Official Ashes Thread

[Daniel]

So...... England snatches defeat from the jaws of a perfectly acceptable draw :rolleyes:

[Mark]

I'd comment if I understood what was going on!

[Daniel]

I'd comment if I understood what was going on!
The English are doing what they do best. Losing :p

I'm just happy I don't live in the country that's doing the winning. I hate hearing about successful sporting teams :p

[Caroline]

The English are doing what they do best. Losing :p

I'm just happy I don't live in the country that's doing the winning. I hate hearing about successful sporting teams :p
+ rep for you :p

[millencolin]

holy crap the game was unbelieveable... shane warne is a freak!!!

[oily oaf]

I am firmly of the opinion that the entire rabble that is the England cricket team should be suspended by their nipples from the nearest yardarm and have have their trousers set fire to without delay.

Yours faithfully
Dame Judy Dench
Wapping Home For Incontinent Oscar Winners
Shoreditch.

[kabouter]

Almost unbelievable England managed to lose from that position... Is it just the sight of Shane Warne that causes so much distress that England batsmen want to give their wicket away as soon as possible to get off the field? It's such a shame for Collingwood, all his excellent work undone by one collective brain failure.

[Daniel]

Almost unbelievable England managed to lose from that position... Is it just the sight of Shane Warne that causes so much distress that England batsmen want to give their wicket away as soon as possible to get off the field? :(

Perhaps Warne threatened to start texting their wives if they didn't throw the game? :p :

[kabouter]

Perhaps Warne threatened to start texting their wives if they didn't throw the game? :p :

I'm starting to understand why Trescothink went home before the first test...

[Brown, Jon Brow]

Breacking News!!!!

Shane Warne has failed a drug test!!! :s hock:

[oily oaf]

Breacking News!!!!

Shane Warne has failed a drug test!!! :s hock:

Not bloody Viagra again

[webberf1]

Asstralia just took a massive s**t all over England yesterday arvo :p :

[ozrevhead]

OMG WHAT A WIN! BEST EVER!! :D :D :D

I went on the 3rd day and it was amazing

saw my own piece of History when Ponting scored his record breaking 33rd Century which was his 7th in the last 8 tests

I was glued to my seat for the whole day - First up it was the Shane Warne show - the guys a freak

Speaking of freaks - Is there a more appropriate nickname for a sports person than Mike Hussey being called Mr Cricket - averaging over 81 atmo and can perform under all pressures and can bat anywhere in the order and plays some exquisite shots...Absolute Gun!

This could be the test that makes Michael Clarke's career - he has grown up as a cricketer and showed some maturity

[Brown, Jon Brow]

OMG WHAT A WIN! BEST EVER!! :D :D :D



no. the best win was at edgebasten last year! ;)

[Valve Bounce]

no. the best win was at edgebasten last year! ;)


This is where the Poms never got it right.
I have been keeping silent on the loss of the Ashes last year - anything negative I said then would have been sour grapes.
And the Poms rejoiced with their winning the Ashes, told each other how great they were, got all sorts of Royal letters awarded to them.
Suddenly, they thought they were this fantastic cricket team. They had the greatest bowlers and batsmen in the World.
Nobody mentioned that they only won the Ashes by 1run. Nobody told them that the Aussi tail was holding their mighty bowlers for ages before they got out one run short.
So, the Poms thought they had a great win, they thought they were a great team, they thought they were Great Britain.
Well, they found out the hard way yesterday that they were simply NO BLOODY GOOD.

[555-04Q2]

Australia showed why they are number 1 in the world. Pure class.

[Storm]

I think England showed that they are not number 1 or 2 or 3 for that matter. Pure crap.

[Schultz]

I have to say, that is the most amazing victory I have seen. The best game of cricket since Edgbaston, 2005. This one was just as much about a team losing the game as it was about a team winning it. It's how we will remember the 2006 US open. Geoff Ogilvy, snatches victory from hometown favourite Michelson who scores a bogey on the final hole.

This was just unbelieveable. If you consider that two teams made 500+ runs in the first 4 days. It took Australia only 1 day to take 9 English wickets, and score 168 runs on a wicket previously described as dead. You know what really struck me? When Ponting was asked at the end of day 4, "Can you still win?", he said yes and he said it emphatically. I'm surprised that I actually believed what he said. And the performance of the guys on the field on monday showed they believed the whole time, that they could skittle the Poms. Thats the difference between Australia and an English team resigned to draw.

Were the dominant West Indian teams really better than this?

[AndyRAC]

The Australians aren't a lot better than England which might sound perverse, but if England had belief and a positive outlook and coach they could have won this series, not any more though...
Just so negative, Fletcher, GO NOW!!!

[oily oaf]

Hehehehehehe
What a treat to see the Aussie boys, with the honourable exception of my mate Schultzy, on here picking up the laurel wreath of victory in such a magnanimous way with ne'er a hint of gloating or crowing over the fallen body of their vanquished foe.

It's at times like this that the depth of hatred towards us poor old Poms becomes starkly evident :(

I don't get it meself as I quite like you guys :D

Rant over I'm off for a bath...........................
errrr
anyone got a towel? :(

[kabouter]

This one was just as much about a team losing the game as it was about a team winning it.

I agree with Schultz here. Australia were magnificent, but England called it on themselves playing with such a negative mindset. What a contrast between Collingwood's excellent first innings and his blocking and exposing the tail performance on Monday. In the first innings Pietersen became one of the few players to make look Warne no better than ordinary. Why couldn't he just continue in the same vein - why did he have to play a silly sweep, something he avoided so well before? I thought Strauss and Bell did it right on Sunday evening: keep the score ticking over without taking big risks. Nothing of that on Monday, and Australia could come in for the kill. With many men around the bat and Warne full of confidence, there's just no stopping the guy.

But it's still sport, strange things can happen, and in Perth there's another opportunity for England to show they can compete with Australia for the full five days. Oh, and please bring in Monty!

[Valve Bounce]

Hehehehehehe
What a treat to see the Aussie boys, with the honourable exception of my mate Schultzy, on here picking up the laurel wreath of victory in such a magnanimous way with ne'er a hint of gloating or crowing over the fallen body of their vanquished foe.

It's at times like this that the depth of hatred towards us poor old Poms becomes starkly evident :(

I don't get it meself as I quite like you guys :D

Rant over I'm off for a bath...........................
errrr
anyone got a towel? :(

You think what us Aussis said here is hatred? You must be silly. We love the Poms.

BUT, here's what the Poms themselves had to say: http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,20881127-11088,00.html

Have a good read!!

[Valve Bounce]

I just have to add this, which my sister-in-law sent to us with some fantastic scenery, and one with the most appropriate quote:

"DON'T CRY BECAUSE IT HAPPENED,
LAUGH BECAUSE IT'S OVER"

[stevie_gerrard]

I have to admit yes, Australia are the best Test side in the world, without a doubt, but there were times last year and this year where england have outplayed the aussies, and have deserved to win. Collingwood and Pietersen played brilliantly against Warne in the first innings, and then forgot how much of a danger he is in the second. He deserved his performance after getting criticised as well by Fletcher, so fair play to him, an awesome bowler, possibly one of the best ever bowlers.

I will say one thing about England: Thats what you get for not picking Monty Panesar :( His performance could have been key in that short run chase.

Sack Fletcher!! :p :

[Hawkmoon]

How big a deal is the Ashes in England? The reason I ask is that my cousin spent 4 years in England recently and tried to convince me that the English don't really care about cricket and that we Australians make a much bigger deal out of it than the English do.

I'm not convinced so, to all our English friends, do you care about winning the Ashes or are we Australians making a big deal out of nothing?

[555-04Q2]

How big a deal is the Ashes in England? The reason I ask is that my cousin spent 4 years in England recently and tried to convince me that the English don't really care about cricket and that we Australians make a much bigger deal out of it than the English do.

I'm not convinced so, to all our English friends, do you care about winning the Ashes or are we Australians making a big deal out of nothing?

