Official Cricket Thread

[Untitled]

20-20 matches should help out with your last point.

But i think people are lazy to learn about the game. I serioulsy dont think it would take more then 10 minutes to explain all of the basics to someone. But you know.

[Lord Abortion]

Bollocks.

Damn you Muleritheran

But Monty got his five-for, so there is some consolation.

[Drop The Baby]

Monty's batting at the end was hilarious!!

England dominated the whole series except today when Murali was brilliant (although he had lots of luck with low bounce, Collingwood caught off the boot and catches caught by fielders after being missed by another- not to take anything away from him) and the lsat 2 SL wickets of the first innings. How they have managed to draw this series is beyond me.

Bring back Jones, Harmy and Vaughny

[Mitch2oo6]

Harmy is rubbish nowadays. Nothing like he used to be. Same goes for Vaugn, no longer does he dice the Australian attack. Or perhaps, it could be that Brett Lee has matured...

Australian Cricket is coming up for a crisis, imo...

[matt_h]

harmy can be hit and miss, either he'll get loads or only a couple.

and monty's batting was the greatist performance ever!

sort off..

it was funny when the crowd booed fielders for stopping the ball and prevent monty getting a boundary

[Mitch2oo6]

Thats a bit harsh, lol. Oh well, it would have made him feel good.
How I hate the off-season.

[matt_h]

bad looking injury for joyce in the 2020, and once again we just cant keep up the run rate, there were hardly any boundaries from us, then we get frustrated and get out.

[Mitch2oo6]

You need some consistant big hitters. Symonds for example, Ponting when he fires, Gilchrist, Lee can hit, he hit the biggest six ever at the GABB. Anyway you get the point. IMO, England are just a little too passive.

[Apocalyptic Raids]

Anyway you get the point. IMO, England are just a little too passive.
Pietersen and Flintoff are aggressive enough.

[Mitch2oo6]

Two men can't win a game. Sure, every now and again you might be able to pull it off, but the team as a whole needs to liven up.

[Alf™]

What's the latest news on Vaughen? Is he having surgery, and will he miss the Ashes?

[matt_h]

looks like it. who will be captain? hopefully not freddie, i dont think he can handle being captain, bowler and batsman. i'd say give it to trescothick who is a great batter and fielder who has been in the side long enough to know what to do, he probably would have been captain in the winter tour had he not left.

[Mitch2oo6]

But, like I said, is Trescothick attacking enough? Your not going to beat Australia with a fill-in part time captain.

[Alf™]

The captain does not have to be attacking. And they are not going to hand over the full captincy to someone, so anyone who becomes captain is a fill-in.

[matt_h]

flintoff isnt an agressive enough captain, in some ways he is too soft on players. vaughan is a leader who is clever and who has authority and the respect of the team

[SpeedoBot]

i feel vaughn is a stronger lead figure, ideally a capitain has to be able to lead the team, i feel vaughn is most mature out of the team, he seems more aware of the tactical elements than trescothick, or flintoff, sure flintoff is a good fugure head (the whole bowler batsman thing, lookit me while i knock a big six) but he doesnt appear to be mature enough, or particularly tactical.
The Next best thing for the team would probably be Trescothick, he seems fairly level headed, and he is a strong batsman, when he gets going anyway, all he needs is to become more prominant when fielding, if he is to be capitain, he needs to take command of the team and guide them in their fielding postitions with the aid of his bowler, yet i feel he may not be capable

[Ganondorf]

India win

[Mitch2oo6]

India are a great team. I like them more than England. But Australia still pwn.

[Ganondorf]

Yep, I wanted Australia to win the Ashes last year :lol:

[MOP_Orion]

If that disgrace to cricket Andrew Symonds is in the test team for the ashes i think im going to go insane, can't bowl, can barely bat. Can't believe Hodge can't get a game but that disgrace can

[Phaedra]

If that disgrace to cricket Andrew Symonds is in the test team for the ashes i think im going to go insane, can't bowl, can barely bat. Can't believe Hodge can't get a game but that disgrace can
Well he can bat and bowl, he just isn't suited to the 5 dayers. From what I saw of him last summer, he was great at times in the ODIs.

[Alf™]

Go easy. He ain't that bad. He is a handy bowler who can adapt to all conditions, and is known for his explosive hitting. Not to mention his fielding abilities.

Hodge could get a game in every other team in the world, that's true. The reason he can't get a game for Australia is because we have had a unique batch of amazing players right now (and have had, for 10-15 years), and he is very unlucky.

[Apocalyptic Raids]

Symonds is a great one-day player. Not so much Test Cricket.

[Mitch2oo6]

Fielding is a brilliant thing to have. I think it's possible to configure his mind-set so that it adapts into being a two-way thing, like Ricky Ponting. Slow and steady in tests, and can fire up and be explosive in ODI's. Last year, a week after a failed test for symonds, he made a 143 in an ODI. He CAN bat.

[Lord Abortion]

England going reasonably.
Colly and Cook putting up a solid partnership there.

[Mitch2oo6]

Where?

[Drop The Baby]

Strauss is batting very well, although there may have been a stupid run out here.

Yep stupid, Bell's run out and it wasn't his fault. Strauss was going for his 100th run and a direct hit from Inzamam

[TheBigMachine]

Greedy!

[Lord Abortion]

Two early wickets this morning:cool:

[TheBigMachine]

Which is actually yesterday. Whats the situation at the moment?

[Lord Abortion]

England are 272-3 at Lunch.

Cook is on 114, Collingwood on 40

Pakistan were 119 all out, Harmy got 6 for 19 and Panesar got three

[Untitled]

England are 272-3 at Lunch.

Cook is on 114, Collingwood on 40

Pakistan were 119 all out, Harmy got 6 for 19 and Panesar got three
They did it in 38.4 over too i think it was.

[Lord Abortion]

England are now 304-5

[RandyfromPennywise]

Go easy. He ain't that bad. He is a handy bowler who can adapt to all conditions, and is known for his explosive hitting. Not to mention his fielding abilities.

Hodge could get a game in every other team in the world, that's true. The reason he can't get a game for Australia is because we have had a unique batch of amazing players right now (and have had, for 10-15 years), and he is very unlucky.
Yeah I was a massive Symonds-basher for a while there, particularly after his first few tests when he did nothing. I think he does add something unique and there is a place for him. Not in every test, but he should certainly be in the test squad. And Hodge is a very good batsman, how unlucky to get dropped when he did!

[Lord Abortion]

England were massively impressive yesterday.

Panesar is growing and growing as a bowler.

[Alf™]

Who were they playing, and how were they massively impressive?

[Lord Abortion]

They beat Pakistan by an Innings and 120 runs, and Panesar removed their entire top order and got a 5-for.


ENGLAND DROP JONES FOR THIRD TEST. CHRIS READ COMES IN.

[Steve M.]

steady first day I reckon. If Bell and KP put on an extra hundred and the tails get the odd 20/40 pakistan have a mountain to climb.

cant wait for Hoggy and Harmy tearing it up tomorrow. They'll be in with about 30mins to go to lunch.

[TheBigMachine]

So I was watching the latest Pakistan .v. England match at a friends house yesterday, I must say that the young Pakistani opener, who's name I've clean forgotten was bowling pretty well. He had Trescothick worried, I think he got him LB, though my memory is shady.

[Lord Abortion]

Pure excellence today:cool:

[Steve M.]

And I was there!!! £15 for an ace day!! wooo!

