. Australia have a decent batting line up (Hussey has held them together), no spinner, a decent bowler in Harris and a very good one in Johnson (when on song).
Lessons need to be learnt from this test. Part of the reason the batsmen did so well in the 1st and 2nd tests was because of their ability to leave the ball. Johnson did bowl excellently to the right handers in particular in the 1st innings this game, but a lot of wickets since then have been pretty soft.
Morgan should come in for Collingwood for Melbourne. He is a fine player, unorthadox so very difficult to bowl too. he would also break up the run of right handers in the middle order. Johnson seems to be less effective bowling at left handers. Collingwood does offer a lot in the field and a few handy overs (Trott could probably do a similar job with the ball), but his form has been very poor and his place in the batting line up does not look justified.
Whether they'll have the balls to make that change is another issue though.
I'd also be slightly worried about Finn at Melbourne. He's bowled very well so far for a 21 year old. He has shown lots of promise and will have a great career. He has bowled a lot of overs this tour though and has been quite expensive. I don't think Melbourne will suit his type of bowling too much. I think Shazhad with his skiddy type of bowling and extra bit of pace could prove a bit of a handful. It would be very tough on Finn, but I think Shazhad would be the better option if recent Melbourne conditions are repeated.
Tremlett is a similar sort of bowler as Finn, but his control is quite a bit better at this stage.
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No panic, we fucked this one up but hopefully that's the massive kick up the arse we needed.
Two to go, win one and that's the Ashes, we still definitely have the better team.
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That's right Dave. We are still in the box seat to regain the Ashes and there will be no better place than the MCG. Maybe we are just saving ourselves for the Boxing Day test ;).
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123- all out. Didn't take long to finish us off today.
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123 all out is simply not good enough.
We'll have to take our medicine here now and then move on as quickly as we can. Work will be fun tomorrow now. :-\
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Whilst the defeat was an inevitability, it would have been good to have seen the tail wag and at least go past our 1st innings score.
I too hope this is the kick up the backside for our batsmen. Our bowlers took the 20 wickets necessary for a win, but our batters failed. Twice.
My big concern now is that the Aussies now know the type of wicket to prepare to get England out cheaply. My other concern is that the Australian top order - and Ponting in particular - will have at least one innings when they will get centuries.
I think this series is now going to go the distance...
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Well that was a bit shit wasn't it!
I don't think there is any real need to panic at all as I think everyone expected a bit of a blip from England at some point in the series, just a shame it didn't wait until Sydney when we were 2-0 up!
I don't think England will change the side at all for the MCG, but if Collingwood struggles again with the bat I think his place will be in the balance at SCG regardless of the result next week. I'm also a bit concerned about Finn, ok so he has taken wickets, but I think that has been more out of luck than judgement. Anderson has bowled so much better that Finn has without the rewards to show for it.
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Let's hope for rain of biblical proportions for the rest of the series! Or maybe pack the sides with batsmen as Aussies still need to win one more for the Ashes.
The MCG pitch as it stands will suit our players, but I'll bet they'll be working overtime to produce a minefield. And even though I always had the SCG down as a spinners' wicket and would therefore favour us, Michael Vaughan reckons it will be a pacy, bouncy wicket, so we may as well hand that one over now.
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Well I expected more fight than that.
I suppose a similar thing happened at Headingly in 09, and we are a much better team now than we were then.
No reason for us not to bounce back strongly.
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Morgan should come in for Collingwood for Melbourne.
I'd bring in Bresnan for Collingwood.
It's a tough one really because Collingwood is worth a good few runs in just the field alone. However Bresnan can bat a bit too and as long as he dosent have to come in at 150 for 7 he could be very useful holding up an end. I'd move Bell upto 5 and slot him in after Swann.
I think the reason the Crims won in Perth is because they had 4 pace men, some part time spin and Watson is quick to if needed.
I wouldn't drop Swann but in Perth he only got 2 wickets, Hussey and Hilfenhaus.
If Cricket Australia are looking to produce a similar wicket in Melbourne and they are, then we need 4 pace bowlers.
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I'd bring in Bresnan for Collingwood.
It's a tough one really because Collingwood is worth a good few runs in just the field alone. However Bresnan can bat a bit too and as long as he dosent have to come in at 150 for 7 he could be very useful holding up an end. I'd move Bell upto 5 and slot him in after Swann.
Exactly the line-up we came up with in the pub earlier.
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I'd bring in Bresnan for Collingwood.
It's a tough one really because Collingwood is worth a good few runs in just the field alone. However Bresnan can bat a bit too and as long as he dosent have to come in at 150 for 7 he could be very useful holding up an end. I'd move Bell upto 5 and slot him in after Swann.
Exactly the line-up we came up with in the pub earlier.
I'd agree with this - the Aussies think they've hit upon a formula to win back the ashes by preparing green fast bouncy wickets. I think we need a 5th bowler
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I think we need a 5th bowler
Got to.
As i've said before, we're nowhere near good enough to play with just 4 front line bowlers.
We're not West Indies circa 1980 or Australia 1989 to 2007.
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I think we need a 5th bowler
Got to.
As i've said before, we're nowhere near good enough to play with just 4 front line bowlers.
We're not West Indies circa 1980 or Australia 1989 to 2007.
There's certainly an argument for that but it was our batsmen who failed this time, not our bowlers. We took 20 wickets but didn't get any runs.
That said, I think the Aussies are going to keep trying to prepare wickets to attempt to neutralise Swann so we need a rethink.
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I think we need a 5th bowler
Got to.
As i've said before, we're nowhere near good enough to play with just 4 front line bowlers.
We're not West Indies circa 1980 or Australia 1989 to 2007.
There's certainly an argument for that but it was our batsmen who failed this time, not our bowlers. We took 20 wickets but didn't get any runs.
This is true Chris, but it was arguably our lack of bowling options that helped them to come back off the ropes after being 69-5.
Had we skittled them out for less than 200, I reckon we'd have won.
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What England lack is a genuine all rounder. Woakes?
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What England lack is a genuine all rounder. Woakes?
I'd say he's in the Broad mould, a bowler who can bat a bit. He might develop into an all rounder in time but it's too early to say he's there yet.
If we make a change then the Bresnan for Collingwood suggestion is the best one in my mind but we do lose our best fielder in the process.
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I think we need a 5th bowler
Got to.
As i've said before, we're nowhere near good enough to play with just 4 front line bowlers.
We're not West Indies circa 1980 or Australia 1989 to 2007.
We've bowled Australia out cheaply on good pitches 4 innings in a row.
Whilst I might tinker with the idea of Shazhad for Finn, I think the 4 pronged bowling attack has done fine.
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They've changed the pitch for Melbourne. Blaming the wet weather over here (and it is a bit damp I must admit).
Guardian Link (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/dec/20/fourth-ashes-test-melbourne-pitch?CMP=twt_gu)
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What England lack is a genuine all rounder. Woakes?
I'd say he's not much cop either way.
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There are rumours Flower is going to rest Finn and bring in Bresnan.
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What England lack is a genuine all rounder. Woakes?
I'd say he's not much cop either way.
Well he is in the Lions squad to tour the Windies early next year, before the World cup in the Sub Continent.
We are definately missing an all rounder, ala Fred. They knit a team together.
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Someone needs to have a word with Straus, some very negative Captaincy, but some very poor bowling. I agreee that we need to go with 5 Bowlers Bresnan who can bat a bit and i would include Morgan. If Peterson does not perform then drop him for the 5th test
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It would take a very brave (and possibly stupid) person to drop KP during this series.
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Someone needs to have a word with Straus, some very negative Captaincy, but some very poor bowling. I agreee that we need to go with 5 Bowlers Bresnan who can bat a bit and i would include Morgan. If Peterson does not perform then drop him for the 5th test
Very poor bowling?
When? 1st innings at Brisbane when Anderson bowled beautifully without luck?
Because since then the bowling has been very good. They have bowled a decent batting line up out cheaply 4 innings in a row on 2 very good pitches.
The batsmen lost the game at Perth, not the bowlers.
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I agree with you TWR, however I still have my doubts about Finn and think he should be dropped for the next test.
I would go for -
Strauss
Cook
Trott
Pieterson
Bell
Morgan
Prior
Bresnan
Swann
Tremlett
Anderson
Gives the tail that little bit more wag than it had in Perth.
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KP cannot be dropped. He's the one player that we have with genuine star quality, a player that can really make things happen. He's just scored a double hundred!!
People have such short memories. The Crims slaughtered us at Leeds in 2009 and we still went on to regain the Ashes.
They have to play attacking cricket which will suit us. As it stands, at 1 - 1 we retain the Ashes. We won't bat as poorly again.
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No need to panic. We lost one test but Austarali aren't suddenly brilliant we simply batted poorly twice. For that Collingwood has to be looked at as he is not contributing with the bat. but, his catching is probably worth 50 runs+ alone. So, i'd look at Finn's fitness and leave it there. I'd swap him and Bresnan if he is struggling and swap Bell and Collingwood around. No point Bell coming in - and despite the stats he is currently out best batsman - so get him in early enough to make a difference.
There's an argument to put bell back in at 3 but he's seems happier in the lower - middle order in terms of runs scored. Give Collingwood the series to save his career in tests.
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I agree with you TWR, however I still have my doubts about Finn and think he should be dropped for the next test.
I would go for -
Strauss
Cook
Trott
Pieterson
Bell
Morgan
Prior
Bresnan
Swann
Tremlett
Anderson
Gives the tail that little bit more wag than it had in Perth.
I agree, except for Morgan in for Colly. I'm not a big fan of Colly in the longer form, but it's a bit much to throw Morgan in to a game like that. Also swapping 5&6, changing one bowler is about as much disruption as we need at the moment. There's a good balance to that side.
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id go for ;
Strauss
Cook
Trotty
KP
Bell
Colly
Prior
Swann
Tremlett
Shazad
Jimmy
I think Colly is running out of chances and Strauss should try giving Trotty/Bell a couple of overs just for variation
Im no fan of Bresnan he is a average championshp player
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Went on a tour of the MCG today, fantastic day out. Found my seats for where I will be sitting too for the 4 days, sadly can't see anywhere I'll be able to put the flag though :( Am bottom tier and it would cover advertising which is not allowed.
Before the tour I watched the Aussies in the nets for about half hour. Only thing of note was that Ricky never batted and his finger is still wrapped up. Also Clarke got clean bowled twice in successive deliveries from some young spotty quick bowler. First ball was a beaut, but second one was an average looking delivery that fooled him completely. Long may that continue!
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Strauss
Cook
Trott
Pieterson
Bell
Colly
Prior
Bresnan
Swann
Tremlett
Anderson
Swap Bell and Colly for me, and Shazad for Finn. Bat first and stick 450plus on the board ;).
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We shouldn't start messing with the line up too much. I would consider dropping Finn for Bresnan to give u a bit extra with the bat though.
Whilst Finn has taken wickets he has been bloody expensive in this series.
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Swap Bell and Colly for me, and Shazad for Finn. Bat first and stick 450plus on the board ;).
First day pitch at the MCG is traditionally slow......I'm not saying don't bat first...but beware!
I'd advocate swapping Bell and Collingwood around...but in hindsight...i'd keep Finn, he is the leading wicket taker on either side...and i'm fully aware his average is one of the worst...but form is EVERYTHING!
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Incredibly, Atherton in todays' Times has done a complete U-turn and says that the two sides 'have equal ability'
I wish he'd make his mind up.
Previously he said that Australia couldn't compete and were not as good as us and that Ponting 'has lost the ability to fight back.'
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Anybody else nervous?
-
Anybody else nervous?
Me!!! I think we need to bowl first to get our confidence back, get the early wickets which we have been getting and then they are a one man batting team with Hussey.
I think/hope Perth was just a one off that totally suited their 5 quicks, meaning we can get our confidence back on this pitch.
As I'm writing this we have won and will bowl.. Get in !!!
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Anybody else nervous?
Yeah, just a tad.
A few early wickets might sort that out though.
Ponting says he'd have bowled first too.
Awkward decision to make, the kind of toss you probably wouldn't mind losing.
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Not too unhappy with the change (and non-changes). Let's hope Bresnan doesn't let us down. Or Colly!
-
Anybody else nervous?
Yeah, just a tad.
A few early wickets might sort that out though.
Ponting says he'd have bowled first too.
Awkward decision to make, the kind of toss you probably wouldn't mind losing.
If we think about that phrase "a toss we wouldn't mind losing" don't you think that's abit defeatist? If we are confident in our attack surely we should want too win the toss and bowl with confidence?
I'm really happy and feeling confident about this match.
-
Bres in for Finn, not sure on that. I'm not keen on Bresnan in a 3 man seam attack, but I hope he succeeds.
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It's generally considered less than positive if you don't back your batters to get a big total first up.
Usually, unless it's overcast and the pitch looks like a minefield you bat first.
I wanted England to have a go at them and get some confidence back by taking out a few of their top order. But if the Aussies get a big total first up Strauss will get criticised for the decision.