The Ashes is a big thing around most countries that participate in cricket. Over here in South Africa we get full coverage and a big deal is made of it through advertising. Dont let any of our English members tell you otherwise ;)

[Valve Bounce]

http://bulletin.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=169044

OK, forget what the Aussis say or think about the Poms. Here's how former captain Mike Atherton analysed the psyche of both teams and why the Poms lost. The Aussi effort reminded me when Grant Hackett won the 1500 in the Olympics when he was sick, stood shakily on the block after the race and tapped his heart. I think that says it all.

[oily oaf]

How big a deal is the Ashes in England? The reason I ask is that my cousin spent 4 years in England recently and tried to convince me that the English don't really care about cricket and that we Australians make a much bigger deal out of it than the English do.

I'm not convinced so, to all our English friends, do you care about winning the Ashes or are we Australians making a big deal out of nothing?

Ashes?
Never 'eard of 'em mate.

Seriously though, cricket is very much a minority sport in England with press coverage reduced to a couple of paragraphs during the county championship tucked away in the inside back pages after the Division 4 football reports.
During a Test Match there will be a little more interest particularly if it's during the footie close season but cricket and rugby will always be the poor relations to the all conquering lure of football in this country.
There was an upsurge of interest after England took The Ashes in 2005 but inevitably the initial enthusiasm soon waned and cricket was once more confined to the sporting graveyard.
Don't get me wrong though there was a great surge of interest as this Ashes series drew closer with a great deal of media coverage on TV and in the press.
Live coverage however was restricted to those of us with satellite or cable while those confined to terrestrial TV were treated to 1/2 an hour of highlights around midnight.
In short while cricket will always be a minority sport in England with a small but devoted band of devotees The Ashes does tend to rouse the public and the media from their cricketing torpor.

I get the impression that the interest is fading fast though ;)

[Jaws]

Ashes?
Never 'eard of 'em mate.

Seriously though, cricket is very much a minority sport in England with press coverage reduced to a couple of paragraphs during the county championship tucked away in the inside back pages after the Division 4 football reports.
During a Test Match there will be a little more interest particularly if it's during the footie close season but cricket and rugby will always be the poor relations to the all conquering lure of football in this country.
There was an upsurge of interest after England took The Ashes in 2005 but inevitably the initial enthusiasm soon waned and cricket was once more confined to the sporting graveyard.
Don't get me wrong though there was a great surge of interest as this Ashes series drew closer with a great deal of media coverage on TV and in the press.
Live coverage however was restricted to those of us with satellite or cable while those confined to terrestrial TV were treated to 1/2 an hour of highlights around midnight.
In short while cricket will always be a minority sport in England with a small but devoted band of devotees The Ashes does tend to rouse the public and the media from their cricketing torpor.

I get the impression that the interest is fading fast though ;)

Oi, you take your rogering like a man thank you and admit that the 3 most important sports on earth are:

1) Women's swimming
2) Cricket
3) Rugby League

and if in lala land (Victoria)

1) AFL
2) AFL
3) AFL

oh and 4) AFL training

[Valve Bounce]

The Poms simply cannot understand that batsmen cannot win matches, only bowlers can. WHAT!! I can hear the skeptics shouting.
Well, think about it. You can have the 11 best batsmen in the world in your side (choose anyone you like), but if you cannot take 20 wickets, you won't win a test match, not unless your opponents are silly enough to declare when they are 5 wickets down, and nobody could be that silly.
But worse still, batsmen can lose a test match, no matter how safe their position might appear, if they suddenly get brain fade and bat like wombles and lose 4 top order wickets in a session for a paltry return. But of course, I am going to extremes to prove my point, arn't I. You wouldn't expect anything like that to happen in a top test side would you.

[Hawkmoon]

Ofcourse, no batsmen who scored a double hundred in the first innings could possible take 55 minutes to score 1 run in the second innings, eh Mr Collingwood. :dozey:

[555-04Q2]

The Poms simply cannot understand that batsmen cannot win matches, only bowlers can. WHAT!! I can hear the skeptics shouting.
Well, think about it. You can have the 11 best batsmen in the world in your side (choose anyone you like), but if you cannot take 20 wickets, you won't win a test match, not unless your opponents are silly enough to declare when they are 5 wickets down, and nobody could be that silly.
But worse still, batsmen can lose a test match, no matter how safe their position might appear, if they suddenly get brain fade and bat like wombles and lose 4 top order wickets in a session for a paltry return. But of course, I am going to extremes to prove my point, arn't I. You wouldn't expect anything like that to happen in a top test side would you.

I said to the wife that England should have declared on about 600 and not 551 like they did. She thought I was crazy at the time ( so did I really ) but I proved to be right. Though the collapse by England in the second innings was rather...pathetic :down: Not even us South Africans choke like that :p :

[Viv]

I may be going off topic here but this is the only cricket thread I could find..What's with Damien Martin's retirement??Just before the match in his home ground too :O.I thought he'd have wanted to stay atleast until the Ashes was over, epecially since his selection was not in much doubt atleast for the next match.

[Storm]

Pretty weird to retire right in the middle of the Ashes but whatever...
A really solid and stylish batsmen of the past few years is gone.

All the best Damien Martyn.

[Brown, Jon Brow]

England will win the ashes!!!
















(eventually)

[Valve Bounce]

I may be going off topic here but this is the only cricket thread I could find..What's with Damien Martin's retirement??Just before the match in his home ground too :O.I thought he'd have wanted to stay atleast until the Ashes was over, epecially since his selection was not in much doubt atleast for the next match.


Actually, it's very much on topic as Marto was selected for teh next match in Perth.

Here's the story: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=165519

and for all future cricket news, you can bookmark this page. http://aus.cricinfo.com/db/NATIONAL/AUS/

[Valve Bounce]

I said to the wife that England should have declared on about 600 and not 551 like they did. She thought I was crazy at the time ( so did I really ) but I proved to be right. Though the collapse by England in the second innings was rather...pathetic :down: Not even us South Africans choke like that :p :

At the time, I felt that the Poms should have scored a lot faster and given themselves more runs within the time they batted. It was a benign pitch, and they really should have gone for quicker runs once they reached around 500. In fact I had posted this in our old forum's Ashes thread just after the declaration. I couldn't understand why Pietersen allowed Warne to waste so much time bowling outside off stump by padding the ball away. Surely he could have scored runs, even singles if he tried.

I know it made Warne's figures look really bad, his worst career figures, but it allowed Ponting to waste a helluva lot of time. I felt this gave the Aussis the chance to go for a draw if they needed it, instead of permitting the Poms to go all out for a win.

[555-04Q2]

At the time, I felt that the Poms should have scored a lot faster and given themselves more runs within the time they batted. It was a benign pitch, and they really should have gone for quicker runs once they reached around 500. In fact I had posted this in our old forum's Ashes thread just after the declaration. I couldn't understand why Pietersen allowed Warne to waste so much time bowling outside off stump by padding the ball away. Surely he could have scored runs, even singles if he tried.

I know it made Warne's figures look really bad, his worst career figures, but it allowed Ponting to waste a helluva lot of time. I felt this gave the Aussis the chance to go for a draw if they needed it, instead of permitting the Poms to go all out for a win.

Agree :up: England played better, but still played a strange Test. Very slow for the first 5 sessions of the test and then the now infamous surrender in the second innings. I though Auzzie were playing a French team there for a second.

The Auzzie's outsmarted, outplayed and out ballsed the English in the second test. 4-0 series win here it comes methinks :(

[oily oaf]

I may be going off topic here but this is the only cricket thread I could find..What's with Damien Martin's retirement??Just before the match in his home ground too :O.I thought he'd have wanted to stay atleast until the Ashes was over, epecially since his selection was not in much doubt atleast for the next match.

A case of jumping before he was pushed IMO
He's been 2 bob in this series thus far.
I'm absolutely gutted that he's quit TBH we need all the help we can get :(

[Viv]

Actually, it's very much on topic as Marto was selected for teh next match in Perth.

Here's the story: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=165519

and for all future cricket news, you can bookmark this page. http://aus.cricinfo.com/db/NATIONAL/AUS/

Thanks Valve :)

[Valve Bounce]

..........here's a report from another Pom. Enjoy:
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,,20895917-23212,00.html?from=public_rss

[Brown, Jon Brow]

http://www.stickcricket.com/sun_h2h.php

This is fun!!!