[Lord Abortion]

Bye bye Geraint Jones. In the words of Morrissey..."oh I'll probably never see you again"

[TheBigMachine]

That spinner is...legendary!! One of the Pakistani went forward in what seemed to be a perfect defensive shot, and the ball just...I dont know what it did, but it was awesome, and the batsmen got out. Heh, his expression was hilarious.

[Lord Abortion]

Panesar is just brilliant. His bowling is unbelieveable recently.

[Untitled]

Panesar to replace Gilles when he is fit agian?

I would think so.

nice to see england win with a team thats not fully fit, and had a lot fo players out, but some of the new guys are proving realy good assets for the england team.

[Lord Abortion]

Yeah, it's really being proved how much strength in depth we have, and it proves that magnificent a player Flintoff is, England don't need him to win Tests.

Uh, we may need him in the Ashes though.
I think Panesar will surprise the Aussies.

[TheBigMachine]

Panesar I think will surprise the Aussies, but not for long. Maybe the first test or so, you'll have the advantage of surprise, and maybe to a lesser extent in the second, but I think that our batsmen will be able to adapt to that threat quick enough. And dont forget, just because you guys have picked up a decent spinner, we've still got the worlds best!:thumb:

As for Flintoff, he is simply necessary to your team. Kind of like a modern day Ian Botham, but not as good. Either way, Australia need to find someone to cage him - preferably someone under the age of 28 - and quickly.

[RCVA]

I just noticed Ian Bell has a better average than all of the england batsmen apart from Cook.

What i think we should do is keep Bell in put flintoff in for Mahmood and play flintoff as a bowling all rounder who bats at 7 and have Strauss as captain. or if the pitch is fast and bouncy keep mahmood and replace bell.

[TheBigMachine]

Seven is perhaps a little too low for Flintoff, cause if the english have got anything, it's staying power. You guys stalwarted us last Ashes in Adelaide, and I think by the time you get down to seventh in the second innings(or first, depending on how the pitch holds up) Warne will contain Flintoff to easily.

[RandyfromPennywise]

100 days until the Ashes series resumes. :D :D :D

Should be awesome. Like the last series, any predictions???

Last time I said 5-0 to the Aussies :( Med, what are you thinking this time? I reckon the Aussies will win 3-1 or 3-2 or 2-1. Hedging my bets a bit there, I know. I think the Huss (Michael Hussey) is going to get a couple of tons and Ponting could turn it on again. Panesar gives the Poms a better option than Giles, but I think Haydos will smash him. Meh I'm sounding pretty confident like last time! C'mon Aussies! I'm going to try to go to every day of the Adelaide Test, should be absolutely tops.

[Ganondorf]

Aussies to win 5-0

[RandyfromPennywise]

Aussies to win 5-0
:D I like you Ganondorf.

[TheBigMachine]

Members stand, every single day, Adelaide Test. And perhaps the odd visit off to the hill to hang with the yobos. Gonna be bloody awesome.

Predictions, Aussie victory 3-1. First test to be tied, England to win the next, Australia to win the remainding. Penaser should be able to handle our tail-end pretty well, but I reckon that as RandyfromPennywise says, Hayden should be able to contain him. I also agree on Ponting and Hussey, and I think that perhaps Langer will fire a little as well.

The old Flintoff .v. Lee thing will spark again, and Lee will probably out do him this time round, being at home and all. Especially in the Sydney test. Warne will do just as well as he always does. Mcgrath on the comeback, Im a bit unsure about though. I think he might be a little unconsistant with wickets, but still good. As he always is.

How I wish Steve Waugh still played international cricket.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Members stand, every single day, Adelaide Test. And perhaps the odd visit off to the hill to hang with the yobos. Gonna be bloody awesome.

Predictions, Aussie victory 3-1. First test to be tied, England to win the next, Australia to win the remainding. Penaser should be able to handle our tail-end pretty well, but I reckon that as RandyfromPennywise says, Hayden should be able to contain him. I also agree on Ponting and Hussey, and I think that perhaps Langer will fire a little as well.

The old Flintoff .v. Lee thing will spark again, and Lee will probably out do him this time round, being at home and all. Especially in the Sydney test. Warne will do just as well as he always does. Mcgrath on the comeback, Im a bit unsure about though. I think he might be a little unconsistant with wickets, but still good. As he always is.

How I wish Steve Waugh still played international cricket.Yeah Adelaide Test is gonna be great, I'll mix it up between members and the hill, looking forward to kicking-off with some of the Barmy Army geesers. And yeah, Tugga was the greatest.

[Lord Abortion]

Hahah, I can just see Panesar getting Ponting out with something totally unplayable:p

[Junooni]

I'm looking forward to the World Cup opener.

[TheBigMachine]

Hahah, I can just see Panesar getting Ponting out with something totally unplayable:p

Bah! Not going to happen, my boy. He's not that good yet!

[Lord Abortion]

I think Mr Younis Khan might be able to back me up on that one.

[matt_h]

i would like to see pietersen get a few wickets, and gary pratt run someone out again

[Lord Abortion]

I'd love to see him run that miserable bastard out again.

[RCVA]

You're talking about Hayden and ponting going to smash panesar around but what i'm hoping for and expecting is for at least one of them to be out by the time Panesar starts bowling. I know our bowling attack isn't as good as it was last ashes but you have to remember Hoggard, Harmison and Flintoff can all really turn it on sometimes.

[TheBigMachine]

Occasionally. Hayden is the more likely of the two to be out, I reckon. But I think Penesar poses serious threat to the lower order(Lee and the likes).

[Drop The Baby]

Fookin rain

[Drop The Baby]

Pakistan have got england on the ropes now, 91/5

[matt_h]

well hopefully our bowlers will get some swing and prevent pakistan building any major partnerships. if not, we have to pray for rain

[Lord Abortion]

Hopefully it'll rain for a couple of days.

[TheBigMachine]

Hopefully not. I hate it when the rain interferes, wouldn't you rather England make a spectacular come back and win?

[Lord Abortion]

Well, yes, obviously, but I'll settle for a draw.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/england/5268250.stm
The latest action bits are very funny.

[RandyfromPennywise]

So Engerlund looking well shyte in'it. Haven't been watching much of the test actually, my remote is broken so I have to get up to change the channel but yeah, the Ashes are ours!

[matt_h]

well, not much rain, but you couldnt have predicted how the test ended. pakistan accused of ball tampering by umpire, stage a protest which was only meant to be a delay then the umpires dont let anyone play. then match is abandoned. W T F !?!?!

[Alf™]

Woah, you serious? Was Pakistan about to win?

Edit: Just read a news article about it, and it seems a tad sooky and extreme of Pakistan to not take to the field after being accused. It was only a 5 run penalty.

[Ganondorf]

Apparently the umpires only looked at the ball and suspected tampering, they never actually caught anyone cheating, so really it's not fair on them.

If they were actually guilty, surely they would accept the 5 point penalty and gone on to win, it's not as if it's a lare penalty. The sit in was probably more out of principal due to the fact that they didn't do anything in the first place.

[Untitled]

Hmm, i dunno what to think atm, i know pakistan have a history of ball tamporing, but if the umpirs just looked at it?

Seems odd, i guess we'll have to wait for official comments and stuff.

[TheBigMachine]

Personally, I think that umpires shouldnt have done any finger pointing if they werent sure. It's just not needed, and as you can tell takes away from the game. However, if some had actually cheated and there was evidence to support it, then that's another matter.