-
Think that was Watson dropped.
-
Watson has been an aggravating barsteward, would have been good to get him early.
-
Dropped again, we cannot do this.
-
Terrible by KP there! They should be 2 down
-
Yes KP your finger is fine now!!! Get in, big wicket that!
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Yes get out!
-
...And he's gone.
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Lucky that Watson did not make us pay. Apparently the home side Victoria have put the opposition in all season in this pitch, so the decision was made from form rather than much else as it was one where you need another toss to decide on what to do.
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If we can get Ponting out early it will be a tremendous lift.
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It's generally considered less than positive if you don't back your batters to get a big total first up.
Usually, unless it's overcast and the pitch looks like a minefield you bat first.
I wanted England to have a go at them and get some confidence back by taking out a few of their top order. But if the Aussies get a big total first up Strauss will get criticised for the decision.
Generally yes, but on a green wicket like this, I think it's good to back your bowlers.
It was just a thought, I'm no cricket expert. Looks like it's going to be a good game anyway.
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Bugger, review gone.
-
Hughes gone
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Hughes gone. 37-2.
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Yes! 37 for 2. Hughes out. Came at a good time as Jimmy went for 11 in the previous over. So... Pup & Pugface at the crease.
-
Ponting gone
-
This is what they want 37-3.
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This is getting sexy! Punter gone. 37 for 3. Tremlett's change of ends has worked...
Great toss to win. :oD
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Brilliant start. We cannot let Hissey settle, he is the danger man.
-
King Rat gone!
Poor series so far for him.
I expected him to get a big score here.
Still might in the second innings, but we could be seeing the close of a fantastic career.
-
Got to get Hussey out pretty quickly.
-
Two reviews gone in just over an hour of the first innings. Nuts.
-
Not bad so far, not bad at all.
-
these Umpires are good.
-
Hussey gone.
-
58 for 4. Mr Cricket out. Thank God!
-
YES!
-
Get in!! The Aussies will be shitting it now!
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Rain
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Hussey gone.
RSP - early lunch. Smith in at 6 again?! Seems odd.
-
That's the one.
They'd have loved to get through to lunch with only three down.
Clarke+Haddin then you're into the bowlers, and suddenly that selection top heavy with seamers in the Aussie attack doesn't look so clever.
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Excellent start. I'm off to cut the grass now prior to sitting down for a few beers to watch the afternoon sessions 8).
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Excellent start. I'm off to cut the grass now prior to sitting down for a few beers to watch the afternoon sessions 8).
Bloody showoff.
-
That little rain break might not be the worst thing in the world.
Ideal scenario: keep them in for most of the day, skittle them out for under 200 and have a full day and a bit tomorrow and beyond to build a formidable total.
Might be best for the English batsmen to face as little exposure as possible today.
-
This fat kid looks a complete mess.
*I want to say not an international batsman but don't want to put the mockers on England*
-
The fat kid gone.
-
He doesn't look like an international batsman.
-
Haddin edges first ball.
I would dearly love to see this guy go cheaply.
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So much is made of this MCG crowd as an advantage.
I've never bought into it (and even said so prior to 2006).
I've been to the MCG for various sporting occasions. 80/90,000, what odds.
Top tip: If you can hear the chatter of the crowd, it's not that partisan.
Not like Westfalenstadion in Dortmund, Villa Park (for a semi final or local derby) or even Fratton Park with less than 20,000 in.
A load of families and fat kids eating hotdogs and enjoying a day out is not a partisan atmosphere. Anyone even remotely perturbed about the crowd at the MCG shouldn't be playing professional sport.
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Clarke gone!
-
Into the bowlers already, with only 70+ runs conceded.
Only England could balls this up from now on in.
I have an Aussie mate sitting in the members section of the MCG as we speak.
I know this is really, really hurting him.
Continue.
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7 down!
Which is good.
But I'm not sure I'd want to bat on this wicket.
Good bowling or shit batting?
-
This is mental.
-
8 down, by the way.
-
Hello Hello, is there anybody out there.
-
Loving it.
-
Good man KB.
For a moment I thought I was in Ianrobo's chatroom.
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Keep them out there for a bit longer, give the pitch a chance to at least flatten out a bit.
-
Turn it down, keep them out there.
-
Their innings will be over very shortly.
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This goes completely against the grain, but I'd like to see them stop out there for a bit.
Post 120-140. Another rain delay and that would be close to ideal.
With the ball still moving about I'd be quite happy for our openers to face less than 10 overs today.
And really stick the knife in tomorrow.
-
I see your point, just can't see them sticking around for too long.
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9 down.
Are You Bangladesh in disguise.
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I see your point, just can't see them sticking around for too long.
Very true.
But if the close of play Today sees England 3/4 down then what's the point.
That might be my own cynical outlook, I don't necessarily expect everyone to agree.
-
It's definitely going to be a tricky end to the day.
-
Didn't Pakistan get these mugs out for a similar first innings score and still go on to lose?
Obviously England aren't as beholden to bookmakers as Pakistan are*
But still.
* Bungho allegedo
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All out for less than 100.
Great to see Ponting, Mr Cricket and Haddin go for fcuk all.
Pitch, or piss poor batting?
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Brilliant. Just need to ne cautious tonight. Nothing silly, another heavy roller in the morning and make hay. 300 wins us the game I reckon.
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All out for less than 100.
Great to see Ponting, Mr Cricket and Haddin go for fcuk all.
Pitch, or piss poor batting?
Lot's of bad shots I would say.
-
Do a Hussey and avoid, avoid, avoid.
A wide one?
Wave it away and smell you later.
This is so unlike test cricket, those first few dropped catches should have really hurt England. Instead, it's all out for less than 100. Utterly bizarre.
Don't give them any soft dismissals this evening. If they get you out fair fcuks, but don't walk into it.
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350 for the series win. Come on!
-
Whatever the total tonight, if England walk off with only 1/2 down they are in the box seat.
-
Exactly. Right I am off to bed. Hope they don't cock it up.
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Anyone want to join me in a rain dance?
-
I will just give it another 30 minutes.
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Soft hands from Cook.
Would be quite happy to see this pair hang about to get past the 100 mark.
Cook's wicket going down in Perth was a precursor to a spectacular collapse.
We can do better.
That showpony KP will need at least 200 on the board to play an effective innings you'd feel.
-
Let's see what Johnson has got this time.
-
Unneccesary. Don't play at those.
-
Looked iffy but runs.
-
Keep them coming MJ.
-
Johnson finds the edge.
First decent ball he's bowled.
-
Very good from Siddle first up.
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"Sometimes, when you're at the MCG you can't hear the bloke up close, it's such a great atmosphere." SK.Warne.
Bollocks
-
I can hear you making your deli order from the mid tier, you fat bloater.
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Don't play at those.
Game is in a perfect position, don't go Radio Rental.
-
On the eighth day, the lord created the review system.
Phew.
-
Some retarded strokes going on here.
-
***Jonah Alert****
Don't expect much from this Ken Doll bowling.
-
Counted about four good balls so far in this innings.
That was one of them.
-
From Chopper Harris.
-
100 up.
Easy, easy, easy.
-
This is ace! 157 for 0!
-
Couldn't believe it when I woke up! Well done lads!
-
Blimey, I say Blimey!
-
Went to bed when the rain came down. Had it on the radio in the bedroom.
Got up when we were batting. well done lads. Noticed all the Aussies had gone home very early.
-
What great news to wake up to.
-
Have to eat my words.
We've won this test and retained the Ashes.
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Couldn't believe it when I woke up! Well done lads!
Neither could I! Absolutly perfect, I knew Perth was a fluke!
-
How pleasing was that?
In the last hour the MCG resembled the away section at Villa Park in the second half of the 5 - 1. Hardly an Aussie to be seen.
Great toss to win, sublime bowling at times and sound batting by the openers, although they were rarely troubled.
-
Well I think It has worked out resting Finn for Bresnan, he was our most economical bowler.
Our Bowlers are so much better than the Aussie weak attack. Perth was just a collection of circumstance, that suited the Aussies in particular Rat face Johnson.
-
Went to bed at lunch just after Hussey went, left TMS on but fell straight asleep and didn't hear any more until 5am. Saw the score flash up on the radio, "AUS 98" and let out a huge squeal that the neighbours must gave heard.
Fucking magic!
-
Sterling work from KevinGage as well.
I'm guessing he'll be spending most of Boxing Day in bed.
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How pleasing was that?
In the last hour the MCG resembled the away section at Villa Park in the second half of the 5 - 1. Hardly an Aussie to be seen.
Great toss to win, sublime bowling at times and sound batting by the openers, although they were rarely troubled.
Shane & Beefy weren't so sure at the toss. When pressed, Botham (who doesn't usually sit on the fence) said he'd rather lose the toss as it was too difficult to call. But in retrospect, it was perfect, the conditions suited us all day. I'd love to stick another 350 on the board and see where we go from there.
-
Looking forward to us driving them into the ground tonight.
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Well I've been to worse days at the cricket!
Melbourne was very quiet this evening when it came to squarking Aussies!
"We won the Ashes at the Oval
We won the Ashes at the Oval
We won the Ashes at the Oval
And we'll win them at the MCG"
-
Anybody else nervous?
Nope!
-
Made it until tea with the aid of Glenlivet and ProPlus, not a great combination for the morning (afternoon!) after.
Had to turn on the radio to confirm that it wasn't just a fantastic dream I was having.
-
I spent what seemed like most of the night lying awake with the radio on, but at one stage I dropped off - can't have been long after Hussey had gone. Woke up and England were starting their innings!
Great quote from Aggers on the BBC website:
The disparity between the sides was such that it was the most one-sided day's play in a Test I have ever seen, even including matches involving Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.
Saying that today was the day that England regained the Ashes might by a bit premature - tomorrow's weather forecast is quite seamer-friendly - but if we make another 250+ I think it'll be all over bar the final dénouement.
-
Fantastic performance and a great come back after the Perth debacle. This should be Ashes retained unless it rains for 3 days or something.
-
The highest score on the MCG this season in an innings is 300.
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(http://resources2.news.com.au/images/2010/12/26/1225976/377714-10-reasons.jpg)
The Daily Telegraph (Aussie One)
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Sterling work from KevinGage as well.
I'm guessing he'll be spending most of Boxing Day in bed.
Very nearly.
Cricket + Vino seemed so right at the time. Intended to knock it on the head at about 3-4am but couldn't believe what I was witnessing. Checked the bottle a few times to see if it was wine rather than absinthe.
Post 300+ today and it's in the bag.
A lead of 450+ will be utterly demoralising for them and should ensure we don't bat again.
We still need to be a tad cautious though as wickets tend to go down in clusters. Australia can't surely bat that bad again and if the pitch flattens out and they get England all out for 200/300 in good time that might give them a route back.
Bat them out of it today and the first part of tomorrow and break them.
-
Great day yesterday, one of the best single days in English test history. So clinical, so ruthless.
-
Cook gone. Donkey Siddle gets lucky!
-
Cook gone. Donkey Siddle gets lucky!
Not the ideal start, but let's see how Trott goes...
-
evening chaps
-
Aussies seem well up for it this morning so Strauss and Trott need to bore them into submission. This morning is their last chance of winning the Ashes.
-
I missed the last test due to the time zone. I'm starting to think that I am the England cricket team's good luck mascot.
Once again I shall keep on to lunch and then retire to bed and hear what has happened in morning.
Strauss gone.
-
Strauss was a bit late on that one. Still no worries another 100 runs and it's all over.
-
Not quite so lively tonight. Was that the third boundary of the morning?!
-
Pieterson and Trott looking solid after a bit of an early wobble.
Looks a decent day to bat so it's important that these pair cash in.
-
New ball up soon though.
-
And taken.
Harris looks the most likely of all the bowlers to pick up a wicket.
-
KP survives a review appeal.
Ponting wants another review by the looks of it.
Or as many reviews as it takes to get the decision he wants.
Complete tosser.
-
Oh Ricky, you're losing the plot! That's yer match fee...
-
Great batsman.
But with antics like that he won't be missed.
-
KP gone.
Siddle looks fired up.
Important to see off this tricky new ball spell with no more wickets down.
-
KP's gone.
-
Glad KP got his 50. If Trott can get there, it will mean the top 4 all getting half centuries...
-
Collingwood looking ropey early on.
Under pressure, as he knows a low score here and Morgan might get the nod in Sydney.
-
I really don't think that's how this England operate. Colly will play through the series, but may be 'rested' for Sri Lanka, back against India.
I hope I didn't jinx Trott...
-
England trying to make things difficult for themselves here, Trott nearly ran out.
-
Trott got lucky there.....good dive though :-)
-
50 up for Trott
-
It's a hard one to call.
If England win this one and retain the Ashes, is that mission accomplished?
Or do you still want to go all out in the test at Sydney to ensure a series win on foreign soil?
If it's the former, you can probably carry an out of nick Colly for one more game.
