I agree. It would be shameful for Australian cricket if they couldn't win from England being 3/39 in the first session of the first day, with an almost full-strength line-up, against a depleted opposition. If Australia loses the series, I envisage a mass public hanging, drawing and quartering of the team, to result in the demise of Marcus North and Peter Siddle.
The Ashes
- Thread starter Camikaze
- Start date
Lambert Simnel
One across
72-6 at lunch 
Lambert Simnel
One across
102 all out. 8 of the English XI scored 3 runs or less. Siddle takes a fivefer.
Oh well. When is the Oval test ? Cos this one is over...
Oh well. When is the Oval test ? Cos this one is over...
azzaman333
meh
Johnson's still not bowling particularly well.
However, Clark and Hilfenhaus are, and Siddle has the aggression back in his bowling, and is getting the ball in the right areas again.
However, Clark and Hilfenhaus are, and Siddle has the aggression back in his bowling, and is getting the ball in the right areas again.
I was surprised when I tuned in at the start of play and found that Clark had been brought in for Hauritz noit Siddle and after the first ball thought it wasn't going to be our day. How wrong on many fronts!!
Finally Siddle turned up and bowled fast and hostile, Clark was superb and I thought Johnston bowled pretty well.
England didn't take any lessons on the right length to bowl from their innings and let the Aussie batters of the hook.
We really have to put on another 150-200 (easier said than done) before I'm too confident but I know which team I'd rather be backing at the moment.
Finally Siddle turned up and bowled fast and hostile, Clark was superb and I thought Johnston bowled pretty well.
England didn't take any lessons on the right length to bowl from their innings and let the Aussie batters of the hook.
We really have to put on another 150-200 (easier said than done) before I'm too confident but I know which team I'd rather be backing at the moment.
Catharsis
catch u on the flip scythe
It's refreshing to see an England team playing the way the nation expects of them again.
Lambert Simnel
One across
As it turns out, no it wasn't that difficult at all.
Hey Camikaze. I reckon you can dust down your "utter annihilation of England" phrase again, and this time you won't have any objections to it from me...
Lambert Simnel
One across
PS Bopara has surely now had enough chances for this series. Trott in instead. Has Broad done enough to save himself ? Probably. Harmison gets dropped for a fit again Freddie, Flintoff scores a double century and takes ten wickets in the match as England reclaim the Ashes at the Oval. You see, England selectors ? It's not that hard after all. 
There is nothing nicer than to see the utter annihilation of England...
Broad bowled pathetically. Absolutely horrifically. He didn't deserve any of those wickets. It's probably a bit unfortunate for England that he ended up getting them, because it means he'll probably play at The Oval. And Bopara is done for.
Broad bowled pathetically. Absolutely horrifically. He didn't deserve any of those wickets. It's probably a bit unfortunate for England that he ended up getting them, because it means he'll probably play at The Oval. And Bopara is done for.
classical_hero
In whom I trust
I think that had North held the catch from Johnson, the test would already be over, since all that was left were the bolwers and we would have steam rolled them in the extra half hour, but with Prior still in, he can cause some damage limitatin, but we will not have to bat again.
Broad didn't bowl badly, he put the ball on a length that made sure if the batter made a mistake they were out, unlike any other England bowler.
I went to bed at 0/40, not good timing on my behalf.
I went to bed at 0/40, not good timing on my behalf.
Broad put the ball on the right length; but the line was one metre away from where it should have been. His first spell was particularly atrocious, and would rightfully be called a disgrace to the game. It was the most negative bowling I had seen in a long time. He bowled one good ball to get Siddle out, and was just lucky that the rest of the tail fell to him.
I would grumble something about sport and ignorance of it, but I understand that it must be hard to keep in touch with the world from the NT. 
Anyone want to place bets on how long England will last? I'm going to say 25 overs.
Anyone want to place bets on how long England will last? I'm going to say 25 overs.
Lambert Simnel
One across
After his 2nd Innings performance, I think I'd leave Bell out for the Oval as well as replacing Bopara. Mark Ramprakash, a nation turns its lonely eyes to you...
Lambert Simnel
One across
13 times an English returned to the pavilion after losing his wicket for 4 runs or less. Sigh. Even with our top two players injured, a couple of dubious decisions (which otherwise might have let us lose by, say, only an innings and 50 runs...), this was a debacle. An annihilation, one might even say
Bopara and Bell and Harmison out. Trott, Ramps and Freddie back in. And that's even if Freddie can't bowl or run between wickets - he'd still clump a couple of boundaries and be able to outscore Bopara...
Bopara and Bell and Harmison out. Trott, Ramps and Freddie back in. And that's even if Freddie can't bowl or run between wickets - he'd still clump a couple of boundaries and be able to outscore Bopara...
If I were England I'd keep Harmison and dispose of Broad (assuming Flintoff back), Harmison is more likely to get wickets. Bell and Bopara must go, or at least drop Bopara down the order where he belongs.
I'd like us to drop Hussey for Hughes but that won't happen sadly.
I'd like us to drop Hussey for Hughes but that won't happen sadly.
