As for TMS - it is one of the joys of an English summer.
No joy for the Aussie spinners but is that because of their quality or the pitch or a bit of both? :-\
Danger of losing. Bollocks, we are still in the 1st session of day 3 and they are still 100+ runs behind. Don't be such a pessimist
They're loving that in press over here. I hope England win just to shut up the twats that try and get a rise out of me about the ashes, despite my protests that I don't really care about the cricket. :shrug:
I'm not being pessimistic. It's just how I'm reading the game. If the forecast rain doesn't come we're well capable of losing. Remember Adelaide anyone?
1 - 0 australia i predict. :great:
so much for moving to cardiff to get a good start on the series :lol:
Danger of losing. Bollocks, we are still in the 1st session of day 3 and they are still 100+ runs behind. Don't be such a pessimist
Well said Graeme - Plattsy get a grip man.
I think you should check which side oldfella is batting for (so to speak!) ::)
:beer2: :dance1: :dance1: :bounce: :beer2: :lol: :lol: :beer1: :lol:
been at Cliffhanger all day so wasn't following what was going on. But fucking brilliant. Up yours Punter yer miserable twat ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Oh save me from whinging Aussies. Ponting's "I'm not going to make too much of this but all the poms are cheating bastards yah boo sucks and we're taking our ball home!" speech was a classic of the genre. Of course, the saintly baggy hatted brigade would never have resorted to time-wasting, no sirree..........
jh
We only salvaged a draw because you were incapable of finishing us off :) Not something you have been often accused of recently.Awsome logic, applied to sound premises: incontavertable truth
We on the other hand showed uncharacteristic reserves of character :) Not something we have have been often accused of recently.
Therefore we gained more from this draw than you. So we really won :ang:
At least there were thrills and spills on Sunday. Friday and Saturday was like watching small furry animals being crushed by a 20-ton steam roller at the rate of one inch an hour.
There's a slightly more controversial view on where England's biggest problem lies here: Bloody huge link thankfully shortened... ;) (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/international/theashes/5811998/The-Ashes-Kevin-Pietersen-is-Englands-biggest-problem.html)
That's a good piece (de Lisle is usually pretty good.) Anyway, this thread needed something sensible as it's starting to look like a UKC thread! ( :wank:)
There's a slightly more controversial view on where England's biggest problem lies here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/international/theashes/5811998/The-Ashes-Kevin-Pietersen-is-Englands-biggest-problem.html (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/international/theashes/5811998/The-Ashes-Kevin-Pietersen-is-Englands-biggest-problem.html)
Let's face it, if Pieterson had emigrated to Australia instead of England he would have been lucky to get a long-term place in our local Murgebulloc 3rds with his attitude let alone seen the inside of the National teams dressing rooms! ;) He is, as the article says, a narcissist of the first order and unless he makes a paradigm shift in his approach he will go down as one of the games great under-achievers!
As far as all the 'time-wasting' crap in the media goes, you won't find many outside the media circus here who agree with Ponting. He should just keep his mouth shut and get on with the next game. If he really wanted to make sure he won the game he should have declared half-an-hour earlier on the 4th day and kept Hilfenhaus bowling longer on the fifth. If Strauss has managed to get up his nose already then I reckon a little time-wasting was well worth it anyway.
It will be interesting to see the shape of England's bowling line-up on Thursday. If Flintoff is fit a Harmison/Flintoff/Onions pace combo would hopefully add a bit more spice to proceedings!
OK, the stuff about Pieterson is a bit of a wind-up.....but only a bit!
I would love to unperform as well as KP does. Average of over 50 in Tests.
And oh yeah, just in case you have forgotten. The Oval 2005, KP 158 ;)
I would love to unperform as well as KP does. Average of over 50 in Tests.
And oh yeah, just in case you have forgotten. The Oval 2005, KP 158 ;)
Sure he averages 50+ and he scored that great 158 at the Oval to force the draw and win the Ashes for England. However you can never escape the feeling that he is going to throw his wicket away with an ill thought out shot and while he retains that cavalier streak he will be labelled as under performing and rightly so.
PS I'm still tipping a drawn series just because I don't think Australia has the bowling attack to consistently win on your pitches over there (and Cardiff has if anything confirmed that view.)
Ponting's beginning to chew his bottom lip
Quote from: cricinfoPonting's beginning to chew his bottom lip
364-6. Great opening stand and a superb captain's knock from Strauss but WTF are the rest of the English batsmen doing? 500 is barely a par score on this pitch...
Great stuff from Onions and Anderson.
Good work at the tail there. Be good if they can get an early wicket or two.
Ponting is apparently a bit unhappy with that decision but frankly I don't care - get the fuck off the wicket you miserable bastard! :bounce:
Good work at the tail there. Be good if they can get an early wicket or two.
As requested.....
Word up; welcome back.
118-5, lets not get too excited just yet :bounce:
118-5, lets not get too excited just yet :bounce:
Permission granted to get excited at 156\8?
4 days Rain
:please:
Still think the result is dependant on the weather though.
Some respite with Clarke just gone.
I'm tipping England to win by around 80-120 runs, and deservedly so, they've clearly been the better side since the game started. It's been a brave rearguard from Clarke & Haddin but I just can't see them holding on right through the morning session against rested bowlers (which is what they need to do to.)
"We've always enjoyed playing here, we've had a very proud record here. We were outplayed right through the course of the game, England have been the better team. We've got to bounce back pretty quickly."
"I'm pretty proud of the way we fought the game out. Our bowling in the second innings was as good as it's been through the series. But after lunch on day one we were chasing our tail."
England beat Australia in a Lord's Test for the first time since 1934 as Andrew Flintoff takes five wickets
2. Can Ponting :please: avoid any whinging and just move on?
and 3. Can the Australian bowlers remember roughly where the stumps are? :wall: Is there anybody over there who could just pop down to their next training session and point them out?
englands failed to play the game in the right spirit despite pontings pleas.
hope these 2 umpires get strucky off ive never seen such a poor display since daryll hair against pakistan.
this wasa 50/50 match deserved to be a draw but the umpires assured eng would win
DaveC\Oldfella - what is your opinion on the squad picked for the Ashes? There is a lot being made of the fact that Lee was a risky pick even before the side strain he picked up before the first test and apparently he has no chance of playing next week so there is no way he is going to be picked for the third test. Johnson has suffered like a well whipped dog this match with the ball though he redemmed himself with the bat somewhat and Hughes seems to have been found out as an opener as well and there doesn't seem to be a replacement for either within the original squad. Are replacements for one or either likely?
I think Broad did OK.:)yeah but with the doubt over flintoff, if he does suffer, you want to swap like for like.
