England have named the squad for the Ashes tour of Australia:

England squad for Ashes tour:
A Flintoff (captain, Lancashire, 62 Tests),
A Strauss (Middlesex, 31 Tests),
M Trescothick (Somerset, 76 Tests),
A Cook (Essex, 9 Tests),
K Pietersen (Hampshire, 18 Tests),
I Bell (Warwickshire, 18 Tests),
P Collingwood (Durham, 15 Tests),
C Read (Nottinghamshire, 13 Tests),
S Mahmood (Lancashire, 5 Tests),
S Harmison (Durham, 45 Tests),
M Hoggard (Yorkshire, 58 Tests),
M Panesar (Northants, 10 Tests),
G Jones (Kent, 31 Tests), A Giles
(Warwickshire, 52 Tests),
J Anderson (Lancashire, 13 Tests),
L Plunkett (Durham, 6 Tests).

I would have had Strauss as captain for the simple reason he has done very well as stand in skipper and he does not have to both bat and bowl like Freddie. Never mind, I am sure Freddie will do well. I just hope his batting and bowling do not suffer…

There is no doubt the winner of this series will be the best in the world. England have just beaten Pakistan 3-0 (who were no2) to become no 2 in the world by right.

The ashes series starts with a game against the PMs XI on Fri 10th Nov and the first Test starts on 23 Nov.

You can see the full tour details here:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ausveng/content/series/227733.html?template=schedule

But the main summary is:

1st Test - Nov 23 - 27 Brisbane
2nd Test – Dec 1 – 5 Adelaide
3rd Test – Dec 14 – Dec 18 Perth
4th Test – Dec 26 – Dec 30 Melbourne
5th Test – Jan 2 – Jan 6 Sydney

Come on Aussie, come on, come on. :D

As an American I didn't really have any alliegance to either side a year ago. However, after following England throughout the summer I've grown attached.

The recent tests against Pakistan have shown that they can overcome injuries and pull out a win. Their ODI game still needs some work, but they managed a series draw for the first time in a while and it was a welcome relief after the whitewash by Sri Lanka, but that's all an issue for the World Cup, not the Ashes.

Come on Aussie, come on, come on. :D

:agree: (XCL)

England has a cricket team?

England has a cricket team?

Answer the question yourself and then remember that you lost.

England has a cricket team?

It appears we have two. This is the academy team to be based in Perth as back up to the ashes team. I can't remember us doing this before.

Those living in Perth will be able to watch some decent cricket in between the Tests. Lucky them. ;)


Ravi Bopara (Essex), Stuart Broad (Leicestershire), Rikki Clarke (Surrey), James Dalrymple (Middlesex), Steven Davies (Worcestershire), Ed Joyce (Middlesex), Robert Key (Kent), Jon Lewis (Gloucestershire), Graham Onions (Durham), Matt Prior (Sussex), Owais Shah (Middlesex), Tom Smith (Lancashire), Chris Tremlett (Hampshire), Michael Yardy (Sussex).

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/england/5339286.stm

:woohoo: Lucky me. :D :p

Answer the question yourself and then remember that you lost.

I remember England had a cricket team... they got kinda lucky last time around, if I recall correctly.

Then they self-destructed in pretty quick order...

I remember England had a cricket team... they got kinda lucky last time around, if I recall correctly.

Then they self-destructed in pretty quick order...

I hope all Aussies think like that, especially Ponting & Co.

I take it you didn’t notice we just beat the no.3 team in the world, Pakistan, 3-0?

I hope all Aussies think like that, especially Ponting & Co.

I take it you didn’t notice we just beat the no.3 team in the world, Pakistan, 3-0?

How many series had you lost before that though? :p

How many series had you lost before that though? :p

One – Pakistan in Pakistan.

Did you know - Australia have lost 4 of the last 5 series they have played against Pakistan in Pakistan.

OTOH, Australia hasn’t been brave enough to tour there this century. :p

Well, you drew 2 test series and got slaughtered in the ODI series, lost 1 test series and won 1 test series since the Ashes.

You really dont look like a team that can beat Australia in Australia.

Well, you drew 2 test series and got slaughtered in the ODI series, lost 1 test series and won 1 test series since the Ashes.

You really dont look like a team that can beat Australia in Australia.

This post I can agree with, unfortunately.

But the Ashes aren't ODIs, that's the World Cup. The test squad is in great shape. The home field advantage is what'll give Australia a chance :)

Thank goodness political correctness has not taken too good a hold in Australia and they are still allowed to call us Poms. :lol:

I am sure not a single Pom in the Barmy army will be offended in the slightest.


Cricketing authorities in Australia have announced a new zero-tolerance policy towards racism in the stands.
They have threatened offenders with lifetime bans from their grounds.
But Cricket Australia has said that the term "pom" can still be used against the English, who arrive in Australia to defend the Ashes in November.
Like cricket itself, "pom bashing" is something of a national sport - performed with particularly vehement enthusiasm when the Ashes are at stake.
In formulating its new zero-tolerance policy towards racism, Cricket Australia consulted no less a body than the country's Human Rights and Equal Opportunities Commission.
But after careful consideration, the commission ruled that the word "pom" - a term thought by many to have originated from the phrase "prisoner of his majesty" - was still permissible.
The body did, however, make a fine linguistic distinction, noting that pom was not hurtful when used in isolation, but possibly racist and humiliating when uttered in conjunction with other coarse language.
Asked whether fans would be evicted for using such insulting combinations, Cricket Australia offered a stout forward defensive, suggesting the question was merely hypothetical.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/5383808.stm

Australia ftw.

Forward Towards Wing?

I assume he meant for the win.

But the Ashes aren't ODIs, that's the World Cup. The test squad is in great shape. The home field advantage is what'll give Australia a chance :)

I think the Aussie's biggest advantage is that England won't bring their best batsman (Vaughan), nor their best bowler (Jones).
I do realise that it's (by defenition) arguable who is England's best bowler or batsman, but missing these two great cricketers is a major change for the worse, when we compare the 2006-7 ashes with the 2005 ashes.

England got trashed by the PM's XI, which is great news for Australia but bad news for the Poms.

Fletcher says Jones will be the first choice keeper for the Ashes.

I think the Aussie's biggest advantage is that England won't bring their best batsman (Vaughan), nor their best bowler (Jones).
I do realise that it's (by defenition) arguable who is England's best bowler or batsman, but missing these two great cricketers is a major change for the worse, when we compare the 2006-7 ashes with the 2005 ashes.

I think we’ll miss Vaughan’s captaincy more than we miss his batting (as good as that is). Why Freddie was made captain and not Strauss… :confused:

England got trashed by the PM's XI, which is great news for Australia but bad news for the Poms.

Traditional slow starters. :) And besides we really are the pits at one day games.
We will probably let you win the first Test and then go on to win the series 2-1 like last time. ;)

Aggers summed it up on 5Live this morning – if England can get away with a draw in the first Test we stand half a chance with the rest of the series. The Australian media apparently think a 5-0 whitewash is a formality and anything but a win in that First Test will bring out the “Dad’s Army” jibes.
We can but hope.

