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The Ashes are coming home!

FaaipDeOiad

Hall of Fame Member
Pedro Delgado said:
I wish they'd both fecking retire. :@
My tip is they will do so after the Sydney test next Ashes... a-la 1984 with Lillee, G. Chappell and Marsh all retiring in the same match. Warne and McGrath will leave together.. probably with 1300 odd wickets between them. The world cup comes straight after that series though, so it could just be a test retirement. Also possible we might see Gilchrist leaving then, and Kasprowicz if he is still playing, and even one or two of Martyn, Langer, Hayden and company. Plenty of players getting on a bit for Australia right now.

I can't see England winning this Ashes series, but they might have a good shot next time, and the next time Australia come to England it will be a totally different side. You just better hope the young players in Australia don't turn out to be of similar quality. :D
 

Pedro Delgado

International Debutant
social said:
Amongst a number of comments, when the commentators were discussing the Australian batting line-up, Botham, upon describing Kaspa, Gillespie, and McGrath as "the quicks" then added "but that's being a bit generous to them."

To me, a few of the English commentators are enjoying seeing Australia getting beaten a bit too much and way too early. If I were them, I'd keep it on an even keel until the Ashes were won because you can almost guarantee that when you bet against a champion, they have a habit of making you look foolish.

BTW, Ive found Nasser to be fairly tame in his comments compared to some others. If anything, he is copping stick as well because others act like Michael Vaughan is the second coming and that Nasser was a hack.
I can only think that (Botham aside, he thinks EVERY England team "has what it takes" to win the Ashes) they're enjoying it to the fullest because they suspect it may not last long, we don't have many oppotunities to give it to you lot.
 

social

Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
FaaipDeOiad said:
I've seen all of Glenn's career, or at least very very close to it, and I honestly believe he has never bowled as well as he is right now, or how he did before this tour at least. He was simply incredible from the Australian summer through to the New Zealand tour, and his tour of India was great too. His spell on a flat WACA pitch against Pakistan... and his reverse swing destruction of New Zealand in the first test... just brilliant stuff. Besides, he's really not bowling much slower than he used to, he's always bowled within himself in the mid to low 130s (81-85) sort of range.
Absolutely correct. He's never been a 90 mph bowler.

He also swings the ball considerably more than he used to with both the new and old ball.

I thought the way he worked out both Tresco and Strauss from afar and then put into place a plan that yielded results immediately yesterday was outstanding.

Even with minimal back-up (which is all Kaspa and Gillespie have been to date on tour), he and Warne are likely to overwhelm England again. It is simply a case of 2 all-time greats being better than anything in the English line-up.
 

FaaipDeOiad

Hall of Fame Member
Pedro Delgado said:
I can only think that (Botham aside, he thinks EVERY England team "has what it takes" to win the Ashes) they're enjoying it to the fullest because they suspect it may not last long, we don't have many oppotunities to give it to you lot.
Doesn't it seem a bit unprofessional for commentators to be "enjoying it while it lasts" though? I mean, I understand they used to play for England and probably got flogged a lot and all that, but you don't really see people like Richie (who had his fair share of defeats to England) and other quality commentators "giving it to them" when Australia plays England or anyone else. That's really more for the Jeff Thomsons and Bill Lawrys of the world and their fellow muppets. Bit worrying if the whole English component of the Sky commentary team is as bad as them.
 

Pedro Delgado

International Debutant
FaaipDeOiad said:
My tip is they will do so after the Sydney test next Ashes... a-la 1984 with Lillee, G. Chappell and Marsh all retiring in the same match. Warne and McGrath will leave together.. probably with 1300 odd wickets between them. The world cup comes straight after that series though, so it could just be a test retirement. Also possible we might see Gilchrist leaving then, and Kasprowicz if he is still playing, and even one or two of Martyn, Langer, Hayden and company. Plenty of players getting on a bit for Australia right now.

I can't see England winning this Ashes series, but they might have a good shot next time, and the next time Australia come to England it will be a totally different side. You just better hope the young players in Australia don't turn out to be of similar quality. :D
Crumbs, that's quite a resignation. How on Earth do you go about replacing that lot. Three at least are irreplaceable. All I can say is enjoy it while it lasts chaps, and hope a WI style fall from grace can be avioded.. :p
 

Pedro Delgado

International Debutant
social said:
Even with minimal back-up (which is all Kaspa and Gillespie have been to date on tour), he and Warne are likely to overwhelm England again. It is simply a case of 2 all-time greats being better than anything in the English line-up.
Word.
 