"the club is not in favour of spectators attempting to draw attention to themselves by what they wear or how they act"
Apparently at Edgbaston they haven't invested in the same drainage technology as at other top grounds. Begs the question, why are they still holding test matches there?
I hope they are bowling well and it's not just the shitty pitch.
The Ashes battle is hotting up on the airwaves as well as the pitch after a falling out between Matthew Hayden and Geoff Boycott on the opening day at Edgbaston while working for Test Match Special. Hayden, who has joined for the rest of the summer, said Boycott's batting style "emptied cricket grounds" and Boycott promptly stormed out of the commentary box saying "don't need comments like that at my stage." They shook hands later, but the atmosphere is likely to be deliciously frosty
What price an England collapse this pm?
My stream's down. :(
will johnson take new ball?
We could do with Bopara doing a fuck of a lot better than he has so far in the series.
We could do with Bopara doing a fuck of a lot better than he has so far in the series.
Can only hope that he finally makes something out of what are usually decent starts that are never capitalised on.
:wall:
Yeah I think you're probably right.Quote from: cricinfoThe Ashes battle is hotting up on the airwaves as well as the pitch after a falling out between Matthew Hayden and Geoff Boycott on the opening day at Edgbaston while working for Test Match Special. Hayden, who has joined for the rest of the summer, said Boycott's batting style "emptied cricket grounds" and Boycott promptly stormed out of the commentary box saying "don't need comments like that at my stage." They shook hands later, but the atmosphere is likely to be deliciously frosty
:lol:
I don't follow cricket so forgive my ignorance but it appears that Ponting is-
1) An obnoxious grumpy sort
2) A bit shit at cricket
Am I some way wide of the mark?
Mitchell Johson seems to have a big opinion of himself for such a shit bowler. It doesn't even look like he's any good sledging.
Mitchell Johson seems to have a big opinion of himself for such a shit bowler.
The Bopara problem looks to have no elegant solution.
His form thus far has been "fully toss". Do you move him down the order? Drop him completely?
ill then I'd put Bell in at three and move Bopara down.
Maybe dedicated "Test style" batting will become extinct anyway, as more tests reach a definative conclusion.
As long as tests are played in England (& Wales) there is always a good chance that tests will not reach a definative conclusion. Unless England can come up with 5 world class test stadiuims with roofs to negate the inconsistant weather.
IMO there is alot to be admired for good old fashioned test batting, guys just don't value their wicket much these days. the high number of really soft dismissals with poor shot selection in this series is high
Whether this is a result of twenty cashy or just the sheer volume of cricket they play i can't say. but subconciously with the amount of cricket being played, it must feel like, hey there is always next week.... i can make up for it then.
The Katich and Ponting partnership in the 1st test & North and Clarke partnership paid testament to the value of a beautifully crafted and built partnership to a teams innings.
this is shaping up to be a climatic test series. 2-1 australia. :beer2:
The day they start putting roofs over English\Welsh cricket grounds or any other ground for that matter will be a sad day indeed - it will be the start of homogenised cricket and be the death of proper cricket. Part of the joy of cricket is the conditions and how you cope with them - be they cool and overcast conditions that favour swing bowling such as England and NZ or the dry arid conditions that favour spin such as those in India\Pakistan\Sri Lanka it is part of the experience.
which is why i really detest twenty 20.
If this is what people want, why don't they take a case of beers dress up in fancy dress and watch a game of T Ball.
it does take alot of the skill out of crcket IMO....
Graeme I took your advice and managed to get Twenty20 tickets for the England Australia match Old Trafford for me and my Dad. :thumbsup:
Prior's ok by the sound of it.
Please, please someone get Warney off the Sky commentary!
Please, please someone get Warney off the Sky commentary!
Listen to TMS instead?
if anyone fancies showing these jokers how to bat i'll drive up to leeds. anyone?
A second series win in a row at the Oval? Is it possible? Oh and Colly, could you just, you know, save the innings again please mate?
cock what a day i'm off to trawl through the DFBWGC Thread to cheer myself (ahem) Up.
Something fruity just came through the stump mic from Haddin to Broad - "watch your f*ckin ?helmet?" They just love Broad these Aussies...
reckon you'll get past 100 this innings?
Something fruity just came through the stump mic from Haddin to Broad - "watch your f*ckin ?helmet?" They just love Broad these Aussies...
i think it was more like watch your fu*king elbow.
even on a plane, haddin couldn't reach Broads helmet.
reckon you'll get past 100 this innings?
Thank god for lunch times. We really need to dig in (understatement of the year) would love to see 150 on the scorecard so i'm going to cross everything including my testicles which after the DFBWGC thread seem to be curiously easier to cross than before. Let's hope the conditions hold out for our spell with the ball schhhhwing.
come on stuart broadlucky not to go for a duck. got 3 instead
Something fruity just came through the stump mic from Haddin to Broad - "watch your f*ckin ?helmet?" They just love Broad these Aussies...
i think it was more like watch your fu*king elbow.
even on a plane, haddin couldn't reach Broads helmet.
reckon you'll get past 100 this innings?
Easy, Harmy's back. And he's angry.
Let him stay up Jasper - he won't be able to sleep with the sound of the death rattle that will soon be emanating from Headingley as Harmison et al steam into them. ;)
247-6. Bollocks. Need Broad and Swann to play well otherwise we are staring down 300 all out
As it is Swann is going to be bowling like a crack whore with a huge debt to pay tomorrow
I now have a rather disturbing mental image of a derranged through the hedge backwards looking Graham Swann dressed up in whores clothes tottering down the wicket in high heels (good for digging up the rough) with dribbles of spunk down his inside leg... Whilst the umpire is fully blinged up pimp giving him encouraging slaps around the face whilst showing Swanny pictures of his family he is holding hostage until he works off his debt....
I considered sending this message to TMS... :whistle:
tomtom - what colour is the sky in your worlod?
Do it! I will buy you multiple pints if Tuffers reads it out on air and beer for the rest of your life if Blowers does.
Three for 8 in sixteen balls. Who said Broad should be dropped!?those who "know"...
Three for 8 in sixteen balls. Who said Broad should be dropped!?
Three for 8 in sixteen balls. Who said Broad should be dropped!?
Without going back a few pages didn't you jasper? I don't think I have but please feel free to prove me wrong. ;)
i would drop Broad for harmy, especially with the cloud of Fred's condition.
I think Broad did OK.
Obviously the selectors are not going to want to break up a winning team if there is any chance of not doing so but Broad looked pretty ineffective on the highlights last night so he is the one most likely to get dropped IMO.
Anyone know if i can watch it live streamed over t'internet?
Odds for a follow on?edited to add: As TMS note very little.