[Nightvision]

Whilst I don't believe the umpires were right to do what they did without any evidence, the Pakistanis were stupid to do what they did. There are ways and means of appealing and a set procedure for a reason. You don't just not come out because you don't agree with a decision an umpire's made.

[matt_h]

Things that have come up:
The ball had been hit into the stands, but was only scratched on one side.
Any overs lost because of coming out late would be made up the next day so nothing would be lost, but the umpires need to be aware of what pakistan are doing.
Darrel Haire seems to be a contraversal figure and at the moment it seems that he has screwed things up

[Alf™]

What was with, at the end, the umpires refusing to come out and carry on. They are the umpires, someone needs to give them a reality check and tell them we go to watch the players, not them.

[Ganondorf]

Hmm, i dunno what to think atm, i know pakistan have a history of ball tamporing, but if the umpirs just looked at it?

Seems odd, i guess we'll have to wait for official comments and stuff.

Pakistan aren't the only ones, Mike Atherton anyone? haha

[Untitled]

Pakistan aren't the only ones, Mike Atherton anyone? haha
He's from manchester so its ok :p

[matt_h]

mike atherton didnt get charged with ball tampering. the dirt was allegedly used to clean the ball. he was fined though

[Nightvision]

They are the umpires, someone needs to give them a reality check and tell them we go to watch the players, not them.

123 - it was their probable mistake that caused this entire mess, they should at least have been big enough to come back out when the Pakistani players did.

I also like the way everyone is being very quick to accuse Darrel Haire of being biased against the Pakistanis - am I wrong, or were there not two umpires out there who agreed that the ball was tampered with? I'm not saying they couldn't both be wrong, but it's a little hard to believe that Billy Doctrove would go along with Darrel Haire without any basis for suspicion whatsoever.

[matt_h]

until the umpires make a statement we wont know.

but pakistan have refused to play in matches with Hair so they must be upset with what he said on the pitch.

the other guy may not have seen anything but if Hair has been insistant that something happened then doctrove cant do much

[Untitled]

mike atherton didnt get charged with ball tampering. the dirt was allegedly used to clean the ball. he was fined though
The news showed a video of him doing it, it was clear he did it, it was obvious.

[Drop The Baby]

Inzamam has officially been charged with ball tampering and bringing the game into disripute.

I do find it a shame that in situations like this it always comes back onto the captain, but i suppose it has to come back onto someone. It seems the rules state that if a guilty party cannot be found then the captain is made a scapegoat.

He could face large bans if found guilty of the charges. I'd expect at this time for him to be found guilt of bringing the game into disrepute, but not ball tampering.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/5269906.stm

[Ganondorf]

Haire has a history, he just hates Asia for some reason

[Drop The Baby]

I highly doubt that. Paranoia can make people think all sorts of things...

[Lord Abortion]

I highly doubt that if this test hadn't been meaningless that Pakistan would have "protested" as they did.

[TheBigMachine]

Why is that? You think they did it to spruce up the dead rubber?

[RCVA]

He means if Pakistan could still have affected the outcome of the series they wouldn't have bothered protesting because they were in a great position to win. It's only because England had already won the series that they decided to protest in that way. Otherwise i'm sure they would have continued playing and protested after the test or after the days play had ended.

[TheBigMachine]

OIC. Well, it's a possibility, but I dont think it was the captain that made that decision, I just dont think that any respectable player would do that.

[Ganondorf]

No one's proved Pakistan ball tampered, Hair has asked for 1/2 million in exchange for his retirement....wodner who looks dodgy now?

[bahamut_ali]

He's since removed the offer. Still kinda dodgy for sure though.

[TheBigMachine]

I reckon he should retire anyway. He's backed himself into a corner now anyway.

[RCVA]

Hair should go.


I'm seeing Surrey today :D

[TheBigMachine]

He'll umpire at domestic level no worries. Even county cricket will be fine for him. But I agree, international cricket is pretty far out of the question.

[RCVA]

England are getting embarrassingly bad now at ODI's.

Well done to Jon Lewis though.

[TheBigMachine]

ODI's aren't really all that great anyway. I much prefer test cricket, though I do enjoy an occasional ODI.

[Drop The Baby]

It was good to see a bit of fight from an England one day outfit yesterday.

I do honestly believe things are not as bad as they openly appear. The batsmen unfortunately all appear to be out of form at the same time, but there's no doubting players like Strauss, Tresco and Pietersen are three of the world's best all round players, and they've then got Collingwood and Bell to back them up.

We have serious bolwing injuries. At the moment i feel we are lacking a restraint bowler. Harmison will take wickets but can get wild at times, and Mahmood, Hoggard and others have proved too expensive. But, if Jones and Freddie come back in then there's serious potential for a strong team there.

Read is a very very good keeper and Darymple has been a very encoouraging sign. It's true it is bleak at the moment, but England can produce far better performances given time and patience.

[TheBigMachine]

True that, but I still think that Australia will hold sway over ODI's and possibly test cricket for at least another five years. Sure, outgoing players include Mcgrath, Ghilchrist, Ponting(probably, unless he does a Steve Waugh), Warne... But then as far as bowling goes, we've got a matured Brett Lee, filling the Mcgrath shoes somewhat, Shaun Taite who is off the hook, even if he is injury prone, Watson who bowls reasonable swing, and theres a whole reserve of players in the domestic comp.

Batting, we've got Jaques, lining up to open for Langer and/or Hayden, and Im not sure of another opener but bound to be one. Clark, Hussey(although already old, he'll have at least five years, I think), Hodge and again a wealth of decent middle order batsmen in domestic cricket lines up Australia for a half decent team.

[matt_h]

Englands Best Test Team:
1. Trescothick
2. Strauss
3. Vaughan
4. KP
5. Collingwood / Bell / Cook - I think this is the only problem, baring injuries
6. Freddie
7. Read
8. Harmy
9. Monty
10. Jones
11. Hoggard

This team looks very good, but we just need to get everyone fit. I think the tailenders need to be rearranged, Hoggy gets no runs, Monty is better than he shows at #11. #5 is Colly or Bell, or Cook going in at #3 before Vaughan. But at least we have good back up for when Vaughan or Tres retire, or people have injuries

Best ODI Team
1. Trescothick
2. Strauss
3. Vaughan
4. KP
5. Freddie
6. Colly
7. Bell
8. Dalrymple
9. Read
10. Harmison
11. Jones

I think these are the best teams, but the batting doesnt seem to be a problem if people perform to their ability, it is the bowling that is a problem. Without Freddie, Harmy and Jones we are left with erratic and expensive bowling

[TheBigMachine]

Flintoff is like the equivalent of Mcgrath in the go-to man bowling stakes. Only difference is that Mcgrath is better at bowling, and Freddie can bat like no bodys business. Ian Botham the second. England will rely heavily on him for a long time, methinks.

[Lord Abortion]

Does Vikram Solanki still play ODIs?

[TheBigMachine]

Who's he play for, Ill go find out?

[Lord Abortion]

Worcestershire and England.

I was wondering if he was permanently out of favour with the selectors nowadays.
Never played a test I don't think.

[TheBigMachine]

I had a look, I dont think he's played many ODIs recently, I couldnt find much on him. Is this abnormal? I've never even heard of him before now.

[Lord Abortion]

He's captain of Worcestershire, or was...