If it's the latter, and you need your no.5 to be scoring runs you'd have to go with Morgan.
That said, Colly has played the last few deliveries quite well so we might be getting a bit too far ahead of ourselves.
-
England will want to win the series outright, not just retain the Ashes - if possible! (that's what I call getting ahead of yourself).
Colly is settling now.
Looking forward to hearing about Ricky's meeting at the close...
-
That was poor from Colly. He should have learned his lesson from Johnson's first ball. What was he thinking?!
Ah well, here's Belly.
-
Very very poor from Collingwood.
-
Poor shot from Bell there.
England 5 down.
-
And the problem is they're starting to get bounced out - the same way that Prior was last innings.
Also, getting fed up of Siddle turning to the crowd when he takes a catch. :oD
-
Time to grind it out for a bit.
Stop going after the short ball.
-
Ha ha!
Aleem Dar's revenge.
-
I hope Prior learns from this mistake - Ricky's going to go bananas!
Out & a no ball.
-
Could be a pivotal moment in the whole series that.
300 on the board and a lead of 200+
-
Prior's got a deathwish! 311 for 5...
-
Lead currently at 211.
Nudge that past 300 and I can't see any possibility of a comeback.
England would possibly have to bat again, but you'd back them to knock of 50-100 runs if required even if the Aussies get a big score second time round, say 350-400.
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Ouchee, that had to hurt Trott's knee
-
Streaky innings by Prior so far.
-
And Trott gets his century :-)
-
100 up for Trott.
Virtually faultless innings, I can't recall a ropey shot.
-
Maybe that one.
-
End of the day 444-5 excellent days play.
-
Happy with that and glad Aleem Dar got revenge on Ponting.
-
I lasted until 351 for 5, then just had to turn in. Pleased with score so far. The pitch obviously helped us last session then, as we weren't going anywhere fast when I signed out? Trott was injured, Prior was determined to be caught playing a stupid shot, etc.
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So assuming that the Aussies don't come back tomorrow and knock over the last five wickets cheaply, when do we declare?
-
Bat on for at least one session. The more roughed up the pitch gets the more chance Swan has.
-
Bat til lunch tomorrow. By then Prior will (hopefully) have his ton and we'll be well ahead and clear. All over by Day 4 afternoon session.
Ponting has been fined 40% of his match fee for his rant today.
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Bat til lunch tomorrow. By then Prior will (hopefully) have his ton and we'll be well ahead and clear. All over by Day 4 afternoon session.
Ponting has been fined 40% of his match fee for his rant today.
Get the lead to 450 with some attacking play during the first session of day three, declare by lunch. That leaves 8 sessions of which I reckon we'd need 3 at the most to turn them over.
Ponting's tirade at Dar looked like the desperate rant of a man facing his 3rd losing ashes series as captain. An achievement not matched for more than 100 years.
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With a lead of 346 in the bag the most important thing now is time. England must go for maximum time to ensure no foul up. Bat for no more than 1 hour and declare with about 400 on and than let them stew.
-
The Aussie papers.
The Australian (http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/cricket)
The Sydney morning herald (http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket)
Their warming up again.
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It was a fantastic decision by Alim Dar....and so good to see whinging b*stard get nothing!
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Poetic justice for Aleem Dar.
Not questioning his integrity but I do wonder whether he'd have been more inclined to let Johnson's no ball slide had he not been harangued by Ponting and some of the other muppets who were nowhere near the original KP incident.
Ponting should have been banned for the next test and Siddle + one or two others fined.
Time to enjoy it today.
The hard yards have been put in.
Don't see any need to rush a declaration. Trott looks in good nick and Prior is playing himself back into form. Stick on 500, with every run causing them more pain at this stage. If the run rate is decent enough and runs are being scored quickly, get as close to 600 as possible. Weather reports over the next few days are decent, time isn't a huge issue and Bresnan and Swann could do with some batting practice. ;)
All this talk about the Aussies stepping it up for this test, that they'd found the secret formula to beat England. They were going to sledge the enemy to death apparently. As it is, Johnson is getting dogs abuse from the crowd and Ponting looks a broken man. Keep them out in the field a bit longer, really humiliate them.
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Easeh Easeh Easeh
They're dire. No attack, no defence... the Ashes is ours.
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They are dire, but we've lost one test and could have lost the first one too. Let's not get too cocky over this.
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I do think that it's not entirely out of the question for them to win in Sydney, and win well.
They could at least say then that as bad as they are, with possibly the worst Aussie team in living memory, the Poms still couldn't win a home series against them.
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KG How do you calendarise as "iving memory" because the post Packer team captained by cry baby Hughes was possibly the worst Aussie outfit I have seen?
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They are dire, but we've lost one test and could have lost the first one too. Let's not get too cocky over this.
True, but without Hussey we would have probably been 2 or 3 nil up coming into this test. He deserves a medal for the way he's single handidly kept them in the series.
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I do think that it's not entirely out of the question for them to win in Sydney, and win well.
They could at least say then that as bad as they are, with possibly the worst Aussie team in living memory, the Poms still couldn't win a home series against them.
They could only give us a game on a pitch like Perth. Unless it's near enough identical they won't have a chance of beating us in Sydney.
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They are dire, but we've lost one test and could have lost the first one too. Let's not get too cocky over this.
Very true indeed. On the other hand, it would be ace to retain the Ashes in the next day or two.
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Ponting should have been banned for the next test
nah we need him playing for them, if he gets dropped they might get someone in who scores runs
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I take back what I said about only batting for an hour today. Didn't realise that only two days have passed 3 still to go! Yes bat on all day or till all out. Grind them into dust!
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ANOTHER early session wicket. Another deserved wicket for Siddle though, about the only threat they've got.
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Unlucky for Prior, ive got out doing that before myself, but great shot from Bresnan for 3.
Ouch for Ryan Harris
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I think he'll be back, and will bowl. Didn't look too bad, I thought.
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Why are their players and fans getting excited about these wickets? Surely they know that it brings the end even closer!
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It won't be too much longer now. Trott may not face another ball! 22 for 2 this morning.
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Swann opening his shoulders quite nicely
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513 all out.
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168 not out for Trott, Swann took a bit of a swing too.
And the last 2 wickets were the only to fall to anything other than a catch.
It looks like the pitch is starting to move a bit so will be interesting how our boys get on.
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95-1 at tea.
Some missed opportunities, could do with a wicket or two this evening.
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99-2.
The Ken Doll perishes in the 50's again.
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Rat face gone :-)
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Ponting gone!
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Dismal series for him.
Shame.
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Bresnan on fire.
Aussies 4 down, Hussey for a duck.
Bell with the catch.
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Gteat take from Bell. Hussey gone for nought.
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Well done bres top stuff
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He won't let it go, will he?
clicky (http://www.theage.com.au/sport/cricket/ponting-blasts-flawed-review-system-insists-pietersen-was-out-20101228-198ue.html)
RICKY PONTING has insisted the video umpire was wrong not to award Australia the wicket of Kevin Pietersen in the Boxing Day Test incident that prompted his $5400 fine yesterday.
The Australian captain this morning apologised for his prolonged complaints to on-field umpires Aleem Dar and Tony Hill but justified his challenging of the verdict of video-umpire Marais Erasmus, insisting Pietersen had inside-edged a delivery from Ryan Harris on day two at the MCG.
"I had a chance to look at it again last night. I still, in my heart and in my mind, believe that he inside-edged that ball," Ponting told ABC Radio.
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134-5 Clarke gone foe 13. Caught in the slips by Strauss of Swann.
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Close of play 169-6. 246 runs behind. Should be good watching tonight.
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Nearly there, well played again lads!
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Oh this is marvelous it really fecking is. I can't tell you how sweet this victory will be.
They are in some trouble for Sydney, assuming they lose I wouldn't be surprised if Ponting steps down from the captaincy after Sydney. He'll have his farewell Test at his favourite ground and they have nine months to sleect a replacement before their next Test Match.
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Oh this is marvelous it really fecking is. I can't tell you how sweet this victory will be.
They are in some trouble for Sydney, assuming they lose I wouldn't be surprised if Ponting steps down from the captaincy after Sydney. He'll have his farewell Test at his favourite ground and they have nine months to sleect a replacement before their next Test Match.
Same sentiments here, loved the way Watson just laughed in his interview when Athers asked him if there was any way out.
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Last rites time. The funeral is sometime tomorrow, probably around lunchtime.
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I believe Trotts career average against Australia is 100.83
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There will be a lot of Australians at the match tomorrow dressed as empty plastic seats.
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When are the players going to unveil the 'water sprinkler'? At the end of this match? Or Sydney?
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Great bowling performance last night in very flat conditions.
You can say what you like about Australia's batsmen being out of form.
But the way we've bowled this series there wouldn't have been a lot inform players could have done about it.
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I'm looking forward to this later could do with cheering up after this afternoons performance.
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I think we should go in with 5 bowlers for the last test to make absolutely sure of the win.
Drop Collingwood, it's not like we'd miss his runs and bring Finn back, so
1. Strauss
2. Cook
3. Trott
4. Pietersen
5. Bell
6. Prior
7. Bresnan
8. Swann
9. Tremlett
10. Anderson
11. Finn
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I think we should go in with 5 bowlers for the last test to make absolutely sure of the win.
Err, at the risk of counting tomorrow's chickens, we only need a draw to win the series, why would we go shit or bust on an extra bowler when we're bowling them out with four ?
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I think we should go in with 5 bowlers for the last test to make absolutely sure of the win.
Drop Collingwood, it's not like we'd miss his runs and bring Finn back, so
1. Strauss
2. Cook
3. Trott
4. Pietersen
5. Bell
6. Prior
7. Bresnan
8. Swann
9. Tremlett
10. Anderson
11. Finn
Don't think Australia can cope with our bowling attack 4 bowlers or 5. They've tried to produce pitches to negate Swann and the seamers have just blown them away.
I think Morgan should come in for Collingwood. It's a lot easier coming into a winning side which is full of confidence. Collingwood is 35, hes been a good servant to the team but Morgan is the future.
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I think we should go in with 5 bowlers for the last test to make absolutely sure of the win.
Err, at the risk of counting tomorrow's chickens, we only need a draw to win the series, why would we go shit or bust on an extra bowler when we're bowling them out with four ?
We must win the series to rub their noses in it.
Five bowlers would give us extra power and variety and we'd be losing next to no runs by omitting Collingwood.
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I think we should go in with 5 bowlers for the last test to make absolutely sure of the win.
Err, at the risk of counting tomorrow's chickens, we only need a draw to win the series, why would we go shit or bust on an extra bowler when we're bowling them out with four ?
We must win the series to rub their noses in it.
Five bowlers would give us extra power and variety and we'd be losing next to no runs by omitting Collingwood.
With Prior hitting 85, he is in the sort of form to bat at six.
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There's no reason to change this side at all for Sydney. I'm not a huge fan of Collingwood, but he deserves the last match of the series; he's always come good in the past with the bat and he's our best fielder.
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I really can't wait for play to start. I've already warned the wife and the neighbours to expect a huge shout when we take the 9th or 10th wicket (Ryan Harris' ankle permitting).
This will be up there with 2005 for me, I recall watching Gatt's side retain the Urn in 1987 and find it hard to believe that in 23 years since we've not managed to do it again.
Very happy cricket fan here tonight!
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Well I'm going to be heading off to the MCG shortly. Once again my ticket is in the middle of Bay 13 (as it has been all match), not that I expect there to be any squawking Aussies there. I'll be wearing my 1989/90 Villa Shirt (ah, the good old days) and will try and give you all a wave!
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Well I'm going to be heading off to the MCG shortly. Once again my ticket is in the middle of Bay 13 (as it has been all match), not that I expect there to be any squawking Aussies there. I'll be wearing my 1989/90 Villa Shirt (ah, the good old days) and will try and give you all a wave!
Enjoy it mate! Great to meet you in Brisbane. What a series! You must have thorroughly enjoyed it!
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Well I'm going to be heading off to the MCG shortly. Once again my ticket is in the middle of Bay 13 (as it has been all match), not that I expect there to be any squawking Aussies there. I'll be wearing my 1989/90 Villa Shirt (ah, the good old days) and will try and give you all a wave!
I've seen a couple of Villa shirts in the crowd. Still waiting to see you - I'll keep an eye out.
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Well I'm going to be heading off to the MCG shortly. Once again my ticket is in the middle of Bay 13 (as it has been all match), not that I expect there to be any squawking Aussies there. I'll be wearing my 1989/90 Villa Shirt (ah, the good old days) and will try and give you all a wave!
Think you'll be on your own!
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Nasser Hussain just did a piece for Sky about the MCG,
The bit about fielding at the MCG was hilarious.
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He certainly puts all in to it. I enjoyed his 'block' speech the other night!
I'm expecting a few on this thread tonight. Should be a good night.
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evening chaps, hope to in bed by 1.30 with the urn in the bag
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Seeing those England fans in the crowd tonight, I'm a mixture of extremely proud and bitterly jealous!
