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

[greg]

it's strange. logically, you'd have said they could never get anywhere near it. but i still was thinking before play that we could at lesat get close. i wasn't stupid enough to say it, but i thought, and expected it.

Believe me, most Englishmen were probably expecting it

 

[greg]

And that fact Tait hasn't bowled a ball in anger all tour (apart from the nets) so he will be underdone match fitness wise. If Gillespie is dropped for Tait it will be a sign of panic.

That Test - how exciting was it? It had everything, runs, wickets, good and bad bowling, lucky and unlucky dismissals, good and bad fielding, and then Australia nearly winning. I genally thought England had blown it and Australia was going to get it - but no England won it. I bet Simon Jones is a very lucky lucky man.

Another thing I want to know, what is it with the British press jumping to the gun with all the doom and gloom of Australia when England were on top at stumps on day 2 when it could have come back to bite them - which it nearly did?

Not of much significance because he won't play, but Tait bowled in the last county game.

 

[age_master]

Aus cannot go in with only two pace bowlers.

why not? if the pitch is turning Macgill would be a far better option than Kaspa or Dizzy

 

[social]

In all 4 innings he has balls that he cannot be blamed for being dismissed from..

Every batsman receives good balls, he's just been unlucky to get 4 in a row.

As for unconvincing - I don't know how you can say that about either Edgbaston innings - the first one lasted 3 balls, and he hit 6 runs off the first 2.

The second innings came in under a lot of pressure and scored a very good 20.

4 failures are still 4 failures.

BTW, there is no such thing as a "very good" 20 in test cricket. If anything, he should have his **** kicked for wasting a good start by edging a ball there was no reason to play at.

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

what's the general opinion, guys

should tait come in for gillespie or should it be left as is?
i doubt the selectors would play macgill and warne in the same match.

I don't see why you would doubt that, Old Trafford turns almost every time, and they regularly pick both for SCG tests. I think they might well pick both, anyway. With the poor form of the Australian seamers, the injury to McGrath etc, they will be hoping that Macgill and Warne can bowl the bulk of the overs. Lee and Gillespie are the likely seamers, in that case.

 

[Steulen]

For Old Trafford, I'd draft Watson or Symonds into the team in place of Martyn, Clarke or Katich, and go in with Lee Kasprowicz Warne and MacGill as specialist bowlers.

England are still clueless against legspin and it seriously looks like a seam attack is not going to win it for Australia.

 

[andyc]

For Old Trafford, I'd draft Watson or Symonds into the team in place of Martyn, Clarke or Katich, and go in with Lee Kasprowicz Warne and MacGill as specialist bowlers.

England are still clueless against legspin and it seriously looks like a seam attack is not going to win it for Australia.

you can't get rid of martyn, clarke or katich. all three have played well in the series.
if they do choose magcill, it should just be warne, lee, kasper and macgill

 

[greg]

I wouldn't get too carried away...

http://live.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/2005/ENG_LOCAL/CC2/SCORECARDS/20-24JUL2005/LANCS_ESSEX_CC2_21-24JUL2005.html

 

[Burpey]

why not? if the pitch is turning Macgill would be a far better option than Kaspa or Dizzy

Was just thinking if one of the pace bowlers was to get injured Aus would be screwed with only one pace bowler, wouldn't you think ?

 

[Top_Cat]

4 failures are still 4 failures.

You are so simplifying the issue. He got a ripper from McGrath in the first innings at Lords in the midst of one of the great Test spells of all time, was unlucky in the second dig when he played for turn that didn't happen (didn't play it all that well but until that point, every other ball just like it had ripped through to Gilchrist), got an excellent length ball from Kasper which moved away off the deck in the first innings here and a ripping leg-break from around the wicket in the second dig. For a guy who's playing in his first Ashes series, Bell has gotten a disproportionate amount of brilliant bowling so far. In between those ball, except perhaps the second innings at Lords where he and everyone else struggled with Warne, he's actually looked pretty good. When he gets a start or a bit of luck, I think he'll be a good chance for a ton.

BTW, there is no such thing as a "very good" 20 in test cricket. If anything, he should have his **** kicked for wasting a good start by edging a ball there was no reason to play at.

That ball pitched just outside leg-stump and forced the stroke. He did have to play at it because he wouldn't have had any idea how far it was going to turn. Imagine if, considering his second-innings dismissal at Lords, he'd left it and been out bowled around his legs. You would have been tearing him a new one (and rightly so).