[RCVA]

He used to be in the ODI team quite a lot. He's good.

Not sure if he's international level though.


Got a 50 against the Aussies last year though in an ODI.

[Drop The Baby]

Well playted Yardy and Mahmood. He had a fine game

[Lord Abortion]

Flintoff named Ashes Captain.

Thoughts?

[Drop The Baby]

It's not certain but it's predicted, i think. Squad and official captain's announcement is at 3.

I would've plumped for Strauss. I think he's dne well, it hasn't affected his batting at all, and he's fit.

you?

[TheBigMachine]

Australia were at 5/238 last time I checked... ODI against W.I. Ponting scored 54, in fine form, Katich got 36, Jaques blew his oppurtunity and got not alot as did much of the new top order, Clark and someone else are firing now however, with Clark 66 no I think when I looked.

Promising signs, somewhat.

[Alf™]

Ended up with 9/279 off our overs. Clarke seemed in fine form and got 81. Cosgrove chipped in with 34 and Haddin got 24.

[TheBigMachine]

Not to bad really, good to see Clarke in form.

[Alf™]

Yeah, he is a massive part of the future of the Aussie team.

Edit: McGrath has had 4 wides in his first over. Struggling to get into some rhythm.
Edit Version 2.0: Seems to be alright now, although just had another wide and was muttering in fustration.

[TheBigMachine]

He's had a rough trot, I'd give him a bit of time. He looked quite promising in the nets though.

[Lord Abortion]

Oh, I saw it last night when it just said "Breaking news: Flintoff names Ashes captain" so I guess that was wrong.
Though it probably shall be.

He'll be more of an attacking captain than Strauss, which is a good thing.

[Alf™]

The Windies are having a slog here. Bracken and Johnson are feeling the full effects of it.

[matt_h]

England squad for the Ashes:
Flintoff (c), Trescothick, Strauss, Cook, Pietersen, Collingwood, Bell, Read (wkt), Jones (wkt), Mahmood, Hoggard, Harmison, Panesar, Giles, Anderson, Plunkett.

As expected really, although personally I would prefer Lewis to Mahmood, Anderson and Plunkett. And Giles and Anderson are currently injured, so maybe Lewis and Dalrymple would have been a safer option, but they must know what they are doing.

England squad for the ICC Champions Trophy:
Flintoff (c), Anderson, Bell, Clarke, Collingwood, Dalrymple, Harmison, Joyce, Mahmood, Lewis, Pietersen, Read, Strauss, Yardy

Only people I doubt here are Clarke and Joyce, who havent impressed me yet. But we have a lot of capable batters and a lot of bowling options, as everyone but Read and Strauss and Joyce can lend a arm.

Academy squad (to be based in Perth):
Bopara, Broad, Clarke, Dalrymple, Davies (wkt), Joyce, Key, Lewis, Onions Prior (wkt), Shah, Smith, Tremlett, Yardy.

[TheBigMachine]

Hm...The ashes squad is strong to be true, but will it be enough? Only time will tell...

[Alf™]

Mitchell Johnson had an awesome game, overnight. 4 wickets and as looking dangerous. Aussies were on their way to thrashing India, when rain came down.

[RandyfromPennywise]

That academy squad... HAVIN' A MASSIVE LARF! As if they're not gonna get on the piss massively in Perth for a few months and have a right good laugh.

[Alf™]

Aussies are struggling against the 3 spin bowling attack of India and there own run calling, with 2 run-outs and a few other close calls. They are 6/130 off 34 overs, after winning the toss and batting.

[TheBigMachine]

Symonds dismissal was a little shady, I personally think it nicked the bat first, but umpire disagreed so thats that I guess...

[Alf™]

The India-Australia match is getting very tight. India need 28 and only have 3 wickets in hand. The Aussies have bowled very well to get themselves back into the match.

Edit: 2 wickets now needed, and Lee still has 2 overs.

[TheBigMachine]

Bit of a test for Lee, he's a bit erratic in his maturity...Sometimes he'll bowl a straight line and length, with McGrath esque accuracy under pressure, and other times he's bouncing and beaming like gymnists in a championship.

[Alf™]

I think Lee will cope. He wouldn't have, maybe 2 years ago, but he is matured alot since then.

Edit: And he seems to come through, getting Singh out on the first ball of the new spell. Only one wicket needed now.

Edit No. 2: Another to Lee, and he gets 5 wickets and the Aussies win. Well done, a well fought win after a lousy start!

[Alf™]

The final of the DLF Cup, Australia v West Indies, and the Aussies, due to some great late batting, climbed to 240. They have bowled superbly and very economical and have the Windies at 9/112 off 33 overs. Lee and Bracken have got 3 wickets each, and Watson pitched in with 2.

Edit: Lee gets another wicket, and finishes off the innings with 4. Windies all out for 113, an excellent display by Australia.

[TheBigMachine]

Promising signs to be true. This thread is dead.

YES the season hither starts in two weeks, and training has already started. Oh how I love my cricket, it will make a nice change from soccer too. Playing U17 instead of U15, and possibly B-Grade(but not likely) so a nice challenge.

[Alf™]

Yep, cricket season starts this weekend for me, and this year I am in U17's too. Might get roped into playing seniors, but hopefully not as I like my Saturday afternoons.

[TheBigMachine]

Me to. That said, Alice Springs seniors is great fun, with sledging and name calling ripe.

[Alf™]

:lol: yeh I can imagine.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Fek this thread is dead... And Ashes aren't far away.

It looks like I'm not going to play cricket again this season. That'll mean I won't have played a full season since 03-04. It really comes from there being no club that I can and want to play for, with mates. I could play in the hills, but I really don't want to have to drive a minimum of 50 minutes to every game. I've still got just about the best cricket gear going around sitting under the stairs there though, and my Raptor titanium Gray-Nicolls is just waiting to score a ton... And there's nothing like hitting the off-stump with a raging out-swinger... I'm getting myself back in the mood! And I bought some zinc yesterday as well.

[TheBigMachine]

Zinc...Zinc is a cricket symbol, along with the bat and ball, and should be added to the junior club cricket participant medals.
Day one of the first game of the season is tomorrow. I've got sore pecks and a sore tricep, coupled with a shady back. Plus, it's possible I'll replace our injured strike bowler, and if someone else does I'll still get at least 4-7 overs. Unless...we finnish it up very quickly. Hmm, hard to say.

[matt_h]

India beat England and New Zealand beat S.Africa. It has been a low scoring comp so far

[RandyfromPennywise]

How good was the NSW v SA match??? What a finish.

And Warne took 113/1 against WA in the Shield match just finished......

[TheBigMachine]

SA, I must say, were outstanding!! Warne got a hammering, but you know, he never does as well in domestic cricket as he does international, it's strange.

[RandyfromPennywise]

SA, I must say, were outstanding!! Warne got a hammering, but you know, he never does as well in domestic cricket as he does international, it's strange.

Yeah I've never quite understood that with Warnie.

The Aussie Test line-up is still far from settled at this stage. Possible batsmen:

Hayden
Langer
Ponting
Martyn
Katich
Clarke
Symonds
Gilchrist
Watson
Hodge
Hussey

And possible bowlers:

McGrath
Warne
Tait
Lee
Kasprowicz
MacGill
Bracken.