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Bazz is a lucky git - the atmosphere sounds great.
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How many empty seats? ha ha. It's great seeing all those England fans makes me so proud to be English we really do have the best fans in the world.
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First wicket of the day in the second over. Harris in next? He was 9 in the first innings...
EDIT: It's Siddle
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Bye bye Mitchell.
2 to go.
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And now for the tail!
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First wicket of the day in the second over. Harris in next? He was 8 in the first innings...
Harris not going to bat. He out injured for 8 weeks.
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We're bowling really well tonight
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Few bouncers for Siddle would be just the ticket.
Improve this Village Idiot's looks.
Not so gobby now, are ya.
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I'd be interested to know from Bazz if he'll get a refund if the game is finished within a certain period of time, eg less than ten overs play in a day?
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Tremlett really does look top quality.
Where on earth has he been the last 10 years?
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New to this thread. Is there anywhere i can watch this ? Is there a link to watch live ? Thanks in Advance.
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http://footylive.info/
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Tremlett really does look top quality.
Where on earth has he been the last 10 years?
An average bowler who was injury prone. He was in 4 out of 5 squads in the 2005 Ashes but was never picked.
He then had a few injury problems and his career stagnated.
A move to Surrey from Hampshire has been the making of him. He looks stronger and is reaping the rewards of time that appears to have been spent in the gym.
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Thanks taylorsworkrate. Youre a star for that ! Happy New Year ! ;)
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Thanks taylorsworkrate. Youre a star for that ! Happy New Year ! ;)
Same to you :)
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These two have put 40 on quite quickly. The commentators are almost ignoring the match!
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Bumble's in fine form!
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Swann getting hammered by both Siddle and Haddin
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These two have put on 83, why not take the new ball? Finish it off.
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At last... 258 for 8.
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Cheerio Peter.
God this is gonna be sweet.
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Think England have been delaying taking wickets so the Barmy Army have some time to enjoy themselves ;)
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Disappointed to not see Siddle walk off with a few more teeth missing, but then again who would have really noticed.
Is that going a bit too far? I never can tell.
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All over! Sweet!
So, who will Oz bring back next? Bollinger? Bring in Beer?
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YES YES FUCKING HELL YES.
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YES!!!!!!!!!!!1
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YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Fantastic
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It fair brings a tear to the eye
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This means so much to me.
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Have we lost yet?
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Have we lost yet?
Almost
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Woo Hoo ! Marvellous !
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Enjoy today.
And the next day and the next.
But it would be a real shame to not nail a series victory with so much groundwork put in.
Don't even give this one the sliver of respectability be letting it finish 2-2. There is a danger of that if the players decide it's job done and are already halfway home by the start of play on Jan 3rd.
Close out the 2-1 with a draw in Sydney or even go for the 3-1. They've picked up individual victories in S.Africa and India in recent years, but when did England last beat a superpower -which the Aussies still just about qualify as- in their own backyard over a whole series?
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Enjoy today.
And the next day and the next.
But it would be a real shame to not nail a series victory with so much groundwork put in.
Agreed.
A series win is important. We probably won't do it again for another two decades, so we might as well while we're in a strong position.
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Disappointed to not see Siddle walk off with a few more teeth missing, but then again who would have really noticed.
Is that going a bit too far? I never can tell.
No it's OK as he is an Aussie!
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Well done England.
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This is a fantastic result.
Well done England, you've deserved it !!!
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Looking forward to Sydney now...
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Without wishing to sound like MON, fantastic, just great.
I think this morning is the most relaxed i've ever been watching England play Australia. I know it means alot to beat Australia, but for those of us who live here it feels even more special.
Now the boys can have a couple of days off to celebrate and nurse their hangovers, they'll be up for Sydney no problem. They'll have the customery New Years Eve on the Harbour with their famillies before playing at what I believe is the best Test Match ground in World Cricket. They'll be relaxed, the next 10 days of their Cricketing lives will be hugely memorable i'm sure.
That's 3 out of the last 4 Ashes series that we've won - who'd have thought we'd have been saying that 6 years ago.
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Or even at the end of 2008/ early 2009 with the fallout re KP as captain.
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Absolutely fantastic what a great result, the best Ashes win for a very long time.
Trust those bastards Aston villa to dampen my mood today though >:(
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ECT or stem cell research might be the key there.
If I could target the part of my brain that deals with Aston Villa FC and completely neutralise/ wipe it - as per Butterfly Effect- that would be just grand.
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What the aussies are saying.
The Sydney morning herald (http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket)
The Australian (http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/cricket)
Herald Sun (http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/the-ashes)
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The only Bright spark to to a truly depressing sporting Christmas.
Well done England. Fantastic team spirit, are you watching villa.
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Great stuff, now win the final test.
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I have got a fiver on the series to be drawn 2-2 at 8/1 so that should allay any fears we're going to lose the last test.
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The only way I can see them levelling the series is if we succumb to the pressure, but under Flower and Strauss' leadership that won't happen. Can anyone honestly see them bowling us out twice now they're completely down? I can't.
I just wish we'd had this team four years ago as we'd have given McGrath, Warne, Gilchrist, etc. a run for their money.
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As long as the players don't think it's job done just yet, have a few drinks today but we need to close this series out, and then the open top bus parade and knighthoods can come.
Just hope Flintoff isn't out there to help them celebrate.
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Punter is out of the Sydney Test due to his finger injury.
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Punter is out of the Sydney Test due to his finger injury.
Incredible to read that the Crims next test match is in August. I'd hate it if England had a gap of that length between test series.
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They've been playing not stop pretty much for the last two years (or so they say).
You'd have to wonder about the cricket calendar at times, and the merit of playing two match test series and so on.
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The one thing that has irked me is the way the Aussies have given us grief about the South African born players in the Test team. We've been labelled the 'Empire eleven' the 'Rainbow team' etc on most blogs.
So imagine my delight when their great batting hope for the 5th Test turns out to be a Pakistani, born in Pakistan of Pakistani parents.
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Just read through these series ratings in The Herald Sun (http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/the-ashes/the-ashes-series-stats-dont-lie/story-fn67w6pa-1225978117021)
I think they're quite accurate.
THEY say statistics tell lies. Not this time they don't.
EVERYWHERE you look the stats, you get the same story.
Australia has scored three centuries, England six. Australia has taken 46 wickets in four Tests, England 64.
Australia's spinners have taken just four wickets in four Tests. England's Graeme Swann has 12.
Fast bowling, slow bowling, batting, catching and general fielding.
Unlike last year in England, where Australia dominated most stats columns yet lost the series, this time there is no sense of hard luck.
Justice has been done. England were simply too good everywhere, as evidenced by our player rankings.
AUSTRALIA
SHANE WATSON (352 runs at 50.28, 2 wickets at 87): Gets a high pass mark for his four half centuries, including a 95 in difficult conditions in Perth. Tougher than given credit for, he was always up for the fight though his inability to post big three-figure scores must wrangle with him. His medium pacers were a surprisingly minor factor. Rating: 7.5.
Related Coverage
England strangles inept Australians The Australian, 3 days ago
Australia still behind in Ashes The Australian, 8 days ago
Aussies win third Test The Daily Telegraph, 19 Dec 2010
Australia v England: T3, D3 FoxSports, 18 Dec 2010
Australia v England - T1, D5 FoxSports, 15 Dec 2010
SIMON KATICH (97 runs at 24): Australia's Ashes demise should signal the end of his honourable Test career for it is time to move forward. Played just two Tests before being injured and leaves without an Ashes series win. Rating: 3
PHIL HUGHES (53 runs at 13.25): Has not convinced wise judges he has the technique to handle bowlers who test him with balls that expose his limited and unconventional footwork. A long, lean form slump this season suggests bowlers have found his soft spots including a restricted leg-side game and going too hard at the ball. Would probably handle the weak nations without a worry but Australia needs him for the big moments. Rating: 2.
RICKY PONTING (113 runs at 16.14): Having a sorrowful series and his numbers are even worse than they look, for his one half century - 51 not out - came in meaningless circumstances on the last afternoon in Brisbane. Apart from that he was dismissed seven times for a total of 62. Looks jumpy, unbalanced and too square at the crease. At 36 his days could be over. Rating: 3.
MICHAEL CLARKE (148 runs at 21.14): Barring his fighting second innings 80 in Adelaide, has never looked like making a major score. His confidence seems gone and his technique is faltering because of it. Needs runs urgently. Rating: 3.5.
MIKE HUSSEY (525 runs at 75): Applause please. Fabulous performance. From being the player who seemed destined not to get in the Australian team he became the player England could not get out - until Melbourne where exhaustion set in. Showed everyone how to bat in seam-friendly Perth, with canny judgment of which balls to play and leave and his early assault on Graeme Swann in Brisbane rocked the spinner’s confidence for the entire Test. His consistency became a black mark against his teammates because it proved England's attack, while classy, was manageable. Rating: 9.
STEVE SMITH (87 runs at 21, 0 wickets for 71 runs): Promising but unconventional. Has a strong mind but a loose technique. His batting seems more suited to No.7 when runs are a bonus rather than the top six where they are expected. His leg-spin looks sound but he does not spin the ball much and needs more variation. Worth persisting with. Rating: 3.5.
MARCUS NORTH (49 runs at 16.33): Australia were hoping he would become a respected team elder in a turbulent era but Graeme Swann tortured him and he was gone after two Tests, never to return. Rating: 2.
BRAD HADDIN (324 runs at 54): Let no one down and can be pleased with another robust effort. Rousing century in Brisbane and three other half centuries makes him Australia's third highest run scorer. While his glovework had some down moments, he was one of the few Australian players to shade their direct rival. Rating: 7.5.
RYAN HARRIS: (11 wickets at 25.54): His dramatic breakdown with stress fractures of the ankle was a severe setback for the team, which needs this type of unpretentious, hard-working character. Because he goes full pelt and has a bulky frame he will always be an injury risk. His future may be clouded but he can cherish the memory of his breakthrough Test in Perth when he took 6-47 in the second innings. Rating: 7.
BEN HILFENHAUS (4 wickets at 73.5): The problem with being a workhorse is that it can dull your attacking edge and it seems to have happened to him, for he was a surprise failure. Took a wicket with the third ball of the series but then endured an agonisingly barren period that featured no more wickets in Brisbane, one in Perth before two tailenders in Melbourne. Seems to have lost pace. Rating: 3.5.
MITCHELL JOHNSON (11 wickets at 35.09): Having a Jeckyll and Hyde series. Was truly world class in Perth with 9-82 but cattle class at the other venues, reaping just 2-304. That hurt Australia. They wanted him to be their anchor man but the anchor bounced along the bottom everywhere bar Perth. Rating: 5.5.
PETER SIDDLE (13 wickets at 28.69): Having a sound - if strangely two-toned - series. Took six wicket hauls on his first and last days in the series but just one wicket in between. Is no superstar but is a robust performer whose strong character and commanding body language are just what a needy, insecure Australian side needs. Can have a nice career if he stays fit. Rating: 7.
XAVIER DOHERTY (3 wickets at 102): Tried hard but really was a boy sent on a man's errand when he was pitchforked from outside all sorts of pecking orders into the first Test. Bowls too quickly to deceive batsmen with flight or turn. Might be a useful World Cup option but his Test days are done. Rating: 2.5.
DOUG BOLLINGER (1 wicket at 130): Team management had feared since the Indian tour he would run out of puff in this series and so it proved in his sole Test in Adelaide when, in the words of his captain, he “hit the wall”. He should be embarrassed by his performance. Rating: 1.
ENGLAND
ALASTAIR COOK (577 runs at 115.4): Epic performance and he deserves to challenge Jamie Oliver as England's most popular Cook. Was supposed to be England's weak link but instead became their iron man, whose magnificent 235 not out in Brisbane set the tone for the win. Has redefined himself. Rating: 9.5.
ANDREW STRAUSS (247 at 41.17): Stayed impressively calm, assured and measured as the winds of a volatile series swirled around him. With everything on the line in Brisbane he conjured a crucial second innings century and though his run total is not great his first innings half-centuries in Perth and Melbourne changed the flow of both games. Rating: 8.
JONATHAN TROTT (445 runs at 111.25): An old-fashioned blood-and-guts performer, the type of which Australia is missing in its top three. Not pretty to watch but now has a batting average second only to Bradman. Seems to have a predictable game but Australia has never got to the bottom of him. Rating: 9.
KEVIN PIETERSEN (324 runs at 64): He's back. He may have failed twice in Perth but he murdered Australia in Adelaide with a double century and his 51 in Melbourne came at a crucial time. Rating: 8.5.
PAUL COLLINGWOOD (70 runs at 14): When rugged scrappers decline they decline fast. His serviceable career looks over. Did nothing with the bat, though took seven catches. Rating: 2.
IAN BELL (214 runs at 53): Scored first innings half-centuries everywhere bar Melbourne and charmed everyone with his textbook purity without landing a killer blow. Still to score a century against Australia from 17 Tests but the moment's coming. Rating: 7.5.