"If we let England get the ashes back again from this position," spits Simon Tanner from Australia, "I don't think I am going to be able to watch another ashes match. This is ridiculous."
"To counter Simon Tanner's comments," writes Jonathan Harris-Bass, our podcast-producer par excellence, "If we let Australia reclaim the ashes from this position, I'll be a tad peeved!"
Lets be honest though - I have no idea how this match is going to turn out at the minute.
no excuses from me.
oh dear oh deary me. if you lot can't get the ashes from this position you may as well set up 5 ovals through out south africa and move the MCC and the ECb down there permanently.
there are 2 key plays that will have given you the ashes.
1. giving and persisting with mitchell johnson the 2nd new ball at cardiff. when we couldn't seal the deal there.. that put you in contention
Give oldfella his due he hasn't mentioned Rauf's seemingly inexplicable umpiring decisions - two lbw decisions that were never lbw's really haven't helped the Aussie cause - the decision to give North out was especially crucial as he has been outstanding in this series. Not sure if Rauf was also at the bowlers end for the three wickets given off no balls but regardless he has had an absolute shocker.
Naa, Rauf gives with one hand that he takes away with the other... 2 or 3 nailed on LBW appeals from Flintoff that were not given... Its Englands to loose now. COME ON!!!
my reference to the 5 ovals in south africa, is due to the ever increasing numbers of south aficans coming into your side,.
how many englishmen are on the field now ;)
The two "Englishmen" that are currently out there are progressing nicely thanks. ;)
Congratulations to Trott as well who has surely sealed his place on the SA tour this winter with a very composed 119 on debut.
Two early wickets has dispelled any nervousness I had this morning. The pitch finally seems to be misbehaving.
even though the outlook looks bleak, i'm still riveted to this match and the series.
a part of me still holds on to a glimmer of hope that we will get there.
if any team can do it, it is Australia.
i know you guys hate Ponting, but you have to admire his competitiveness and talent and as long as he is in there will be a chance he'll be a major obstacle to you lot regaining the ashes.
i love test cricket, and this series has shown the beauty of it in abundance.
big waddage to bluebrad for our discussions and if you're ever down this way, the beers & belays are coming your way :beer2:
Big waddage to you too oldfella - been a pleasure and the same offer goes to you if you are ever this way - we do beer better BTW just in case you need any further reason to hit the Northern Hemisphere. :beer2:
you lot had the pitch doctored, weather controlled and gave Strauss the heads up on the call using a one sided coin!!!
oh well, lets see if you can imporove on 5-0 whitewash next year.
You two should get a room ;)
Keep the banter up gents...
But you has a good team back then ;)Had you been celebrating before this post?
DaveC - Just to rub salt tin to the wound but don't you owe me a tenner for the bet we had ages ago. You bet a that we would win 2-0.
DaveC - Just to rub salt tin to the wound but don't you owe me a tenner for the bet we had ages ago. You bet a that we would win 2-0.
I thought I tipped England to win 2-1? :P
Anyway, the poms are well-deserved winners and my player of the series would be Strauss for keeping a cool head under pressure as captain, a superb knock at Lord's to set up the first win and several crucial innings in subsequent games.
It was good to see England raise their game in the last test without any significant contribution from the ever-overrated Flintoff btw! The guy averages low-30s with both bat & ball which is really nothing to write home about!!
This has been a series between two pretty mediocre sides (ours being the more mediocre) and while the Australians individually look better statistically, England had players who stepped up at decisive moments to prove the old adage that there are "lies, damned lies and then there's statistics!"
The most decisive period of the series? I'd like to nominate the last wicket pair for England at Cardiff for MBEs, if it wasn't for them the Ashes would have been successfully defended at Headingley!! ;)
The problem with Nick Bryant is that he seems to regard the Murdoch-owned Sydney papers as the sum total of the "Australian media!" I have neither seen nor heard any of the "Great Ashes Heist" stuff he refers to in the Melbourne press. :shrug:
I suspect he's not the only Australian correspondent from overseas media who is guilty of rarely straying more than 50 miles from the comfort of his Sydney harbourside apartment.
given the current english side,
they should get through customs REALLY quick on the upcoming tour of South Africa. should be cheap on accomodation too. lots of Mum's favorite dishes.
i'm sure there'll be of plenty of new british passports on offer. :lol:
I dont think the Aussies whinge Oldfella
ALright Chris, Oldfella, stop it!
Unfortunately we visit the Saffers in the winter so I doubt if we will be building very much on this victory.
sorry chris, misinterpreted
just hoping for something a bit more original than the usual winging aussies sore losers blah blah, :yawn:
Nice to see SA Chris reach his ton of wad points. He's the Geoff Boycott of UKB having faced 7608 balls in making his century.
Nice to see SA Chris reach his ton of wad points. He's the Geoff Boycott of UKB having faced 7608 balls in making his century.
Tim de Lisle posts yet another quality article (http://www.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/422030.html).
Tim de Lisle posts yet another quality article (http://www.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/422030.html).
http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/sport/sport-headlines/england-slightly-less-appalling-than-australia-200908242003/ (http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/sport/sport-headlines/england-slightly-less-appalling-than-australia-200908242003/)
Tim de Lisle posts yet another quality article (http://www.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/422030.html).
Hope they take Rashid to SA. Boy in form.
This bleeding countryWestminster Council needs to grow a sense of humour:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-11650729 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-11650729)
In fact there's quite a proportion of the UK who couldn't give a shit about cricket.
I for one give a massive shit about cricket and in particular the Ashes and am expecting lots of stupidly late nights/early mornings over the next few months listening/watching the Ashes.Me too I love cricket well test/county cricket not so much a fan of the one day or twenty/20.
In fact there's quite a proportion of the UK who couldn't give a shit about cricket.
You are correct but not many of them post on a thread about cricket :-)
ITV 4 have highlights every night at 10pmI got sky sports :)
The first morning of the first test and England are in difficulties.
Good start by the English.
I can't believe Strauss declared ..... Should have carried on till the finish ..... Pietersen would have got another knock with no pressure to perform brilliantly and the Cons bowlers would have been completely fucked both physically and mentally ....... Exactly the state we want them in for for friday morning .......
I can't believe Strauss declared ..... Should have carried on till the finish ..... Pietersen would have got another knock with no pressure to perform brilliantly and the Cons bowlers would have been completely fucked both physically and mentally ....... Exactly the state we want them in for for friday morning .......
I don't think so somehow. Cook & Trott would have spent a couple of hours facing the world-class bowling of Katich, Hussey and even Ponting himself if Strauss hadn't declared. It was worth seeing if the Oz batting was paying attention.
Recovered a bit now, 43/3. But still pretty damned good start. Punter out for a golden duck though, it doesn't get much better than that.