[Schultz]

yeh, i've played that. it's sure as hell easier than Cricket 2005, which I bought the other day :s

[harsha]

yeh, i've played that. it's sure as hell easier than Cricket 2005, which I bought the other day :s

u thought 2005 was tough :s
it's just time taking to know the correct shot to play and you seem to get out if you start playing shots from the beginning....it's pretty easy once you get the hang of it...

[millencolin]

im more of a ricky ponting cricket fan... but stick cricket is my best friend at work

[stevie_gerrard]

Stick Cricket is the best game ever on the internet, so addictive :D

Well done to the openers Cook and Strauss this morning for a good opening partnership, best since they got here, lets hope thats an omen for the England side. :)

Also can i say that the reports of unrest between Freddie and the selectors and the team is total rubbish, i cannot believe that is true, because freddie is a top man, and he deserves credit for bringing out some fight in England in this Ashes series, even if the aussies are trouncing us a bit. :(

[Valve Bounce]

Also can i say that the reports of unrest between Freddie and the selectors and the team is total rubbish, i cannot believe that is true, because freddie is a top man, and he deserves credit for bringing out some fight in England in this Ashes series, even if the aussies are trouncing us a bit. :(

The controversy here lies in the media blaming the coach Duncan Fletcher selecting Giles ahead of Monty when he claims that he leaned towards Monty and was outvoted by others. I don't think he named "others" but the media thought it was obvious that "others" referred to the other selectors Graveney and Freddy.

I would prefer it if the Poms kept Giles in the test side as he is such a marshmallow.

The other farce was the persistance of the Poms in trying to include injured Vaughan in the side - he declined to bat in the latest game in WA.

In fact, I don't know why they even bother to read the rubbish served up by the media - a good shredder is what these reports really deserve.

[Schultz]

The controversy here lies in the media blaming the coach Duncan Fletcher selecting Giles ahead of Monty when he claims that he leaned towards Monty and was outvoted by others. I don't think he named "others" but the media thought it was obvious that "others" referred to the other selectors Graveney and Freddy.

I would prefer it if the Poms kept Giles in the test side as he is such a marshmallow.

The other farce was the persistance of the Poms in trying to include injured Vaughan in the side - he declined to bat in the latest game in WA.

In fact, I don't know why they even bother to read the rubbish served up by the media - a good shredder is what these reports really deserve.

What's wrong with giving Vaughn some time in the field? I for one, think that he can galvanise the team under the precedent set by the 2005 Ashes victory. Vaughan is the man to lead England, and even if he doesn't captain when he comes in, it will still be a massive boost for the team. Having said that, he is unlikely to play in this series while it is still live.

Mind you, some of the stories on Vaughan this series have been unbelievable. Some media reports had this conspiracy going that Vaughan was not actually injured and that he would play the first test. That it was a ploy to unsettle the Australian team. pfft.

[Brown, Jon Brow]

I'm pretty hopeless at stickcricket

[Valve Bounce]

What's wrong with giving Vaughn some time in the field? I for one, think that he can galvanise the team under the precedent set by the 2005 Ashes victory. Vaughan is the man to lead England, and even if he doesn't captain when he comes in, it will still be a massive boost for the team. Having said that, he is unlikely to play in this series while it is still live.

Mind you, some of the stories on Vaughan this series have been unbelievable. Some media reports had this conspiracy going that Vaughan was not actually injured and that he would play the first test. That it was a ploy to unsettle the Australian team. pfft.

Just remember that I posted my comments BEFORE I read the folowing article in today's Australian.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20904789-5001505,00.html

[Valve Bounce]

This guy was beaten before he even walked onto the field. Here are his diary notes: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20904793-5001505,00.html

[Rollo]

This guy was beaten before he even walked onto the field. Here are his diary notes: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20904793-5001505,00.html

Whose diary notes? The article was written by Peter Lalor, who has long been a feature writer for the Murdoch press. Such an inventive man, I remember whilst I was still at the law courts he missed the charge of libel on three counts.

[Valve Bounce]

Whose diary notes? The article was written by Peter Lalor, who has long been a feature writer for the Murdoch press. Such an inventive man, I remember whilst I was still at the law courts he missed the charge of libel on three counts.


I don't know. I think they were quotes from some rag that Giles write for in the UK. Let's check the link!
The spinner paints a terrible picture of the Ashes tour in his diary published in the Sunday Independent. He is so bored he's been to see Borat twice, he's going so badly even English fans are ringing him with abuse and he was so ill-prepared for the series that being picked for the first Test caused him "mixed emotions

[Valve Bounce]

One more day before the third test. I just thought I'd resurrect this thread to teh front page again.

Win the toss, and the Poms are done.

[harsha]

nuff said about the Ashes....England's dream has gone to ashes

Ashes to ashes and dust to dust......doesn't make me too happy about it though

[Valve Bounce]

nuff said about the Ashes....England's dream has gone to ashes

Ashes to ashes and dust to dust......doesn't make me too happy about it though


Symonds made the team batting #6, following Marto's retirement from cricket.

Personally, while I may be a bit upset if we lost the third test, I think it would be a good thing for cricket and the fans if the Poms won, because it would keep the series alive.

[millencolin]

aaaahhhhhh YES!!!! SIMMO IS BACK!!!!

Bout bloody time too! (yes i am a mad simmo fan... bein a Queenslander n all) so i really ope he fires up this test match, both with the bat and ball

come on roy!!!

[stevie_gerrard]

It's obvious this is a crucial test now, so im looking forward to seeing some quality cricket over the next 5 days! :up:

Hate not sleeping though, 2am the cricket starts now in England with it being in Perth, but it'll be worth it when we win the third test :p : Monty to get 9 wickets :p :

[Valve Bounce]

OK, here's some stuff for those who want to read about the Ashes. http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/index/0,,5001505,00.html
There is one article in The Australian delivered to me that is not on the web where Freddy mentions drawing the game to keep the series alive. This is totally amazing for me because the Aussis have only one thought: WINNING.

The Aussis have been stewing ever since they lost the Ashes. They must have been watching, over and over and over, the videos of the Poms ccelebrating after they won the Ashes last year.

It's like a team lying on the turf exhausted after losing the AFL Grand Final by less than 6 points, and watching the winning team hugging and celebrating. I have seen spectators, even elderly ones, crying after their team loses the Grand Final - it's a very empty depressing feeling in the pit of the stomach.

Today, the Aussis have absolutely no intention of giving a quarter, no thoughts of playing for a draw. The aim is to crush the Poms and then go on to win the next two tests also. These Aussis are running weapons hot, and it will take a miracle for the Poms to even draw let alone win.

[Valve Bounce]

Poms off to a good start - got Ponting for 2 runs.

[555-04Q2]

Australia looking a bit wobbly this morning. Good to see England fighting back :up: Afraid that Australia will take control soon though :(

[Storm]

I see that Panesar as already taken as many wickets in 7 overs as it took Giles to take in 2 tests ;)

[555-04Q2]

I see that Panesar as already taken as many wickets in 7 overs as it took Giles to take in 2 tests ;)

Giles is so overrated :down: He's not an international quality player.

[millencolin]

.............. we suck! Hussey ... ever reliable, but the rest of the team... yipes

[Valve Bounce]

I think the big, big mistake for teh Aussis was their lack of respect for the Poms. This will cost them this game.

[Storm]

4 wickets in his first test against Aus...Monty Panesar! :o
Of course he is actually a bowler who tries to get wickets rather than someone who bowls every ball outside the leg stump

[oily oaf]

4 wickets in his first test against Aus...Monty Panesar! :o
Of course he is actually a bowler who tries to get wickets rather than someone who bowls every ball outside the leg stump

You can be extremely cruel sometimes old chap ;)

The "Dark Destroyer" reigns in Perth :D

Makes a man kinda wonder what he might have achieved on that slow turner at The Addy Oval don't it :vader:

[Valve Bounce]

Actually, the Big Hand got 5 wickets: http://aus.cricinfo.com/db/NATIONAL/AUS/
Enjoy!!
P.S. I just checked: his middle finger is 4 cm longer than mine. One reporter is equating his feats resulting in the same way as Ian Thorpes feet. :p :

[Viv]

Good to see England doing well..and a relief to see Harmison got 4 wickets :D

[stevie_gerrard]

Thank Duncan, there is a god!! :p :

Monty and Harmy were wonderful today, really got up the Aussie noses, and even when Symonds was hitting Panesar many a mile, you knew he was gonna come back and hit them hard. A wonderful bowler!! :D

My prediction still stands at 9 wickets for Monty :p :

Well done to Harmy though, its fantastic to see the former number 1 in the world back to his best. :)

And despite the shaky start for england, some good fast bowling from McGrath and Lee, if Enlgand can get a lead of 150 there is a real chance England can win this third test.

