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

[Pedro Delgado]

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.

Because it's too fragile to be moved. Probably.

 

[Pedro Delgado]

Australia over doing the sportsmanship again.

No need for that from Warne to Strauss.

Did 'e bum 'im or summat?

Disagree.

The spirit in which this series has been played is remarkable considering what's at stake, and quite refreshing IMO.

 

[Pedro Delgado]

Bit stupid to declare if the light was fading and you can only get three overs from your opening bowlers.

Would've been better to bat on, take the thing beyond doubt, and build more pressure for tomorrow.

This England team is conservative about declaring anyway, but the timing today was a bit pointless...

It's beyond doubt anyway. Only two results are possible and I think Mick was spot-on with the deco-o.

 

[PY]

Did 'e bum 'im or summat?

Disagree.

The spirit in which this series has been played is remarkable considering what's at stake, and quite refreshing IMO.

Agreed, I appreciate it especially as it's the most written about thing in the papers at the moment and a journo is sure to right an article on it which is only good press for cricket as a whole.

 

[Pedro Delgado]

Tomorrow is actually a great test for both sides. If Australia are going to win this series (as opposed to maybe scraping through it at 2-2), they really need to avoid losing. England will desperately want to win, partially because it's simply been their test and they deserve it, and partially because Australia might well regroup and come out a different side at Trent Bridge.

England should win, but if Australia apply themselves there's no reason someone can't bat for 98 overs on that wicket.

Quite right, and it really is about time someone from your team turned up and batted for his team and country.

Like Warne has, and Gillespie does.

 

[Pedro Delgado]

Agreed, I appreciate it especially as it's the most written about thing in the papers at the moment and a journo is sure to right an article on it which is only good press for cricket as a whole.

I concur-o.

 

[PY]

This is catching on-o, think we have the new craze.

Bigger than Pogs-o.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Has anyone noticed the pic of McGrath used with the front page report? He looks like a serial murderer on trial.

 

[Top_Cat]

If the body language I saw in the field is any indication, This match should be over half-way between lunch and tea today. And I think the fact that Ponting didn't bring Gillespie on until after the 36th over of the innings is a strong indication that Gillespie won't be playing again this series and potentially not for Australia again. England are playing well and Australia are not showing any heart for the battle, Shane Warne excepted with both bat and ball.

 

[Pothas]

That has been the most supriing thing for me the australian atitude it shows they really are genuinly shocked by this. I think Ponting has captained pretty badly so far.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

If the body language I saw in the field is any indication, This match should be over half-way between lunch and tea today. And I think the fact that Ponting didn't bring Gillespie on until after the 36th over of the innings is a strong indication that Gillespie won't be playing again this series and potentially not for Australia again. England are playing well and Australia are not showing any heart for the battle, Shane Warne excepted with both bat and ball.

I don't think Australia has the resources to drop Gillespie permanently. That said, I've been watching him since the VB Series and I really can't see how he could lift himself to the level he's capable of once more. People will say it's just a low period in his career, but looking at him, it looks so hopeless. He's putting in as much effort as Bono crusading for Earth, yet he looks less than County class.

He looks so bad that I dare say I hope he's around when the West Indies tour Australia.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Pretty simple analysis of this series to date.

Australia came in feeling unbeatable, which was a very understandable mentality. They've played like it for years now.

Australia was stunned on day one of the series. They bounced back and everything seemed like the same old story.

England's young team has, as they say, "not been scarred by ghosts of Ashes past". They took the week off, regrouped, refocussed and came out with Aussie arrogance and self-belief in the next Test.

Australia were found facing a comeback effort, which they've done so many times before, adding to the aura of invincibility. This time though, they failed. I think that hit hard.

For the period of Australian dominance the problem has not necessarily been a gap in talent, but rather self-belief. This England team actually seems deluded into believing that it can compete with and even beat Australia. It's the same way that India was deluded in Australia a couple years ago.

It's the only way that Australia can be beaten. You gotta have faith. Having watched England over the past 4 or 5 Test series, I'm a believer.

 

[simmy]

England are favourites... you would be mad to bet against a series win for England.

Incredible performances since Lords compared to a lucklastre and perhaps complacent Australia. Despite India in India this is the Aus first real "challenge" in years and they look to be falling way short of the mark. England are playing McGrath and Warne so much better now which I think is the root for the confidence throughout the team.

 

[luckyeddie]

Has anyone noticed the pic of McGrath used with the front page report? He looks like a serial murderer on trial.

I just went with the bready connection

 

[djwolf]

Australia's confidence must be pretty low after we smacked them round the park today but I wondered whether Vaughan declared slightly too late, we didn't leave enough overs to bowl at them this evening. Many of our recent victories have been from making good early declarations - usually with a lead of around 350. Having said that, Australia can score quickly when on form so I can understand his conservative decision. I think we could do with 3 wickets down by lunch as this Australian tail can really wag.

 

[social]

Cannot believe that some people are actually concerned that Aus will get the runs.

Aus batting has shown nothing in this series.

Requires world record (or near to it) score.

Harmy, Flintoff, Jones, and, to a lesser extent, Giles have bowled well.

Wicket will only get worse.

If Aus somehow were to win, somebody will have to play out of their skin(s) AND Eng will have to bowl absolute rubbish.

 

[social]

The Aussies are on the verge of falling apart IMO. If they lose this test they could cop a real hammering in the next one.

I dont think that's likely. You dont become the best team in the world and hold that mantle for more than 10 years unless you have some character.

Importantly, Warne and McGrath remain (with Murali) by far the best bowlers in the world today. Their mere participation is enough to ensure games are competitive no matter how badly out of form the batsmen are.

Hopefully, McGrath will be fit for the next test and we give these 2 some back-up, especially in the field where we have been an embarrassment.

Having said that, there are undeniable signs of a team in massive decline.

Batsmen have, thus far, been unwilling to fight.

In the field, it hasnt just been the no. of catches dropped but speed over the ground and general enthusiasm.

The team really needs an injection of youth and it needs it fast.

 

[Shane Warne]

Did 'e bum 'im or summat?.

As good as.

It looked as though he wanted nothing less than to have done so.

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

England are favourites... you would be mad to bet against a series win for England.

Incredible performances since Lords compared to a lucklastre and perhaps complacent Australia. Despite India in India this is the Aus first real "challenge" in years and they look to be falling way short of the mark. England are playing McGrath and Warne so much better now which I think is the root for the confidence throughout the team.

Why would you be mad for betting against an England series win? In order to win, assuming they bowl Australia out today, they still have to win another test or get two draws. Australia will regroup after the break, and I'd be surprised if they don't put in a much better showing at Trent Bridge.

Either way, Australia should certainly lose this one, assuming there's not a miracle or rain.

 

[Sanz]

England are playing McGrath and Warne so much better now which I think is the root for the confidence throughout the team.

What are you talking about man ? England won the second test Without Mcgrath and in this test England are in this situation because all the aussie batsmen have failed.