That's what makes Warne's leg-side line so difficult to play compared to other bowlers. Other spinners you can kick away or play confidently at but Warnie turns it so much, it's very difficult to determine whether it's going to spin back and hit the stumps or whether you can kick it away. Warnie also bowls at a quicker pace than traditional spinners, further complicating the decision. That was a great ball from Warnie and Bell didn't do a much wrong. Anyway, it's all too easy from the couch to berate someone for 'playing at a ball they shouldn't have' in hindsight. Until that point, he'd played the leg-side balls from Warne really well, hitting against the spin into the leg-side. That's why it took a good one to get him.

 

[Steulen]

I wouldn't get too carried away...

http://live.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/2005/ENG_LOCAL/CC2/SCORECARDS/20-24JUL2005/LANCS_ESSEX_CC2_21-24JUL2005.html

If the strip is that kind of a road Australia could definitely do with one batsman less and one legspinner extra

 

[social]

You are so simplifying the issue. He got a ripper from McGrath in the first innings at Lords in the midst of one of the great Test spells of all time, was unlucky in the second dig when he played for turn that didn't happen (didn't play it all that well but until that point, every other ball just like it had ripped through to Gilchrist), got an excellent length ball from Kasper which moved away off the deck in the first innings here and a ripping leg-break from around the wicket in the second dig. For a guy who's playing in his first Ashes series, Bell has gotten a disproportionate amount of brilliant bowling so far. In between those ball, except perhaps the second innings at Lords where he and everyone else struggled with Warne, he's actually looked pretty good. When he gets a start or a bit of luck, I think he'll be a good chance for a ton.



That ball pitched just outside leg-stump and forced the stroke. He did have to play at it because he wouldn't have had any idea how far it was going to turn. Imagine if, considering his second-innings dismissal at Lords, he'd left it and been out bowled around his legs. You would have been tearing him a new one (and rightly so).

That's what makes Warne's leg-side line so difficult to play compared to other bowlers. Other spinners you can kick away or play confidently at but Warnie turns it so much, it's very difficult to determine whether it's going to spin back and hit the stumps or whether you can kick it away. Warnie also bowls at a quicker pace than traditional spinners, further complicating the decision. That was a great ball from Warnie and Bell didn't do a much wrong. Anyway, it's all too easy from the couch to berate someone for 'playing at a ball they shouldn't have' in hindsight. Until that point, he'd played the leg-side balls from Warne really well, hitting against the spin into the leg-side. That's why it took a good one to get him.

He has received some good balls but how well has he played them?

McGrath moved one into him down the slope and he left a gaping hole between bat and pad whilst rooted on the crease and towards leg stump.

He was trapped in the second innings by a leggie that didnt spin but was still playing back to a full length delivery.

I'll forgive both of those because it was his first test and he wont be the last to play like a deer in headlights on such an occasion and/or against those 2 bowlers.

In the second test, he got a good ball from Kaspa in the first innings but again there was insufficient foot movement to cover his off stump adequately.

Second innings was just as bad as being bowled around his legs IMO. No need to play when the ball pitches outside leg.

He is in the unfortunate position of batting behind a totally out of form captain and no side can afford their 2 weakest batsmen at 3 and 4.

Undoubtedly he will be spared by virtue of England's victory but there is absolutely nothing in his performances to date to suggest that anything will change (likewise Jones and Hoggard) for the better.

 

[Craig]

Oh and when will Freddie stops with this high amount of no-balls - something has to change with his run up as there must be something wrong with it.

 

[andyc]

No need to play when the ball pitches outside leg.

Tell that to Strauss

 

[King_Ponting]

Tell that to Strauss

But u do need to play at the ball when it pitches outside off and is turning back in

 

[Kweek]

....his shoulder was ***** up ...and he still tried to bowl fast.
he took 4...so who cares.

 

[King_Ponting]

....his shoulder was ***** up ...and he still tried to bowl fast.
he took 4...so who cares.

One wonders whether flintoff bowling caused more harm than good for england. If flintoff pulls up sore than they can kiss that test at old trafford goodbye

 

[Burpey]

He seems fine ... I reckon he'll bak up well

 

[Pedro Delgado]

One wonders whether flintoff bowling caused more harm than good for england. If flintoff pulls up sore than they can kiss that test at old trafford goodbye

He just had a little, ahem, early morning stiffness on Sunday and felt okay. If it was serious I severely doubt he'd have bowled at all second dig.

 

[Nate]

Hours later... and I still can`t get over it.

Makes me want to play my cricket better for sure. Also makes me want comfort in the form of my ex...