THE FIGHTBACK HAS BEGUN :D

[Brown, Jon Brow]

Thank Duncan, there is a god!! :p :

Monty and Harmy were wonderful today, really got up the Aussie noses, and even when Symonds was hitting Panesar many a mile, you knew he was gonna come back and hit them hard. A wonderful bowler!! :D

My prediction still stands at 9 wickets for Monty :p :

Well done to Harmy though, its fantastic to see the former number 1 in the world back to his best. :)

And despite the shaky start for england, some good fast bowling from McGrath and Lee, if Enlgand can get a lead of 150 there is a real chance England can win this third test.

THE FIGHTBACK HAS BEGUN :D


The thing I worry about is that the fightback seemed to have began at the start of the last test, and looked what happened.

It only takes one session for a test to be lost.

[Jaws]

It was great to finally see Monty in action. What a talent, I love his enthusiasm.

Good to see Harmy back at it too.

[Valve Bounce]

The Colony strikes back. Symonds just got his second wicket. :eek:
Poms are 6wickets down. I wonder, with his weird dreadlocks, whether Roy has re-invented himslef as a bowler terrible.

[555-04Q2]

Yeah, the Australians are fighting back. Looks like they are about to start dominating England again and my four wins to nil series sweep in favour of OZ is looking more and mor likely to remain on track.

But there are still 3 1/2 days to go :D

[oily oaf]

Strewth! Stone the bloody crows! Unfair go! etc :eek:

The Poms 127 for plenty on day 2

Quick punch me in the face Jawsie I can feel a whinge comin' on mate.

I tell ya what boys I feel like throwing in the towel. Trouble is I've only got the one and it's still in the wrapper :(

Ah well sod it I'm going back upstairs for a shower and then I'll get ready for work.

Actually the first part of that statement is a filthy lie :mad:

(goes outside and jumps in taxi to Earls Court before hurling boomerang through window of Walkabout pub)

[millencolin]

Simmo... Awesome! so stoked he got a couple today.

but how about these tail enders... 40odd run partnership already

[millencolin]

haha my jinx worked :p : england all out for 215

[Storm]

And Australia are 115/1 in their 2nd innings....all the Poms on here (and the neutrals like myself) nice day eh yesterday.....its back to normalcy now ;)

[555-04Q2]

Series whitewash on the way :(

[Ranger]

England surprise me. They've managed to look like winning for two tests in a row now, only to fail to capitalise on their initial advantage.

Either Australia is just that damn good, or England really have something wrong with their team.

Great showing by Panesar though, great enthusiasm.

[555-04Q2]

England surprise me. They've managed to look like winning for two tests in a row now, only to fail to capitalise on their initial advantage.

Get used to it ;)

[Daniel]

I thought that was the typical England game plan??????

[harsha]

i guess there is a similarity between the Indian and the English cricket teams then??????? :(

[555-04Q2]

India's not that bad, are they :?: :p : :D

[Valve Bounce]

I thought that was the typical England game plan??????

I think that the Aussis should continue, during the second innings, to show respect for the Poms.
They do have good bowleres, but unfortunatley, only 2 batsmen. Take Collingwood and Pietrsen out of the team, and they couldn't beat the Yackanda under 16 team.

[Valve Bounce]

You know when watching some movies on TV and you see this guy with a sign on his backTHE END IS NIGH ? Well, I think Freddy is staring at that nightmare sign right now. :eek:

I am trying to think of alternative scenarios for the Poms, but I'm stumped for ideas.

And to make things worse, the Poms have to bat last.

[Valve Bounce]

Things don't look too good for teh Poms. Pietersen will have to get his finger out.

So, what did you guys think of Adam Gilchrist's big bash? For those who missed it, try to get someone who has it on tape. It was the second fastest century in Test history.
http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/australia/content/current/story/272855.html

[Daniel]

I don't need to see it. I can picture it in my mind :) How many 4's and 6's? :)

[Brown, Jon Brow]

I feel ill.

I could do better than what England are fecking doing.

They aren't the same team without Trescothik, Vaughan and Simon Jones. Stauss is over rated (even tough he wasn't LBW) Cook is useless, bell is rubbish, Flintoff has turned crap since he became captain, G.Jones can't really do anything, Hoggard is ok with the ball but can't bat to save his life

[Valve Bounce]

I don't need to see it. I can picture it in my mind :) How many 4's and 6's? :)


I think he hit 3 sixes, one four and one two in a single over off Monty. He missed out on the record when Hoggard bowled the second last delivery required very low and wide and the umpire couldn't be bothered calling it a wide. Had Hoggard bowled it at or near the stumps, it would have gone for a 4. But, Adam was happy with his 100 just the same.


............and YES! I taped it.

[ozrevhead]

OMFG What an Innings by Gilly

And no mere mortal can get Hussey out at the moment - does it so effortlessly

9 Wickets to fellas :D

[ozrevhead]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/england/6185411.stm

on a more serious note...



Giles flies home from Ashes tour

Ashley Giles is returning from England's Ashes tour of Australia to be with his wife Stine, who is suffering from a potentially serious illness.

The Warwickshire left-arm spinner will be replaced in the squad by Middlesex off-spinner Jamie Dalrymple, already in Australia with the Academy squad.

England coach Duncan Fletcher said: "This is very distressing news.

"The thoughts of all the players and management are with Ashley and Stine at such a difficult time."

Fletcher went on: "It is typical of Ashley that he has dealt with this in such a professional manner, and we wish Stine a speedy recovery.

"There is no chance of Ashley coming back to join us at this stage."

Giles, an experienced left-arm spinner, was dropped for the third Test and replaced by Monty Panesar. [i]


Godspeed :(

[millencolin]

those poms are doing well so far today... survived to the lunch break and playing big strokes off warny!

[oily oaf]

India's not that bad, are they :?: :p : :D

Apparently not as they bowled out your bunch of comedians for 84 in 25 overs :D

(starts to sing "have you ever met a nice Seth Efrican")

[Schultz]

That sounds like Mumbai. Bad example right there oily. You should know better. That pitch was a wreck! Clarke got 6/9 FFS! ;)

[oily oaf]

That sounds like Mumbai. Bad example right there oily. You should know better. That pitch was a wreck! Clarke got 6/9 FFS! ;)

Hehehehehe not Mumbai mate but Jo'burg.
India made 249 and 236 on the same pitch and currently have Seth Efrica struggling on 0 for 1 as they laughingly attempt to make the required 402 to win :D

Anyway I made the point to suggest that Mr 04QT should take a time out from having sly little pops at England and spend his time contemplating the sorry state of his own bloody heroes.

I tell ya what Shultzy we might be having out trousers pulled down by your lot but if it was Sean Pollock and the boys we were facing I'd take us to piss all over them without even breaking sweat :s mokin:

[stevie_gerrard]

I prayed last night for a miracle from England in the ashes, and i will be praying again tonight :) I refuse to be put down by the real chance that the Ashes are over. There is something that these England lads can do, and thats bat like heck, and save this match. :)

Gillys knock was out of this world :up: stunning :up: If only Flintoff would do that tonight :p :

[Valve Bounce]

I prayed last night for a miracle from England in the ashes, and i will be praying again tonight :) I refuse to be put down by the real chance that the Ashes are over. There is something that these England lads can do, and thats bat like heck, and save this match. :)

Gillys knock was out of this world :up: stunning :up: If only Flintoff would do that tonight :p :


Look here for your miracle: http://mirror.bom.gov.au/weather/radar/

amd then click on Perth.

Personally, after much thinking, nothing would please me more than to see the Poms win this match. They would break nearly every record in the history of cricket, and re-ignite the interest of cricket in England. However, reality kicked in when I realised that Pietersen is the only real batsman left, and uness the Poms could somehow rub a genie bottle and turn Flintoff's btting ability into the same as Pietersen's, then it's not going to happen.

