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

[howardj]

My team if we lose this Test

Katich
Langer
Ponting
Martyn
Clarke
Watson
Gilchrist
Warne
Lee
Tait
McGrath

Being 1-2 down, Australia must put the team first. Even though they have, in the past been magnificent, Hayden and Gillespie have to go if we lose this Test. Hayden just does not look like it anymore. It's not a form slump, but lack of will/desire/spark etc. Nothing needs to be said about Gillespie's form in his last 10 Tests.

As for the replacements...bringing in Watson gives the side enormous flexibility and added strike-power. Some of the load can be taken off the three seamers. If Watson does come in, Katich should be the person to replace Hayden. He's a solid player of pace bowling, and is a top-order, not middle-order, batsman.

 

[andyc]

I wouldn't mind seeing Watson having a run if Clarke's out, but Hayden won't be dropped.

 

[luckyeddie]

Gee, all the Aussie batsmen are out of form at the same time. Whenever one or two of them are having a bad trot, the other batsmen are firing ... we are in trouble now

It's interesting to note that how often this has been said this summer.

If it were the other way around, would it be 'Gee, all the English batsmen are out of form at the same time' or would it be 'The Aussie bowlers are in great form'?

 

[howardj]

It's interesting to note that how often this has been said this summer.

If it were the other way around, would it be 'Gee, all the English batsmen are out of form at the same time' or would it be 'The Aussie bowlers are in great form'?

Yeah well, when the English chaps have held the Ashes for 20 years, you can start talkin' the way we do. Until such time, deal with it

 

[luckyeddie]

Possibly, the umpiring has been so bad Ive lost count of the number of mistakes that they've made.

I half-agree.

The umpires have almost seemed to be swayed by how 'good' a ball was, not necessarily how 'out'. I thought the Giles one struck just outside the off too, but it was a devastating delivery (relatively speaking).

 

[luckyeddie]

Yep. For some reason, SW's "I'm being proved right time after time in my predictions and my insight is the most accurate here, despite my distinctive style of delivery." line made me think immediately of Urkel.

That statement IS a keeper, one laid down for posterity and to be used to beat the issuer with frequency and enthusiasm until we get bored or find another victim.

 

[greg]

It's interesting to note that how often this has been said this summer.

If it were the other way around, would it be 'Gee, all the English batsmen are out of form at the same time' or would it be 'The Aussie bowlers are in great form'?

No, it would be:

It's all very well getting cheap runs against the test bowlers of other nations, but they've been shown up when faced with a proper, strong, test attack.

 

[luckyeddie]

Yeah well, when the English chaps have held the Ashes for 20 years, you can start talkin' the way we do. Until such time, deal with it

What goes around comes around, and I'm old enough to have seen some pretty shoddy Australian teams over the last 40 years I've been watching this wonderful game.

One thing has been consistent over that period - Aussie lip.

 

[Swervy]

It's interesting to note that how often this has been said this summer.

If it were the other way around, would it be 'Gee, all the English batsmen are out of form at the same time' or would it be 'The Aussie bowlers are in great form'?

but you do have to admit the Australian batsmen dont look in good nick though...but as I said earlier, the England bowlers have been pretty relentless, and so havent allowed the Australians to get into form with the bat, with let offs (like Vaughan in this test)..(apart from Warne, Kasper and Lee of course)

 

[Nate]

It`s shocking to see the amount of times the Australian tail are out-scoring the top seven. Warne does it again.

All Australian batsmen, bar Langer and then also Dizzy are paying poorly. Only Dizzy and perhaps Hayden should be dropped.

It`s just embarrassing for us really. Pathetic cricket. BAD selections. Why do they keep picking Dizzy? When was the last time he bowled well? He`s been crap for the last six months.

 

[luckyeddie]

but you do have to admit the Australian batsmen dont look in good nick though...but as I said earlier, the England bowlers have been pretty relentless, and so havent allowed the Australians to get into form with the bat, with let offs (like Vaughan in this test)..(apart from Warne, Kasper and Lee of course)

Really, really difficult to put any sort of finger on it other than the English attack has been somewhat un-English in their (largely) remorseless attack, and the Australian batsmen have (largely) continued to take too many liberties.

 

[Craig]

Christ what is this match turning into and how the English are fighting back - so they should it is about time they won something although this series isn't over yet, not by a long shot.

If Gillespie doesn't buck up his ideas in the second innings then he should be dropped for Trent Bridge. He doesn't look like getting a wicket and did anybody see the analyst they had on C4 last night? I never how much of big difference in his action/run up until now.

 

[Swervy]

Really, really difficult to put any sort of finger on it other than the English attack has been somewhat un-English in their (largely) remorseless attack, and the Australian batsmen have (largely) continued to take too many liberties.

yep I agree.

I am not really surprised though at how England have bowled given how they have bowled the last 18 months...its funny that Richard seems to have vanished again as soon as the England bowlers start bowling well a la Harmison taking 7-12 in WI.

 

[Somerset]

It`s shocking to see the amount of times the Australian tail are out-scoring the top seven. Warne does it again.

All Australian batsmen, bar Langer and then also Dizzy are paying poorly. Only Dizzy and perhaps Hayden should be dropped.

It`s just embarrassing for us really. Pathetic cricket. BAD selections. Why do they keep picking Dizzy? When was the last time he bowled well? He`s been crap for the last six months.

You have to wonder why Gillespie was selected, I couldn't believe Kasprowicz missed out. Even if he picks up two or three wickets during the second innings I can't see that being enough for him to retain his spot in the side.

I can't see Hayden goint though, he's clearly not playing brilliantly but he won't be dropped.

 

[Craig]

yep I agree.

I am not really surprised though at how England have bowled given how they have bowled the last 18 months...its funny that Richard seems to have vanished again as soon as the England bowlers start bowling well a la Harmison taking 7-12 in WI.

And what if he had a legitimate reason why he hasn't been around - ie on holidays, have lots of work/study on. Don't say that if you don't actually know the facts then say that he isn't here which proves he is wrong. He may well be but unless you know his circumstances don't say what you can't prove.

 

[Swervy]

And what if he had a legitimate reason why he hasn't been around - ie on holidays, have lots of work/study on. Don't say that if you don't actually know the facts then say that he isn't here which proves he is wrong. He may well be but unless you know his circumstances don't say what you can't prove.

easy tiger...yeah chances are that he is on his holidays...and his holidays happen to always coincide with England bowlers doing well ...no wonder he never has a good word to say about them..he doesnt watch them do well.

You can now untwist your underwear and go retrieve your wig

 

[Craig]

Thankfully I don't have any hair problems.

Actually IIRC he is a fan/supporter of Matt Hoggard.

 

[luckyeddie]

Pouring

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

Pouring

Rain, I assume? Can only be good for Australia, I guess. Increases pressure on Vaughan to go with the follow-on, and increases the chance of a draw outright if he doesn't. Will need to be a lot of rain though... at least one full day and a fair chunk of another.

 

[Swervy]

Pouring

its sunny over here in the bradford area....