Complaining about excessive sledging is a bit fucking rich though! :lol:
If we go 1 up - then they have to win two in order to get the ashes back,... thats a big big ask...
Cook gone. I'll leave this thread alone now.
No real harm done. 428-3. KP has his ton (well 144 at the moment), Collie is on 34 and looking good (good Mackem lad) and Punter's field placing are totally perlexing the TMS crew as well as the Convicts who are commentating on the live stream that I am not watching.
Looking good I think.
What's happened to the Aussies? They look like Bangladesh!
I haven't put up a song/chant for a while so time for a rousing chorus of
"Are you Scotland?
Are you Scotland?
Are you Scotland in disguise?"
What's happened to the Aussies? They look like Bangladesh!
Declaration is made on 620\5 - the Aussies need 375 just to make England bat again.
I watched till England declared laast night Bell was batting really well when we declared and a good review by prior. I think The review was just for the sake of it as well.
Pietersen taking a wicket is brilliant. Great performance with bat and ball :)
Lets hope the weather holds out and we can get the cons out early doors tonight.
:great:
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5086/5239525819_a284ce3078.jpg)
Graeme you should have come out to watch .......
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5207/5239527117_bfd82732ac.jpg)
e
Although ill be back in the UK in a week for christmas ......good to see the weather is looking good !
:agree: with Adam, but that's no where near triumphalist enough...
:dance1: :dance1: :dance1: :dance1: :dance1: :dance1: :dance1: :dance1: :dance1: :dance1: :beer1: :thumbsup: :lol:
Amazing. A proper :spank: in their own back yard. :bow:
Trivia is what cricket is all about.
Trivia is what cricket is all about.
I have every edition of Wisden Almanac since 1976 (first one was my 13th birthday present!) I just love cricket trivia.
Good song heard for the first time today (by me). To the tune of "Love will tear you apart again".
Swanny...Swanny will tear you apart again!
Swanny...Swanny will tear you apart again!
Good song heard for the first time today (by me). To the tune of "Love will tear you apart again".
Swanny...Swanny will tear you apart again!
Swanny...Swanny will tear you apart again!
It was most amusing hearing Simon Hughes trying to explain this to CMJ the other night... Think it was fair to say that Joy Division passed CMJ by quite comprehensively.
....along with the rest of popular culture methinks.....
I just loved the fact that the Aussies were praying for rain ...... The irony :great:
Good song heard for the first time today (by me). To the tune of "Love will tear you apart again".
Swanny...Swanny will tear you apart again!
Swanny...Swanny will tear you apart again!
It was most amusing hearing Simon Hughes trying to explain this to CMJ the other night... Think it was fair to say that Joy Division passed CMJ by quite comprehensively.
....along with the rest of popular culture methinks.....
Damn! You shag one sheep..... :spank:Good song heard for the first time today (by me). To the tune of "Love will tear you apart again".
Swanny...Swanny will tear you apart again!
Swanny...Swanny will tear you apart again!
It was most amusing hearing Simon Hughes trying to explain this to CMJ the other night... Think it was fair to say that Joy Division passed CMJ by quite comprehensively.
....along with the rest of popular culture methinks.....
I have heard that CMJ is a total whizz with the quoting system though... ;)
The Australians really are getting desperate, calling for Warne to come out of retirement. Hilarious.
If Punter got hit by a bus and you had to pick a new Aussie captain right now would Michael Clarke still get it? I'm thinking Hussey or Watson myself.:agree:
Good to see Mitchell back in the team and having a bit of fun.I didn't mean that much fun Mitchell :-\
KP off the mark at least - a 200partnership would be nice.
KP off the mark at least - any partnership would be nice.
PS Is it me or have Australia v England test series become just the most superb contests in recent years (2006-07 excepted.)
:dance1: :dance1: :dance1: :dance1: :dance1:
A good positive reaction after the last debacle, hopefully we can put a monsterous lead on the board and avoid having to bat again till the last test :thumbsup:
Atherton reckon we'll bat until nearly tea so we can to get a lead of 500 plus so we've got a good 2 and a Bit days to get em out...
They're coming home, they're coming home, they're coming, Ashes coming home! :great: What I would give to get to the G and hear the Barmy Army roaring away, it was loud enough in 2005/6 when we were there and getting hammered, I imagine there's going to be a lot of Poms making their way from the furthest corners of Victoria.
Shame to see Punter having such a hard time, he's been such a brilliant cricketer over the years.
Punter is out for the last test, will he play again?
Well I reckon that barring some kind of Bothamesque miracle the series win is in the bag.
Wow, who'd have thought 2 innings victories Down Under with the possibility of a third.
...and is there no end to Bell'sbrillianceluck ...... :whistle:
...and is there no end to Bell'sbrillianceluck ...... :whistle:
... day 4 has started well
Don't bother taking lunch either :)
No need for a ticket for tomorrow - free entry for all so make sure you get in early
No need for a ticket for tomorrow - free entry for all so make sure you get in early
I was going to question whether thats such a good idea due to the potential for over-crowding and crushing, but upon reflection I'd imagine the natives won't be bothering to go along.
Just back from what has been an amazing 5 days of sport. I've never been and watched all 5 days of a test before
@theashes was @theashes (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/01/06/theashes_makes_it_to_the_ashes/) :lol:
Oh so sweet... You'll enjoy reading this!
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/cricket/reasons-why-poms-wont-win/story-e6frey50-1225955985591 (http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/cricket/reasons-why-poms-wont-win/story-e6frey50-1225955985591)
Oh so sweet... You'll enjoy reading this!
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/cricket/reasons-why-poms-wont-win/story-e6frey50-1225955985591 (http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/cricket/reasons-why-poms-wont-win/story-e6frey50-1225955985591)
Quality photo in The Australian.
(http://resources3.news.com.au/images/2011/01/07/1225983/927687-thrashed-on.jpg)
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/thrashed-on-and-off-the-field/story-e6frg7rx-1225983869391 (http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/thrashed-on-and-off-the-field/story-e6frg7rx-1225983869391)
could we be on for a Twenty20 win?
chasing 157 we are currently 99 for 4 off 11.5 overs.
should be in the bag?
I am not a big fan of the 1 day stuff but it is always nice to see England beat the aussies
What a finish!
England pinch it :dance1:
Amazing how quiet this thread became as soon as the boys down under started winning ie from the second 20-20 onwards..........
After a stirring win against the Saffers it's a bit disappointing listening on TMS to the Bangladeshis easing towards what looks like a nailed on win. That chap extras seems to be scoring steadily too.
Maybe a magical bresnan spell can get rid of Shakib and Kayes :please:
Hopefuly Bell can hang around like Dravid did for them yesterday.