FaaipDeOiad

Hall of Fame Member
Pedro Delgado said:
Crumbs, that's quite a resignation. How on Earth do you go about replacing that lot. Three at least are irreplaceable. All I can say is enjoy it while it lasts chaps, and hope a WI style fall from grace can be avioded.. :p
Three certainly are irreplacable. I think Australia has the resources at home to deal with losing Martyn and the openers, but Gilchrist, McGrath and Warne are once in a lifetime sort of players, and Australia will not be the force they are not without them. Mind you, I'm still confident they will be a good side.
 

Swervy

International Captain
FaaipDeOiad said:
Doesn't it seem a bit unprofessional for commentators to be "enjoying it while it lasts" though? I mean, I understand they used to play for England and probably got flogged a lot and all that, but you don't really see people like Richie (who had his fair share of defeats to England) and other quality commentators "giving it to them" when Australia plays England or anyone else. That's really more for the Jeff Thomsons and Bill Lawrys of the world and their fellow muppets. Bit worrying if the whole English component of the Sky commentary team is as bad as them.
its a good point...

One thing in defence of some of the more 'homer' type commentators is that they too are in the entertainment business.I am sure there are plenty of English supporters who are entertained by the more 'jingoistic' commentators. It wouldnt surprise me if the producers or whoever at Sky encourage the likes of Botham to be like that...as long as there is some sort of balance to counter it, I dont see any problem. It all adds a bit of spice to preceedings
 

Pedro Delgado

International Debutant
FaaipDeOiad said:
Doesn't it seem a bit unprofessional for commentators to be "enjoying it while it lasts" though? I mean, I understand they used to play for England and probably got flogged a lot and all that, but you don't really see people like Richie (who had his fair share of defeats to England) and other quality commentators "giving it to them" when Australia plays England or anyone else. That's really more for the Jeff Thomsons and Bill Lawrys of the world and their fellow muppets. Bit worrying if the whole English component of the Sky commentary team is as bad as them.
I agree, but Sky is a Murdoch channel, what else could one expect? Tabloid telly, save for Gower and Holding really. Channel 4 have the Tests with Richie, Athers', Boycs et al and willl be objective and informative., proper crickeeeeeet channel is that.
 

FaaipDeOiad

Hall of Fame Member
Swervy said:
its a good point...

One thing in defence of some of the more 'homer' type commentators is that they too are in the entertainment business.I am sure there are plenty of English supporters who are entertained by the more 'jingoistic' commentators. It wouldnt surprise me if the producers or whoever at Sky encourage the likes of Botham to be like that...as long as there is some sort of balance to counter it, I dont see any problem. It all adds a bit of spice to preceedings
Personally, I just find it annoying, and I can't wait for the tests when I think SBS will be giving us the Channel 4 feed. I'm not interested in hearing commentators go "aww, I'm lookin' forward to seein' someone smash McGrath 'round today!" at the start of a match like David Lloyd did in the 20/20. I can get that from the blokes at the pub.
 

Magrat Garlick

Rather Mad Witch
Swervy said:
its a good point...

One thing in defence of some of the more 'homer' type commentators is that they too are in the entertainment business.I am sure there are plenty of English supporters who are entertained by the more 'jingoistic' commentators. It wouldnt surprise me if the producers or whoever at Sky encourage the likes of Botham to be like that...as long as there is some sort of balance to counter it, I dont see any problem. It all adds a bit of spice to preceedings
Oh yeah, absolutely. Happens anywhere - it's a fine line to walk, tho. There's one guy commentating women's football here who's so woefully nationalistic that it gets embarrassing each time Norway score an important goal - yet some of my favourites go over the moon as well in exciting moments (only not so much and so embarrassingly, if you see what I mean?). Tricky issue.