[Schultz]

Forecast for Monday
A thundery shower or two, clearing during the afternoon. E/SE winds tending S/SW
late morning and freshening in the afternoon.

Precis: Thundery showers clearing.
City: Max 29
Mandurah: Max 28


http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDW12300.shtml

Here's hoping these rains eventuate, beacuse its the only damn thing thats going to keep you guys in this series until Boxing day.

Sorry Oily. Was drinking red wine last night and feeling rather aggressive. Please excuse :p

[Valve Bounce]

And here's the webcam: http://www.waca.com.au/scores-webcam/webcam.asp
for the WACA.

[Jaws]

I wish fishing was that easy

[555-04Q2]

Well done Australia. This series has been far too easy for them. 4 : 0 whitewash I perdicted still on track :(

[Valve Bounce]

Well done Australia. This series has been far too easy for them. 4 : 0 whitewash I perdicted still on track :(


Make it 5-0, please. I understand the Poms will be given the Order of the NBG by Her Majesty when they return to England.

[Storm]

Dull.

[555-04Q2]

Make it 5-0, please. I understand the Poms will be given the Order of the NBG by Her Majesty when they return to England.

No. The next test will be a draw with Australia winning the 5th and final test ;)

[oily oaf]

Congrats to the Aussie boys. They spanked our bottoms real good
I've already heard a few whingers on the radio pointing at poor preparation, key players missing, dodgy team selection etc.
That's just BS. We were outplayed and out toughed in every area of the game. We simply weren't good enough to overcome a true champion team who were highly motivated and thirsting for vengeance after 2005.
Try as I might I simply can't dislike the Aussie boys. They play with great spirit on the pitch but are a real nice bunch of guys off it.
Honourable mentions to Gilly and Symonds who "walked" after getting an edge without waiting for the umpire to raise the dreaded digit. Good to see.
What can you say about Warnie? The greatest wrist spinner to ever send an obscene text message without a shadow of a doubt. Retire mate. You know you want to.
Punter has led from the front and delivered a real smack in the eye to his detractors. Well played mate.
Ah well it's on to Melbourne and the mighty MCG. Let's hope the Poms can build on the positives that have emerged from the series such as the batting of KP who will surely establish himself as one of the greats, the wicket taking qualities of Monty and the emergence of young Ali Cook as a real prospect for the future.
Come on boys do it for Queen and country or if not that do it so that I won't be jeered and pelted with rotten fruit every time I go to Earls Court.

Shultzy. Pass the red wine brother I need a drink. Jaws go to your room and write 200 times "I will not tamper with my rod in class"

(puts on record of Waltzing Matilda and hurls dart at poster of Rolf Harris)

[millencolin]

Congrats to the Aussie boys. They spanked our bottoms real good
I've already heard a few whingers on the radio pointing at poor preparation, key players missing, dodgy team selection etc.
That's just BS. We were outplayed and out toughed in every area of the game. We simply weren't good enough to overcome a true champion team who were highly motivated and thirsting for vengeance after 2005.
Try as I might I simply can't dislike the Aussie boys. They play with great spirit on the pitch but are a real nice bunch of guys off it.
Honourable mentions to Gilly and Symonds who "walked" after getting an edge without waiting for the umpire to raise the dreaded digit. Good to see.
What can you say about Warnie? The greatest wrist spinner to ever send an obscene text message without a shadow of a doubt. Retire mate. You know you want to.
Punter has led from the front and delivered a real smack in the eye to his detractors. Well played mate.


well said there sir

[Rollo]

Australia has won the Ashes and done it well. Admittedly not quite the way that we'd like to see what with England gifting y'all the second test, but nevertheless it's been supreme batting that's given to you coupled with rather patchy batting on the part of England.

Well done old chaps. Right then, gissa case of Dark & Stormy and we'll forget the whole thing e'er happened eh.

[Valve Bounce]

No. The next test will be a draw with Australia winning the 5th and final test ;)

If you are expecting rain in Melbourne during the Boxing Day test, I can only say that I share your hopes. We are in the middle of the worst drought here in memory, bushfires all over Victoria, and the rain will be more welcome than a win in Melbourne.

I do have a word about the Barmy Army - they kept their spirits up despite the loss and were chanting their team on afterwrds when Flintoff led his boys to show their appreciation for the support given by the Barmy Army.

And it was wonderful to finally see Captain Haddock given a chance to bowl, and didn't he do well. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captain_Haddock
I think he is probably one of the most popular Poms with the Aussi spectators.

[Brown, Jon Brow]

Rubbish!!!

We only had the ashes for about 400days!!!
Now we all of our young players for the future will have scars of what the Aussies can do to them. :bigcry: :bigcry:

Hopefully the likes of KP, Cook, Panasar and Bell will develop into Bush Wackers in the coming years.

[ShiftingGears]

Go us!

I think most enjoyable part of todays match was seeing Jones run out by Ponting. No-one else knew what was happening, even Warne had to ask the Umpire!

[Valve Bounce]

Rubbish!!!

We only had the ashes for about 400days!!!
Now we all of our young players for the future will have scars of what the Aussies can do to them. :bigcry: :bigcry:

Hopefully the likes of KP, Cook, Panasar and Bell will develop into Bush Wackers in the coming years.


I tried to get you a pic of the Bushwacker, but couldn't find one. Perhaps you could check it out in Mechwarrior4Merceneries.

I don't think Pietersen has to develop into a Bushwacker as he is already a very gifted player. I'd like to see a helluva lot more of Captain Haddock.

I have been wondering all along: Would the Poms have played with a lot more determination if they were not holding the Ashes?
I didn't like it when Pietersen gave up the strike so easily to let Panasar face the bowler. I remember the stand taken by Ken Mackay against the mighty West Indies bowlers and held them out to effect a draw. Ken took the last ball from Wesley Hall on his chest rather than fend it off with his bat because that way, he would not have been caught out.

I know it would have been nearly impossible for Pietersen and Panasar to hold out the Aussis for two sessions, but it was surprising that Pietersen didn't try. Giving up was so easy when all hope seemed lost. Just like Singapore all over again.

[millencolin]

that victory beer i enjoyed never tasted so sweet...

[AndyRAC]

'Ere we go again, praising the Aussies, they didn't win the Ashes, they were handed them on a silver platter. A simply shocking performance, in fact the Ashes were lost last year, the day after they were won. Australia started planning for revenge, England got carried away; and in their next test somehow managed to lose in Pakistan when they had dominated the match. DOH!!!
I'm really annoyed because there were rumblings of discontent in the Australia a few weeks ago, an ageing line up; a successful defence looked possible. And what happens Fletcher loses the plot, goes all defensive, no preparation time.What do you expect, Aussies were gunning for blood, and England gave them it, shocking. That 2nd Test was an abysmal last day performance, that surely wasn't the same team/coach as last year, no fight or heart. Yes, Australia are good, but not as good as England made them look, they were over the hill, but good old England gave them a helping hand and put them back on top again.
Fletcher, Jones can go now, Strauss for captaincy -taking the shackles and pressure off Flintoff.
Oh and another thing, how the hell has David Morgan been reselected as chairman of the ECB, the old Welsh alliance with Fletcher, and he's given his backing, DOH!!
Anyway RANT over......

...well done Australia (OUCH!!)

[stevie_gerrard]

well done to the aussies, i know England have been nowhere near their best for this series, but Australia made sure they put the sword into the Poms and win convincingly.

I really hope England can get their ideas together and win one of the last two tests, because they certainly have the talent to win one of them. :)

[Jaws]

Oily,

Writing done, promise never to play with rod in class, bedroom is another story ;)

England missed Vaughan, sorry, I have been a big fan of Freddie all along, in fact, I named Jaws Jnrs 3rd replacement Goldfish Freddie. But he does not have the leadership qualities of Vaughan. (Freddie that is, not the Goldfish).

KP is a sensation, and every now and again, Australia likes to adopt a Pom, someone they love, in the past it was Gough, but now I can see Monty getting that honour. It's ironic, for all the talk of the racial abuse he was going to get, Australia is getting right behind him.