It's the batting order that is really going to be hard to pick, 11 players for 7 spots... Certainties:

Hayden (1)
Langer (2)
Ponting (3)
Hussey (5)
Gilchrist (7)

So that leaves the number 4 and number 6 spots up for grabs. For mine I'd put Martyn in at 4 and leave 6 open for a few weeks to see about state form, but for me it would be between Clarke, Katich and Symonds. If Symonds's in form it's hard to go past the master-blaster, but I rate all of those players (except I think Watson isn't ready yet). Man we have some depth in Aus cricket.

[TheBigMachine]

Personally, I'd put Clarke at four and then Symonds six. Now, I've got no qualms against Martyn, he's been one of my favourite batsmen for a long time, but I feel, this time round it's Clarke that could do the better job at the top of the order.

Were lucky too, that alot of our bowlers have got some form of batting ability(Lee, Watson) so that if it comes down to it, we can bat then too. Still, the order is a bit of a toss up, I agree.

Hussey is Jesus, too.

[matt_h]

Akhtar and Asif banned for drugs! ha ha ha! I wouldnt be surprised if Pakistan or their coaches etc tried to rush them back for the injuries and that they werent careful enough...

[TheBigMachine]

Apparantly thats quite literally what happened, physio's were told to speed up the recovery process or something and they took some stuff that they didnt know was illegal. But that said, ignorance is no excuse. How long is the ban?

[RCVA]

England are doing **** again!


I hope the ashes makes this thread start moving again.

[TheBigMachine]

Not 'till they start.

I'm going to be watching Adelaide Test from the Hill as well as members stand. SACA member ftw. Im pumped.

[RCVA]

This is going to be close.


KP and Mahmood left in.


I'm hoping for 6,6,6,6,6,6 from Pietersen.

:)

[TheBigMachine]

DEAD THREAD

Anyone got some news?

[Xenon_]

I hope South Africa wins this Champions Trophy!

New Zealand put up a pretty decent fight yesterday against Australia. When they were 6 wickets down, I thought they weren't even going to reach 100.

[Alf™ Strikes Back]

So Shoaib got banned for 2 years, and Asif for 1. I was surprised, I thought Pakistan's board was going to wuss out and give them small penalties. This is a good result for the future of cricket.

And Australia are cruising again. McGrath is back in fine form, and our batsmen are performing great.

[Xenon_]

Yep shockingly, the Pakistan Cricket board decided to actually ban them. I don't think they really had much choice considering Shoaib's defense was "It was produced naturally in my body, because I eat a high meat diet" :lol:

[Junooni]

shoaib's a prick anyway.

there goes any chance of us winning the world cup, as slim as it was anyway with the state the team's been in lately.

[Xenon_]

Hey you'll have as much if not better chance of winning the world cup as we (India) do. Despite what Greg Chappell would have us believe.

[TheBigMachine]

Greg Chappel ftw.

WI and Aus in the finals. Sweet. I love WI v Aus games, because when the Windies fire, they fire. For example, Chanderpaul in the South Africa game...What an innings! Sweet shots man, sweet shots.

[matt_h]

World #1 vs Reigning Champions. And WI beat Aussies earlier in the competition so this should be a good, close game.

I hope WI win obviosly as an Englishman. I dont want the Aussies going to the Ashes with too much confidence. I hope them beating us the other weak will give them a false sense of security. I cant wait for the first test, pity its on during the night.

[TheBigMachine]

The first test is always a scorcher, I reckon. Both teams are pumped. I personally(obviously) have money on Aus too win, but I think if things go just a little awry, the game could be very much in the balance...

[Xenon_]

Im hoping that the West Indies take the final. Will make ashes very very interesting indeed.

[TheBigMachine]

Truth, but being Australian it'd be nice if we did win :)

[matt_h]

Such a promising start from the Windies but they have collapsed! 80-4 of 10 overs has gone to 140-9 of 30. The openers must be disappointed that they didnt turn such a good start into high individual scores. The Aussies will have little problem chasing down the score provided they dont do anything rash.

Edit1: all out for 137
Edit2: 13 for 2, Ponting goes for a duck. It aint over yet.

[TheBigMachine]

Martyn and Watson steadying the ship. 36 for 2.

[Xenon_]

This match certainly went downhill!

But weather here has become REALLY strange.. Looks like it MIGHT rain. Cant really say.

What would happen if the match was to be rained out?

EDIT : It is drizzling in mumbai now.

[TheBigMachine]

So Australia had a revised total of 116, watson and martyn carrying their bat's all the way there. Kudo's to WI for a stirring effort, and congratulations to Aus for their win.

[pizzapie88]

Were back into the cricket season over here in New Zealand. Had my first game in the weekend. My team batted first and got 273 of 40 overs which is pretty bloody good if you ask me. Coming in at number 9 I scoored 47 not out which i'm wrapped with as it's my new highest score. And if that wasn't good enough my bowling stats for the game were:

Overs: 4
Runs: 1
Wickets: 4

We bowled the all out for 63. So yeah, pretty happy with my indivdual effort and a great way for the boys to start of the season.

[pizzapie88]

Woops!

[FUnkarockadrummer]

You rock.

My highest score this season has been 9.
I have an average of 3.25.
I am yet to bowl.

Yes I suck.

[TheBigMachine]

High score is eleven atm, but we've haven't finished a game yet, they keep getting washed out...

This last game we just started on sunday(on saturday the sprinklers were left on rendering the pitch unusable) we bowled first, first break was 2/32, next break was 2/89(sloppiest fielding ever), then we got them out relatively quickly after we made the break through on #4 batsmen, who with their opener batted out a whole period with no wicket... No bowling for me, run up is ****ed

[RandyfromPennywise]

The talk is Watson for the Test side... Still not sure about that. Four bowlers and seven batters should be enough - we shouldn't need to hedge our bets and go for the all-rounder. But then again he is a talent and has been playing well... We'll see in a couple of weeks.

[Xenon_]

The Australians making major news here in India, after presentation ceremony at the end of Champions trophy. The people haven't taken too well to Ponting asking Sharad Powar for the trophy and then Martyn and Co forcefully pushing him off.

There was a donkey who was colored in Australian colors, and apparently they wrote Martyn on this poor donkey and were then pushing it around. :lol:

Has this event even been noticed by Australian media?

[TheBigMachine]

No. I haven't heard any of it.

Nathan Bracken ftw. That boy bowls well.

[Alf™]

I saw an article about this pushing incident in the paper today, and on TV last night. Seems nothing of a big deal, and it's getting over exposed overseas. The Aussies were tired from a long tournament, and wanted to get the trophy, celebrate, and get the hell out of there and home. I can't really blame them.

[Xenon_]

Its being made into a HUGE deal out here. Everyone is out talking about it. Think it gives old cricketers like Mohd Azharuddin and all, who nobody really cared about any more to express "expert" views to the newspaper and give interviews and such.

However, honestly I think there was no need for them to do what they did.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Yeah it's been making a bit of news. I don't really watch the nightly news but it has been on Fox Sports News, and in the papers. I really didn't like Martyn pushing the guy, I mean it was only a poke really but it was unecessary and not in the vein of the game for gentlemen, which this great sport is. Manners these days are hard to come by. Anyway, on to the Ashes build-up.

[RCVA]

Me and my mates are having an ashes party on the second day of the first test.

Staying up all night watching Australia-England.

can't think of a better way to spend the night other than getting laid.

[Alf™]

Ah sounds good. What time is it on for England again? About 9 at night till whenever play stops?