I think we’ll miss Vaughan’s captaincy more than we miss his batting (as good as that is). Why Freddie was made captain and not Strauss… :confused:

Why England would want more pressure on their star all-rounded confuses me, but it only makes things easier for the Aussies :D

Traditional slow starters. :) And besides we really are the pits at one day games.
We will probably let you win the first Test and then go on to win the series 2-1 like last time. ;)

Aggers summed it up on 5Live this morning – if England can get away with a draw in the first Test we stand half a chance with the rest of the series. The Australian media apparently think a 5-0 whitewash is a formality and anything but a win in that First Test will bring out the “Dad’s Army” jibes.
We can but hope.

Well, if either Hayden or Langer fails twice in the first match, Phil Jaques has already proven he can score against England in the 2 tour matches (he has scored centuries in both so far). Then there's Brad Hodge waiting if the middle order fails, and the selectors are in a dilemma about which fast bowlers to leave out. And Warne and McGrath will torture England as always. :ninja:

(But I do want to get rid of Ponting)

Then there's Brad Hodge waiting if the middle order fails
:lol:



Seriously though, I left my post re: (Geraint) Jones abrupt, as I was literally lost for words...

Does nobody else have an opinion on the matter?

:lol:



Seriously though, I left my post re: (Geraint) Jones abrupt, as I was literally lost for words...

Does nobody else have an opinion on the matter?

Difficult – He was dropped for his batting at a time his keeping was improving but Read did nothing wrong with either glove or bat.

It must have come down to a desire to have a better batsman (on paper) to reduce the length of the tail.

Dare I say it – If it works out – Well done Fletcher. If it fails – Why the hell did you drop Read?

OTOH I suppose he should have stuck with Read as he had handed the job to him against Pakistan. Then we would not bash him if Read fails.

And, of course, lets not forget he ‘escaped’ from Australia as a kid and so is perhaps reckoned to be a bit more used to their conditions.

As I said – difficult.

Well what really gets me is why Read was called into the team in the first place if this was the plan all along...

After a run of failures for Jones, Read came in and did exactly what was asked of him. We already know he's a better keeper, and he provided the runs which Jones hadn't done all summer...yet he's dropped??

Read came into the side because Jones wasn't getting runs, not because his keeping was getting any worse...and Read got the runs. If you look at their career records in first class cricket, they both have averages of 31, and over the past two seasons, Read has comfortably outscored that average. There's really nothing to go on to say that Jones is a better batsman these days...

Also, Jones has, IIRC, never actually played a first class match in Aus, while Read has scored a couple of hundreds down under...

If they'd kept with Jones all along....but they haven't, and I'm at a loss to try and understand why Read was called up, only to be immediately dropped again - through no fault of his own it seems...

England lost their final six wickets for 67 runs

I'm liking the incredible depth of the English batting. Flintoff and Pietersen can't score everything if you want to win. :p

Since my Mom comes from England, and I spend some time living there, Go England! :)

I've just heard on Sky news that Trescothick has returned home. I wander why?

http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/ausveng/content/current/story/267867.html

Obviously he cannot handle us. :mischief:

Hmm – better now than after failing in the first two Tests I suppose.

I wonder who will replace him – Robert Key I suppose or maybe they will get Ramps to hang up his dancing shoes. :lol:

Or is this an opening for Michael Vaughan to return? He is currently down under and is about to start playing and apparently could make it in time for the 3rd Test at least.


Edit – For those who don’t know, Mark Ramprakash is currently taking part in a BBC TV program ‘Strictly Come Dancing’. (Ballroom and other such crap that Darren Gough won last year (I think)).
At least he will be physically fit at the moment if not cricket fit.

So Ed Joyce is into the side then, good player and I hope he can cope.

Not long now until we begin wiping the floor with the aussies.

I've just heard on Sky news that Trescothick has returned home. I wander why?
He's been treated for clinical depression on and off for the last year.

Incidentally, cricketers have the highest suicide rate of all sportsmen...

Originally posted by Col
Incidentally, cricketers have the highest suicide rate of all sportsmen...

..I find that suprising. I would have thought an individual based sport like boat racing or marathon running, and not a team sport would have topped the list.

excuse my poor pun :mischief:

As much as i hate saying this, being a kiwi, the aussies will thrash england. A better test series would be ricky ponting vs the rest of Australia...

Seriously though, i cant see england winning a single test.

As much as i hate saying this, being a kiwi, the aussies will thrash england. A better test series would be ricky ponting vs the rest of Australia...

Seriously though, i cant see england winning a single test.

Wow, I dont know what to say. A kiwi praising the aussies?! That just doesnt happen!

I'm predicting either 2-0, 3-0, or 2-1 with the Aussies winning. Most likely we will win in Brisbane, with 2 out of Melbourne, Adelaide and Sydney producing a result. I expect the rather docile Perth pitch will be a draw (which is a shame, since Perth used to have a great wicket, now its lifeless, no help for the quicks at all :()

I don't follow cricket, but I post in here as a patriotic gesture...

Go Aussies!!! :D

Less than a week now... I'm lucky ive already finished school and so have lots of time to watch the series!

Have they named either of the teams to play?

England announced that they'd field their test team in this current warm up match against South Australia. Steve Harmison pulled out due to a side injury, but apparently now looks set to play, so the England team will be:

Strauss
Cook
Bell
Collingwood
Pietersen
Flintoff
Jones
Hoggard
Anderson
Harmison
Panesar

(I'm not sure if Collingwood will stay at 4 or drop back to 5 for the test, nor of where Harmison will bat).

England are doing quite well in this match, Ian Bell scoring 132 and Collingwood 80, which should reassure Fletcher that he doesn't to reinforce the batting with Giles :rolleyes: ...seriously, the guy's losing it...

I think the batting on the whole is probably stronger than last time, and think both teams have 'batting teams'. Neither have much depth in the bowling department.

I think the batting on the whole is probably stronger than last time, and think both teams have 'batting teams'. Neither have much depth in the bowling department.

Thats probably because of rather flat pitches instead of great batsmen though.

Nice Ian Botham quote on Steve Harmison: "If he takes 30 wickets, we’ll win".

I wouldn't disagree with that. Come on Steve. :thumbsup:

England announced that they'd field their test team in this current warm up match against South Australia. Steve Harmison pulled out due to a side injury, but apparently now looks set to play, so the England team will be:

Strauss
Cook
Bell
Collingwood
Pietersen
Flintoff
Jones
Hoggard
Anderson
Harmison
Panesar

(I'm not sure if Collingwood will stay at 4 or drop back to 5 for the test, nor of where Harmison will bat).

England are doing quite well in this match, Ian Bell scoring 132 and Collingwood 80, which should reassure Fletcher that he doesn't to reinforce the batting with Giles :rolleyes: ...seriously, the guy's losing it...

I think the batting on the whole is probably stronger than last time, and think both teams have 'batting teams'. Neither have much depth in the bowling department.

I guess Giles might replace Anderson on slower pitches.

I've got quite an important question?

Do any of the English here know whether Skysports can be recieved fro free with a satelite receiver? And does it need a decoder?

Bell got 132? I hate that guy, hes so useless but he keeps scoring runs!!
Heres hoping the aussies rip him up... And Giles, dont even let me get started....