Cook looks very mentally tough for his age and Hoggie gave it all.

To me, I knew the Ashes were won when Collingwood started batting slow on Day 5 at Adelaide (16 of 80 balls at one stage). Nothing would have given the Aussies a bigger sniff than watching top order batsman not backing themselves to score runs on a perfect batting wicket. If he forced the issue, and scored another 30-40, Australia mightened have got the win that broke England's resolve.

[Rollo]

Now that the three major papers in Sydney have splashed "We can win 5-0" over their mastheads and the celebrations have begun in earnest. I'd like to say something about sportsmanship. Usually it is customary for the two sides after a match to shake each others hands and thank each other for the game.

The English team formed an orderly line from the centre square while the Aussies celebrations started and were on the pitch in the line for nearly 12 minutes before in resignation they kind of sauntered off, realising that the victors weren't going to even give them a "sorry chaps, and thank you".

This unfortunately is the spirit of this current Australian side. Ponting apologised to his rival captain for snubbing his humbled opponents and put it down to media commitments, but to me they looked like the same media commitments that saw Indian cricket chief Sharad Pawar get pushed off the dias at the ICC Champions Trophy; that commitment is to get one's mush splashed all over the media.

Does this ring of vaingloriousness on the part of the Australians? Can they even spell that?

[Jaws]

Now that the three major papers in Sydney have splashed "We can win 5-0" over their mastheads and the celebrations have begun in earnest. I'd like to say something about sportsmanship. Usually it is customary for the two sides after a match to shake each others hands and thank each other for the game.

The English team formed an orderly line from the centre square while the Aussies celebrations started and were on the pitch in the line for nearly 12 minutes before in resignation they kind of sauntered off, realising that the victors weren't going to even give them a "sorry chaps, and thank you".

This unfortunately is the spirit of this current Australian side. Ponting apologised to his rival captain for snubbing his humbled opponents and put it down to media commitments, but to me they looked like the same media commitments that saw Indian cricket chief Sharad Pawar get pushed off the dias at the ICC Champions Trophy; that commitment is to get one's mush splashed all over the media.

Does this ring of vaingloriousness on the part of the Australians? Can they even spell that?


Oh please Rollo, I know it hurts, but they just won the Ashes. Winning a tournament like the World Cup, the ICC Trophy or the Ashes is not your regular finish to a game. Granted, you should always shake the umpire's hand and the opposition's hand at the end of the match and the Aussies do that, but I think a certain amount of latitude is allowed at times like this. I didn't watch it all, but I certainly saw plenty of Aussie players run up to Monty and KP to shake their hands.

Do you not think the Aussies had a friendly beer with the England players in the changeroom??

[Schultz]

Now that the three major papers in Sydney have splashed "We can win 5-0" over their mastheads and the celebrations have begun in earnest. I'd like to say something about sportsmanship. Usually it is customary for the two sides after a match to shake each others hands and thank each other for the game.

The English team formed an orderly line from the centre square while the Aussies celebrations started and were on the pitch in the line for nearly 12 minutes before in resignation they kind of sauntered off, realising that the victors weren't going to even give them a "sorry chaps, and thank you".

This unfortunately is the spirit of this current Australian side. Ponting apologised to his rival captain for snubbing his humbled opponents and put it down to media commitments, but to me they looked like the same media commitments that saw Indian cricket chief Sharad Pawar get pushed off the dias at the ICC Champions Trophy; that commitment is to get one's mush splashed all over the media.

Does this ring of vaingloriousness on the part of the Australians? Can they even spell that?

Talk about sour grapes :rolleyes: It's barely been 16 hours and already you are trying to cast a shadow on the Australian victory. Did you not see who I thought was Hayden and Langer going straight to the English dressing rooms to shake hands with Freddie and KP (?)? Australia are a team with huge spirit and are a team that plays tough and fair. A number of their batsmen have walked before being given out, and they would have been the first to offer sympathy and a beer to the POM's after the game. You know that, so don't be so cynical.

[Rollo]

Talk about sour grapes :rolleyes: It's barely been 16 hours and already you are trying to cast a shadow on the Australian victory.

Talk about selective hearing. Why only on the same page did I give my congrats to the Australians. 17 hours ago :eek:


Australia has won the Ashes and done it well. Admittedly not quite the way that we'd like to see what with England gifting y'all the second test, but nevertheless it's been supreme batting that's given it to you coupled with rather patchy batting on the part of England.

Well done old chaps.

People will only read what they want to apparantly ;) Does the character of the national side reflect that of the character of the nation??

[Jaws]

Talk about selective hearing. Why only on the same page did I give my congrats to the Australians. 17 hours ago :eek:



People will only read what they want to apparantly ;) Does the character of the national side reflect that of the character of the nation??

That's a bit harsh isn't it? I mean, I too think that the Aussie's behaviour to Mr Pawar was poor after the ICC, but too charactarise a whole nation on that?

Why is this coming up 2 seconds after England have lost the Ashes? The Aussies on this forum including Shultzy, Valve, Millencolin and me were more than gracious when you guys one it off us, how about letting us having our time in the sun - or are you characterising your nation???

[Rollo]

Why is this coming up 2 seconds after England have lost the Ashes?

Because if I mention this in say 8 weeks time, it won't have any relevance


The Aussies on this forum including Shultzy, Valve, Millencolin and me were more than gracious when you guys one it off us, how about letting us having our time in the sun - or are you characterising your nation???

Absolutely. Complaining about things and that we used to have it so much better has been one of the mainstays of English culture now for nigh on 60 years :D Just look at things like the breakup of the Empire, the metric system, entry into the Common Market, adoption of the Euro, British Rail etc. Napoleon called England a nation of dreary shopkeepers and the thing is he was actually right.

We're crap and we know we are :D it's just that the status quo has returned.

But if you happen to say one bad word about the Australians, it's like someone has put a poo in a paper bag, set the bag on fire and left it at the front door step. :p :
(someone already did that at Kirribilli House... Chas Richardello was naturally the first suspect)

[Jaws]

Because if I mention this in say 8 weeks time, it won't have any relevance



Absolutely. Complaining about things and that we used to have it so much better has been one of the mainstays of English culture now for nigh on 60 years :D Just look at things like the breakup of the Empire, the metric system, entry into the Common Market, adoption of the Euro, British Rail etc. Napoleon called England a nation of dreary shopkeepers and the thing is he was actually right.

We're crap and we know we are :D it's just that the status quo has returned.

But if you happen to say one bad word about the Australians, it's like someone has put a poo in a paper bag, set the bag on fire and left it at the front door step. :p :
(someone already did that at Kirribilli House... Chas Richardello was naturally the first suspect)

I'm sure it was Chas too ;) and I gladly would have joined him.

As an Aussie, I know our shortcomings and there are plenty of them, I'll be the first to admit it

But when we have pulled off 2 wins like Adelaide and Perth, I personally would appreciate it if you held back on the handshake sh!t bagging commentary momentarily while we enjoyed our win.

I enjoyed Englands win in 2005 and openly congratulated you guys.

[millencolin]

front page of todays courier mail says

In Affectionate Remembrance of ENGLISH CRICKET which died (again) at the WACA on 18 December 2006.

Deeply lamented by a large circle of sorrowing fans known as the Barmy Army

R.I.P

N.B - The Urn containing the Ashes now belongs to Australia but will remain in England

[555-04Q2]

but too charactarise a whole nation on that?

Bloody Australians. Your'e all the same :D

[Valve Bounce]

No good getting mad over the mild comments made here. If you want aggro, read the English tabloids. There's Duncan Fletcher rabbiting on about when he won the Ashes but the England and Wales board want to dump him, and on it goes; here, take your pick: http://www.abyznewslinks.com/ukinglo.htm

But I did post something earlier about Pietersen giving up the strike and letting the tailenders take the heat, and lo and behold: http://sport.guardian.co.uk/ashes2006-07/story/0,,1974965,00.html
read it all for yourself.

Could Pietersen have helped saved the match? Well, he sure as hell didn't bother to try.

[ozrevhead]

Go us!