[Aria.]

im defintiely going to the adelaide test

next weekend im thiknin about going to see england take on south australia
hell yeah i would love to see boof lehman smash the poms around

[Apocalyptic Raids]

I'd like to go to the Sydney test.

I was reading the paper this morning, and England didn't do too well in their first tour match.

Has this event even been noticed by Australian media?
It's getting a bit of coverage. I think they were out of line, but it's still a gigantic overreaction.

[Alf™]

I have tickets for the famous first day of the Boxing Day test. Should be amazing, I'm getting pumped.

[TheBigMachine]

im defintiely going to the adelaide test


Me to. Member :smoke:
But Ill probably go sit with the friendly faces on the hill because it's great fun and there is always fights to watch. Also fun.

[Aria.]

yeuh ill definitely be on the hill

[RCVA]

Ah sounds good. What time is it on for England again? About 9 at night till whenever play stops?

I think it's about 11 at night. Ah well.

[SubtleKike]

what is going on in the cricket world nowadays

[RCVA]

Pakistan bowled West Indies out for 206.

err and england got thrashed in an ODI warm up for the ashes.




Who does everyone think should be in england's attack?

I think it should be Flintoff, Harmison, Hoggard, Panesar and Anderson with Bell employed as a number 6 batsman.

I personally don't think Flintoff is in form enough as a batsman fpr us to play 5 bowlers as well as flintoff and his bowling is better than any other options we have.


The only real selection problem is between Mahmood, Plunkett and Anderson.

Mahmood is too inconsistent and bowls way too many 4 balls.

Plunkett can sometimes be good and other times look like no threat at all.

I think anderson because he can do quite a bit with the ball at a decent pace and is less inaccurate than mahmood and more effective than plunkett.

[SubtleKike]

oic

[Aria.]

england are gona get humiliated in the ashes i cant wait

[matt_h]

England confirm that Jones will be WK for the 1st Test, chosen for his batting which I havent seen for a long time. He may be able to smack it about better than Read but when did he last get a decent score, plus he dropped a sitter in the warmup.

I think the biggest decision England make is the middle order line up. They have to chose 2 from Cook, Colly and Bell. Personally I prefer the latter 2 but then we have no #3. I think Bell is in too good a form to drop, although people will argue that Colly can bowl (when has he bowled more than a handful?) and that heis a better fielder (true, but Bell is one of our more reliable fielders too.)

My XI:
Trescothick, Strauss, Cook, Pieterson, Flintoff, Bell, Read, Panesar, Mamood, Harmison Hoggard


Although I think that they will play with Monty at #11 despite showing he can score runs unlike Hoggard.

[RCVA]

I dunno.
My XI would be:

Trescothick, Strauss, Cook, Pietersen, Bell, Flintoff, Jones, Anderson, Hoggard, Harmison and Panesar.


I agree with you about collingwood. Cook and Bell are both young and just as good as collingwood if not better. They are both more talented and have more potential and are no bad fielders themselves.

[matt_h]

I wonder who the fourth bowler will be? I think Mahmood will get it as he can apparently reverse swing it, which Jones used to traumatize the Aussies last time. I just hope he can stay consistent and not get hit around, and the same for Harmison.

[Apocalyptic Raids]

Australia has the same situation with the fourth bowler. McGrath, Warne and Lee are certainties, but theres about 4 or 5 quality bowlers gunning for the 4th slot. Should be interesting.

[TheBigMachine]

McGrath will play a lesser role this series I think - I think the changing of the guard is coming up, with Lee's bowling maturing and getting better all the time. McGrath is one of Australia's most valuable players no doubt, but I think with old age and bowling pace for the last length-of-his-career is starting to take it's toll.

That said, when he is gone, Australia might find itself without a go-to man.

[Apocalyptic Raids]

Well Stuart Clark is pretty much a McGrath clone, so it's not all bad. And then there's Bracken, Tait, Watson and Johnson in the mix too. They might not be as great as McGrath, but its reassuring having a few quality fast bowlers in the shadow of McGrath and Lee.

Warne will be a bigger loss, but at least spinners have a longer shelf life than quicks.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Yeah, we have a lot of depth. I love Tate, and that's not even my SA bias, I just love his all-action, Jeff-Thompson-esque style. Those 150kph yorkers are quality. But yeah he can be costly if he gets it even a little wrong.

I'm fairly confident that we will kill the Poms in this series. 3-1 at the least. They may nick a Test, I'd be very surprised if they got two, unless we'd already won the series 3-0 or something but highly unlikely. They could be a chance for Brisbane though, but by Adelaide I think we'll win relatively comfortably. 3-1 to the Aussies. Hussey to star with the bat, Warne with the ball.

[Aria.]

yo randy are you going down to adelaide oval this weekend to see them take on boof and the redbacks

[A_Stranger]

London: England opener Marcus Trescothick is flying home from the Ashes tour of Australia after a recurrence of his stress-related illness.

Head coach Duncan Fletcher announced on Tuesday that the lefthander is returning to England, and the team will decide in the next two days whether to replace the out-of-form batsman.

''Following discussions between Marcus and the England medical staff, it was decided that Marcus should fly home at the earliest opportunity,'' Fletcher said in Sydney.

''We are naturally disappointed to lose a player of his quality from our Ashes squad and everyone in the dressing room hopes that he is able to make a full recovery and resume his cricketing career.''

It's the second time that Trescothick has pulled out of a tour. The Somerset opener flew home from India in March citing family reasons, and was later diagnosed to have a stress illness.

Trescothick was chosen for the Ashes squad despite poor form in the home series against Pakistan when he failed to score more than 20 in three tests. Arriving in Australia, he made only two and eight in England's first two warmup games.
Well thats not helping England's cause any.

[matt_h]

Who else can open? Cook? Bell?

[RCVA]

Cook played as an opener on the India tour.


He's good enough.


At least now we don't have to worry about which england batter will be dropped.


I'm glad anderson is likely to be picked. Not sure what i make of the Jones decision.

[TheBigMachine]

Well Stuart Clark is pretty much a McGrath clone, so it's not all bad. And then there's Bracken, Tait, Watson and Johnson in the mix too. They might not be as great as McGrath, but its reassuring having a few quality fast bowlers in the shadow of McGrath and Lee.

Warne will be a bigger loss, but at least spinners have a longer shelf life than quicks.

I agree, Bracken is great. He's got some serious swing ability, he's got out the likes of Lara and Tendulka(sp?) already in his career. Tait's a bit erratic but when he's good he's very good. Watson and Johnson are just really solid bowlers all-round. While these guys aren't quite up to the level of yester year's bowlers like Mcgrath and Thompson, they'll do quite nicely.

Warne will be a huge loss. McGill doesn't have a patch on Warne.

[Apocalyptic Raids]

I'm fairly confident that we will kill the Poms in this series. 3-1 at the least. They may nick a Test, I'd be very surprised if they got two, unless we'd already won the series 3-0 or something but highly unlikely. They could be a chance for Brisbane though, but by Adelaide I think we'll win relatively comfortably. 3-1 to the Aussies. Hussey to star with the bat, Warne with the ball.
yeah just like how McGrath said we would win 5-0 last year....

[Untitled]

yeah just like how McGrath said we would win 5-0 last year....

Haha. That made me lol.

I think England will loose this series tbh, but i don't think it'll be a whitewash from Australia, i think it'll be a pretty close thing.

Starting tonight :D I can only watch the highlights this year though :(

Being in bed/uni and not having sky sports stops me from watching the tests.

