Ashes 2010/11

[Dave Cooper please]

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.

[PaulWinch again]

Well played lads, I fully expected to wake up this morning and Australia to be 100 ahead!

[cheltenhamlion]

Well played chaps. That's a minimum of a draw safe. Have a swing in the morning and get the buggers in.

[TopDeck113]

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!

[taylorsworkrate]

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.

[taylorsworkrate]

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.

[KevinGage]

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.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

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.

[taylorsworkrate]

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.

[KevinGage]

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.

[PaulWinch again]

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.

[TopDeck113]

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.

[VillaZogmariner]

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.

[VillaZogmariner]

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.

[TheTimVilla]

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.