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

[aussie]

Looking at the amount of reverse that Tait got, and the inital seam and bounce that McGrath got...Harmison / Flintoff / Hoggard might be enough to do it.

Harmison & Hoggard aren't great exponents of reverse swing in this series when the ball has gotten older Freddie/Jones & Gilo have done most of the bowling now that Jones is gone England attack has weakened severley thus i am confident Australia can post a big 1st innings total.

 

[BoyBrumby]

On the Collingwood dismissal:

This is actually more of a general problem I have with LBW's. The word is that Collingwood was incorrectly judged LBW because the ball hit him outside off. However, this is only relevant if you're attempting a shot. Colly hid his bat behind his front leg, so imho he wasn't playing a shot. In general, you'll see people given not out in these circumstances so in that sense his dismissal was unfortunate), however I feel it was a correct decision by Koertzen (otoh, that Strauss edge was just beyond silly). What's your opinion?

Think you're possibly giving Colly too much credit for it there; just looked as if he was v late on it to me. I know lots of batters hide the bat when playing spinners (or rather facing spinners, cos they aren't playing them at all!), but when a guy is reversing it @ close to 90mph you're v brave (or just daft) to tuck your bat behind your pad.

Not out for mine, but there's been worse given this series (Katich & Martyn's first bad one spring to mind).

Oz slightly ahead in the game for me, but hard to tell until they bat. I'd like 400, but think 350-365 more realistic.

 

[Barney Rubble]

Here's a little prediction to consider - both Bell and Collingwood will take at least one wicket each in Australia's first innings.

 

[greg]

Here's a little prediction to consider - both Bell and Collingwood will take at least one wicket each in Australia's first innings.

They won't both bowl, let alone both take a wicket

 

[greg]

On the Collingwood dismissal:

This is actually more of a general problem I have with LBW's. The word is that Collingwood was incorrectly judged LBW because the ball hit him outside off. However, this is only relevant if you're attempting a shot. Colly hid his bat behind his front leg, so imho he wasn't playing a shot. In general, you'll see people given not out in these circumstances so in that sense his dismissal was unfortunate), however I feel it was a correct decision by Koertzen (otoh, that Strauss edge was just beyond silly). What's your opinion?

Nah. Collingwood is basically a front foot player, with an initial movement in that direction. He was consistently planting his front foot very early, albeit after picking up the line of the ball quite well, the problem on his dismissal was that the ball hit him on the toe on the full - had it been a fraction shorter then the bat would have come through and hit the ball. It is a technique which worked for David Steele, but few others

 

[Barney Rubble]

They won't both bowl, let alone both take a wicket

Well that's just it you see - I think they will both bowl, and they will both take a wicket. England won't dismiss Australia on that wicket having used only 4 bowlers. Only 4 bowlers might get wickets, but more than that will be used, and Colly won't be very effective, so Bell and Vaughan himself may come into play if Australia bat long.

 

[marc71178]

Question for English fans...

If it came down to England setting a target for Australia in the fourth innings, would you prefer that England go for the win or accept the draw and series victory? Say the choice was there between setting an extremely unlikely but plausible 400 in a day and having a shot at bowling Australia out as they went for the target, or batting on and setting Australia 500 in half a day with no chance for victory for either side, what would you prefer?

If we got to that stage then we'd have to bat on and on - there's a difference between playing for the draw on Day 1 and ensuring it on Day 4/5

 

[Neil Pickup]

The only way they'll both get a wicket is if Harmison and Flintoff experience a Waugh-Gillespie issue in the outfield.

 

[marc71178]

I think Lee was sure, and so was Gilly - if the appeal had an impact on Rudi's decision (not that it should, but everybody seems to take it for granted that it occurs), it may have been Warne's expression at first slip that failed to sell it. His initial pursed lips said "boy, that was close", before he genuinely went up afterwards.

Add in the reaction of Strauss (who didn't turn to watch the ball) and I wonder if he hit the ball or the ground?

 

[marc71178]

Great ball, crap decision.

Did it not hit him on the full though, which then changes the rules?

 

[greg]

Add in the reaction of Strauss (who didn't turn to watch the ball) and I wonder if he hit the ball or the ground?

He hit the ball. But contrary to the original poster i don't think Gilly realised he hit it.

 

[Kweek]

Not to mention that I'll be skipping work on Monday, if required

typical...im thinking of skipping school

 

[Steulen]

Did it not hit him on the full though, which then changes the rules?

Ermmm...what?

 

[greg]

Did it not hit him on the full though, which then changes the rules?

No it makes no difference.

 

[Kweek]

Ermmm...what?

yo Steulen, where do you live in Holland ?
ever been on the KNCB forum its rediculously funny overthere lol.
still wondering how you got into king of sports.

 

[marc71178]

No it makes no difference.

I thought then the umpire has to assume the ball will continue in the direction it was going though?

In which case that ball was clearly hitting the stumps.

 

[greg]

I thought then the umpire has to assume the ball will continue in the direction it was going though?

In which case that ball was clearly hitting the stumps.

It was a "bad decision" because it hit him outside the line of off stump, not because it wasn't hitting.

 

[superkingdave]

if only the torrential downpour over my house would take residence over the oval.

anyway another decent score for shah today. must have a decent chance ofa winter tour place maybe even the spot in the middle order

 

[SpaceMonkey]

if only the torrential downpour over my house would take residence over the oval.

anyway another decent score for shah today. must have a decent chance ofa winter tour place maybe even the spot in the middle order

Lol shah wont get near the England team...EVER.

 

[marc71178]

For a start I'd guess Joyce is ahead of him.