I've got quite an important question?

Do any of the English here know whether Skysports can be recieved fro free with a satelite receiver? And does it need a decoder?

No, it cannot be received for free and it does need a decoder. There are highlights being shown on BBC2 for free at about 11:20pm every night – just when transmission for the next day’s play is starting!

Personally I think that england is going to get truely hammered this ashes and will be lucky to win anything except the toss.

I've got quite an important question?

Do any of the English here know whether Skysports can be recieved fro free with a satelite receiver? And does it need a decoder?

I've got Sky Sports, Bas. Drop round ;)

So, just a matter of hours to go...:bounce:

Let's see what wiki has to say about it all...

http://i10.tinypic.com/4ddr7yq.jpg

:lol:

Well, y'know what Ponting's plan is? Two bats:

http://h.xerol.org/i/ponting-bats.jpg (http://h.xerol.org/i.php?i=400)

Doesn't seem legal, although there's nothing in the laws saying you can't use two.

Hahaha. Wikipedias always right you know.

Good start to the Aussies, Ponting with a hundred, Langer with 82. Only Flintoff and Giles bowling relatively economically.

Ponting is so insanely good. Itll be interesting to see how much he makes because he usually goes out <200 if he makes a century.

Just deserts for picking Giles IMO.....I seriously wanted to hurt Duncan Fletcher when I heard that.

Just deserts for picking Giles IMO.....I seriously wanted to hurt Duncan Fletcher when I heard that.

Well, he was definately your 2nd best bowler behind Flintoff. Anderson Hoggard and Harmison were all bowling poorly, and you even *snigger* let *snigger* Bell bowl for an over. :rotfl:

Just deserts for picking Giles IMO.....I seriously wanted to hurt Duncan Fletcher when I heard that.
:lol: I echo azza's sentiment. :p

Australia ftw.
I assume he meant for the win.
Actually, it was a typo influenced version of "WTF!?"

He's been treated for clinical depression on and off for the last year.Yeah, that's what I heard and thought too.
Incidentally, cricketers have the highest suicide rate of all sportsmen...FTW!!? :eek:

----

PS. Down with the Aussies!! :evil:

Well then, 346-3...definitely Australia's day. Still a chance for England though, with a couple of early wickets tomorrow - Australia have been prone to some calapso cricket in the past couple of years. One thing particularly dampens my expectations though - Ashley Giles. I still can't believe he's playing. Even when writers both here and in Australia started predicting his selection, I didn't really believe it, didn't think it could happen - especially as a week ago he was named in the test team...

Duncan Fletcher is an idiot. Ashley Giles may average 10 runs an innings higher with the bat but that doesn't mean he offers England 10 runs more per innings - certainly not when he costs England an extra 8 runs per wicket relative to Panesar. I don't see how the statistics suggest Ashley Giles strengthens the team. I don't see how relying on Ashley Giles with the bat is going to get England anywhere close to the Ashes. If you need Ashley Giles's batting, then you aren't winning the Ashes...simple as.

The worst thing is, as seen during today's play, England's bowling is where they're likely to struggle. The batting should be fine: the top six is, IMO, stronger than last year; Giles didn't contribute much at number eight anyway, with more runs coming from Harmison and Jones, so there is no need for "a number eight"...whatever the hell that is. A specialist number eight? wtf?

The bowling is weaker. Anderson for Jones obviously weakens the attack considerably; not just man for man, but for the added weight of pressure on the rest of the attack. That gap isn't easy to fill, and it's not acceptable to place the entire burden on Harmison and Flintoff - especially so considering Harmison's performance today. It's the bowling that needs reinforcement! Not the batting! Giles has very rarely operated as a wicket taker; as a stop-gap to provide some relief for the four man pace attack, sure; but with the pace attack weakened, the spinner (or generally the fifth bowler) needs to be more than a defensive bowler, tying up an end. Selecting Giles ahead of Panesar just adds to the pressure already on the main strike bowlers, who are now more than ever under pressure to take wickets. When Harmison didn't come off today, then what? Anderson can't be expected to take over Jones's role, they need depth to cover Jones's absence. Instead, we get Ashley Giles...getting a pat on the back for being economical and taking 1 wicket in 18 overs. That's a good day? That's meant to win the Ashes? Giles may have been statistically England's second best (second least worse) bowler today, but he's still England's second best spinner.

Fletcher is gutless, terrified of the Aussies and making stupid spineless illogical decisions as a result. :thumbdown

I thought Boycott was being a bit extreme when he was calling for Fletcher's head a couple of weeks back - now I'm not so sure.

Oh, also, Pietersen span the ball three times as much as Giles...

It might be 346/3, but I think if we were batting, they we would be in a similar position. Yeah the bowling could have been better, but hopefully the bowlers can take a few wickets early to get some momentum going England's way. This partnership needs to be broken quickly, hopefully it will!

I think the bowling was bad. Wildly inconsistent, with all comers failing to find any sort of line and length (bar Flintoff anyway)...That's the problem IMO, that they were able to score at such a comfortable rate with such little risk - just putting away the inevitable four ball per over. It was easy pickings.

They must be better today though, and yeah, I have confidence in the England batting lineup. Especially with Gilo in there at number 8. :thumbsup:

:mischief:

Seriously though, I think the batting is our strong point this series, and the jury's still out on the Aussie attack.

whose Ashes are these anyway?

4/402 Flintoff got Hussey with a beauty. Hes almost a 1 man team at the moment.

Great one that from Flintoff...no better sight than that cartwheeling stump.

Lunch. 427-4

One man team sounds about right unfortunately. A bit better today, but as the Sky commentators have been saying, Harmy needs time. Not looking good for this test...

Anderson's got some nice shape going though.

The new technology is amazing. They seem to bring something new out every year. Hotspots pretty cool!

McGrath and Clark hit the English with some major early blows, and Warne was really threatening too in his 1 over. After the Aussies made 600 and declared.

If we can get kp and flintoff cheaply, then england should be following on still about 350 behind.

England need 403.................. to avoid the follow on!

Pretty amazing innings from the aussies. Mcgrath solid as usual and Hussey decided he wanted a bowl so spiked Lee!

Not such a bad first 2 days of the ashes!

ASHLEY!!!

So, on a day when England were looking to restrict the Aussie's scoring rate, Ashley Giles couldn't even manage to fulfill his role as a defensive only bowler - bowling an incredible 7 overs in the day, at a cost of nearly 5 runs per over. No wickets, of course.

ASHLEY!!!



I am pretty distraught about the batting, btw...


:(

I am pretty distraught about the batting, btw...Aye. What was Strauss trying to do with the shot that got him out? He pulled / hooked (not sure what he was going for) from WAAAY outside off. :shake:

Mind you, McGrath is proving why he was so sorely missed by the Aussies in the last Ashes. Dangerous man that. Someone should slip something into his drink, a la Litvinenko :mischief:

Anyway, can you see the England batsmen sticking it out for the next 3 days and going for the draw? A win is out the question imho.

I was thinking about the prospect of a draw before today's play began, what with a win already looking so unlikely. To stretch two innings to three days is certainly possible. You can bat for four and a half sessions. But even if they did that first time round, the thought of having a day and a half to bat to save the match didn't exactly fill me with confidence at the beginning of today.