I haven't seen the post match interviews so I won't comment on those but I will be very disappointed if Bell has not made more of the fact that he was out according to the rules of the game and should not have been on the pitch following tea - that in my mind is the spirit of cricket. From reading the Jonathan Agnew column (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/14360519.stm#audio) and also from listening to TMS commentary today it was obvious that there was a fair bit of confusion about the whole thing but as Boycott pointed out "It's schoolboy cricket to leave the crease before you know the umpire has called the ball dead
Also Indians just seem to lack some backbone when the going gets tough and for the No.1 test team to ship 400+ runs in a day is simply shocking, no it's worse than that, when you are the No.1 team in the world it's criminal.
I'm not sure he was out ....... I watched the highlights last night and the ball definitely touched the fielders' trousers as he fell over the boundary ....... Thus , according to the laws of the game , the ball was dead , the umpire merely lacking the requisite binoculars .........
........enough already, move on, nothing to see here, water under the bridge, done to death, choose your own cliche.......
As for tomorrow - my guess is that England are going to go all guns blazing till 12.30, aim to get 100+ on top of an already massive score, 3-4 overs before lunch and aim to have the job done shortly after tea.
Quite a remarkably accurate prediction Butters ....... You're not part of some match fixing cartel are you ? ....... ;) ;)
You could always start a riot so they postpone for a day.
India 75-4 at lunch. Sehwag, Tendulkar and Dravid all gone ;DLooks like there may be some cricket tomorrow assuming england don't collapse for a measly sum of 500 and something
Am wondering whether it will last until day 4 as I have tickets :-\
Look - I don't want to get ahead of ourselves here, but could England today become the first team in Test history to score (adopts Dr Evil-style pinkie to corner of mouth) one million runs in a single innings?
Graham Dilley - RIP
Died in Leicester "after a short illness" at the age of 52.
I see south africas second innings is starting better.
so whats happening? is the wicket just really shit? or are south africa and OZ just really shit? :jab:
Glad to see England beaten, again; A) because it's Pakistan who have had such a hard time of late (some of which has been self-imposed admittedly) and B) because I'm sick of the whole "This is the best England side ever.", "They are the best in the world thing." etc.
Nice to see this after their drubbing at the hands of India. A return to the correct order.
They've had the rub of the green for so long now in terms of decisions, weather, under-prepared sides, weakened teams, low ranking opponents, opposition batting line-ups capitulating (and no, that's not a sign of English greatness, it was simply some kind of strange anomaly), sight screens aiding English bowlers etc. This is not to mention their extensive use of foreigners, they are the Chelsea / Arsenal of the Test world, how embarrassing.
They have improved and put in some impressive performances but they are not THAT good and are not world number ones.
The thing that people always miss out on when the say that this is "The best England cricket team ever" is the word preparedFair enough, but doggedness and professionalism for me does not equate to greatness. It's rather English actually and that is part of what I dislike; I mean Ashley Giles, how negative does it get? A few years ago but you you get my drift.
Regarding being the best in the world...the other teams that they have played against are\were in a state of decline but you can only beat what is put before you.Exactly; I'm not the best / greatest climber in the world if I can climb V5 but everyone else climbs V0. OK, I might be, on current form. In an historical context however I'm not. I'd love to see them against 80s / 90s WI and Border / Warne era Australia. I doubt they (or rather the media) would be so self-satisfied then.
if the opposition fail to prepare properly then how is that Englands fault?It's not England's fault. But the money grubbing freaks at the ICC, who seem blatantly unaware of the fact that money isn't the be all and end all and that quality counts, are apparently unable to schedule the international calendar such that teams e.g. West Indies and Bangladesh don't turn up in the UK and freeze their nuts off in April. Is it any surprise the visitors look so uninspired; Jamaica vs Arundel, hmm?
Opposition sides collapsing?I was referring here to what seemed to happen in some Tests, especially against Australia but also SA to an extent. A top 5/6 each averaging 50+ yet in consecutive matches / innings nobody was even getting their average save perhaps Mr Hussey when the Aussies were last here. OK, I'm being really disingenuous here but it was statistically strange that they performed so poorly for a relatively long period. This happened to be against England.
With regard to foreigners playing for England - that's nothing new as it has been going on for yearsCome on! It seems to have got worse of late. Take out Trott, Pietersen and Morgan (who is defiantly not a Test player) and that's quite a chunk of their line-up.
In summary - best in the world? Yes they are at the minuteNo, I have to disagree. Their 'reign' will be short-lived. SA and Aus (not mention Pakistan) would beat them on current form. I think they stand to lose their #1 ranking if they lose this series 2 or 3-0 and SA whitewash NZ in their imminent series. Any side claiming to be #1 should be 'certain' of their future status, England can't be. Any side claiming to be #1 should not be so regularly embarrassed in ODIs. Different format but it seems that regardless of all the bollocks talked and improvisations on display, the best are best, regardless of match type.
Any side claiming to be #1 should be 'certain' of their future status, England can't be. Any side claiming to be #1 should not be so regularly embarrassed in ODIs.So the ICC have their rankings wrong. Their rankings should also include ODIs and future test results?
Just noticed we're the best ranked T20 team. If we're best in 2 out of the 3 disciplines that makes Australia better than us right?
;)
Just noticed we're the best ranked T20 team. If we're best in 2 out of the 3 disciplines that makes Australia better than us right?Suggesting something is truly great is, if you remove all the hyperbole, exaggeration, soundbites and disregard for genuine quality that seems to permeate most areas of life today (sport, media, business etc), a fairly significant thing.
;)
So the ICC have their rankings wrong. Their rankings should also include ODIs and future test results?
http://icc-cricket.yahoo.net/ (http://icc-cricket.yahoo.net/)
Suggesting something is truly great is, if you remove all the hyperbole, exaggeration, soundbites and disregard for genuine quality that seems to permeate most areas of life today (sport, media, business etc), a fairly significant thing.
The Test rankings may say England are #1 but for the reasons I've given they aren't actually that good and they're certainly not 'great'. Being #1 in T20 says quite a bit actually, if there's any arena where bit players can excel it's T20. I think most would accept that ability in ODI is a far fairer marker of genuine cricketing ability than T20. Here England - apparently a great side - regularly get beaten. Not just beaten mind you, annihilated.
Any side claiming to be #1 should be 'certain' of their future status, England can't be
Those in the press who have actually played cricket or who know something about it have always accepted that this was going to be the start of a very serious examination of just how good this England team are - an examination that is not going well so far I hasten to add.I agree and how this England team comes back from this defeat will be a show of character and ability. With the Windies next it is looking likely towards the end of the summer it'll be #1 v #2 in the world again when SA arrive. By the end of the summer we'll know how good this England team is. Should be a great series.