MATT PRIOR (134 at 33.5, 15 catches): Never threatened with the bat until the last Test, which was a surprise, but kept soundly. Rating: 6.
GRAEME SWANN (13 wickets at 37.3): Paid his way for the series by spearing through Australia in Adelaide but found, like so many of his trade before him, that Australian decks sentence him to starvation rations. Should tidy up his figures in Sydney. Caught splendidly in the slips and his perky demeanour helped his team. Rating: 7.5.
JAMES ANDERSON (17 wickets at 28): Wonderful performance. The player who used to drop his shoulder under pressure became an indomitable powerhouse who was the only quick to last the series. He mesmerised Australia with his subtle swing bowling skills and was chiefly responsible for Ponting's decline. Rating: 9.
STEVE FINN (14 wickets at 33): For a 21-year-old English quick to take more wickets in Australia than any Australian bowler says enough of his efforts. Exhaustion took its toll on his fading line and length but his potential for the short and long term looks immense. Rating: 7.5.
CHRIS TREMLETT (13 wickets at 19): The man who shocked everybody, English supporters included. Almost missed selection in the Perth Test because of the feeling he was too timid to be promoted for the big stage but completely dominated Australia in the last two games of the series with his steepling bounce. Rating: 8.
TIM BRESNAN (6 wickets at 12.5): Could have been excused for looking new and nervous when he was hauled into the Boxing Day Test but bowled like an old pro. Rating: 7.
STUART BROAD (2 wickets at 80): Broke down in Adelaide but applied constant pressure whenever
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Episode 6
-
Is Ponting the most graceless captain in world sport?
-
Cheltenham racecourse are offering anyone with an Australian passport free admission on New Year's Day to cheer them up a bit.
-
Atherton in the Times has changed his mind yet again.
He now says that we're vastly superior to Australia.
-
The one thing that has irked me is the way the Aussies have given us grief about the South African born players in the Test team. We've been labelled the 'Empire eleven' the 'Rainbow team' etc on most blogs.
So imagine my delight when their great batting hope for the 5th Test turns out to be a Pakistani, born in Pakistan of Pakistani parents.
Hilfenhaus - doesn't sound true blue Aussie to me.
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Heard Radio 4 went to the Shipping Forecast, missing the final wicket.
Dicks.
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Right, that's the Aussies put away (and we will win the next match), now to go for the real powerhouses in cricket these days. India are here in the summer.
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Heard Radio 4 went to the Shipping Forecast, missing the final wicket.
Dicks.
Haha Radio 4... on the ball as always
-
The one thing that has irked me is the way the Aussies have given us grief about the South African born players in the Test team. We've been labelled the 'Empire eleven' the 'Rainbow team' etc on most blogs.
So imagine my delight when their great batting hope for the 5th Test turns out to be a Pakistani, born in Pakistan of Pakistani parents.
To be fair to the lad, he's lived there since he was 3 years old. Its hardly the same as picking a handful of ready made cricketers out of South Africa.
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The Ashes are safe, but when it comes to world rankings and such, an away series win in Austrailia is far more important than retaining a little urn with a drawn series.
Many points to be won by actually winning the series rather than drawing it.
-
Right, that's the Aussies put away (and we will win the next match), now to go for the real powerhouses in cricket these days. India are here in the summer.
And then don't we tour there as well? Could be shooting up the rankings...
-
The one thing that has irked me is the way the Aussies have given us grief about the South African born players in the Test team. We've been labelled the 'Empire eleven' the 'Rainbow team' etc on most blogs.
So imagine my delight when their great batting hope for the 5th Test turns out to be a Pakistani, born in Pakistan of Pakistani parents.
Hilfenhaus - doesn't sound true blue Aussie to me.
Whatever did they make of Andrew Symonds - born in that well known Australian city Birmingham- and Kepler Wessels?
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Right, that's the Aussies put away (and we will win the next match), now to go for the real powerhouses in cricket these days. India are here in the summer.
And then don't we tour there as well? Could be shooting up the rankings...
We managed to jump up to third from fourth (and Aussies from Fifth to Fourth) during the Brisbane Test (Sri Lanka dropping down)
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The one thing that has irked me is the way the Aussies have given us grief about the South African born players in the Test team. We've been labelled the 'Empire eleven' the 'Rainbow team' etc on most blogs.
So imagine my delight when their great batting hope for the 5th Test turns out to be a Pakistani, born in Pakistan of Pakistani parents.
To be fair to the lad, he's lived there since he was 3 years old. Its hardly the same as picking a handful of ready made cricketers out of South Africa.
By handful I take it you mean two as Prior and Strauss both moved the England as children also yet they always get mentioned.
Besides, it's just the irony coming from a nation that claims the Bee Gees as their greatest musical export, their huge star being an actor that was born in New Zealand and has a Welsh PM and English opposition leader.
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The one thing that has irked me is the way the Aussies have given us grief about the South African born players in the Test team. We've been labelled the 'Empire eleven' the 'Rainbow team' etc on most blogs.
So imagine my delight when their great batting hope for the 5th Test turns out to be a Pakistani, born in Pakistan of Pakistani parents.
To be fair to the lad, he's lived there since he was 3 years old. Its hardly the same as picking a handful of ready made cricketers out of South Africa.
By handful I take it you mean two as Prior and Strauss both moved the England as children also yet they always get mentioned.
Besides, it's just the irony coming from a nation that claims the Bee Gees as their greatest musical export, their huge star being an actor that was born in New Zealand and has a Welsh PM and English opposition leader.
Yeah always pisses me off this whole non English thing.
Pietersen actually has an English mother, and was hardly a ready made cricketer in South Africa, considering he was batting at no 9 for Natal. (on the odd occasion he played).
I can't believe that Prior and Strauss are mentioned in this type of conversation.
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Right, that's the Aussies put away (and we will win the next match), now to go for the real powerhouses in cricket these days. India are here in the summer.
And then don't we tour there as well? Could be shooting up the rankings...
We managed to jump up to third from fourth (and Aussies from Fifth to Fourth) during the Brisbane Test (Sri Lanka dropping down)
In fairness Sri Lanka were always in a false postion at no 3. They win at home on pitches that are ridiculously tailor made and thats about it.
I think we are probably as good as India. Our bowling attack certainly seems a lot better.
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Heard Radio 4 went to the Shipping Forecast, missing the final wicket.
Dicks.
Haha Radio 4... on the ball as always
That's why I brought my first DAB radio about 5 years ago!
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The one thing that has irked me is the way the Aussies have given us grief about the South African born players in the Test team. We've been labelled the 'Empire eleven' the 'Rainbow team' etc on most blogs.
So imagine my delight when their great batting hope for the 5th Test turns out to be a Pakistani, born in Pakistan of Pakistani parents.
To be fair to the lad, he's lived there since he was 3 years old. Its hardly the same as picking a handful of ready made cricketers out of South Africa.
Maybe we should poach a few Crims as they have plenty with English ancestry? Or maybe not...as Smith is the 6th best batsman in Australia!
Perhaps if the South Africans had given equal rights to all and picked on merit, they'd have a coloured squad today!!
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Really will say a lot about us in the final test. The players will be tested mentally, not so much by the Australians trying to merely trying to draw the series. But, if we are to want to be the number 1 team and stay there, then we have to win tests like the one in Sydney. We will be there to be shot at as the number 1 team and evryone will want to try and take us down, just as the Aussies will do on Sunday. They will be desperate to beat us. Win this and we make a point. When a home team really wanted to take us down, we do them. Its the way of winners. This will be the biggest test of the summer. (their summer obviously...)
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That Tsotsobe looks a good prospect.
(replying to Andy, but Peter replied in the meantime).
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The one thing that has irked me is the way the Aussies have given us grief about the South African born players in the Test team. We've been labelled the 'Empire eleven' the 'Rainbow team' etc on most blogs.
So imagine my delight when their great batting hope for the 5th Test turns out to be a Pakistani, born in Pakistan of Pakistani parents.
To be fair to the lad, he's lived there since he was 3 years old. Its hardly the same as picking a handful of ready made cricketers out of South Africa.
By handful I take it you mean two as Prior and Strauss both moved the England as children also yet they always get mentioned.
Besides, it's just the irony coming from a nation that claims the Bee Gees as their greatest musical export, their huge star being an actor that was born in New Zealand and has a Welsh PM and English opposition leader.
Yeah always pisses me off this whole non English thing.
Pietersen actually has an English mother, and was hardly a ready made cricketer in South Africa, considering he was batting at no 9 for Natal. (on the odd occasion he played).
I can't believe that Prior and Strauss are mentioned in this type of conversation.
Well I didn't mention Strauss or Prior - using those 2 as an example would be like classing Usman Khawaja as a non Australian!
When I said ready made Criketers, I didn't say ready made world class players. They were Cricketers by trade when they moved to this country, and came here to do guess what? yes play Cricket - hence ready made Cricketers! As opposed to people who move here and then take up the sport.
I was referring to Pietersen, Trott, Kieswetter, Lumb and players from the past like Robin Smith, Allan Lamb. Then there’s others like Hick & Morgan.
So getting back to my initial point - Usman Khawaja would come under the Matt Prior, Andrew Strauss category rather than the above mentioned lot.
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I do love the Sydney Test match. For those that havn't been, the SCG is a great ground, perfect mixture of new stands with the old traditional pavilion with the green roof, Sydney on New Year Eve is one of the things i'm glad i've done in life and recommend it to anyone - not just the fireworks either, the whole 'Rocks' area atmosphere is brilliant.
So to then be able to take a few days of recovery time on the beach at Bondi or Coogee before an Ashes Test with England looking to go 3-1 up, it really wouldn't be getting much better.
Basically, I'm so jealous of VillaSub.
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It's a hard life ain't it!
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I'm not sure you'll want to stop up late for the first day - we've got a big storm here in Sydney at the moment and it's predicted to be here for about 24 hours.
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If we win this test we are joint 2nd with SA
But is it just me or does it feel abit of a damp squid now the Ashes are retained?
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We don't look really up scratch, but we need to win this series.
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They don't seem to have the same "zip" about them for this one...job already done though I guess...be nice to win the series though...
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It's 05:20, The Aussies are batting they are 114-3. so far so good.
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England making good headway, Khawaja gone. 134-4
Hussey looks like he might hang around, would be good to get him early. A few shooters positioned in the M.A Noble stand ought to do it.
Rain break, that could be it for the day.
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Probably gonna be it for the day.
Thought we bowled ok 1st session with little luck and a combination of decent Aussie discipline keeping us at bay.
Late wickets have put us on top on what looks a reasonble pitch.
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another Villa fan? (http://twitter.com/eoin16)
That's England's next in line Eoin Morgan, for those who don't know.
Could be something and nothing, as he also has Reo Ferdinand listed there.
But Ian Taylor would be a pretty obscure, unglamorous type to be 'following' if you weren't a Villa fan.
Tayls did some representative work for Gareth Barry's agent though, so he might have branched out to other sports.
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He's a Man Utd fan.
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Haddin gone already.
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Collingwood bowled Hussey!
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Collingwood bowled Hussey!
Pissed myself at that.
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Smith gone.
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Siddle gone.
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all out for less than 200 and a lead by close of play.Fantastic.
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You've jinxed it bigad!
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You've jinxed it bigad!
Sorry all.
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Meh, the pitch will only get better for a while, we'll stick 500 on the board, job done.
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Not great that. Could be the difference between a lead of a hundred or of twenty - assuming we end up with a lead, of course.
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Really good from Strauss and Cook,
Great response to their tail wagging.
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That little knock by Johnson and Gentle Ben could be crucial.
Not sure what happened then, bowled some absolute filth.
England should be about on par at the moment, looking to stretch away tomorrow.
As it is, tomorrow morning will be decisive as to how this test goes, and the Aussies will fell they're in with a shout now. They should be well out of it at this stage.
Dig in and grind it for a bit, a 40 from Jimmy might cushion the blow of those cheap runs conceded today (we can but dream). After that, bat for time, hopefully the pitch will flatten out and the weather improves.
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That 9th wicket partnership was incredibly frustrating, I just hope we don't pay for it later in the game.
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This game is nicely balanced, key session in the morning with Cook needing to pull out another big score.
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That 9th wicket partnership was incredibly frustrating, I just hope we don't pay for it later in the game.
I think if we'd have played 5 bowlers, it wouldn't have happened.
Let's hope Collingwood justifies his selection tomorrow.
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There was a bit of an opening there to skittle them out for under 200 and build a big first innings lead, possibly not having to bat again if we'd posted 400-450 and got Swann to nail them.
As it is, England will have to almost certainly bat last. Not ideal on a wicket that could turn. As well as the soft runs conceded, you'd feel any chance of getting a really big innings lead depended on Trott and KP playing a decent first innings knock.
In most Test matches you'd still class this as a good position, but it never pays to let the opposition off the hook when you have them down.