Now, we're talking about just 17 wickets for three days, and still 550 behind. It doesn't look good. I'm hoping Bell and Pietersen can get us some runs, and at least give us some positives from this test, but most of all, I'm hoping for rain...:(

To succesfully save the match, I think they'll have to go on past the Australian total. That looks a long way off right now though...

One of Bell and Pietersen needs to get a big hundred. Preferably both.

I was thinking about the prospect of a draw before today's play began, what with a win already looking so unlikely. To stretch two innings to three days is certainly possible. You can bat for four and a half sessions. But even if they did that first time round, the thought of having a day and a half to bat to save the match didn't exactly fill me with confidence at the beginning of today.

The Gabba is one of Warne's best grounds to bowl at, and with this pitch turning more than the Gabba usually does, things look ominous for the English. And I really, really, really want to see Bell fail again.

but most of all, I'm hoping for rain...:(In Brisbane? Yeah right!
One of Bell and Pietersen needs to get a big hundred. Preferably both.Yup. Then Flintoff and Jones need to do similar. A tall order indeed.

Im tired from staying up all night twice in a row.

In Brisbane? Yeah right!
Some chance for Sunday apparently. But really, is it any less likely than England amassing a competitive score? :sad:

Yup. Then Flintoff and Jones need to do similar. A tall order indeed.
Yeah...was just thinking, even if Bell and Pietersen do both score hundreds, that still wouldn't guarantee 300, and we probably need at least 400, pushing 450.

And I really, really, really want to see Bell fail again.
:lol: Why's that?


Oh, and also, I made a mistake with Giles's stats earlier on...it wasn't nearly 5 an over, it was nearly 6. :rolleyes:

Another sleepless night coming up..I much preferred it last year when i could simply skive off work + college.

We have to make a total here. Draw is still a possibility.

:lol: Why's that?

Mostly because the commentators keep saying he's come here a changed player. Well, Warne hasnt really bowled to him yet, so I hope he can't face Warne still

One of Bell and Pietersen needs to get a big hundred. Preferably both.

Pietersen is out! And Flintoff!!!! :woohoo:

Bell was respectable, Giles batted ok, Jones was reasonable, but completely crap from the rest of the batters. McGrath with 6/50, and McGrath clone Clark with 3/21. Great signs from the Aussie point of veiw.

The Aussies have made the pitch look lifeless and yet when the Poms were batting they made it look like there was a mindfield out there while playing.

See, if you're making scores of around 400, then would you take the extra 20 runs Giles can offer at the expense of an attacking, wicket taking bowler? Trade a bowler for an extra 20 runs in 400?

If you're making 150, then those 20 runs are equally inconsequential...if you're making 150, you're screwed, and Ashley Giles isn't going to save you.

He provided his 20 runs today, well done - that's what your in the team for...What good did it do? None at all...

I have no idea what he's for.

Well done to Bell though. Good stuff. It was nice to see him get some runs, even moreso considering the situation he found himself batting in. Played Warne well too. :goodjob:

Still some serious :confused: over the non-selection of Panesar. If they're concerned about his confidence he's not going to get it sitting in the hotel.

Australia just declared, England need 648 to win, or need to stick in there for 11 hours to get the draw.

43-2 at lunch.

Strauss needs a slap. Another ridiculous dismissal. Worse than the first IMO.

Collingwood's also lucky to last till lunch. Looks completely lost against Clark - his feet in cement by the looks of it...

God this is painful

I wish Sky wouldn't fill the intervals by showing us highlights of the failures we've just seen...once is enough.

I'm half tempted to put on my Ashes 2005 DVD after lunch...

I switch to a DVD during these breaks.

Edit: I am totally knackered, but I feel a lot better. Pity about Collinwood, bit rash.

Collingwoods dismissal was hilarious, and Flintoffs. What were they thinking?!?!

KP batting nicely although a few nervous moments. Wonder if theyll be able to bat a day against Warne, Mcgrath and Lee?

Should be interesting, but the odds are against them.

Great to see Bell fall for a duck to Warne. :D

I think Warne has been bowling from the wrong end. I'm fairly certain that McGrath's success in the first innings was from the end Warne was bowling at, making the big juicy crack just outside off wasted.

Indeed, quite pleasing, although you must have had mixed emotions about Collingwood.

Indeed, quite pleasing, although you must have had mixed emotions about Collingwood.

:lol:

Well, I would've had mixed emotions, but I'm fully into cricket mode and have forgotten about football, for now at least.

Australia whipping England in the cricket, all is right in the world again;)

While i'm not an expert in the game, does it not defeat the purpose to pick a keeper and spinner on their ability to bat:confused:

That would be like picking a goal keeper on the basis that he can take a free kick:lol:

In-gur-land! In-gur-land! In-gur-land!

Great stuff. Finally England actually turn up, and in all honesty, produced their first day of competitive cricket this series - hopefully the series can get under way 'proper' now.

Collingwood was great, and the stick he'll get for dismissal is a bit harsh - he used his feet to Warne frequently. It wasn't a well executed shot, and looked to be down to the "nervous nineties"...but nobody complained when he launched Warney back over his head for six. :D

Pietersen was great too. As always, a couple of rash shots, but overall, a really valuable innings. Not just the runs he's got, but the manner in which he scored them. Some fantastic shots off Warne - he clearly won the battle, and he really took the attack to the Aussies once he got in.

Following on from the point about aggression, England managed to score 250 runs in the last two sessions, scoring at over 4, and at times even better than that - scoring at as good a rate as the Aussies first time round. They finally managed to break the stranglehold the Aussies had from their four pronged attack, preventing the buildup of pressure the Aussies managed to create in the first innings. All the bowlers have innings economy rates of over 3 which is at least something, while Lee got hammered...hopefully he can go back to his role from last summer as the Australian Ashley Giles...a complete passenger...

I'm not too bothered about the two wickets at the end - sure, it hurts England in terms of batting for a draw, but going into this innings as much as anything, it was just a case of getting some confidence, and getting some runs. At least now they've made a start in that direction, and hopefully we can have something of a competitive match at Adelaide next week.

And what about Dad's Army, eh? McGrath already struggling after four days? Let's see if he can manage 5 tests...:lol:

Normal services resumed I see. I just hope the plan is like last time – let them win the first one and then win two more ;)

Let’s hope they can at least make 400 to get some respectability back.

Also, Sky spent plenty of time informing us of the forecast for tomorrow....and the possibility of thunderstorms.

Also, Sky spent plenty of time informing us of the forecast for tomorrow....and the possibility of thunderstorms.

That would be very, very funny as Australia could have won it by now..

Yeah, I was thinking that. In spite of all his efforts with the bat, if this ends in a draw, Ponting's decision not to enforce the follow on could be recognised as a blunder on a par with the Edgbaston toss last year...

and then the Ashes will be retained.

:mischief:

Every shroud has a silver lining, it seems.

Its not so much that Day 4's performance has earnt us a draw, only the faintest possibility of a draw.

Its that it has given a few batsman a good deal of confidence and knocked the wind out of some aussie bowlers.

