Ashes 2010/11

[Villan For Life]

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.

[Shrek]

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.

[The Man With A Stick]

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!

[Dave]

Sterling work from KevinGage as well.

I'm guessing he'll be spending most of Boxing Day in bed.

[TheTimVilla]

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.

[Karl Bridges]

Looking forward to us driving them into the ground tonight.

[VillaZogmariner]

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"

[Dave Cooper please]

Anybody else nervous?

Nope!

[Dave Cooper please]

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.

[TopDeck113]

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. 

[olaftab]

Fantastic performance and a great come back after the Perth debacle. This should be Ashes retained unless it rains for 3 days or something.

[VillaZogmariner]

The highest score on the MCG this season in an innings is 300.

[VillaZogmariner]

The Daily Telegraph (Aussie One)

[KevinGage]

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.

[taylorsworkrate]

Great day yesterday, one of the best single days in English test history.  So clinical, so ruthless.