Big effort required from Cook, Collingwood and Bell tomorrow. Shouldn't really expect more from Cook. he's played his part throughout the series and then some. Collingwood looked woefully out of knick in Melbourne, when he's poor he's very, very poor. Bell - much as he's improved in the past 12-18 months- is still not someone you'd bet the house on if you're up against it.
That said, if he walks to the crease with England about par or better than Australia's 280, he has enough dash to take the game away from them.
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That 9th wicket partnership was incredibly frustrating, I just hope we don't pay for it later in the game.
I think if we'd have played 5 bowlers, it wouldn't have happened.
Let's hope Collingwood justifies his selection tomorrow.
Bowling Hussey has already gone a long way towards doing that.
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That 9th wicket partnership was incredibly frustrating, I just hope we don't pay for it later in the game.
I think if we'd have played 5 bowlers, it wouldn't have happened.
Let's hope Collingwood justifies his selection tomorrow.
Bowling Hussey has already gone a long way towards doing that.
Finn would have provided more.
No matter, as long as they do the job, be a shame to have got this far only to fuck it up.
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There was a bit of an opening there to skittle them out for under 200 and build a big first innings lead, possibly not having to bat again if we'd posted 400-450 and got Swann to nail them.
As it is, England will have to almost certainly bat last. Not ideal on a wicket that could turn. As well as the soft runs conceded, you'd feel any chance of getting a really big innings lead depended on Trott and KP playing a decent first innings knock.
In most Test matches you'd still class this as a good position, but it never pays to let the opposition off the hook when you have them down.
Big effort required from Cook, Collingwood and Bell tomorrow. Shouldn't really expect more from Cook. he's played his part throughout the series and then some. Collingwood looked woefully out of knick in Melbourne, when he's poor he's very, very poor. Bell - much as he's improved in the past 12-18 months- is still not someone you'd bet the house on if you're up against it.
That said, if he walks to the crease with England about par or better than Australia's 280, he has enough dash to take the game away from them.
Not sure of the logic that says because a batsmen is in form we shouldn't expect much from him. Cook and Bell have both played extremely well on this tour and I see no reason to expect that to change. I agree that Collingwood is out of touch but Prior, Bresnan and Swann are all capable of chipping in with useful runs so we're still handily placed.
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That 9th wicket partnership was incredibly frustrating, I just hope we don't pay for it later in the game.
I think if we'd have played 5 bowlers, it wouldn't have happened.
Let's hope Collingwood justifies his selection tomorrow.
Bowling Hussey has already gone a long way towards doing that.
Finn would have provided more.
No matter, as long as they do the job, be a shame to have got this far only to fuck it up.
Finn gives away too many runs, he needs to learn a bit more control. Their tail wagged a bit but it was more by luck than judgement and our bowlers once again suffocated the life out of their top order.
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Sometimes you get stands like that at the end no matter what you bowl, and I don't think England bowled that badly. In a few cases they bowled too well if that makes sense, the Aussie tail-enders weren't good enough to get a nick!
It's in the balance now, but if we can eke out a lead of 100+ I reckon we'll win.
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I am anticipating a 150 lead and a need to chase down no more than 170 to win it.
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Sometimes you get stands like that at the end no matter what you bowl, and I don't think England bowled that badly. In a few cases they bowled too well if that makes sense, the Aussie tail-enders weren't good enough to get a nick!
Actually they did bowl that badly. They only bowled 3 balls at the stumps to Johnson, one of those was the one that got him out.
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There was a bit of an opening there to skittle them out for under 200 and build a big first innings lead, possibly not having to bat again if we'd posted 400-450 and got Swann to nail them.
As it is, England will have to almost certainly bat last. Not ideal on a wicket that could turn. As well as the soft runs conceded, you'd feel any chance of getting a really big innings lead depended on Trott and KP playing a decent first innings knock.
In most Test matches you'd still class this as a good position, but it never pays to let the opposition off the hook when you have them down.
Big effort required from Cook, Collingwood and Bell tomorrow. Shouldn't really expect more from Cook. he's played his part throughout the series and then some. Collingwood looked woefully out of knick in Melbourne, when he's poor he's very, very poor. Bell - much as he's improved in the past 12-18 months- is still not someone you'd bet the house on if you're up against it.
That said, if he walks to the crease with England about par or better than Australia's 280, he has enough dash to take the game away from them.
Not sure of the logic that says because a batsmen is in form we shouldn't expect much from him. Cook and Bell have both played extremely well on this tour and I see no reason to expect that to change. I agree that Collingwood is out of touch but Prior, Bresnan and Swann are all capable of chipping in with useful runs so we're still handily placed.
By that I simply mean that he's played decent knocks in most of the games so far. When you look back at the end of a five game series it's rare for even one of the top performers to have done well in every game, particularly batsmen. Statistically the odds are against it.
He had a bit of a wobble in Perth though, so hopefully that's him covered.
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Sometimes you get stands like that at the end no matter what you bowl, and I don't think England bowled that badly. In a few cases they bowled too well if that makes sense, the Aussie tail-enders weren't good enough to get a nick!
Actually they did bowl that badly. They only bowled 3 balls at the stumps to Johnson, one of those was the one that got him out.
Oh, okay, I was mainly dozing by that time!
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We need 200 runs from Cook, Collingwood and Bell, plus another 50 from the rest. If we do that I'd still be confident of a win.
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I reckon a draw. We will bat out a draw on day 5.
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A draw would suit me.
Lose and you can legitimately say that there is very little between the 2 sides.
Despite the hype, bluster and bullshit.
I fully expect us to win.
When the Aussies were the best in the world, which is where we're trying to get to, they would never let up and crush the opposition despite winning a series.
There's a lot at stake.
Win the series and beat India and we can say we're the best in the world.
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Sometimes you get stands like that at the end no matter what you bowl, and I don't think England bowled that badly. In a few cases they bowled too well if that makes sense, the Aussie tail-enders weren't good enough to get a nick!
Actually they did bowl that badly. They only bowled 3 balls at the stumps to Johnson, one of those was the one that got him out.
So we must have bowled badly when we had them all out for 98 at Melbourne? Not one of those would have hit the stumps.
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Win the series and beat India and we can say we're the best in the world.
Close. We should beat India in the summer, they won't like our conditions.
Still need to beat India in their own back yard and on pitches they have prepared for their batsmen for that I reckon, but we're getting there.
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I think we will lose now, this is Perth all over again.
We let the tail/Johnson wag, he then has confidence an knocks our top order over,
We have to get too lunch will at least Cook or Bell still there, because we will get skittled on day 5 if they have a big lead.
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What a cheat ! That bounced !
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The new ball seemed to work in our favour with Bell picking up the pace a bit.
3 runs behind at lunch with Cook on 130 & Bell on 20.
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Win the series and beat India and we can say we're the best in the world.
Close. We should beat India in the summer, they won't like our conditions.
Still need to beat India in their own back yard and on pitches they have prepared for their batsmen for that I reckon, but we're getting there.
Surely thats part of the reason that India are so high in the rankings in the first place? Don't think India have beaten any of the top 5/6 in the World away from home in the last 5 years. (could be wrong on that) Obviously that could change against South Africa.
The disparity is not as big as Sri Lanka, (who have been massively flattered by the rankings) but theres still something in that for me.
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Getting back to the cricket,
A pretty good session all in all. To only lose two wickets, one of which was a nightwatchmen, (don't get me started on that joke of an idea) and to get as good as level is good going.
Cook looks imperious. He is even immune to cheating little pricks like Phil Hughes. Bell looks in very nice touch as well.
Still plenty of batting to come, with both Bresnan and Swann more than capable of knocking 40 or 50.
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Cook, aged 26 has 16 Test hundreds. The England record currently stands at 22 (Boycott and Hammond joint), and might just be higher by the time Strauss is done but not much. Cook will surely eclipse this figure, he just looks immovable at his best. Doesn't seem to be a lot in the pitch without the cloud cover though, despite the talk of grass on the wicket, so the seamers may have to be very disciplined indeed and hope it breaks up for Swann.
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Great Middle session,
Really ramming home the huge gulf in class between the sides.
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Phenomenal effort from Cook, but his work isn't done yet.
If at all possible, push the lead past 200 (ideally 230 but that might be a bit greedy) to ensure England have little to do if they need to bat again.
A lead of 200+ might be enough with the turn, Swann will probably get more out of this pitch than Beer.
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Out for 189. The kind of dismissal that happens in slow motion - you're watching and you think "don't play at that, don't play at that - told you not to play at that". Needless shot, but a phenomenal innings, a phenomenal series in fact. He's put England in a potentially winning position.
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Bell extremely lucky there.
Hotspot can be a flawed system as illustrated there, because you're only seeing one angle of the bat.
Dunno why they can't use snicko, though I assume it's a good reason such as it takes too long to get an audio recording et.c
Important now that he makes his good luck tell.
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Episode 7
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Excellent stuff. Can't lose now.
Crap from Geordie ****** Collingwood again, time to get rid and play Bresnan at 7 with Bell 5 and Prior 6.
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It's a shame for Colly, but you can't really carry someone coming in at 5.
If Cook and Bell weren't in such good form England could have been in a spot of bother today.
They've done the right thing (with the benefit of most of the other batsmen being in good touch) and kept him in for the series, giving him a chance to play himself back into form.
But now it's time to look to the future. Push Bell up to no.5 (wouldn't be tempted to go higher) and give Morgan or possibly Bopara a chance at 6.
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It's a shame for Colly, but you can't really carry someone coming in at 5.
If Cook and Bell weren't in such good form England could have been in a spot of bother today.
They've done the right thing (with the benefit of most of the other batsmen being in good touch) and kept him in for the series, giving him a chance to play himself back into form.
But now it's time to look to the future. Push Bell up to no.5 (WOULDN'T be tempted to go higher) and give Morgan or possibly Bopara a chance at 6.
Totally agree with this statement.
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Been watching the highlights on ITV4 which is taken from Channel 9 in Australia.
Astounded as to how biased the coverage is.
If Australia hit a 4, you get cries of
'WHACKO!'
'GO FOR IT' etc.
Also, Mitchell Johnson reminds me of Dan from Alan Partridge.
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I hate Johnsons approach to the crease. Most quicks just run in & bowl, he seems to crouch, run, speed up & then (the good bit) bowl unmittigated dross.
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Been watching the highlights on ITV4 which is taken from Channel 9 in Australia.
Astounded as to how biased the coverage is.
If Australia hit a 4, you get cries of
'WHACKO!'
'GO FOR IT' etc.
Also, Mitchell Johnson reminds me of Dan from Alan Partridge.
I love watching their coverage. Having to watc England thrash their team and then having to congratulate England makes it all the more fulfilling.
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I hate Johnsons approach to the crease. Most quicks just run in & bowl, he seems to crouch, run, speed up & then (the good bit) bowl unmittigated dross.
For 'bowls' read 'chucks'.
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Been watching the highlights on ITV4 which is taken from Channel 9 in Australia.
Astounded as to how biased the coverage is.
If Australia hit a 4, you get cries of
'WHACKO!'
'GO FOR IT' etc.
Also, Mitchell Johnson reminds me of Dan from Alan Partridge.
I love watching their coverage. Having to watc England thrash their team and then having to congratulate England makes it all the more fulfilling.
They don't congratulate if they can help it.
After Bell made 2 consecutive stunning fielding stops, one of them (I don't know which one, the ****** all sound the same) said 'Ohh, the batsmen is so unlucky.
The only good one amongst them is Richie Benaud.
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Use their bias, and our superiority, as a means to enjoying their one-eyedness. It makes it more worthwhile.
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Excellent stuff. Can't lose now.
Crap from Geordie c*** Collingwood again, time to get rid and play Bresnan at 7 with Bell 5 and Prior 6.
Why so offensive towards Collingwood? He's extremely popular both with team mates and supporters, he's suffering a bit with the bat but he doesn't deserve the abuse. He's coming towards the end of his test career but he's been an important member of the side for a few years and what he lacks in natural talent he makes up for in grit and determination.
Morgan will take his place next season, I reckon.
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Excellent stuff. Can't lose now.
Crap from Geordie c*** Collingwood again, time to get rid and play Bresnan at 7 with Bell 5 and Prior 6.
Why so offensive towards Collingwood? He's extremely popular both with team mates and supporters, he's suffering a bit with the bat but he doesn't deserve the abuse. He's coming towards the end of his test career but he's been an important member of the side for a few years and what he lacks in natural talent he makes up for in grit and determination.
Morgan will take his place next season, I reckon.
The abuse is bulit in Chris, comes from years of poor England performances.
And he's a Newcastle fan.
When he goes, I still think we should go with 5 bowlers.
Bell at 5, Prior at 6, Bresnan or Broad at 7.
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Win the series and beat India and we can say we're the best in the world.
Close. We should beat India in the summer, they won't like our conditions.
Still need to beat India in their own back yard and on pitches they have prepared for their batsmen for that I reckon, but we're getting there.