Warne looked ineffectual at times against Pieterson and its clear who won that battle. Lee got the stuffing knocked out of him.

Yeah, I think last time round, though England lost at Lord's, the bowlers had found that confidence to take wickets, the belief that they could bowl the Aussies out.

Another disappointing result to open this series it seems, but at least now we can take some confidence from it - this time for the batsmen.

YES! Australia win! 5-0 HERE WE COME1010

England doesn't look capable of winning a test match unless Harmison fires, and Giles and Anderson are replaced by Panesar and Mahmood(?).

I'm slightly worried about how the Aussies will pick the team for Adelaide. I'm hoping MacGill doesnt play, since I'd prefer a younger spinner like Cameron White or Dan Cullen to get some test experience. Maybe 'rest' Glichrist as well, since he has no form with the bat and it would be good for Haddin to have a test or 2 under his belt. And I truely hope Martyn doesn't play, but thats because I simply hate him for his crappy feilding.

YES! Australia win! 5-0 HERE WE COME1010

Thats what they said when the Aussies were 1-0 up in England.

And I wouldn't play Mahmood. Far too inconsistent.

Heard Adelaide is good for spin. Get Panesar in. Could play Panesar and Giles i guess, dropping Anderson.

Adelaide not ideal for spin, with our short boundaries either side of the wicket; it does give a bit of help on the fourth and mainly the fifth day, but Les Burdett has a reputation of creating a very good cricket wicket (good for batting) before that factor comes into play.

Well done to the Poms for not collapsing in the second innings. Two batsmen had a hit, so that helped them.

I wouldn't count on Gilchrist being down forever, and regardless of what one wishes to say about Lee vs Pietersen, the scorebook has a lovely little scrawl in it.

They'll have to be tuned in and focused to make a game of it in Adelaide; both the playing squad and the officials, with their somewhat bemusing choices.

There was nothing in England's performance that would make me think they have a chance to win a match this time around. They need to lift big time to be competative in the remaining 4 games.

Hope we win the toss this time, and hope Harmison performs.

Well then, just five hours or so until The Ashes proper begin and McGrath is buggered already...

:lol:

Oh is it tonight? Thought it was Friday, these time zones are messing with my head. Suppose technically it is Friday, very early friday.

Good start, England won the toss and chose to bat. Play's starting in about 20 minutes.

No Panesar....

:rotfl: England won't be able to take the 20 wickets nessecary to win a test match. Anderson and Giles still in the team made me extremely happy as an Aussie.

That was boring.

It was... but then it is cricket after all;)
At least England is making a game of it, but i can't see them bowling out Australia once let alone twice with their bowlers.

On a side note it was good to see Warne smacked around again by KP, as much as i want Australia to win i can't stand him.

It was... but then it is cricket after all;)
At least England is making a game of it, but i can't see them bowling out Australia once let alone twice with their bowlers.

On a side note it was good to see Warne smacked around again by KP, as much as i want Australia to win i can't stand him.

Warne or KP?

Collingwood got a nice century, just saw KP get caught behind but not given!!
EDIT: Scratch that fantastic decision by the umpire, massive noise but didnt hit it.

Its funny listening to the commentary; count how many times Bill Lawry say 'the best side in the world' instead of Australia!

Sure, the Aussies can't get out the English, but how will the English fare in return? I predict a draw.

Warne or KP?

I can't stand Warne. He may well be the best bowler in the world but he is a tool. He needs some humility pound into him every now and then.

Anyway it looks like this one will be a long slow draw.

Sure, the Aussies can't get out the English, but how will the English fare in return? I predict a draw.

Can you really expect more than a draw from them [England] right now? If I were captain, I'd certainly just try for a draw here. They were slaughtered in the first test, so anything that isn't a loss is a good thing for morale. As far as today goes, I'd say just draw out the batting as long as you can, and get a massive lead to take some pressure off the bowlers (run-wise, not wicket-wise). Consider this a transitional test, hopefully they'll find their rhythm here, and if not, then it's time for some heads to roll.

First time McGrath has bowled for over 100 runs in a test match without getting a wicket.

Warne bowling round the wicket. Leg Stump Line.

Langer out for 4.

Good Night ;)

why the second test has been much better to watch from an English Point of Veiw

The second test is looking like a mirror image of the first. Hopefully England can keep it up.

Gilies dropped catch might become very telling

I sense there is a twist just beyond the horizon for this test, which will be either
(1) The Aussies get to about 100-150 runs of England, England sets a target to give the Aussies hope, Aussies chase down the target with ease.
(2) England enforces the follow-on early-mid day 4, Aussies bat for long enough to deny England a win.

Either way I can't see England winning the test, unless Hoggard bowls non-stop.

I think England scored too slowly on the first day to win the match. Assuming the Aussies get the 50 or so to avoid the follow on, England won't have enough time to set a total that can't be chased and get the 10 wickets but, as azzaman said, a twist may await us.

A draw candidate if ever there was one.

This England scored too slowly stuff is rubbish IMO...

They batted for 5 and a half sessions, scoring at 3.3 an over. There's nothing wrong with that rate. Also, it's a hell of an ask to win a 5 day test when you only bat for 1.5 days and your opponent for 3.5.

Also, Ashley Giles is a pillock.

Australia currently scoring at a lower run rate than England's Innings, laughing at all the Aussie media complaining about 'Boring' England.

Plus England are bowling an attacking field, unlike Warne's leg stump line.

Damn right, -0blivion-.

The Aussie arrogance is astounding. After the Gabba it was all "5-0...walkover" etc. - and see how long that lasted. Getting a bit carried away there IMO...

On the topic of this morning - Giles has been taking it up the arse again, but Gilchrist has just handed the man his wicket with a ludicrous shot - caught on the fence. Why is he playing shots like that?

:crazyeye:

Another chance for England then...

Also interesting to note a few deliveries with uneven bounce, and Sky informing us of fourth innings totals at Adelaide in the past 13 years - none above 250, plenty below 200.

If Pietersen bowls Warne I will truly be happy.

Well, 105-1 this session. That should put to bed any chance of a result.

Pietersen bowling in tandem with the quicks really highlights the absurdity of the Giles selection though. He's contributed nothing in this match, and has looked completely toothless in his bowling.

A liability. Surely now he can't play in the next test...right? :scared:

Cricinfo's scorecard (http://usa.cricinfo.com/ausveng/engine/current/match/249223.html) isn't loading for me, anyone want to give an update?

6/455. Clarke on 90, Warne on 27.

Anderson is still bowling crap, and Giles *snigger* is *snigger* "bowling", if you can call it that.

Degenerated into a pretty dull match.

Hope the Perth pitch is a bit better, this ones just completely flat.

Degenerated into a pretty dull match.

Hope the Perth pitch is a bit better, this ones just completely flat.

The bouncy lively Perth pitches of the past are no more. :( In the state cricket, its been all about the spinners at Perth the whole year, so dont get your hopes up.

Its good to see Clarke get a hundred though. :thumbsup:

Damn right, -0blivion-.
The Aussie arrogance is astounding. After the Gabba it was all "5-0...walkover" etc. - and see how long that lasted. Getting a bit carried away there IMO...