I think most enjoyable part of todays match was seeing Jones run out by Ponting. No-one else knew what was happening, even Warne had to ask the Umpire!
that was the funniest thing ive ever seen :D

The job is half done - the players want 5-0 and I can safely say so do the fans - 05 was horrid, the worst test series ive ever known and I DON'T want to feel that again

God looking at this thread I know know where the term 'whinging pom' came from SHEESH!

[Valve Bounce]

1. With all the celebrating and Queen's award of MBE's, the Poms forgot they only pinched the Ashes by 1 run - the gap to their nemesis was not that great.

2. The Aussis were badly prepared last year.

3. The Aussis were friendly with the Poms last year, especially Warne.

4. The Poms were badly prepared this year, while the Aussis trained like crazy.

5. The Aussis are no longer friendly.

6. Reliance on injured and out of form players; while the Aussis were lucky they could not, at any time, pick the injured Shane Watson.

7. The Poms are not attacking the Aussis as a team, did not capitalise on their gains; the Aussis bowlers worked as a team and terrorised the Poms.

8. The Aussis remembered the humiliation last year and wanted to win this time, whatever it took; they would not accept that the game in Adelaide was beyond winning whereas all the Poms wanted was to salvage a drawn game.

9. Their coach whinged about incidentals, saying that there would be racial taunts against Panesar. Basically, they took their eye off the ball.

10. And most importantly, they left Panesar (their best bowler) out of the first two tests. Nobody realised that to win a test match, first you must be able to take 20 wickets. (Unless the opposition are stupid enough to declare with 5 wickets left). In fact, even today, Fletcher insists they were let down by their batsmen; as I pointed out earlier, it doesn't matter if your batsmen make a zillion runs, you won't win the game unless you bowl the opposition out twice.

[harsha]

England handed the ashes to Australia on a platter......nuff said,

[Ranger]

BREAKING NEWS

Warne to announce retirement as soon as tomorrow, set to play his last test match in the 5th Ashes test in his home ground of Sydney.

[Viv]

Where'd u hear that?? :s hock:

[ShiftingGears]

It was just on the Channel 7 national news. Though theres nothing on the internet about it that I've found (yet).

[millencolin]

channel 7 talk a lot of crap

[555-04Q2]

BREAKING NEWS

Warne to announce retirement as soon as tomorrow, set to play his last test match in the 5th Ashes test in his home ground of Sydney.

Not trying to spoil the party or anything, but Warne hinted at his retirement after the 2006/2007 Ashes series last year already. Old news really, but sad if he does retire. He is undoubtably one of if not the greatest bowlers of all time.

[555-04Q2]

channel 7 talk a lot of crap

What station doesn't :?: :p :

[Valve Bounce]

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=173292

[Rollo]

He is undoubtably one of if not the greatest bowlers of all time.

I've seen the photographs... no wait, that was something else to with the movement of the letter L in that sentence :D

[harsha]

:( .........the greatest spinner of all times

[ozrevhead]

foxsports.com.au said he and Glenn McGrath will retire

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,20958083-5009880,00.html

[ozrevhead]

No before you English rejoice and shout 'bring on 2008 let me show you that Oz Cricket depth is second to none.

Our Bowlers for example - You have Cullan, Baily and White with Cullan has been practically anointed by Warnie as our next spinning star. As for our fast bowler, Lee and Clark will be there with either Tait, Johnson or Hilfenhaus to fight out the 3rd quick spot

And lets look at our our Batsman - Ponting, Hussey and Clarke are still there along with having Jaques, North, Rogers, Cosgrove, Ferguson, Borges, Watson, Voges, Henriques (mby the test series after that) to chose from. Either Paine or Haddin for keeper.

you could pick anyone in this group and will do their job - don't believe that Oz will fall of the face of the cricketing planet just yet

[Brown, Jon Brow]

End of an era. :(

But start of a new one :D

Were Panasar is the best spinner, and Cook and Pieterson are the best batsman.
England's domination of the Ashes is going to begin :cheese:

[555-04Q2]

No before you English rejoice and shout 'bring on 2008

:laugh:

[stevie_gerrard]

Warne Definately is one of the best bowlers this generation will ever see, and should comfortably get that 700th wicket as well.

My bet is Pietersen is the 700th :p :

[ozrevhead]

:laugh:

it was suppose to say Now before you English rejoice and shout 'bring on 2008...

anywhoo press conference at 12.30 Melbourne Time which is 1hr and 15min away

[ozrevhead]

Press Conference to start shortly

http://www.ninemsn.com.au has it live - http://www.sen.com.au has a web stream

[millencolin]

im watching it now... what im thinking is... what will Warne do now?

Keep playing for Victoria? ( i hope so, even though im a proud queenslander, i want to see warne play live a few more times)
play county cricket?
channel 9 commentator?
comeback in the baggy green? (GOOD GOD I HOPE SO)

the cricket world will be a less entertaining place without S.K. Warne

[millencolin]

im watching it now... what im thinking is... what will Warne do now?

Keep playing for Victoria? ( i hope so, even though im a proud queenslander, i want to see warne play live a few more times)
play county cricket?
channel 9 commentator?
comeback in the baggy green? (GOOD GOD I HOPE SO)

the cricket world will be a less entertaining place without S.K. Warne

well he has retired from international cricket, as well as playing for victoria and club side st kilda.... bugger... i think also county cricket...

[ozrevhead]

a quick summary

talking about the Ashes Urn and how it was important to him to get it back

and has retired from all types of cricket Aus, Vic and local cricket

thought he might be sad but is happy - feels its a celebration

believe the timing is right - once the urn's was won back, him being on top of his game and to end on his terms

if we won in 2005 he would of retired

will honor the contract he signed for his county cricket team

[Valve Bounce]

Satan finds mischief for idle fingers - and Warnie will end up with a bent googly. :p :

[oily oaf]

A sad day for World cricket although I swear to God that as Warnie made his final bow I heard a muted cheer go up from international dressing rooms around the world ;)

Now you Aussie boys can weep into your half pints of Fosters Extra Lite and reel off a whole string of two bob arseoles who will supposedly fill the void left by the great man but trust me when I tell you that you will NEVER replace him.
Warne is right up there in the pantheon of cricket legends such as D K Lillee, I T Botham, Hadlee, Tendulkar, I V A Richards, Abdul Kadir and perhaps the greatest cricketer that ever walked the green sward the mighty Sir Garfield Sobers.
People like these are touched by God and emerge once in a blue moon and can never be bettered or even equalled.

Sadly I never saw Shane in the test arena although last summer I watched in awe at a small ground in South London (washes mouth out with soap) as he returned his best ever one day figures of 8 for 20 odd.
I even stood quite close to the great man at lunch when the crowd were allowed onto the outfield. I was going to speak to him but he was eating a jumbo hamburger and sending a text message :(

Thanks for the memories Warnie. Here's one filthy Pommie b******d that'll buy you a cold one anytime mate.


BTW rumours are rife over here that pigeon is next to go. :( Any truth in that boys?

[Schultz]

Argh. Such a sour day for world cricket. What a champion and what a surprise. I tell you though, the atmosphere on the 2nd day of the boxing day test will be amazing if Warne bowls. 100,000 people cheering WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRNNNNNN NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEE, WWARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNIIIIIIIIIEEE.. .. That will be just unbelieveable. It's what i'll miss most... :(

[Ranger]

BTW rumours are rife over here that pigeon is next to go. :( Any truth in that boys?

Yes, though there's been no announcement yet.

He's expected to play ODI's to the World Cup and retire after the Ashes.

[555-04Q2]

Yes, though there's been no announcement yet.

He's expected to play ODI's to the World Cup and retire after the Ashes.

Australia are an ageing team that will lose a number of their senior players soon. The scary part though, is that for every one that leaves, there are ten just as good ready to replace them :s hock: World cricket needs to step up a notch to knock em Auzzies off the top of world cricket. Wont happen in the near future though.

[Valve Bounce]

Once upon a time, Stuart MacGill was hoping he would get to bowl in tandem with Shane Warne at the SCG for the Sydney test. Now that Shane Warne has announced his imminent retirement with the SCG test as his swansong, it is highly unlikely that Stuart will be allowed to rain on Warnie's parade. However, as one door closes, another opens, and maybe Stuart will find his way into the test side no longer blocked by the wider frame of Shane Warne. For those who want to know WHO?, Stuart has a rather impressive record in test matches. I'll let you search for the link and the records yourself - nothing ventured, nothing gained.