It must be a bit interesting with your commentators, though, as they're broadcasted all over the world (if I understand this correctly) - while people commentating on Norwegian channels can be as nationalistic as they like, as the only ones they're likely to offend are Swedes on holiday in the country (hence you can say things like "Your boys took one h*ll of a beating") ;)
 

Langeveldt

Soutie
simmy said:
The Aussies looked scared... The Ashes are coming home!
Australia have the potential make you look very very stupid. Just like Harmison made me look a couple of years ago..

I wonder if we'll be hearing from you then.. If so I hope you have the dignity to eat humble pie..
 

simmy

International Regular
Of course I will eat it!

I am just a believer in the short term... a believer in form and that "you are only as good as your last game".

Noticed that a lot of Aussies are saying how well Tres and Strauss were "thought out" by McGrath but at least they offered resistance. Harmison's plans worked immediately... Ponting went first ball and Martyn second.

Bangladesh have the ability to make Australia look very stupid... oh no! ... Wait!... THEYVE ALREADY DONE THAT!!!
 

social

Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
FaaipDeOiad said:
Personally, I just find it annoying, and I can't wait for the tests when I think SBS will be giving us the Channel 4 feed. I'm not interested in hearing commentators go "aww, I'm lookin' forward to seein' someone smash McGrath 'round today!" at the start of a match like David Lloyd did in the 20/20. I can get that from the blokes at the pub.
I agree.

Cricket is one area that I prefer succinct technical analysis to "noise."

Unfortunately, they are mass-marketing the game and, as such, probably sumise that the average punter couldnt give a toss as to how, for example, the length and line that Kaspa bowls can be effective in one form of the game yet ineffective in another.

Whilst I do comprehend the commercial reality of it all, I still find it embarassing to hear greats of the game behaving like geriatric cheer leaders.
 

social

Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
simmy said:
Of course I will eat it!

I am just a believer in the short term... a believer in form and that "you are only as good as your last game".

Noticed that a lot of Aussies are saying how well Tres and Strauss were "thought out" by McGrath but at least they offered resistance. Harmison's plans worked immediately... Ponting went first ball and Martyn second.

Bangladesh have the ability to make Australia look very stupid... oh no! ... Wait!... THEYVE ALREADY DONE THAT!!!
Difference being that 2 English openers have definite technical deficiencies that McGrath has openly told the whole world about for some time.

Martyn simply slashed at a wide, short ball (like Gilchrist and Hayden) and was caught. Should England continue that line of attack against these 3, Aus will need to make lots of declarations because they wont get out very often.

Ponting, on the other hand, has been out like that before and that (along with Hussey, albeit after he'd made 85) was the best piece of bowling by Harmison. The others, put down to it being Harmison's day.
 

Langeveldt

Soutie
Charles Colville has turned in to one of the worst commentators ever... I think he want's to marry Twenty20 cricket and have rubbishy, stupid, commercialized children...
 

simmy

International Regular
social said:
Martyn simply slashed at a wide, sbeing Harmison's day.
Not true... England knew that Martyn liked to go up and over gully... hence they placed one of their best fielders (Pieterson) at third man... why else have him there?

Gilchrist and Hayden were fortunate... I'll give you that but Ponting and Martyn were pre-planned and well executed.
 

simmy

International Regular
It isnt because we think that this Aussie blip wont last long... its because of articles like this that England is taking so much joy out of beating Australia:

http://www.smh.com.au/news/Cricket/...s/2005/06/15/1118645870774.html?oneclick=true

They deserve all the media backlash that they get if you ask me. A team so outwardly arrogant can expect no less. That is such a brilliant article for an English person to read after Pieterson has just smashed the Aus all over the park! Get in!
 

simmy

International Regular
The quote I like the most from it "I would have expected more from Harmison and Flintoff"... HMMMM....

The World Champions and the supposed "invincibles" come over lose to a county side, the weakest ODI side and the home nation twice and yet McGrath expected more from Harmison and Flintoff. You Aussies make me laugh! Hopefully now Harmison blizted the upper order and conceded just 3.3 runs an over and Fintoff just 3.9 an over... he will reconsider his opinions and go cry in a corner.

When McGrath got Strauss he worded "thats the first one"... when the game was over... Strauss went over to McGrath and said.. "thats the second won".

George Gregan was just as open in the Rugby World Cup... and we all know what happened then!!!
 

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