Given how badly England played, 5-0 looked like a possibility, but to their credit they have lifted their game greatly and this looks like it going to be a close contest all the way.

This games is heading for a draw unless there is a massive collapse by someone, although had Gilies caught Ponting i think would have been England's game.

Degenerated into a pretty dull match.

Hope the Perth pitch is a bit better, this ones just completely flat.
They are trying to make Perth back into a bouncy Pitch that is traditionally has been. Just because it is taking spin recently does not make it a bad pitch, since it is still a result Pitch.

Nice to see Hoggard show that he can take wickets on a good batting track. Looked like he got the ball to go both ways.

Word here is that Freddie has ankle problems. If he is out then we are well and truly stuffed this series.

Monty must be given a run out soo. England have to win to retain the Ashes - and we cant do that unless we get 20 wickets in a game.

I'd like to see Mahmood given a go ahead of Harmison. Yes he can go for a few - but he can also bowl 90+ mph inswinging yorkers that will take wickets on any track.

I'd keep Harmison. on his day he can destroy any team in the world. It just takes one world-class burst from him to win a test. Anmderson has loked inconsistent and toothless. He's not got the ability to rip through a team either, so I'd play Mahmood. Mahmood can bat 8, so Panesar can come into the team. My only concern with that team would be if Mahmood and Harmison are both off form on the day, particularly with Flintoff allegedly suffering from a niggle.

England has lost their last 4 wickets for 8 runs! :eek: 5/77, England is looking to be in quite a lot of trouble.

IN-GUR-LAND!! IN-GUR-LAND!! IN-GUR-LAND!!

Let's be honest, only England are really capable of such a performance...

Ashley Giles to save the Ashes! An inspired selection!

Oh, no, wait...he's out.

Never mind.

If England tried to score, they would've put the game out of reach of Australia. Collingwood thanks for not scoring.

What a pathetic batting display from England.

Bring on 5-0 [party]

:beer: :dance: :woohoo: :dance: :beer: :cheers: :woohoo:

Good job. Now on to Perth.

Carried away...arrogance...boring match...draw...

Turned into quite a good finish, and a fairly comprehensive Australian victory, given the previous circumstances. Adelaide always has an interesting pitch, as said, if we do not jump to conclusions; spin did come into it on the fifth day, as said.

Gilchrist did his bit, Lee bowled fast, well and took wickets when it mattered. Ponting continues to be the best in the world, and Clarke is back nicely.

Nothing to get excited about though. Just a matter of playing the next test and getting on with the job.

*whistles 'Who do you think you are kidding, Mr. Hitler...*

I cannot believe that we won the match. I wonder what the pommies will say about his devastating loss. :D

The best part is Martyn is surely going to be dropped for the next match.
:D

Awesome stuff from Strayer. Really entertaining last day.

Haw Haw Haw What a victory. Best i've seen. That should silence the Dad's Army critics.

This is what makes test cricket so wonderful! Taking off my Aussie blinkers, you have to say England had the better of it for 4 days, or at least most of those days. But turn off for a day, think yourself safe and WHAMMO!!

As badly as the Poms went today, the key moment of the test for me was the dropping of Ponting. Giles hangs on to it and the game is totally different - Aussies struggle to avoid follow on, England in box seat.

:cry:

:suicide:

I just don't understand how that happened. My god.

A little more batting maturity in that second innings would have gone a long way. Flintoff is just not scoring. Jones in for his runs? Crap. Giles in for his runs? Duck.

Series over, no one comes from 2-0 down in Australia.

Very few teams have come from one nil down to win a test series here, so I would have thought they would have tried their best to draw this match

:cry:

:suicide:Quoted for speaking my mind.

http://sport.guardian.co.uk/poll/0,,1964710,00.html

Should Monty Panesar return for the third Test in Perth?

Currently at 96% yes...

Breaking news.....

Damien Martyn has retired from all cricket effective immediatly so he wont be playing in the third test. I think this leaves the possiblity of playing 5 bowlers

They Played Panesar! :woohoo:

Although they're still getting hammered early; 4 overs in and Australia's batting at 5.5 already.

Hayden is gone at least, beauty.

Edit: I missed Monty's celebration so much.

Panesar took his first wicket...on only his seventh ball, after a maiden first over. Can't wait to see these videos.

England is bowling well. :eek: Got Ponting with the pre-game plan, ang Panesar got Langer not really playing a shot, and the ball went straight through.

Muahahahaha!

Australia 1st Innings

J L Langer: b M S Panesar ~ 37
M L Hayden: c G O Jones - b M J Hoggard ~ 24
R T Ponting: lbw - b S J Harmison ~ 2
M E K Hussey: not out ~ 74
M J Clarke: c and b - S J Harmison ~ 37
A Symonds: c G O Jones - b M S Panesar ~ 26
A C Gilchrist: c I R Bell - b M S Panesar ~ 0
S K Warne: c G O Jones - b M S Panesar ~ 25
B Lee: lbw - b M S Panesar ~ 10
S R Clark: b S J Harmison ~ 3
G D McGrath: c A N Cook - b S J Harmison ~ 1

Extras 4nb 1w ~ 5

Total all out 244 (71.0 ovs)

----

Bowler: O - M - R - W

M J Hoggard: 12.0 - 2 - 40 - 1
A Flintoff: 9.0 - 2 - 36 - 0
S J Harmison: 19.0 - 4 - 48 - 4
M S Panesar: 24.0 - 4 - 92 - 5
S I Mahmood: 7.0 - 2 - 28 - 0

Don't celebrate too soon, they still need to bat

Monteeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

:wallbash: England still can't bat. This is getting extremely painful. At this rate, by the fifth test, to have any chance of winning, they'll need to bowl Australia out for 0 in both innings.

Symonds has 2 wickets... :rotfl:

England seriously have to find more than 1 or 2 batsman, atm its only KP and Collingwood who have posted scores. Also having seen Monty bat, he doesn't look any worse then Giles yet the bowling is miles better. How they managed to find a way to leave him out of the first 2 tests i'll never know

England seriously have to find more than 1 or 2 batsman, atm its only KP and Collingwood who have posted scores. Also having seen Monty bat, he doesn't look any worse then Giles yet the bowling is miles better. How they managed to find a way to leave him out of the first 2 tests i'll never know

Strauss has been unlucky in his last 2 innings though, since he went out caught twice without actually hitting the ball.

What a difference a day makes.

Oz showed why they are #1 - and will remain so for some time.

Great fightback.

This test match sucks because it starts way too late. It should be starting at 10:30 not 11:30. I made it to watch the test Match Today, but I had to get to the gates at 6:00am just to get a seat, being a quest of a member (Mydad and Brother). Naturally I do not want to wait that long to see some play. :aargh: I hate how we caved into to Channel Nine's demands.

Hooray for Geraint Jones. Michael Clarke should've been stumped off Panesar, but Jones can't catch the ball and fumbled a huge oppertunity.

And he dropped Hussey too, that was KP's catch.

But we can't be too harsh on him, he is there for his batting:lol:

Hussey is Mr Cricket. He doesnt go out! I mean, how can you have an average of 90, and its still going up! Interesting to see where this test match goes, because New Zealand aernt doing so well, mostly due to the fact we cant bat.

