Ashes 2013/14

[paul_e]

Why declare? Is poor weather forecast?

Can't believe you ave asked that question. This is good positive cricket from Aussies. They have a lead of well over 500 and even the great West Indies team would have not got that in the fourth innings ( mind you great teams don't have to do that) Once you are in a no lose position  every over that you bat gives the opposition slightly better chance of survival. So correct and very good decision by Clarke.

Written at 10am? He got lucky with One wicket and the other was a gift. Clarke has made some odd declarations before. The weather does appear to be a factor.  To be fair I was watching on Skygo with no sound and was asking a question that was probably being discussed by commentators.

I doubt anyone in the game would question it, it was the correct decision at exactly the right time.  No batsman wants to have to face a handful of overs at the end of the day, after a day of running round in the heat and seeing any chance of the game slip away getting yourself mentally right to bat a handful of overs isn't easy so as the bowling side you've always got a chance to sneak something, whether it's a bit of luck like Carberry, or a batsman playing like a village player (Trott).

[jcsutv]

Australia underestimate this England side,
 they think they only have to up it a notch and they will be on level footing,
 which they wont as the England side are similar to the Aussies of a few years ago, in that they have been around a long time playing well and are experienced in winning test matches

 Vaughan, Strauss and now Cook its a very strong line of leadership
over here in the summer our top order batsmen did not perform and we still won 3 nill, I cant see that happening again down under and expect them to get plenty of runs,
 which will mean Australia will have to find something I don't think they have, they just think they have
of course I might be wrong and like a few others already have with their predictions might be eating a bit of humble pie come tomorow morning

Mmm.

[spangley1812]

Weather update...........Its dry currently

[eastie]

Weather update...........Its dry currently

I don't mind as long as the storms arrive in 2 hours time and last 7 hours

[OzVilla]

Not a cloud in the sky. We did have an overnight storm and there may come in just before the close but that's the same most days here.

You can feel that the country collectively smells blood in the water so they'll really get behind them now. The Aussie way is to go missing when they rant doing well and be all over it when they are.

Unless we can restore some pride with a fighback today were going to get slautered with their gloating. Couldn't have made a bigger mess of this quite frankly.

[spangley1812]

Not a cloud in the sky. We did have an overnight storm and there may come in just before the close but that's the same most days here.

You can feel that the country collectively smells blood in the water so they'll really get behind them now. The Aussie way is to go missing when they rant doing well and be all over it when they are.

Unless we can restore some pride with a fighback today were going to get slautered with their gloating. Couldn't have made a bigger mess of this quite frankly.

I feel for you mate.............I reckon we will untill just after tea today

[aj2k77]

Shit again.

[OzVilla]

Well we need to be measured in our criticisms as we can be a good team and these Aussies are not world beaters.

However, we play like this again and we'll lose and keep on losing.  We have not only lacked the technical ability against Johnson, one of the quickest bowlers going around and on a pace friendly track (so no disgrace there), but it's the way we've gone down that is most disturbing.  Some of the shot selections really have been appalling, Trott, Pietersen, Root, Bell, Prior in the first innings all got out tamely, while Trott again, Pietersen again, Prior again and to a degree Cook all gave it away cheaply.  The tail I can understand but even they have to be better than what they're giving us now (especially Swann who when the going gets tough has a consistent habit of looking like he really doesn't want to know).

I'm fine with our bowling unit, we'll put them under pressure and Brisbane is not a happy hunting ground for Swann so i'm backing him to bounce back.  Our batting is a major, major concern with Trott and Prior in particular.

As it's England, I really don't expect to see to many changes, other than Bresnan if he's fit but both Trott and Prior are now playing for there International futures post this tour imo. 

Because that, and I don't care how hostile the opposition bowl, was simply not good enough.

[eastie]

So the Aussies surround our last batsman and the 2 umpires have to intervene and call in Michael Clarke only for the stump mic to pick up his 'get ready for a broken fucking arm'- vile scum !


There is a way to win - these tossers have no class or morals - lets pulverise them from here on and rub their dirty Aussie noses in the dirt - we know what they are!

[eastie]

Clarke's behaviour here as captain in the last few overs has been despicable - why are the umpires allowing this piece of Aussie shit to get away with it?

[OzVilla]

Because their careers depend on them winning this series. We have been out played out fought out everything and we'd better take a teaspoon of cement and harden up or this will get nasty.

We look underdone and under prepared AGAIN.

[PaulWinch again]

Well that was an absolute disgrace from day two onwards. I can scarcely remember a worse England display. There has to be a change to the batting line up if only to demonstrate this isn't acceptable. On a side note the Australian behaviour lead by their captain was an utter disgrace and if England need any motivation to turn this around that's it.

[aj2k77]

Because their careers depend on them winning this series. We have been out played out fought out everything and we'd better take a teaspoon of cement and harden up or this will get nasty.

We look underdone and under prepared AGAIN.

This.

I don't think we were prepared mentally for this barrage, maybe some of the players after winning 3-0 in the summer without playing well have become lax. They are at home and have lost 3 in a row, they've picked an agressive side and are going to throw everything at us, verbally aswell. The players temperments are going to be as tested as their techniques and if a few of the batsmens dont toughen up they will be knocked over.

[Fergal]

So the Aussies surround our last batsman and the 2 umpires have to intervene and call in Michael Clarke only for the stump mic to pick up his 'get ready for a broken fucking nose ' - vile scum !


There is a way to win - these tossers have no class or morals - lets pulverise them from here on and rub their dirty Aussie noses in the dirt - we know what they are!

Clarke showing his class at the end, bet he supports Chelsea...

[aj2k77]

Well that was an absolute disgrace from day two onwards. I can scarcely remember a worse England display. There has to be a change to the batting line up if only to demonstrate this isn't acceptable. On a side note the Australian behaviour lead by their captain was an utter disgrace and if England need any motivation to turn this around that's it.

The batsmen have got to make a statement next innings. No more scoring at 2 an over either. They have to face fire with fire not retreat into their shells.