Any side claiming to be #1 should be 'certain' of their future status, England can't be
I think what ksjs is saying is that in a minority report style, the ICC should look into the future and base their ranking on how good a team 'might' be in the future.
Of course that adds the additional problem that knowing the future could then influence the present, thereby nullifying the prediction and ultimately rendering the the future unknowable and undeterminable. Oh, and destroying the the universe by creating a quantum paradox.
Quite why you're so bitter about it isn't clear.Well, I'm not English but I'm not bitter either. I'd just like some perspective and I'd like the media to shut up about quite how good this side is. Number one yes but for how long? A short spell there is not the mark of a truly great team, this is what some would have us believe they are.
To echo Jasper here I really am not sure what point you are trying to get across.Maybe I'm just venting a bit; certainly the posts on here seem to based in reality rather than this notion that they are great. Maybe also I'm a bit incredulous about the quality some players have attributed to them. I just don't see it and the #1 status thing only adds to this.
:wall:
Morgan not dropped
:wall:
A big contributor to this is DRS. In the days before it, you could offer a pad as a second line of defence and you would be safe. I'm not saying that is the right way, but it is the way a lot of batsmen were given not out as a result.
Old spin-bowling friends of mine would lament it and wonder if they would ever get an lbw decision.
Now, there is a very different mindset. Umpires are being encouraged to make bolder decisions than they did before, and are giving more batsmen out. Not only that, they are being backed up by the technology. The days of playing with the pad are gone.
Put it into perspective then ksjs and tell us where you're from/where your allegiances lie.I'm from Northern Ireland and have no particular cricketing allegiances; the West Indies captured my imagination when I started watching cricket. For me they stood (stand) for loads of really positive things and I would always support them. England on the other hand seemed and seem to embody journeyman worthiness, not so easy to like.
Rich
The KP parody account has nothing to do with me. It's obvious, only 1 in 4 are funny.
And it's definitely not @timbresnan as the grammar is far too advanced.
End of a reasonably good day for England.
Bad way for cook to miss out on a 200 but he should of put his bat in the crease I guess.
Every one (except) bell has scored double figures.
now put another 50 on tomorrow morning andtry andbowl them out.
Glad to see Root make a solid debut in testing circumstances, bodes well! Also mightily relieved that Prior continues to carry the middle order and turn bad scores into defendable ones. It'll be interesting to see how our bowlers fare on this wicket... hopefully Anderson runs through them! :popcorn:
Bring on the Cons in the summer, can't wait.
Bring on the Cons in the summer, can't wait.
Not much of a contest really. More payback for 1989-2002 on the way I suspect!
I certainly hope so - got a round of drinks with Rob LeBreton riding on it :icon_beerchug:
I certainly hope so - got a round of drinks with Rob LeBreton riding on it :icon_beerchug:
Lucky sod, you found an Australian who knows nothing about cricket! ;)
It all ended with a bit of a whimper really but I'm not going to complain about that - England are the only team to have ever come back from 1-0 down in India to win a series and they have done it twice now.
What about the Aussie selectors, do they know much about cricket ;)
What about the Aussie selectors, do they know much about cricket ;)
Apparently not..... :no:
Australia were bowled out for 74 by Sri Lanka today - their 3rd lowest ODI total. Kulasakera bowled an outstanding spell in Inswing - his control was amazing, but the Australians technique against the moving ball was non existent. An interesting marker for the upcoming Ashes series.
Still. It's "Lard Lad" in next - so these two should now see us home!
Aaaaaaargh!
If only we could Dernbach time and pick some better bowlers.
Not sure if I'd have batted this morning, overcast and humid in Notts today - think Jimmy would've swung it all over the place, still Cookies been having batting practice on it since monday, so he should know.
Not 215 then.
Well 215 is looking like a massive score at the minute - Anderson is really on it today!
That there tail is starting to wag though....
That there tail is starting to wag though....
Geoffrey is certainly getting rather irate about it - not sure the stumping decision going the batsman's way has helped either...
Great start (for the neutral?)...
Your reverse mockers is failing quite dramatically Tom!
As much as a lot of today was total torture you've gotta love it. Nothing beats the Ashes.
Loved KP chomping at the bit but restraining himself this afternoon. Finely poised, bring on tomorrow!
I got a ticket for Day 5 a week today at Lords. Fingers crossed that the match plays all the way through..Fantastic I've got a ticket for thebsunday at old Trafford.
Thank fuck for Jimmy Anderson. Bresnan in for Finn at Lords anyone?I would go for that but the sky team thought they would bring tremlet in over bresnan. Also I think I saw on BBC they have said they are keeping the same line up.
I still chuckle at Jasper seeing Root in a boozer in sheff having a lager and a packet of Pringles
I got a ticket for Day 5 a week today at Lords. Fingers crossed that the match plays all the way through..Fantastic I've got a ticket for thebsunday at old Trafford.
where are you sat on the Sunday at OT? We're in stand d. Got a premier inn in the quays too, so can get proper tanked up :icon_beerchug:I got a ticket for Day 5 a week today at Lords. Fingers crossed that the match plays all the way through..Fantastic I've got a ticket for thebsunday at old Trafford.
I've got one for Sunday at OT as well :icon_beerchug:
And one for Saturday and Sunday at Chester-le-Street :icon_beerchug: :icon_beerchug:
“You can get arseholed whilst watching it, it’s officially not allowed to be played when the weather is terrible and yesterday pissed off the entire continent of Australia. If all of that isn’t enough for you then you’re operating on a level of jaded I can’t actually comprehend.”
Surely the rest of that article pales into insignificance once you realise that the Groundsman at lords is called Mike Hunt.
Just watched the highlights. We're really not batting well, I didn't see the pitch or the aussie bowlers do much. If smith can take 3 with that sort of bowling swann should be on the honours board! It'll be interesting to see what a parr score is.
On TMS they suggested (this morning) that 350 was a par...
WTF is happening ?
Its not meant to be like this :(
WTF is happening ?
Its not meant to be like this :(
You were right of course Dolly, it's meant to be like this. ;D
And KP wafting like a tit for no reason.
If cook, trot and Peterson actually put in a batting performance, we will absolutely slaughter them.
Just a little :jab: to add. You guys on here really should stop worrying about your batting line-up, somebody has stepped up in both test matches at crucial times and played the innings that was needed. Even better, you have some good players around the counties able to step up if somebody has a prolonged slump, Take a look back at the great Australian teams from 1989 to 2003 (as many of us over here do.... :boohoo:) and you'll find it was exactly the same, you just need one or two of your batsmen - any one or two will do - to fire each time and then your bowlers have something to work with...and your bowling line-up doesn't need that much to work with in it's current form.