On a personal side note, I did very well at my cricket today! I broke a club record and made the first ever 200 for the junior club! Just thought id share that with you all...

And Gilchrist is just murdering them now.

That was one of the most entertaining bits of test cricket ive ever watched.

Your move Geraint Jones.

Declaration may have been a bit generous for England. Good efforts, though.

*wanders off whistling 'Who do you think you are kidding, Mr. Hitler?' *

Only another 292 to go.

As David Lloyd has been saying, the dream is still alive!

Only 5 wickets to go and the ashes are back where they belong. :D

Just when England gets a sniff of victory, McGrath puts them back in their place. :D

Only another 292 to go.

As David Lloyd has been saying, the dream is still alive!

As John Lennon said, the dream is over. :p

Good Effort by Cook and Bell.

Would take something special by Pietersenm, Flintoff and Jones now.

Only 5 wickets to go and the ashes are back where they belong. :D

Sorry mate, but they ain't leaving the UK.

Ever.

;)

GAH, Cricinfo just died. WHAT'S HAPPENING?

Australia v England, 3rd Test, Perth, 5th day

Australia set to seal the deal

The Bulletin by Andrew McGlashan

December 18, 2006

Lunch England 215 and 9 for 349 (Pietersen 59*, Panesar 1*) need 208 runs to beat Australia 244 and 5 for 527 dec
Live scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out - England

Andrew Flintoff goes over the leg side during his half century © Getty Images


Australia are one wicket away from regaining the Ashes at lunch on the final day at the WACA. Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen briefly raised hopes of a thrilling day's play, but once Shane Warne made the breakthrough the rest went like skittles. Geraint Jones completed a miserable pair as he was run out in bizarre circumstances before Warne and Stuart Clark put the Australians on the brink.

As Pietersen and Flintoff defied the Australians the excitement levels around the ground grew with every boundary. After a miserable period with the bat, Flintoff appeared to have decided to return to his basic instincts and just attack the bowling. He smashed five fours in nine balls off Brett Lee and Clark, his timing and authority growing with each blow. A flicked six over midwicket followed and his first half-century of the series came off 64 balls with two boundaries off Glenn McGrath.

Suddenly a host of dates were being thrown around the easily excited commentary boxes (mostly 1981 and 2005) but the dream couldn't survive. For all the concerns over Warne's workload, it is the man himself who doesn't want to stop bowling and when a full delivery drifted under Flintoff's bat the celebrations started.

For once Pietersen had been overshadowed but followed Flintoff's fifty with his second of the match, from 123 deliveries. However, after losing his captain the shoulders visibly sank. As Flintoff made his way off the ground he waited for Jones - a man living on borrowed time - but any words of wisdom had little impact. The dismissal summed up Jones's series; he went for a sweep, the ball bobbled to silly point and while everyone was focused on the appeal Ricky Ponting spotted Jones's foot was on the line and promptly ran him out. Pietersen had earlier survived a similar referral to the third umpire - after Mike Hussey's direct hit from short-leg - but this time Steve Davis, the TV umpire, had an easy call to make.

Sajid Mahmood was quickly pinned by Clark's yorker and Pietersen's odd decision not to farm the strike exposed Steve Harmison to Warne with predictable results, although Rudi Koertzen's decision was again debatable. Australia couldn't quite finish the innings in time to begin a lunchtime party, but the victory lap is just around the corner.

Game over. :D

@#*&#^&&#@*$#()$*%()$&#&#(^@(*#()%_#(*@((&@*&)#%)^&#(*)$*#@#)(*@#%)(#&%#(*$&$@

First ball after lunch, Panesar bowled! Australia wins!

^ Yeah that's what I was $$#*&*ing about. The commentary came back just in time to see it end.

^ Yeah that's what I was $$#*&*ing about. The commentary came back just in time to see it end.

I had to make sure everyone knew though. :mischief:

I guess the big question now is can England avoid losing the last to games to.

Also they should seriously look at their Wicketkeeper Batsman who does niether well.

It was very good being there watching the Aussie Reclaim the Ashes. It would have been nice to see Warne get his 700th Wicket, but that will happen next match.

Well that was depressing.

Depressing? MOAＲ　ＬＩＥＫ　Ｕｐｌｉｆｔｉｎｇ．

Congrats to the Aussies. You guys truly deserved to regain the Ashes. Enjoy them and see you next time round!

Hopefully England will put up more of a fight next time around.

We have some good young players - and hopefully will perform next time.

We were comprehensively outplayed in every elelent of the game. Whenever we had a good day, Oz came back strong and took it away the very next day.

Indeed. Now is the time to keep the foot on the neck, and grind the Poms down in the last two games.

700 for Warne at the MCG should be a good moment.

Awesome series so far. Congrats to the Aussies.

I cant wait for Shane Warne to get his 700th wicket in front of a home crowd that could be more that 100,000 people at the MCG. What a moment.

Australia started battling and scored 500...off the first over and declared, that England were crap at bowling :D

Word has it that Shane is going to announce his retirement at the end of this series.

I saw him play at Accrington in the Lancashire League when he was (I think) an 18 year old a long time ago.

One of the truly greats - and up there with Bradman.

Well congratulations to Shane for being a great of the game. The word here is that Glenn McGrath will be next and maybe this is the chance every other team is waiting for, the retirement of the Australian Team, when we knew was going to happen eventually. But we have the stocks to take up the slack.

As long as Australia dont replace Warne with MacGill I will be happy. Dan Cullen or Cameron White are much longer term spinners (White has been speculated as a future captain)

Well there goes Australia's bowling attack...

They're gonna get schooled next time round...:mischief:

Well there goes Australia's bowling attack...

They're gonna get schooled next time round...:mischief:

You can dream. :p

Well there goes Australia's bowling attack...

They're gonna get schooled next time round...:mischief:

As long as they don't go to the same school england sends its bowlers too then there shouldn't be a problem:D

Congratulations to Shane warne on getting his 700th wicket. He will always be the best spinner the world has ever known.

Shouldn't have batted first, this pitch has real zip and movement.

Magnificent batting by Hayden and Symonds on this pitch that has real zip and movement; particular good show to Symonds for his maiden ton.

Yes, excellent display from Symonds but I am still not convinced he will ever be a consistent test player.

Dissapointed that Hayden got so far considering he has been out LBW three times. Still, good knock from him too, was under pressure at the start of the series from players like Jacques.

It is only his first 100, in only a handful of tests. Similar things have been said about many players in the past; likewise, many who have been lauded as Test stars in the making have been strangled at birth and their broken bodies thrown to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field.

Now, to the main event: Australia win by an innings to go up 4-0. Good show and well bowled Brett Lee. Nice to see the boot not coming off the throat. One more to go and make it a whitewash.

*'Who do you think you are kidding Mr. Hitler...'* :D

Well, taken completely off "The Now Show":

It should not be a surprise that we are losing to Australia for what is cricket? Cricket is a sport where you hit something with a stick and run away, something ideally suited to the criminal mentality :D

And naturally the English had to invent this game, so it says alot about the English then, doesn't it, kittenOFchaos? :mischief:

:agree:

And let not forget that the English invented 90% of the sports around today yet can't win at any:p

They even have to get foreigners to come and teach them how to play their own games:lol:

Langer retiring then too it seems. Time for Jacques to get into the team?

