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

[vic_orthdox]

He's certainly changed his tune

Before the First Test it was 5-0, and now he seems to be saying that even if the series is drawn, Australia will be happy.

Loved the article written by Brendan McArdle about Australia's unpopularity and the reasons for it that he wrote at the start of the Ashes. It's funny how more "likeable" they are when they're under pressure.

 

[Demolition Man]

McGrath will play unless something happens to him between now and match time.

Has someone from the mother country got a latest on the weather outlook???

 

[SpaceMonkey]

McGrath will play unless something happens to him between now and match time.

Has someone from the mother country got a latest on the weather outlook???

Its gonna be cloudy for all 5 days but not much risk of any major rain, might get the odd shower on thursday though. But we all know how accurate weather forcasts can be

 

[howardj]

McGrath will play unless something happens to him between now and match time.

For goodness sake Australia, do not leave any cricket balls or banana peals on the outfield during the warm-ups tonight!

 

[luckyeddie]

I've always thought that "motherland" referred to England...

It actually means 'bakery'.

An easy mistake for an Australian to make given the fact that Mother's Pride is one of our favourite breads.

 

[Mister Wright]

is kaspa actually a first change bowler anyways?
i dont like the way hes branded as 'an ideal first change bowler' because its not like he cant swing the ball or that he lacks control and if im right, hes probably been opening the bowling in both domestic as well as county cricket.

When Kaspa began his career, he was as firey as they come. He had one of the longest run-ups you have ever seen. Considering he started his first class career in 1988 straight out of high school, it is amazing he's still going around, when you look at some of the names that were playing back then. The great thing about Kaspa is that he can use the new ball and the old ball, which makes him an ideal bowler in any line-up, if you're openers aren't doing the job, bring on Kaspa, but if they are, then they (the batsman) have to face Kaspa either with the new ball or the old ball.

Partly, because of his experience, he has learned to use the old ball to great effect, and has therefore been 'pigeon-holed' as such as a first change bowler. But we saw in Sri Lanka when Australia wanted to use two spinners he was just as reliable with the new ball.

 

[Pedro Delgado]

McGrath will play unless something happens to him between now and match time.

Has someone from the mother country got a latest on the weather outlook???

Eddie works in Dublin I think, ask him.

 

[andyc]

Ooooo two hours to go.

Predictions anyone?
If England bat, I'll say Tait will take three wickets and get punished by Flintoff.
If Australia bat, I'll say a 70-80 opening partnership, Hayden to get 60 odd to end the day on about 300-320 for maybe four or five.

 

[Mister Wright]

If McGrath wasn't going to play we would know by now. Just look at the 3rd test, there was speculation that he wouldn't play, but we weren't told for sure. In the end he played.

 

[Pedro Delgado]

Ooooo two hours to go.

Predictions anyone?
If England bat, I'll say Tait will take three wickets and get punished by Flintoff.
If Australia bat, I'll say a 70-80 opening partnership, Hayden to get 60 odd to end the day on about 300-320 for maybe four or five.

Fingers crossed for a draw/Eng win to take it to the final Test.
If the last two are the yardstick, we're in for a treat once more.

 

[luckyeddie]

Eddie works in Dublin I think, ask him.

Ah, tis a fine day terday. Yesterday was soft but today der sun be out

(I tink he's gone wid his mates ter der pub)

 

[age_master]

If McGrath wasn't going to play we would know by now. Just look at the 3rd test, there was speculation that he wouldn't play, but we weren't told for sure. In the end he played.

well the aussie media seems pretty certain he will play, and i agree you would think that we would know if he wasn't going to.

 

[age_master]

For goodness sake Australia, do not leave any cricket balls or banana peals on the outfield during the warm-ups tonight!

haha i wonder how confident McGrath will be warming up

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

Looks like McGrath is going to play. He's been named in the team, he's just got to pass a fitness test before the match, and I assume by now (with only 50 minutes until play) he would have done that. Hopefully he's at his best.

 

[marc71178]

Another reason why England really want to be batting first, don't want him having any rest of it.

 

[Steulen]

Looks like McGrath is going to play. He's been named in the team, he's just got to pass a fitness test before the match, and I assume by now (with only 50 minutes until play) he would have done that. Hopefully he's at his best.

Word on the BBC Ashes blog is that McGrath has failed the fitness Test. Kasper to play instead.

 

[Slow Love™]

Well, I was a little nervous about Tait's selection over Kasper, but seeing as McGrath was just ruled out, it looks like he'd have been playing anyway.

This'll be tough - hopefully we'll win the toss and bat.

 

[Steulen]

Warne Lee Tait Kasprowicz.

I wonder what odds you would have got on Australia fielding this attack during the Ashes.

 

[Blaze]

Hmm not good news for Aussie fans.

 

[Slats4ever]

it'll be a fantastic result and prove our true status as world number 1's if we can win this ashes series now.