... they do have another seven tests against the Aussies...
linens should go well with the brompton.
linens should go well with the brompton.
;D
I think the reason we're moaning about the lack of consistency is that we're looking at the bigger picture and we'd like to be back to number 1 in the world. To beat south africa and the sub continent teams on their home pitches we'll need our big batters scoring runs
I take absolutely no notice of anything the disingenuous Aussies say and any Englishman who does is tantamount to a traitor in my book. And you know we do with them.
Ooooooo cheeky early wicket getting my hopes up.
It was another odd one by the umpires though and in keeping with the frankly shoddy standard throughout the series so far.
How the ICB have got to the point where these are the only umpires allowed to officiate in an Ashes series is beyond me. The system is fucked.
there are a total of 12 elite umpires but eight of those are either English or Australian which leaves only four available for selection
No, we have retained the Ashes because we are 2-0 up after 3 Tests.More meant that we retained the ashes TODAY because o the weather, reckon we'll beat them in the next 2. I still don't think we're firing as a team which is weird as we've retained the ashes faster than anytime since 1900 and something. Watching Anderson just get one wicket is pretty much a one off, can only imagine him storming back and destroying them.
The whole DRS debate is really interesting though... and especially related to football. Some of the pundits on TMS admire how football has not bowed to it, whereas most footy pundits thing it should be introduced..
Personally I think it should be wholly at the umpires discretion - like it used to be with runouts.. so if they're not sure they refer it and etc...
Yeah the point I was trying to make earlier was to do with the fact that these four umpires are the only ones available.
The panel was first established in April 2002 when the ICC decided to reform the way that international cricket was umpired. The main change was that both umpires in a Test match and one of the umpires in a One-day international are now independent of the competing nations, whereas before 2002 just one of the umpires in a Test was independent and in ODIs both umpires were from the home nation.
so ahead of the second ashes series tonight any predictionsHmm, I think we might all be believing the hype the Aussies are throwing out, combined with years of having the Aussie boot on our throat. Remember Clarke has lost 7 out of the last 9 tests and they lost the ashes 3 0 with England hardly firing. England are going about their business quietly and look to be focussing on the game, whereas the Aussies are giving a good impression that they believe ashes are won in sledging. Clarke was a right grumpy/stressed captain in his latest press conference - could be the weight of expectation on his shoulders and reality of the task as for some reason the majority of the Aussie public seem to think they'll win.
I think it will be a series draw 2-2.
The convicts looked okay over the summer and with a bit more experience they might be able to actually win a mtach.
Also Michael Clarke's captiancy was excellent over the summer hopefully cook will of learned something from this.
Unlike punter I dont actually mind Michael Clarke
As an aside, it's good to see that DRS will include real time snicko to back up hotspot. Snicko seemed by far the more accurate bit of technology in the previous series so it's a positive that they've got it sorted (especially as they were going to shelve hotspot completely at one point).good point but more importantly is it the same umpires as the last five tests?
Ashes 2013-14 umpires
Brisbane - Dar, Dharmasena; Erasmus (TV umpire)
Adelaide - Erasmus, Dharmasena; Hill
Perth - Erasmus, Bowden; Hill
Melbourne - Dar, Dharmasena; Bowden
Sydney - Dar, Erasmus; Hill
Looking forward to waking up early and listening to tms as it should carry on a tad later with the midnight start? :popcorn:
:lol:
Yep. I'll (quite rightly) get "how come you can get up at 6 for this but not for anything else?". I have no answer either! :guilty:
Here's hoping that every single Aussie walks when they get a nick ;)
Here's hoping that every single Aussie walks when they get a nick ;)
I'm looking forward to them spunking all their reviews early on so they have to ;) just like last time...
Raf put the tv on this morning, came into the kitchen and told me Australia were batting. I thought he was joking. :o
What is it about England in the first innings in the first test of a series?
:tumble:
:jab:
Got proper done over. Interesting to see if England can even make a contest of it? On this test's performance we will get absolutely spanked. On paper we should still be the better side, unfortunately cricket's played on grass.
Then it is off to Perth where it really is quick and bouncy so Trott and a few others will be hoping that Mitch's radar has recalibrated itself by then...
We could lose the ashes tomorrow in a session.
I'm not too confident in our batting depth. Hopefully we won't rue carberry dropping haddin too much!
We need to clone Ian Bell.
It was all looking so promising when we had them 140-something for 5... Another ass whooping coming up!
It was all looking so promising when we had them 140-something for 5... Another ass whooping coming up!
supposedly 300 isn't a bad score on this pitch either!! it's looked a decent batting pitch so far as well. Obviously that'll change when our lot get out in the middle. (I still don't rate Mitchell Johnson, but unfortunately our batting has looked shot)
why is Dense doing it?supposedly 300 isn't a bad score on this pitch either!! it's looked a decent batting pitch so far as well. Obviously that'll change when our lot get out in the middle. (I still don't rate Mitchell Johnson, but unfortunately our batting has looked shot)
It's fucking depressing. School nativity dress rehearsal today is going to have a really pissed off narrator.
Commentators on SKY and TMS were saying that Cook's captaincy shows no urgency/incision or willingness to try something differentThis was the same issue in the summer.
Commentators on SKY and TMS were saying that Cook's captaincy shows no urgency/incision or willingness to try something differentThis was the same issue in the summer.
The score line might of been comprehensive but the tests were not.
But there were only 2 fielders within 50 yards of the bat.to be fair, at least you've seen it, I've only seen the score cards until I watch the highlights tonight.
Just means that batsmen can fluff a shot with no consequence
Cos I know loads about captaining a test side and all that
But there were only 2 fielders within 50 yards of the bat.to be fair, at least you've seen it, I've only seen the score cards until I watch the highlights tonight.
Just means that batsmen can fluff a shot with no consequence
Cos I know loads about captaining a test side and all that
I don't think there's any point starting rebuilding until after this tour. Bringing new blood into this situation is more than likely to ruin them forever. I'd like to be a selector - don't they get paid to watch cricket?
Agree Butters.
Its Bairstow who is the reserve keeper though - I know so many good Yorkshire players in the offing
I know one swallow doesn't make a summer but day 2 at the MCG was better, much better. It showed that the Aussies aren't that good...
... when I land in Sydney on NYE morning I at least have some ammo to meet the broadside of abuse that awaits me.
#prayforgraeme
Well Stokes and Broad had a bit of a thrash but all out 166 in less than 32 overs is pretty f'ing crap though. Harris finishing with a five-for was well-deserved though.
Well Stokes and Broad had a bit of a thrash but all out 166 in less than 32 overs is pretty f'ing crap though. Harris finishing with a five-for was well-deserved though.