[TheBigMachine]

YEAAAAAAAAH Im watching this all day today, pumped for it.

[Rollo47]

Woot. Ashes. This is fantastic. Got some Emu Export in the fridge, and the TV is on. I love cricket.

[Rollo47]

Another century from Ponting!

[Ganondorf]

Ponting woo

[Ganondorf]

Also why is Giles playing, Panesar is way better.

[Untitled]

what a piss poor start for England.

[Alf™ Strikes Back]

Australia are well and truly on top after day one. 350 on the first day of the first test of the biggest Ashes tour ever, is quite a effort.

[Untitled]

THE BBC HAVE BROUGHT THE PROPER GOOD OLD CRICKET TUNE BACK FOR THE HIGHLIGHTS.

Get in.

[RandyfromPennywise]

yo randy are you going down to adelaide oval this weekend to see them take on boof and the redbacks

Nah I didn't go down last week but I should be there every day of the Test.

How good is it? Hussey's on for a ton too, my tip for most important player for us this series. Ah cricket is so good. I watched it all day yesterday, we were back to our brilliant best. My plans today: go to a mate's house during the lunch break and sit on the road drinking beer watching it on my portable TV, gonna be great. Did anyone just see the pitch? That thing's gonna be a nightmare come day four and five. And who's batting last? :D

[TheBigMachine]

Stupendous batting from Australia - pity about Ponting getting out on 196, however. Nice to see a few quarter centuries from the team, Clark, Hussey, Langer... All good stuff.

And sweet bowling from Lee and McGrath early, McGrath was on a hat trick, after a catch in the deep from Hussey(where he collided with lee, cut his leg open) and from Warne. Clarke bowled well too.

[Nightvision]

Ugh, can we just give you the trophy and go home already?

Sadly, this is going to be a massacre. Our best bowler from the last series (Simon Jones) is out injured, Steve Harmison seems to be making a damn good attempt at being the first bowler ever to have a ball go for six wides, and poor old Hoggy's never really had much joy against the Aussies.

Batting-wise, Flintoff's not done anything worthwhile for ages, Strauss is on a bad run of form, we've lost Trescothick, and Alistair Cook (although I'm a big fan of his) is simply too inexperienced - McGrath and Warne will eat him for breakfast.

If both sides had full-strength teams, this would be an extremely interesting contest, but as it is, I'm going to predict an Aussie whitewash.

[Aria.]

o yeah that sucks that u dont have a full strength side :rolleyes: that realy does suck :rolleyes:
yeah im sure it would be an extremely interesting contest if u guys had a full strength team yeah :rolleyes:

[Alf™]

:lol:

5/106 England is; really struggling.

[Aria.]

alf ur obviously forgetting they dont have a full strength team :rolleyes:

[Alf™]

Oh, what! Not a full strength team? Oh no!

[Nightvision]

Hey, you can hardly talk... look what happened to your lot when you lost one player (McGrath) last year. :p

[Aria.]

cant realy remember last year sorry

can definitely remember us being in front by 626 runs after only 3 days yeah good luck with that

o yeuh i forgot u havent got a full strength team :rolleyes:

[Nightvision]

Let's be honest, we haven't even got a half-strength team. I don't think Sajid Mahmood would make it into any other side in test cricket but ours at the moment, and if Steve Harmison isn't dropped soon, someone at the ECB needs a lobotomy.

Don't get me wrong, you've got one hell of a batting lineup against any bowling attack (Ponting is the best batsman in the world bar none at the moment), and our bowling attack at the moment is a disaster.

Your bowling side isn't up to much once you look past the big two though. Brett Lee's a damn good paceman, and Bracken looks pretty decent given time, but you'll miss Warney and McGrath when they're gone. Tait, Watson and Johnson don't really look anything special to be honest - they're good bowlers, but they're not going to consistently get you 4-5 wickets an innings.

[Alf™]

Warne and McGrath have continually said they are in great shape, and will be playing for 2-4 more years. Clark and Bracken can easily cover McGrath, if or when he retires. And we have Stuart MacGill waiting in the shadows, who would be playing for any team in the world, bar Australia. You seem to think our state cricket sides aren't creating good players, but that's where you are entirely wrong.

[Ganondorf]

Obviously when Warne and McGrath retire Australia won't be as good, but that's more to do with how good they are, not how bad the others are.

[Nightvision]

No, don't get me wrong, I know that Australia's second string side could still give most countries' first choice teams a good run for their money. Like all truly successful sports teams you have strength in depth.

I reckon McGrath has another couple of years in him, but Warney's not looking as good as he used to - I know he's said a couple of times that his fingers are giving him trouble these days (hence why he doesn't really bowl the googly much any more).

My post was mainly a response to Ben, who for some reason thinks that we should still be giving the best team in the world (and who have been for the past decade at least) a run for their money with one fit bowler with any real experience of Test cricket (Hoggard, who has never really looked dangerous against the Aussies), and a batting line up with only two in-form players. (Bell and Pietersen). Sadly, we just don't have enough talent right now to cover all the horrendous injury problems we've had.

However, I think that in a few years' time, we could have a very strong side indeed. A lot of our team are very young (early 20's), and experience is a huge factor in this level of cricket.

Still, I just hope we don't get killed like this in every test. As much as anything, it's going to kill off the recent interest in cricket in this country.

[TheBigMachine]

But only evoke cricket in Australia! Bringing out more talent from the woodworks, so that we can pummell you again later on! Jks, jks. Ilu Jason :)

At cricket this saturday, our top five batsmen collapsed, handily, making a grand total of about 23 between them. I came in at six, and ended up batting for one and a half sessions, but making only 21 runs(mainly because one of our usual top order batsmen didnt rock up on time, so they came and batted with me) and yeah. We had a seventy run partnership, got the team from about 37 at first drinks to 113 at the third. So not bad.

[Nightvision]

Nice. I'm pumped for next season already. I was then coming into some real form when last season ended, and I can't wait to get going again.

I've been working on my speed as well, as that's what's stopping me really being a threat with the ball - I'm pretty accurate - I can put it more or less wherever I want, and I'm starting to get a little bit of swing going in the right conditions, but I'm just not quick enough to really trouble opening batsmen.

Plus I'm hoping I'm finally going to break 50 this season! :)

[badtaste]

Hope Australia don't stuff up later today.

[Apocalyptic Raids]

Well, it's finished. Pietersen must be kicking himself, it was a pretty soft dismissal too.

[Nightvision]

Yeah, oh well. Was never really on anyway. At least we showed some spine in the second innings. Should make the second test a little more interesting. :)

[badtaste]

Well, it's finished. Pietersen must be kicking himself, it was a pretty soft dismissal too.

I felt such a relief when KP was dismissed. Talk about choking, but then again, England still had a long way to go. Let's hope Australia continue then.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Steve Harmison seems to be making a damn good attempt at being the first bowler ever to have a ball go for six wides,

Jeff Thomson bowled a ball that went for six no-balls once: a bouncer which hit the sight-screen on the full.

[Nightvision]

O_o - that's pretty impressive... a little scary as well!

[matt_h]

In order to win a game you need to:
1. Bat well
2. Bowl the opposition out
3. Take your catches

Therefore:
1. England must stop throwing away wickets with rash shots
2. Play Panesar
3. Play Read
in order to have a chance of winning the Ashes.

