***Official*** Australia in England (The Ashes)

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

There should have been.

And yet there wasn't. Moving on.

 

[tassietiger]

Don't want to see the Australian selectors panic and rush McGrath back in before he's ready in the next Test, have seen similar things to it happening several times in the Australian footy season this year. Stick with the three pace bowlers we have at the moment, they'll realise they have to step up without Glenn.

Batsmen really need to get their act together. They've gone from slog-all-the-way mode into slog-once-you-reach-30 mode. Simply isn't good enough. None of the batsmen have had passable tours except for Michael Hussey who isn't in the squad. Ponting FFS, you are the best batsman in the world (bar Lara maybe), start showing it. A fast half-century is not going to be a match-winning innings.

The test, however, unbelievable. Warne and Kasper will be feeling terrible about both of their wickets, but batting is not their job, and the blame should be on the ones who have that job, the real batsmen. Mostly soft dismissals, and they are all clearly playing out of character (bar Gilchrist, who, knowing his inconsistent form, is ready for a century or two next test)

 

[Shane Warne]

And yet there wasn't

Then the umpire in question should be sacked.

 

[Pedro Delgado]

Langer is looking okay to be fair.

 

[Shane Warne]

Stick with the three pace bowlers we have at the moment, they'll realise they have to step up without Glenn.

No don't or you'll lose the ashes. They should have realised it before this test.

Bring in Macgill for Gillespie...NOW.

I can't believe everyone can't see that Gillespie is completely ordinary now.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Then the umpire in question should be sacked.

No, because he's human. In his view there was no doubt. Simple concept.

 

[villaturk]

Lets be honest,as an Englishman(Turkey dont play cricket)if some had told me that no Aussie batsmen would of got a 100 in either of the 1st 2 tests i wouldnt believe it.Thats where they lost this test match.For the last couple of years i have felt that Warne and McGrath are the best 2 players in world cricket and they have gave them a massive edge over other countries but with Macca out they have looked ordinary with the exception of Warne who aint gettin any younger.Brett Lee is a quality bowler but bowls in short spells but who is going to back him up longterm?
As for the batters,Clarke has impressed me and Langer is durable but Haydens feet are not moving,Ponting looks shakey and Martyn in and out.
Finally being from Birmingham,credit to the Aussie fans over hear who have taken loads of stick aswell as giving loads as well in the city centre over the weekend,its been a good laugh and for the series sake i hope McGrath is out as it will be close without him but if he plays the Aussies win,Simple!

 

[tassietiger]

Langer is looking okay to be fair.

That's the worry. He's been the best of our batsmen but he still hasn't posted a century. Nor has anyone from England, but, except for Bell and Vaughan so far, have all looked capable of making a few.

 

[villaturk]

as i said macca and warne are the best in the buisiness so i always thought our batting would struggle especially with out Thorpe.Freddie and KP have done great so far,just got my fingers crossed that the top 3 get some runs,does anybody thing that Tress would of got 90 if McGrath was bowling.The skipper gots to come to the party soon but Bell looks nervous.Our tail enders have improved over the last couple of years but we need Gerraint Jones to get some runs.

 

[Magrat Garlick]

<snip>

Trying to emulate Jamee?

My personal story - this one hurts.

With the score 264/9, I had to disconnect from the net and go in the car to catch a plane. Phone my cousin at the airport one hour later to find out how it's gone (after trying to think of anything but cricket in the car and woefully failing) only to hear that "England prevail in two-run thriller".

Wow.

 

[Scaly piscine]

I don't understand how everyone is saying he was "plumb". Whether your just trying to wind up Shane Warne or not...

But to me, Ch 4 kept on freezing the ball after the initial contact with the pad was made, so then it was in line with the stumps (barely), but when it was initially hitting the pad, the ball hit him outside the line by a fair distance. And in real time, it looked well outside the line.

Definitely hit in line with off stump.

 

[King_Ponting]

Definitely hit in line with off stump.

It was no more plumb then the one simon jones got..

 

[Scaly piscine]

It was no more plumb then the one simon jones got..

Didn't say it was, but it was still hitting the stumps.

 

[King_Ponting]

yeh thats what i meant

 

[King_Ponting]

incidently what was the score when jones decision occured? and kaspas?

 

[Scaly piscine]

incidently what was the score when jones decision occured? and kaspas?

Simon Jones' one was 180-9, England only added another 2 runs.

It was 227/228/229-9 when Kasper's happened.

 

[marc71178]

Australia have now had two ties, a one run loss, a two run loss, and a three run loss in Test cricket ...

If you want we'll make it a 4 run one at Old Trafford

 

[aussie]

When Bell actually bats poorly and get shimself out, then maybe I'll agree.

yea i agree Bell should play for the rest of the series i dont think replacing him with the likes of Collingwood, Key or Joyce will make much of difference.

 

[marc71178]

More like "thats F***ing bulls***"

Yes, but Tony Greig was sure he was talking about foot slippage!

 

[luckyeddie]

Australia have now had two ties, a one run loss, a two run loss, and a three run loss in Test cricket ...

Bunch of chokers if you ask me