***Official*** NatWest Series/Challenge

[luckyeddie]

Mental scars!!!!!

Itch a bit, don't they?

A star is born - and he is going to hurt a lot of teams over the next few years.

<quack> Lewis isn't that good.

 

[Neil Pickup]

I can't believe people are blaming Ponting captaincy, did he bowl 18 extras??

No - but giving Lewis easy singles with KP in the KP-Zone was brain dead.

 

[aussie]

Hi Ian Bell

Welcome to Cricket Web, that was a mighty fine century you hit the other week (albeit against the Tigers)

wait is he really Ian bell

 

[PY]

Shocked to the core.....91 off 65 balls. Amazing.

 

[Adamc]

I can't believe people are blaming Ponting captaincy, did he bowl 18 extras??

In order, the reasons for England''s win:
1) Pietersen
2) Harmison
3) Ponting
4) Extras

Well done England, bragging rights secured for a little while yet. Turning point of the match was surely the non-runout of Pietersen, Australia were annihilated since then.

 

[Pratters]

Also consider the Ponting factor. They way he has captained, even if Pietersen fell now, he wouldn't attack.

Yes Ponting was pretty woeful with his captaincy yesterday as well as today.

 

[Jamee999]

AND WE DO IT HELL YES COME ON BOYS

KEVIN KEVIN
OH PIETERSEN WE DO
OH PIETERSEN WE DO
OH PIETERSEN WE DO
OH PIETERSEN WE LOVE YOU

Australia have a fantastic record in their last 4 matches of: LLLL.

And they are bottom of the table.

 

[Barney Rubble]

Lewis hits the winning run, what a victory for England. Pietersen is an incredible talent.

Australia, take note - you're not what you used to be.

And might I add -




COOOOOMMMMMMEEEEEEE OOOOOOOONNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[IanBell]

It's an english national trait to be pessimistic. 18 years of hurt will do that. Oneday and 20/20 are like Rugby Sevens if we're honest, it's the Ashes that matter. And I have tickets for Edgbaston, yeeeow!

 

[vic_orthdox]

I can't believe people are blaming Ponting captaincy, did he bowl 18 extras??

It's not solely responsible for their loss, but it he still made mistakes, as did the bowlers in the second half.

From an Australian point of view, they didn't play all that badly and were knocked off by a fine individual effort in the end. Calling for heads at this stage is worthless.

England were very impressive, they didn't panic and set themselves well for the target.

 

[IanBell]

wait is he really Ian bell

Well he's my star player in ICC 2002, so that's nearly the same thing.

 

[Sudeep]

Was Ponting at Watson's party too? Did he drink something strange?

 

[Langeveldt]

KPP I'm trying so hard to hate you, but I can't do it... Congratulations, what an amazing person..

 

[aussie]

No - but giving Lewis easy singles with KP in the KP-Zone was brain dead.

absolutely he should have brought in the field, well said if Australia lose these weekend matches i'll be having a change of heart, but i just haven't giving up on the aussies yet.

They played well in most area's the 2 main reasons why they lost was that middle order callapse from 50 for 0 to 63 for 4 in 5 overs & KP unbelievable innings.

I wont be counting them out just yet

 

[Pratters]

It's not solely responsible for their loss, but it he still made mistakes, as did the bowlers in the second half.

From an Australian point of view, they didn't play all that badly and were knocked off by a fine individual effort in the end. Calling for heads at this stage is worthless.

England were very impressive, they didn't panic and set themselves well for the target.

I dont know why the Aussies go for the individual effort line so often. They went for that when Laxman and Dravid had that great partnership.

In this specific match, wasnt Australia out of it was it not for the individual effort of one M.Hussey?

The Aussies were beaten fair and square by a better team on the day.

 

[andyc]

I can't believe people are blaming Ponting captaincy, did he bowl 18 extras??

no, but he was out first ball.

Australia have a fantastic record in their last 4 matches of: LLLL

hey, that's almost like england's fantastic ashes record in their last 8 ashes series of: LLLLLLLL

 

[BoyBrumby]

The boy's a bit good, isn't he? When he's in that form it beggars belief we even think about leaving him out of any side we happen to pick.

I think the look on Dizzy's face at the end of his last over summed it up. He knew it was over.

That was a big win, if we'd come up short I think the Aussies would've known all our chances were so much bluster. Now I'm not saying we will win, but at least a few of our team look like they believe they can.

 

[chaminda_00]

KPP won the game for England, it wouldn't have matter if Ponting had a brilliant game as captain, England still would have won. Image if he batted at 4 ilke he should have, they could have got the bonus point.

 

[Adamc]

I dont know why the Aussies go for the individual effort line so often. They went for that when Laxman and Dravid had that great partnership.

In this specific match, wasnt Australia out of it was it not for the individual effort of one M.Hussey?

The Aussies were beaten fair and square by a better team on the day.

He's just making the point that, if it wasn't for Pietersen's individual effort, Australia most likely would've won. Feel free to dispute that. England as a team outplayed Australia as well, but it was Pietersen who secured the win.

 

[luckyeddie]

I can't believe people are blaming Ponting captaincy, did he bowl 18 extras??

Watching the game on teletext, are you?

I'm talking about the fact that the only way Australia had a prayer after King Kevin got going was to bowl them out - and he

a) never had a slip to Lewis (naturally couldn't have one to Pietersen, but at the other end it was essential)
b) only had 4 men in the circle every ball to Lewis.

The extras were a huge problem, sure, but that was only part of the reason for the defeat, and to be fair, Ponting's captaincy wasn't the full reason either.

For me, England had the best bowler and the best batsman - both produced huge contributions when the chips were down.

Game on - and I still maintain that this changes nothing as far as the Ashes go.