Surely thats part of the reason that India are so high in the rankings in the first place? Don't think India have beaten any of the top 5/6 in the World away from home in the last 5 years. (could be wrong on that) Obviously that could change against South Africa.
Are you watching the test in South Africa? Fascinating stuff, SA leading by 128 with four second innings wickets left.
There is definitely something in India being 'homers' but they are giving a right go in this game.
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Well played lads, I fully expected to wake up this morning and Australia to be 100 ahead!
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Well played chaps. That's a minimum of a draw safe. Have a swing in the morning and get the buggers in.
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Another 50 to 100 runs for the last three wickets and we can start thinking of an innings victory - again.
I'll be glad when the series is over: I can start getting a full night's sleep again!
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Excellent stuff. Can't lose now.
Crap from Geordie c*** Collingwood again, time to get rid and play Bresnan at 7 with Bell 5 and Prior 6.
If you are intent on being needlessly offensive, at least get your facts right.
Collingwood is from Sunderland and is a Sunderland fan.
I like Collingwood. He's made a good career for himself out of limited ability. He's always fought really hard and has got us out of some very sticky situations in the past.
He has come to the end of his test career though. Now time for someone like Morgan or even Bopara (if he can realise his potential) to come in to the team for a potentially golden period for English cricket.
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Win the series and beat India and we can say we're the best in the world.
Close. We should beat India in the summer, they won't like our conditions.
Still need to beat India in their own back yard and on pitches they have prepared for their batsmen for that I reckon, but we're getting there.
Surely thats part of the reason that India are so high in the rankings in the first place? Don't think India have beaten any of the top 5/6 in the World away from home in the last 5 years. (could be wrong on that) Obviously that could change against South Africa.
Are you watching the test in South Africa? Fascinating stuff, SA leading by 128 with four second innings wickets left.
There is definitely something in India being 'homers' but they are giving a right go in this game.
Yeah really good series thats been as well. Incredible how Tendulkar continues to play. Fair play to India in this series as they've played on some sporty pitches and have really given an excellent African side a good run for it.
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Agreed on Colly.
He's played some valuable knocks in recent years, the second innings in Cardiff and Cape Town immediately spring to mind. Both times when there were question marks over his form and continuing selection.
When he's out of touch -like at present- he looks woeful. More like a club cricketer. But he's made a decent contribution over the last five years.
My only concern with the blokes tipped to replace him is they're all a bit 'samey,' all like to play their shots regardless of the game situation. We could do with someone like Colly down there -if not the man himself- to grind it out if needs be when the going gets tough.
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Excellent stuff. Can't lose now.
Crap from Geordie c*** Collingwood again, time to get rid and play Bresnan at 7 with Bell 5 and Prior 6.
If you are intent on being needlessly offensive, at least get your facts right.
Collingwood is from Sunderland and is a Sunderland fan.
Mackem ****** then.
Tonight's result will determine how badly I want to kill him.
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Agreed on Colly.
He's played some valuable knocks in recent years, the second innings in Cardiff and Cape Town immediately spring to mind. Both times when there were question marks over his form and continuing selection.
When he's out of touch -like at present- he looks woeful. More like a club cricketer. But he's made a decent contribution over the last five years.
My only concern with the blokes tipped to replace him is they're all a bit 'samey,' all like to play their shots regardless of the game situation. We could do with someone like Colly down there -if not the man himself- to grind it out if needs be when the going gets tough.
Good point well made.
I think that a player like Morgan could adapt his game with experience though. The good thing is he'll be coming into a confident succesful side, giving him time to learn.
He's very young and seems to have a good head on his shoulders. He's played a few quality one day innings for us when coming in under pressure. Obviously not the same, but shows the thought process is there.
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A far bigger concern for me would be KP.
That innings on a flat track in Adelaide aside, he hasn't contributed as much as a guy with his talent should. You could probably say that's true of the last few years as well.
Are we past the point of saying he has potential? He's 30 now, should be able to play the situation better and should be trying to lay down a marker, being hungry enough to score the volume of runs that might have him legitimately mentioned amongst the greats. Not just the odd big knock here and there.
Instead, he still gets out to rash shots and looks impatient, desperate to score in a hurry. You could excuse it when he was starting out, easy enough to reason that the penny would drop in time.
Talk was a few years ago of pushing him up to 3, but Warne mentioned something today that I've been thinking for a while, stick him down at 5. He doesn't have the discipline to hold the innings together, or build a decent platform so if he just wants to come in and play shots, play four competent batsmen ahead of him who can carry the responsibility for the team better.
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Thing is with Pietersen that half century in the last game was an important contribution as well. But I take your point, he does need to do it on a more consistent basis.
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I get the impression that KP will be the first player who'll walk away from Test cricket before his time, simply because he can earn all that he needs in the IPL.
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I'm going to go against the grain a bit here with who should replace Colly - I'd look to either Bresnan or Broad to get into the nets more and improve their batting, and look to develop them more with the bat. Then look at bringing another bowler in - basically a side like this -
Strauss
Cook
Trott
KP
Bell
Prior
Broad
Bresnan
Swann
Anderson
Tremlett
Bit harsh on Morgan/Finn, but I think we'd be a better side like that.
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Oh, and it's very Sunny here in Sydney again this morning - but a big chance of rain later on today. So go out early doors and swing the bat, try and put a quick 50 runs on the board and then get bowling at them. We could wrap this up today.
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So Colly has announced his retirement from test cricket. Fair play to him.
524 for 7. Get to 600, probably just after lunch and give the crims 320 to aim for.
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Great partnership from Bresnan and Prior at the moment. 100 up.
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Kiss of death.
Bresnan goes for 35.
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600 up. How have I jinxed it...
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600 up. How have I jinxed it...
You've just got Prior out.
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Not necessarily...
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Bugger. Sorry, Matt.
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Not necessarily...
Ho hum.
Sooner they're out there the better now.
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I'm quite happy with Swann's batting for now.
(have I just jinxed him again?! Will I ever learn?)
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17 from the over for Swann.
Not bad :)
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"The third new ball is up there with queuing, dancing, holding hands and shopping - overrated" - S. Warne Esq
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And Tremlett adds three more.
Thanks, Mitchell.
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Lunch in ten minutes - declare at lunch?
(bloody jinx again?!)
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Four short of our highest ever innings score in Australia.
Need to make sure we get to that at least. Another record down.
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Done. 636 for 9 at lunch, a lead of 356.
Four bowlers have conceded more than 100 runs. Ouch.
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Why are we still batting?
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I'm guessing to get that record and because the worst thing that will happen now is a draw which will mean we have still beaten them overall albeit by 2-1 instead of 3-1.
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Hello Australian throat, I'd like to introduce you to my massive English foot.
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You have to laugh when the Aussies shoot themselves in the foot. Such an easy second run as well.
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166 for 5 easy easy easy
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Do do do do another one bites the dust. 171 for 6.
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Johnson gone first ball, 7 down!
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Such an excellent bowling performance in very flat conditions.
There is a huge amount of skill required to be able to swing the ball both ways. All 3 of our seamers have managed to do that at will.
Good job from Swann keeping control at the other end.
Say what you like about the Aussies. We have just been far too good.
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Phenomenal effort again today all round.
I do wonder how much of this is down to England raising their game v the general poverty of the Aussie performance throughout the series.
Would the much maligned England side of 2006/07 beaten this lot? I reckon they'd have gobbled up the bad balls on offer in the same way this England side has, and would have had enough to take 20 wickets even with question marks over the likes of Harmison, Giles and Mahmood.
In fact I'd say the England side of 2002/03 would have fancied their chances too.
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That run out was hillarious too, after today in particular it's become humiliating for them.
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In fact I'd say the England side of 2002/03 would have fancied their chances too.
I don't think they would have got the draw at Brisbane (which was the key to winning this series.
I doubt also that they would have had the Aussies 2-3 at Adelaide.
They probably would have beaten them at Melbourne and Sydney but the fact the Aussies are so demoralised has to be due in part to those early performances.
On the other hand the weather has been v unusual on the East Coast of Australia in terms of the amount of rain this year and conditions are probably more suited to England than they have ever been. But we still had to take advantage and if we win three tests by an innings it must be one of the most emphatic victories in history.
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Vaughan plundered 600+ runs against a good attack, what would he have made of this lot. Trescothick, Hussain, Key and Stewart would have loved some of that dross being served up by Johnson, Watson and Hilfenhaus too no doubt.
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(http://resources0.news.com.au/images/2011/01/06/1225983/264136-laughables.jpg)
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Overall we have absolutely battered them, and shown we are the much better side.
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I'm furious with Strauss et al. My £20 on 2-1 England's gone south.
:-\
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Vaughan plundered 600+ runs against a good attack, what would he have made of this lot. Trescothick, Hussain, Key and Stewart would have loved some of that dross being served up by Johnson, Watson and Hilfenhaus too no doubt.
I love how the commentary box has turned into Gower and Botham talking about how they defeated the Aussies home and away, and all Athers and Nasser can do is sit there and nod.
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So what time do we think we'll be finished by this evening?
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Quickly I hope, I need to catch up on some sleep. My bet is about half an hour, take one and they'll all go.
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I'm hoping it's pretty quick want to see the end before I have to go to bed. Nice to see all the empty seats again :-)
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Lunch time. Aussies will play withiut any pressure and scre freely. England will have to buy wickets.
As I will beasleep I will take this chance to say WELL DONE ENGLAND. WELL DONE ANDREW STRAUS.
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Rain. Oh tits.
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Off for rain! It's going to be a late one tonight.
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I've got a feed and for the second time I've got a "one minute clip preview of Porno for the Blind".
What the fuck? The missus must think I'm doing some one handed surfing.
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I've got a feed and for the second time I've got a "one minute clip preview of Porno for the Blind".
What the fuck? The missus must think I'm doing some one handed surfing.
I got the same. Got the speakers turned off pretty quickly I can tell you.
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I've got to get up in 5 hours! Hurry the feck up!
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I've got to get up in 5 hours! Hurry the feck up!
Here we go!
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Siddle gone.
Let's knock Hilfenhaus and Beer over in the next couple of overs and be in bed by 1am.
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I've got to get up in 5 hours! Hurry the feck up!
Here we go!
Siddle gone, two to go. The Ashes, the sprinkler and out...
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Apparently with that knock Siddle now has a higher series average than Clarke and Ponting combined.
*chuckle*
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Apparently with that knock Siddle now has a higher series average than Clarke and Ponting combined.
*chuckle*
What do you call an Aussie with 100 runs to his name? A bowler.
What do you call a world class Ozzie cricketer? Retired.
What do you call an Ozzie with a champagne bottle in his hand? Waiter.
What would James Anderson be if he were an Ozzie? An all rounder.
One wicket to go, with the new ball. Yippee!
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Another one bites the dust!
It'll be done before even I go to bed.
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On the brink...
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Last wicket to go - come on England !
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YOU BEEEE-OOOOOOOOOOTY!
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Great stuff.
Well done England. I can go to bed happy and early :)
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Great stuff.
Well done England. I can go to bed happy and early :)
Shouldn't you be supporting Gavin Hamilton & co? :oD
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Fantastic, now drink the city dry lads.
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Great stuff.
Well done England. I can go to bed happy and early :)
Shouldn't you be supporting Gavin Hamilton & co? :oD
Ha! No.
After that loss to Afghanistan I've given up on them. Scotland are so bad at cricket I am scared to pick up a bat for fear of getting a call up.
Seriously, anything that pisses off and humiliates the arrogant convicts can only be a force for good.
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3-1 to England
Should have put money on it. FFS!
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Superb stuff.
Now win the World Cup (no pressure!)
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It's been an hour and a half and nobody here in Melbourne has spoken to me. It's like the Ashes never happened. It's not like I actually give a stuff about cricket anyway.
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Excellent series and well played to the entire England cricket team and backroom staff, super stuff
\ ;D /
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God this is funny:
10 Reasons Why Poms Won't Win The Ashes (http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/cricket/reasons-why-poms-wont-win/story-e6frey50-1225955985591)
Underrated! No superstars! No depth!
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Superb.
The management and backroom staff have been ultra professional.
The England bowling coach (an Aussie) has been rewarded with a 3 year contract and rightly so.
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The few Australian's I know have gone very quiet all of a sudden, no bombastic texts or even promises of revenge.
They know they are well and truly facked for a few years to come. Excellent stuff.
Most of the Aussie newspapers have all followed a similar theme, 'just make it stop!'
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England 3-1 by the way.
And now I can start getting back to a proper sleeping pattern.
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Fantastic, I said before the series we were the much better side and they've backed it up. Now for the World Cup.
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Superb.
The management and backroom staff have been ultra professional.
The England bowling coach (an Aussie) has been rewarded with a 3 year contract and rightly so.
Only mild concern I'd have with that is that for Aussie conditions there were probably few better placed candidates than Saker to help the squad.
But he was only ever a very good cricketer at state level in Australia, I'm not sure how useful his knowledge will be in the sub continent and so on. He's played his part and I'd rather see him here than helping the Aussies plan for 2013. Would have been shades of Troy Cooley post 2005.
