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

[chalky]

I can't believe I used the great mans name in such a manner, I am pretty sure it is against federal law down here.

Tantamount to blaspahamy on this board

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

In terms of bowling ability with reverse swing especially England are far better than the convicts.

They've certainly bowled much better in this test. I'd say though that McGrath and Warne are head and shoulders above any of England's bowlers overall, and if Kasprowicz comes back in for the next test Australia will actually have three seamers again. England use reverse swing far better than the Australians (another odd one this game, given that McGrath is usually quite masterful with it), but aside from that Australia certainly have the more dangerous bowling attack in any conditions really. The difference between the sides this series has mainly been Australia's batting, which has been atrocious, while England have made several good scores. Reverse swing in this test being the other factor.

 

[luckyeddie]

If it comes down to that, 2-all still deprives the Poms of the Ashes, Bwahaha... *cough*

After all the 5-0 predictions, it'd be (almost) ironic if that was the best the Aussies could manage.

(grits teeth, still going for 3-1 to Australia, although I don't really believe it any more)

 

[PY]

Whose putting a sickie in at work tommorrow so they can watch the cricket?

Watching?

How about going?

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

If it comes down to that, 2-all still deprives the Poms of the Ashes, Bwahaha... *cough*

Yeah, but think of the English gloating over a drawn series... it would be tantamount to being whitewashed! It's a series win or nothing I'm afraid.

 

[Demolition Man]

jeeez Warnie has reallly used this rough to great effect

 

[Slow Love™]

Yeah, but think of the English gloating over a drawn series... it would be tantamount to being whitewashed! It's a series win or nothing I'm afraid.

Let them. It's still twenty-two years without an Ashes victory the next-time round.

You take what you can get. I've found this philosophy works for ***, too.

 

[Demolition Man]

Let them. It's still twenty-two years without an Ashes victory the next-time round.

You take what you can get. I've found this philosophy works for ***, too.

LMAO at SLOW LOVE

 

[BoyBrumby]

They've certainly bowled much better in this test. I'd say though that McGrath and Warne are head and shoulders above any of England's bowlers overall, and if Kasprowicz comes back in for the next test Australia will actually have three seamers again. England use reverse swing far better than the Australians (another odd one this game, given that McGrath is usually quite masterful with it), but aside from that Australia certainly have the more dangerous bowling attack in any conditions really. The difference between the sides this series has mainly been Australia's batting, which has been atrocious, while England have made several good scores. Reverse swing in this test being the other factor.

I think we've shown one of the virtues of a five man attack. Hoggy has been fairly ordinary all series, but with the other 4 all hitting their straps at some point his relative lack of contribution hasn't been shown up.

Of course with Dizzy & a palpably less-than-full-fit McGrath a four man attack looks a tad threadbare.

 

[Demolition Man]

The poms will probably want to change the rules for the ashes so as they can retain.......,....oh don't bother they already do keep the trophy.

 

[social]

They've certainly bowled much better in this test. I'd say though that McGrath and Warne are head and shoulders above any of England's bowlers overall, and if Kasprowicz comes back in for the next test Australia will actually have three seamers again. England use reverse swing far better than the Australians (another odd one this game, given that McGrath is usually quite masterful with it), but aside from that Australia certainly have the more dangerous bowling attack in any conditions really. The difference between the sides this series has mainly been Australia's batting, which has been atrocious, while England have made several good scores. Reverse swing in this test being the other factor.

Unfortunately, McGrath's not fully fit so you can dismiss any short-comings in his performance this game.

However, I think Harmy, Flintoff and Jones make a very potent bowling attack with the latter 2 being more adept at reverse swing than anyone bar McGrath.

Hoggard might be unfit but hasnt really shown any more in this test series than Aus expected and doesnt reverse much anyway.

Surprised that Lee hasnt done more with the old ball. In his younger days, he was more dangerous with the old than the new.

 

[luckyeddie]

Yeah, but think of the English gloating over a drawn series... it would be tantamount to being whitewashed! It's a series win or nothing I'm afraid.

I think you'll probably find that there won't be any gloating whatsoever - just 'payback', I suppose.

Anyway, there's still a long, long way to go. Would YOU take a tied series if it were offered now?

 

[chalky]

The poms will probably want to change the rules for the ashes so as they can retain.......,....oh don't bother they already do keep the trophy.

Thats because we can't trust you to look after properly

 

[luckyeddie]

The poms will probably want to change the rules for the ashes so as they can retain.......,....oh don't bother they already do keep the trophy.

If we let you take it out of the country, it'd (eventually) come back with a barbecued prawn stuck in it.

 

[Demolition Man]

This game smacks of the new years test versus India (steve waughs last test) or the test against NZ at the WACA (when 4 kiwis got tons in the 1st dig).

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

90 minutes until the artificial ICC cutoff time now. I'm assuming this is still in place with a rain interruption on day 3 leading to longer days?

Assuming it is, you'd have to expect a Vaughan declaration in an hour at the most, which means if England score at a quick rate they should be able to amass a lead of 400 odd. If Vaughan does choose to play on to stumps, that probably helps Australia a bit. I'd still be inclined if I was Vaughan to declare after another 50 or so and go for an hour's bowling tonight, and leave Australia a distant but plausible total to keep them trying for it.

 

[Shane Warne]

jeeez Warnie has reallly used this rough to great effect

 

[chalky]

If we let you take it out of the country, it'd (eventually) come back with a barbecued prawn stuck in it.

Or be sold on ebay

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

I think you'll probably find that there won't be any gloating whatsoever - just 'payback', I suppose.

Anyway, there's still a long, long way to go. Would YOU take a tied series if it were offered now?

There's no reason based on actual ability that Australia can't win the 4th and 5th tests to take out the series, so no. I wouldn't say I'm confident though, based on the lack of application and form shown by the Australian batsmen so far in the series.

I'm still hoping somehow that Australia will take it 3-2 (or draw this and 3-1!), but my actual prediction now would be 2-2, as opposed to the 3-1 I stuck with for months before the series.

 

[Shane Warne]

Would YOU take a tied series if it were offered now?

I'd bite your hand off.