Jones/Read issue is less important, however with Harmy out of form we need a wicket taker and that is Panesar. What are the disadvantages though? Cant bat or field apparently. Well, so far he has played so technically good shots in his brief appearances and IMO he does not feel able to play with confidence at #11, he needs the freedom of a #9. Hoggard should be #11, he cant score runs, he can only defend, which he why he is the nightwatchman.

Also, if Anderson fails (dont know how well he has performed so far) then maybe Mahmood may get a go to try and reverse swing it.

Not much needs to change though, and we will get better with or without these changes.

[Ganondorf]

Gleen McGrath is so cocky that's why he's awesome IMO.

[Nightvision]

2. Bowl the opposition out

there's our problem.

Hoggard's a great stock bowler, but he's never been a wicket taker outside of Trent Bridge.
Harmison couldn't hit a barn door with a cannon at the moment.
Mahmood is nowhere near test-match quality.
Anderson is a bit inconsistent, but can be a really good bowler on his day.
Giles was never a particularly good spinner, he was simply in the team for so long because there wasn't anyone better, and he firmed up the tail.

That leaves us with Panesar and Flintoff to shoulder the burden of wicket-taking. Both good bowlers who are more than capable of taking a five-for, but to ask them to do that in both innings in four tests is simply ridiculous.

As for Read/Jones, I think that in any other series, Read should have got the nod. However, in this series, we need batsmen with test experience against bowlers of the quality of McGrath and Warne, and Jones has that. He made a good 30 in this test, and had Pietersen not got out when he did, who knows where the partnership might have gone. I think he was kept in the side too long after his dismal run of form, but I do think he's the right man for the job in this series.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Anderson's not too bad. If Harmison can get some overs under his belt and get a hint of confidence back then I don't think it's all so gloomy for England. You lost the first test last year, remember?

[TheBigMachine]

I am so ready for the next to start. Can't wait.

[Nightvision]

True, but I think you lost McGrath before the second, didn't you? Can't remember if it was the second or the third.

Either way, if the second innings was anything to go by, at least we're not going to completely fold up. We've certainly got the potential in our batting lineup for big runs. Freddie is well overdue a big score, Pietersen is hitting form again just at the right time, and Bell is looking a lot more accomplished this year. Strauss' huge lack of form is a worry though, as he made a couple of huge hundreds for us last time round, and we do tend to do reasonably well if the openers make a good start.

[Apocalyptic Raids]

True, but I think you lost McGrath before the second, didn't you? Can't remember if it was the second or the third.
Yeah, the second.

[Aria.]

oh god dam we are gonna dominate this adelaide test i cant wait this is going to be a great ashes series england are going to be continue being absolutely destroyed and i love it

[badtaste]

oh god dam we are gonna dominate this adelaide test i cant wait this is going to be a great ashes series england are going to be continue being absolutely destroyed and i love it

Translation: Oh, God damn, we are going to dominate this Adelaide test. I can't wait - this is going to be a great ashes series. England are going to continue to be absolutely destroyed, and I love (the prospect of it).

Poor Stuart McGill. At least he took it well. It's an indicator of how good Australia is in cricket. Stuart could go to Bengladesh, India, South Africa or England, and become an absolute legend there.

[Aria.]

way to be an ashole

[RCVA]

Translation: Oh, God damn, we are going to dominate this Adelaide test. I can't wait - this is going to be a great ashes series. England are going to continue to be absolutely destroyed, and I love (the prospect of it).

What's wrong with you?


Anyway. Mcgrath might not be fit for the second test. I think it's wishful thinking for the English fans to hope for a repeat of last year.

It'll take a lot to keep Mcgrath out. I don't think it will make a difference anyway, Johnson seems really good, tait caused the england batsmen problems in the tour game and clark bowled well in the last test.


Adelaide is gonna be an interesting game.

[badtaste]

way to be an ashole

A shole?

[Alf™]

You know he meant asshole. Shh now.

[Apocalyptic Raids]

this match is looking more competitive.

[Nightvision]

oh god dam we are gonna dominate this adelaide test i cant wait this is going to be a great ashes series england are going to be continue being absolutely destroyed and i love it

McGrath 30-5-107-0
Warne 53-9-167-1

Wow, you boys sure showed us.

(although I'd better hold off on the gloating just yet - Harmison's not bowled yet. :-/)


this match is looking more competitive.

Yeah, I think the first session is key tomorrow. From an England point of view, we need to make a breakthrough early. We can't allow Ponting to get his eye in again, or we could be looking at a draw. I don't think Australia can honestly hope to win without putting their series lead in unecessary danger, so they'll be looking for the draw.

Now remind me again why we decided not to pick Panesar on a wicket that has historically welcomed spin?

[Alf™]

Alf's 2nd test prediction - Draw.

[Angry Balled Fists!]

oh yea come on england we're so gonna win this test.

[Untitled]

****, collingwood 206, good game to him.

And KP with 158, they have both been definatly are most solid batters so far this series.

[Nightvision]

Wow, that was a better day's bowling!

Harmison looked accurate and quick again today, and Hoggard bowled better than I've seen him bowl in a long time. We just need that 4th test-class quick bowler, because Anderson doesn't seem to have any real potency, and god knows what they were thinking including Mahmood. We miss Simon Jones. :(

But kudos to Ponting again, another brilliant century, more than likely saving a draw for his team. A true captain's performance.

[Apocalyptic Raids]

damn it Gilly, you were looking so good :(

oh well, at least he is finding some form.

[Alf™]

Clarkey has played superbly today. Gilly and Warne also batted great. The Aussies are right back in the game, and some people may even fancy them if they send the Poms back in tonight, and get a few quick wickets. Although a draw is most likely.

[Untitled]

I think itll be really quite hard for either team to win now tbh.

Gonna be a draw i think.

Im just happy with England's performance, so much better then Last week, i do think we need Panesar in the team though.

As they was saying on the radio, he looks like a spinner who is threatening to take wickets whenever he bowls, gills just seems to be in to slow the run rate down and to fill the gaps for a few overs, he dosnt seem threatening.

[RCVA]

I swear Giles doesn't spin it. Really.


He's not even that accurate and if England get big scores in the middle order regularly we don't need his batting.

[Untitled]

He is a decent batter, ill give him that.

But like you said, COllingwood and KP are on form it seems, Freddie is a bit iffy, He seems to be hitting a few rash shots and lost a few easy wickets. Looks alright in the last innings. Strauss is the same too.

We need monty though, and another good pace bowler, hopefully Anderson will come good.

[RCVA]

Yeah.

I watched the highlights when i got home and Anderson had a few really good overs.

Harmison looked good too :)


I think Strauss will get a century tomorrow. He normally does nowadays in test cricket when he gets past 30.

Well done to Hoggard as well! 7 wickets on a pitch like that.

[Nightvision]

Way to prove me wrong about saying you've never bothered the Aussies much, Hoggy. :)

Yeah, this match is a draw. England should know not losing is more important than winning at this stage. As for Giles/Panesar, I think it's swings and roundabouts, Panesar is a bigger threat, but Giles is less expensive, and vastly more experienced. Let's not forget, this is an Aussie team that trains with the greatest spinner ever to have played the game, so they're used to facing a ball with a bit of spin every now and then, so Panesar isn't just going to turn up and skittle them.

I think we need to work on a way of getting Ponting out for less than 100 first. :-/

[Aria.]

yeuh this is turning into an interesting last day

im backing the aussies for a win if we bowl them out before tea