But a big part of the improvement in the bowling these past few years has probably been down to the likes of Ottis Gibson, Allan Donald and David Saker being introduced at various times. Perhaps more beneficial to England now would be someone with a decent insight into how specific Sub Continent wickets play, Waqar Younis or similar. Open the knowledge base up further and expand the skill sets. You can take different things from different coaches, but the stuff you learn from any of them along the way you keep. You don't automatically lose it by hiring a different bloke.
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Another one bites the dust!
Ashes to England Dust to Aussies.
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Superb.
The management and backroom staff have been ultra professional.
The England bowling coach (an Aussie) has been rewarded with a 3 year contract and rightly so.
Only mild concern I'd have with that is that for Aussie conditions there were probably few better placed candidates than Saker to help the squad.
But he was only ever a very good cricketer at state level in Australia, I'm not sure how useful his knowledge will be in the sub continent and so on. He's played his part and I'd rather see him here than helping the Aussies plan for 2013. Would have been shades of Troy Cooley post 2005.
But a big part of the improvement in the bowling these past few years has probably been down to the likes of Ottis Gibson, Allan Donald and David Saker being introduced at various times. Perhaps more beneficial to England now would be someone with a decent insight into how specific Sub Continent wickets play, Waqar Younis or similar. Open the knowledge base up further and expand the skill sets. You can take different things from different coaches, but the stuff you learn from any of them along the way you keep. You don't automatically lose it by hiring a different bloke.
On a side note, If Bresnan becomes a regular, we could afford 5 bowlers, mainly thanks to Bell and Prior's form with the bat.
So
5. Bell
6. Prior
7. Bresnan
8. Broad
9. Swann
10. Tremlett
11. Anderson
Pretty good all the way down to 9 and Tremlett can bat a bit too.
Remember, there will be no relief fifth bowler now Collingwood has gone.
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Loved Beefy's comment last night along the lines of only playing a three test series against Oz until they can put up a better fight!
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Loved Beefy's comment last night along the lines of only playing a three test series against Oz until they can put up a better fight!
We'd have drawn.
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A quite brilliant series overall from England.
We could sit here until we are blue in the face talking about Australias problems. But that would be wholly unfair.
England have won 3 test matches by unbelievable margins. The discipline of the batsmen, the control and skill of the bowlers have all been World Class. Any side would have struggled to cope with the cricket we have played in this series.
You look at this Aussie side. It cannot be that bad:
Ponting, Clarke, Hussey - All top class batsmen. Add Watson who has a good record
Haddin - quality wicket keeper batsmen
Johnson - 170 wickets from 40 matches. Cannot be a bad bowler. Siddle and Hilfenhaus both had reasonable records prior to this series also.
The batsmen have failed due to excellent bowling. The ability to swing and seam the ball in flat conditions. The ability to build pressure by bowling with unerring accuracy, backed up by outstanding fielding.
Australia's bowlers have looked bad due to our Batsmen. The ability to leave the ball, to frustrate and force bad delieverys. The concentration required to play long innings and the skill in placing the ball into gaps.
Englands work ethic and leadership from Strauss and Flower, both impressive men who command respect.
It is a very English thing, that when we do well we look at the oppositions failings rather than how well we have played.
I really hope that our achievements this series are not diminished in any way by the press or the public.
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Superb.
The management and backroom staff have been ultra professional.
The England bowling coach (an Aussie) has been rewarded with a 3 year contract and rightly so.
Only mild concern I'd have with that is that for Aussie conditions there were probably few better placed candidates than Saker to help the squad.
But he was only ever a very good cricketer at state level in Australia, I'm not sure how useful his knowledge will be in the sub continent and so on. He's played his part and I'd rather see him here than helping the Aussies plan for 2013. Would have been shades of Troy Cooley post 2005.
But a big part of the improvement in the bowling these past few years has probably been down to the likes of Ottis Gibson, Allan Donald and David Saker being introduced at various times. Perhaps more beneficial to England now would be someone with a decent insight into how specific Sub Continent wickets play, Waqar Younis or similar. Open the knowledge base up further and expand the skill sets. You can take different things from different coaches, but the stuff you learn from any of them along the way you keep. You don't automatically lose it by hiring a different bloke.
What about Mushtaq, isn't he part of the backroom staff. I reckon he'd know all about bowling in the sub-continent. Plus Saker is the coach that they trust - the last thing we need to do now is upset him or such a togerther unit. They'l know what to do.
As for the Sydney Test, more domination in every level of the game, even down to running between the wickets, Infact I can't think of one aspect of the game where we've not been the absolute superiors of Australia. It's gone so well, I fully expect to wake up any moment.
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Well that was a fun few weeks!
Someone was saying last night that if we beat Sri Lanka 3-0 in the Summer, then we'll be facing India with the winners becoming World Number 1.
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Can't wait to see Bangladesh stuff the Aussies later this year they are shite they will go from greatness to awfulness like the Windies did.
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Quite surprised to learn that Englands win makes the head to head in Ashes series now stands at Australia 31 - England 31 (that's outright series wins).
Australia have won about 20 more Test matches though thanks to some recent stuffings we've received.
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Loved Beefy's comment last night along the lines of only playing a three test series against Oz until they can put up a better fight!
We'd have drawn.
He meant in the future, ie only play 3 tests against the crap nations. The Ozzies said similar about us after they whitewashed us on the last tour.
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Well that was a fun few weeks!
Someone was saying last night that if we beat Sri Lanka 3-0 in the Summer, then we'll be facing India with the winners becoming World Number 1.
Can't see it unless South Africa lose somewhere along the line.
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Loved Beefy's comment last night along the lines of only playing a three test series against Oz until they can put up a better fight!
We'd have drawn.
He meant in the future, ie only play 3 tests against the crap nations. The Ozzies said similar about us after they whitewashed us on the last tour.
I know, I was being facetious.
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Superb.
The management and backroom staff have been ultra professional.
The England bowling coach (an Aussie) has been rewarded with a 3 year contract and rightly so.
Only mild concern I'd have with that is that for Aussie conditions there were probably few better placed candidates than Saker to help the squad.
But he was only ever a very good cricketer at state level in Australia, I'm not sure how useful his knowledge will be in the sub continent and so on. He's played his part and I'd rather see him here than helping the Aussies plan for 2013. Would have been shades of Troy Cooley post 2005.
But a big part of the improvement in the bowling these past few years has probably been down to the likes of Ottis Gibson, Allan Donald and David Saker being introduced at various times. Perhaps more beneficial to England now would be someone with a decent insight into how specific Sub Continent wickets play, Waqar Younis or similar. Open the knowledge base up further and expand the skill sets. You can take different things from different coaches, but the stuff you learn from any of them along the way you keep. You don't automatically lose it by hiring a different bloke.
What about Mushtaq, isn't he part of the backroom staff. I reckon he'd know all about bowling in the sub-continent. Plus Saker is the coach that they trust - the last thing we need to do now is upset him or such a togerther unit. They'l know what to do.
As for the Sydney Test, more domination in every level of the game, even down to running between the wickets, Infact I can't think of one aspect of the game where we've not been the absolute superiors of Australia. It's gone so well, I fully expect to wake up any moment.
He works with the slow bowlers, no?
I'm not advocating getting shot of Saker, or anything like that. The players seem to like him and respond to him. More a case of simply highlighting that the progress of recent years is probably down to the impact of a few coaches over different periods of time and one possible opening that still exists is a coach for the quicks who knows sub continent wickets inside out. Perhaps not right now, but in time.
Any attack that can call upon the likes of Anderson, Broad, Finn, Tremlett, Shazad, Bresnan and Onions when fit is in decent shape. That's seven top class quicks, most nations would be quite happy with three.
England should realistically be targeting the no.1 slot, and should avail of every opportunity for improvement to reach that goal.
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I know what youa re saying but surely Saker will be coaching about technique and reverse swing etc, Mustaq (although a quality spinner) can still coach about length to bowl in the sub-continent and the mindset of the Asian sides.
It is a wonderful position to be in though, I was only today thinking about Graham Onions and what a good bowler he is for those certain kind of seaming wickets, we really do seem to have all of the bowling bases well and truely covered right now.
The blood letting has well and truely begun here - the shit is flying, the natives are not happy and everyone is trying the shift the blame. Today James Sutherland (Chairman of Cricket Austrlia) tried to blame their build up schedule as the main reason for the defeat, whilst Chairmen of Selectors, the happy hooker Andrew Hilditch claimed the selectors had done a ''great job".
Not a word from Punter yet!
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I think Saker's biggest influence is that has kept things simple. Made the bowlers concentrate on line and length and stick to plans. Bringing in another coach runs the risk of over complicating things. We have confounded expectations by showing that we can get the most out of the Kookabara (sp) ball and have worked well as a unit. Not sure either that I would play an additional bowler as Swann can bowl enough overs to allow the others to be rotated.
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Well that was a fun few weeks!
So what was your favourite Test match out of them all and why?
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http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/the-ashes/aussies-your-cards-are-marked/story-fn67xawe-1225984295422
And here's just a sumptuous, delicious taste of it.
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I know what youa re saying but surely Saker will be coaching about technique and reverse swing etc, Mustaq (although a quality spinner) can still coach about length to bowl in the sub-continent and the mindset of the Asian sides.
Mushy -if he's still on board by the time we tour India and Sri Lanka again- will be useful no doubt. In fact anyone who's played out there will have a degree of awareness as to how the wicket may play. As much as you can with wickets liable to change over the years, obv.
But any fast bowler who has previously played for India, Pakistan or Sri Lanka and knows how to get the absolute maximum out of the ball in often batsmen friendly conditions is a notch above that level.
It's no big priority at the moment, I agree. Just something to possibly look at in the future. Saker is a Victorian and had a face like a smacked arse when he was interviewed prior to the Melbourne test, sounded very uncomfortable talking about 'we and us' in relation to England. I'm sure the ECB have looked after him in the wake of what happened with Troy Cooley. But he will return home at some point, with his country's national sport in a mess it would be hard to resist the call for too long.
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I think we've got a good chance in the World Cup, because I think our bowlers have really learnt how to bowl well in all conditions.
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Aussies are still number one in the one day rankings, it won't be easy, but if we could beat them it would set us up nicely for the world cup.
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We have confounded expectations by showing that we can get the most out of the Kookabara (sp) ball
Did you notice that only two people (Cook and Anderson) were allowed to work on shining up the ball? And that everyone else was so utterly careful to avoid even getting the slightest bit of sweat or moisture on it. It's that attention to detail that is starting to make us so ruthless. We'll be thoroughly hated soon, and I look forward to it.
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We have confounded expectations by showing that we can get the most out of the Kookabara (sp) ball
Did you notice that only two people (Cook and Anderson) were allowed to work on shining up the ball? And that everyone else was so utterly careful to avoid even getting the slightest bit of sweat or moisture on it. It's that attention to detail that is starting to make us so ruthless. We'll be thoroughly hated soon, and I look forward to it.
Yep agreed, I will enjoy it as well when we are top of the tree in all forms of the game.
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Well that was a fun few weeks!
So what was your favourite Test match out of them all and why?
I'm going to say Adelaide - especially that first few overs - it was then that I knew we'd win the series.
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I'm going to miss this thread.
Will it be kept open for the ODI's and T20's?
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Don't see why not.
England win their warm up against the Presidents XI, Bell hitting 124 from 102 balls.
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The final episode.
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One thing I meant to bring up during Ian bell's innings of 115 (?) at Sydney. Was I the only one to see a feint mark on the inside of the bat on hotspot? As soon as it went through I thought it was out but Atherton and AN Other said that there was no mark so there you go. i thought it was a huge snick on hotspot - okay not a white hot glowing mark - but a mark nonetheless. Did anyone else see it?
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One thing I meant to bring up during Ian bell's innings of 115 (?) at Sydney. Was I the only one to see a feint mark on the inside of the bat on hotspot? As soon as it went through I thought it was out but Atherton and AN Other said that there was no mark so there you go. i thought it was a huge snick on hotspot - okay not a white hot glowing mark - but a mark nonetheless. Did anyone else see it?
I'm assuming that was the one that went to review so the third umpire also dismissed it. You can't go on the ball as it will have been warmed up by the bowler and also on contact with the ground or even contact with the batsmans shirt. That's why they only check the bat on hot spot for giving Out.
Edit: Doh you did say Bat in the first place.
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You're not going mad, there was a hot spot mark on Bell's bat and the Aussie commentators were banging on about it all day. Some blogs I read afterwards were calling Ding Dong a cheat for not walking (Australian hypocracy at it's finest).
The commentators seemed to think Bell knew he'd hit it and chanced his arm that hot spot either wouldn't show anything or it'd be so faint that the 3rd umpire couldn't be certain. Snicko later confirmed there was an edge.
These were all fair comments as I'm sure he hit it too, however what pissed me off was how they then failed to mention an almost identical incident involving Micheal Clarke at The Gabba.