Broad and Stokes showed at the end how crap a bowler Lyons is, just like we remembered him from last summer. How the fuck did he get 19 wickets.I'm sorry but chucking the bat when a game is gone does not really say anything about the bowlers ability. Still, I suppose you need some sort of straw to clutch at... :jab: :tease:
I'm sorry but chucking the bat when a game is gone does not really say anything about the bowlers ability. Still, I suppose you need some sort of straw to clutch at... :jab: :tease:
Anyway, our lot will be off to South Africa soon and I suspect we'll find out how good or bad they really are then. Personally, I expect the Saffers will beat them, even without Kallis their batting looks seriously good and their quick bowlers are at least a match for Australia's, but I think they will make a good account of themselves.
I have to disagree, I think that taking 50ish off 3 overs of well played shots does show that Lyons isn't very good. Our problem was that for most of the series our batters were scared of him for no real reason.
1. I don't think it was Lyon they were scared of.
2. Most people here are well aware that the Oz team has some serious weaknesses (particularly the top order batting) but they were still good enough to win this series 5-0 so who do you think actually gives a shit?
3. If Sth Africa beat us 3-0 then we can only wonder at the level of destruction Steyn et al would wreak on England in their present condition.
4. If hitting a few sixes at the end shows how crap Lyon's bowling is then what does Anderson getting clubbed for 28 off an over by Bailey (Austalia's least impressive batsman btw) say about his bowling then?
Hope you're enjoying your stay in Sydney btw, the weather is definitely better there than either back home or down here in Victarctica.
I think that you over estimate your own bowlers and unless the Saffers totally implode like we did your bowling will suffer at the hands of the likes of Amla. I fully expect 3-0 to the Saffers :tease:
He bowls to the left, he bowls to the right, turns out, that Mitchell Johnson his bowling is alright!
Who'd have guessed, maybe the English batsmen aren't quite as ready for the scrap heap as we all jumped to the conclusion of.
In relation to Peterson, he might be a disruptive, argumentative knob, but he's the best batsman we've got. I think, the lack of being able to manage Peterson is more of an issue than his behaviour. In the words of sir Geoff, they don't want me but they want my runs. Waiting to see him bat at Trent bridge in the test 2 years ago is the most excited I've been at a cricket match for some time, obviously he then gave his wicket away cheaply, but that potential and anticipation, genius is what we need.
Plus it's nice to see someone terrifying batsmen with genuine pace whichever team they're playing for.
Ps if anyone is interested I have a spare ticket for the Friday at Old Trafford (a week tomorrow)
Why don't we play like this more often?
Indeed. Off to Trent Bridge tomorrow - feel a bit sick with nerveshave some cocktails in the parlour, then a few beers in the Stratford before drinking in the ground. Nerves, what nerves.
Indeed. Off to Trent Bridge tomorrow - feel a bit sick with nervesEnjoy more than a little bit jealous sat in this office.
I love pithy analysis...
This thread has been noticeably quiet of late. WTF is going on with the English cricket team? Beaten by Bangladesh in a 'must win' game?! Losing to a relative minnow in an early game or a dead rubber is one thing but....
We are shit.
Lots of shit (it is shit) about getting KP back blah blah (its on the radio as I type) which is just a smokescreen..
wholesale changes that were clearly necessary.
Oh and on Petersen, I'm with Marina....
http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2015/mar/04/kevin-pietersen-thatcher-england-batsman-return (http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2015/mar/04/kevin-pietersen-thatcher-england-batsman-return)
To be fair to him, he took over Yorkshire when they'd been relegated. He made changes, publicly said he was ashamed of the players and management and that that position for Yorkshire was unacceptable. I would say say that is exactly what England need. It brought yorkshire the title. It's either that or get some rhubarb sticks in.
I blame the Irish myself.
...and then gets rejected!
....and I basically agree with all of this:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/32705910
Once again Simon Barnes comes up with some excellent (http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/874693.html) writing. He has to be up there as one of my favourite sports writers.
Here we go. Lyth gets an overdue start and a debut also for Wood. New Zealand win the toss and will bowl (of course). Come on England......I'd have batted on that pitch, especially with today and tomorrow looking like the driest sunniest days with least cloud cover. Need a decent score to help settle all the crap that's going on at England. Cookey and Lythe get a great defiant opening stand - come on England
:unsure:
Shame, Sunday at Headingley for NZ or else could have met for a pint, Trent Bridge on the Friday for the Aussies.
Let's hope that drop by Haddin is massively costly. Couldn't happen to a nicer guy.....YYFY.
Meetings, missed the first three wickets. Another meeting this afternoon, another three wickets. I go to the bog, one more wicket...
Watching it on sky whilst shovelling sandwiches and dognuts in, great stuff! :dance1:
Watching it on sky whilst shovelling sandwiches and dognuts in, great stuff! :dance1:
Pretty much your perfect day eh Rich?
Oh, and Root is a class act as well.Rooooooooooooooooooot
Enjoy Newlands if you can get a ticket the view is amazing. Last time I was there was watching Paul Adams confound the England batsmen (and a few bowlers!)
Seems like a good time to resurrect this thread.
Anyone else's productivity for the day been zero?
Seems like a good time to resurrect this thread.
Anyone else's productivity for the day been zero?
Glad it's not just me. Less than three months until my PhD submission deadline and I managed about one sentence today.
England team must be feeling confident after today's performance.
I love listening to cricket on the radio, I don't think many sports would be that entertaining without the visual. TMS commentary always pretty funny too.
Seems like a good time to resurrect this thread.
Anyone else's productivity for the day been zero?
Interesting stuff Butters.
With Anderson fit and in the squad the pressure on Archer would drop (and how he’d learn a thing or two as well..).
Vaughn was chatting about how there was a need to specialise for the different formats throughout the England set up. Coaching, management, recruitment etc etc and that there was too much overlap/people assuming the different formats were the same. We won the World Cup because we were lucky - but also good enough to be in that final and have a shout (we made our luck of you like) which was because the whole one day set up was in a WC 4 year Olympic training style cycle with the sole aim of winning the WC.
Also paying players to be test specialists rather than 20/20 100 players.
It is the complete antithesis of most sports where it is about making things faster paced and a better "product".
Not watched cricket for ages (don't have Sky) and forgotten how much I enjoy it. Even when there isn't much going on there is the intrigue and little battles happening every ball.
It is the complete antithesis of most sports where it is about making things faster paced and a better "product". Every time watching a test I can remember an American fried to whom I explained the game being baffled that it can last 5 days and still end in a draw!
Highlights from the thrasing of the Kiws here https://www.bt.com/sport/watch/video/clips/2023/february/highlights-new-zealand-vs-england-first-test-day-four
Can't wait for the Ashes especially with the Convicts being so poor in India :-)