:agree:

And let not forget that the English invented 90% of the sports around today yet can't win at any:p

They even have to get foreigners to come and teach them how to play their own games:lol:

Hey, 2006 we won the "World Cup of Scissors, Paper, Stone" and don't forget who still are "Rugby World Champions" and thusly have lost pretty much every game since.

Nice to see I struck a nerve though :D

And naturally the English had to invent this game, so it says alot about the English then, doesn't it, kittenOFchaos? :mischief:

Says even more about the Australians :lol: :lol:

Hey, 2006 we won the "World Cup of Scissors, Paper, Stone" and don't forget who still are "Rugby World Champions" and thusly have lost pretty much every game since.

Nice to see I struck a nerve though :D

Well i stand corrected, apart from the occasional miricle, like 1966(Football) and 2005(Rugby) the English can't win in sports that they invented.

I do conceed the English have an excellent sense of humour, which i guess you have to have given the routine floggings you suffer in all sports

Whitewashed. Excellent.

5-0. Sweet.

I believe there was quite a few English fans who scoffed at us for even suggesting 5-0 was possible, well i can only wonder what they have to say now....

Not another South Australian! Blimey, there is a bit of a population of us on these boards.

Well that series was thoroughly embarassing. It will be interesting to see how the Australian side evolves over the next year or two with retirements.

Finally, justice is done.

http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/ausveng/content/current/story/275422.html

An interesting perspective on the post-mortem process. Certainly real steps are required for England to improve, rather than surface occasionally like a drowning man bobbing up and down in the slough of despond.

This series wa quite boring, even though we did win. That is what I liked about last series because it was exciting right from the start to finish. I wish this series was the same.

Awesomeness.

lol .

lol .

Well, it only took England until their last game vs Australia for you to beat us, so I don't mind.:p

That was a pretty dismal showing by Australia though. Shows how much they rely on Ponting and Hussey.

1 - 0.

:lol:

How good has Paul Collingwood been in the last two games? Wow. Somebody give that man a drugs test. What a turnaround in form. Those two hundreds have been class.

I can't believe we won the ODI series. We're a bit rubbish at ODIs, but Collingwood was that damn good. The absence of Symonds really left a hole in the Aussies.

Where have all the Aussies gone??

Where have all the Aussies gone??

:lol:

They only post when they're winning.

Just like where you guys were after the Ashes. Bring on the World cup and see what happens.

You Aussie have got to get past a series against New Zealand first. Go the Black Caps.

Just like where you guys were after the Ashes. Bring on the World cup and see what happens.

The times and dates of the thread posts by Brits shows that to be bunk.

Well if you would look, no aussies posted anything during the one dayers, even when you were bowled out for 110. As for England winning a few games congratulations for turning up for the tour 4 months late:p

The previous games were mere warmups till your team retired.

Yes, 5 test matches and 6 one days before you guys warmed up. Maybe you should take that into account and come down in april next time around

Aussies getting screwed next time anyway. :yup:

Okay, not the Ashes, but I'm still not passing up on this chance to laugh at the Aussies...

:lol::lol::lol:

:lol: :lol: :lol:

Simply outclassed by NZ.

Watson is a muppet, and shouldn't be picked for oz, ever. Cameron White is a better batter, and equally good as a bowler. Watson being picked over White is a travesty. I have no idea of the scorecard from the first match, but my money is on Watson being a waste in it.

sanabas, are you telling me you have no idea of this (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/shared/fds/hi/statistics/cricket/scorecards/2007/2/14061/html/scorecard.stm)? Sorry to break it to you...:mischief:

About Watson, yeah, I think you're right. He's only playing by default since Australia picked up this all rounder obsession following Flintoff's performances in the 05 Ashes.

White is a good batsman; a better batsman than Watson. Excellent in the one dayers definitely, and IMO has to be first a choice for the team. Disagree about the bowling though. Cameron White is rubbish.

Back to the all rounder question...
Australia don't need a specialist five man attack, as four is plenty; the fifth man did nothing for England in the Ashes, and one of the four can be a spinner as long as he's good enough, so it doesn't restrict variety. You'd have though Australia would know this after a decade plus of a four-man-inc.-Warne attack.

But...if Australia want a strong four man seam attack, then they have to stop messing around with all rounders, and forget the half arsed spinners (White, Cullen, Hogg) and those about now over the hill (MacGill, Hogg again). Just play four seamers, you've got plenty of strength in depth right? So you keep telling us...
So just play...

Lee, Clark...erm...

Let the good times roll! ;)

sanabas, are you telling me you have no idea of this (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/shared/fds/hi/statistics/cricket/scorecards/2007/2/14061/html/scorecard.stm)? Sorry to break it to you...:mischief:

I checked the score after making my last post. Looks fairly awful.

About Watson, yeah, I think you're right. He's only playing by default since Australia picked up this all rounder obsession following Flintoff's performances in the 05 Ashes.

We've had it before that. But yeah, 2005 ashes encouraged it a bit.

White is a good batsman; a better batsman than Watson. Excellent in the one dayers definitely, and IMO has to be first a choice for the team. Disagree about the bowling though. Cameron White is rubbish.

Like I said, White's bowling is as good as Watson's.

Back to the all rounder question...
Australia don't need a specialist five man attack, as four is plenty; the fifth man did nothing for England in the Ashes, and one of the four can be a spinner as long as he's good enough, so it doesn't restrict variety. You'd have though Australia would know this after a decade plus of a four-man-inc.-Warne attack.

In tests, yeah. Need to find 10 overs from outside the main 4 for the one-dayers though. But I'm quite happy with White/Clarke/Symonds/Hussey providing that.

But...if Australia want a strong four man seam attack, then they have to stop messing around with all rounders, and forget the half arsed spinners (White, Cullen, Hogg) and those about now over the hill (MacGill, Hogg again). Just play four seamers, you've got plenty of strength in depth right? So you keep telling us...
So just play...

Hogg is also a better allrounder than Watson. He's a quality bowler.

Lee, Clark...erm...

Let the good times roll! ;)

Hilfenhaus. Tait if he gets the radar working. Bracken.

Like I said, White's bowling is as good as Watson's.

Fair enough.

In tests, yeah. Need to find 10 overs from outside the main 4 for the one-dayers though. But I'm quite happy with White/Clarke/Symonds/Hussey providing that.

Yeah, what I meant was the four man attack is fine (plus two fillers), and you needn't parade Watson around as some sort of Flintoff-esque character to make it a full five front line. Quit looking for that, and settle on a fifth bowler of Clarke/Symonds IMO.

Hogg is also a better allrounder than Watson. He's a quality bowler.

Watson is a far better batsman than Hogg. Hogg should never have played international cricket. He's not good enough at either discipline (not that Watson necessarily is).

Hilfenhaus. Tait if he gets the radar working. Bracken.

Hilfenhaus + Tait + Bracken = 7 caps...

Go the Black Caps! I thought Australia were supposed to have some "depth". What happened to the days when they picked a second XI to play in tournaments alongside their first team because they had so many good players?