[555-04Q2]

Once upon a time, Stuart MacGill was hoping he would get to bowl in tandem with Shane Warne at the SCG for the Sydney test. Now that Shane Warne has announced his imminent retirement with the SCG test as his swansong, it is highly unlikely that Stuart will be allowed to rain on Warnie's parade. However, as one door closes, another opens, and maybe Stuart will find his way into the test side no longer blocked by the wider frame of Shane Warne. For those who want to know WHO?, Stuart has a rather impressive record in test matches. I'll let you search for the link and the records yourself - nothing ventured, nothing gained.

MacGill is 80% the bowler that Warne is. That makes him bloody good :up:

[Brown, Jon Brow]

Harmison is set to retire from ODI

[Jaws]

I am going to have to bludgeon my mate who works for Cricket NSW to get me some tickets, to see Warnie's last test. I had the pleasure of seeing Clive Lloyd walk off the SCG for the last time, a moment I will never forget.

To see Warnie in his final test would be a priviledge, the best way to explain it is to quote Murray Walker regarding Michael Shcumacher. For all those people that do or don't like Michael, they should just enjoy watching him while he is racing, because sadly there will be a day when you can't tune in in watch one of the greatest perform his art.

The same can be said for Warnie.

[Valve Bounce]

I am going to have to bludgeon my mate who works for Cricket NSW to get me some tickets, to see Warnie's last test. I had the pleasure of seeing Clive Lloyd walk off the SCG for the last time, a moment I will never forget.

To see Warnie in his final test would be a priviledge, the best way to explain it is to quote Murray Walker regarding Michael Shcumacher. For all those people that do or don't like Michael, they should just enjoy watching him while he is racing, because sadly there will be a day when you can't tune in in watch one of the greatest perform his art.

The same can be said for Warnie.

Who doesn't like Warnie? :confused:

[ozrevhead]

MacGill is 80% the bowler that Warne is. That makes him bloody good :up:
he would be our first choice if warnie wasn't there - he does go for a few but does get the wickets

actually the times where Shane and Stewart are there together in a test match its McGill that ends up with better figures :eek:

I cant wait for Dan Cullan to be given his opportunity - this guy is a future star..Warnie has practically anointed Dan as the next big spinning thing which is a huge wrap. Warnie's coach, Terry Jenna now coached both Cullan and Cullan Baily who is also a very good up and commer. Dan's more of a wrist spinner and Baily is more your traditional leggie.

[harsha]

Mcgill is too inconsistent,he doesn't have 40% of the control that shane warne has with his spinners,he's got talent,he can perform but i doubt the opponents will be as scared of him as they are of shane warne

[555-04Q2]

he would be our first choice if warnie wasn't there - he does go for a few but does get the wickets

actually the times where Shane and Stewart are there together in a test match its McGill that ends up with better figures :eek:

I cant wait for Dan Cullan to be given his opportunity - this guy is a future star..Warnie has practically anointed Dan as the next big spinning thing which is a huge wrap. Warnie's coach, Terry Jenna now coached both Cullan and Cullan Baily who is also a very good up and commer. Dan's more of a wrist spinner and Baily is more your traditional leggie.

I've never understood why Australia dont have Warnie at one end and McGill at the other constantly pounding away at the opposition in a test match. That would be an awesome comination on day four and five with the rough to exploit. Wickets would tumble.

[555-04Q2]

Mcgill is too inconsistent,he doesn't have 40% of the control that shane warne has with his spinners,he's got talent,he can perform but i doubt the opponents will be as scared of him as they are of shane warne

True. Hell I'm scared of Warnie and I've never had to face him :p :

[harsha]

I've never understood why Australia dont have Warnie at one end and McGill at the other constantly pounding away at the opposition in a test match. That would be an awesome comination on day four and five with the rough to exploit. Wickets would tumble.

they could be a tough combination but the combination could only work in the subcontinent where there is a help for spinners. and the fact that they are two similar bowlers will make the batsmen facing them at ease more....

if they were a leg spinner and an off spinning combination...maybe but not too leg spinners operating in tandem

[Valve Bounce]

It is really necessary to understand how Shane Warne works with Glen McGrath or other bowlers. Shane holds up one end with accurate bowling and when he is at his most menacing, he bamboozles the batsmen so that even if they don't get bowled, they become frustrated and then Glen knocks them over. They work as a two man demolition team. I suspect that Stuart is more interested in getting the wickets himself rather than working with the other bowler.
It is only my opinion, but I always felt that Warne was never too happy to have Stuart in the team.
Maybe other Aussis will be able to shed some light on this.

[ozrevhead]

Glenn McGrath will be hosting a press conference at 1.10pm Sydney time

http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/ci/content/current/story/273698.html

its 25min away

[Valve Bounce]

Yeah!! he announced his retirement after the World Cup. However, we have Stuart Clark coming on, and he will take over from Glen. There's really nobody to cover for Warnie, and that makes the Glen McGrath/Warnie combination that used to frustrate batsmen an irreplaceable loss.

I don't think that Stuart MacGill can bottle up batsmen like Warnie does.

[SEATFreak]

I am not a great fan of cricket at any level but I cannot help but look at what Australia say about England most of the time in press conferences re how confident they are about beating us and then to how they perform, then look at what England players say about Australia then to how England perform, and ask myself is it any wonder it's the same old story with the Aussies continually whitewashing us?

For instance Shane Warne said he would have retired in 2005 had he won the Ashes. Does beating us mean that much to your career, your decision to retire hang on whether we get beat or not Shane?

Yes there is the win over them last year to consider and the fact it ultimately comes down to who did or didn't do well, but why it just seems to me one of the greatest unwritten rules in sport to show respect at all times to the better team, is I see an element of truth to that by how little geniune feeling there seems to be in the voices of England's players when they talk about beating Australia than when Australia's players talk about beating England. They genuinely want to beat us and to see us loose.

If we play them at Austalias own game and show as much desire to beat them, mightn't we start to see the same success they experince?

[stevie_gerrard]

Probably, it does seem to be a lack of confidence we have when we play somebody like Australia on their own turf, we seem to have a lack of thinking when it comes to playing them stupid shots. Its very depressing :p :

Just look at today, a poor decision to bat on an overcast pitch, all out for 159, Australia 48-2. Confidence is something that England need to build on in my opinion for future Ashes in australia, they get intimidated i feel too much.

[Ranger]

It was 2/101 at about lunch, and the next time I checked they were 9/158!

Something really does need to change in that England squad and replacing Jones doesn't quite make up for that something lacking in the entire team.

[harsha]

i think going to australia without guys like trescothick,vaughan and simon jones is the main reason why the English Team performed so disappointingly

[SEATFreak]

Probably, it does seem to be a lack of confidence we have when we play somebody like Australia on their own turf, we seem to have a lack of thinking when it comes to playing them stupid shots. Its very depressing :p :

Just look at today, a poor decision to bat on an overcast pitch, all out for 159, Australia 48-2. Confidence is something that England need to build on in my opinion for future Ashes in australia, they get intimidated i feel too much.

Exactly. Australia obviously have world class talent like Ponting and McGrath and of course Warne who have an awesome level of natural ability, but how I ask are they so good other than the right schooling?

One possible explination is thinking. The teams mindset going into games. How fired up they are, how determined they are etc,.

And I must say it does seem to be having a dramatic effect.

England take note.

[millencolin]

FINALLY!!! my cricketing hero has made his mark in test match cricket!!! symmo, you bloody legend!!! since im a massive quenslander, nothing made me hapier than to see the innings saved by 2 of queenslands best ever batsmen... been watching symmo play for QLD for so long in pura cup games, now finally kicked butt in test match... so so so so happy!!!!

good work sir!!! how about 200 tomoro?

[stevie_gerrard]

I have to say, in my opinion, thats the luckiest century he will ever make :p :

He was right on the ropes before lunch, but he did well after that, and along with Hayden, set the scene for the innings.

Australia finally all out for 419, England 28-0 at lunch i think. solid start again, but an interesting stat for you, the opening pair for England havent made a partnership past 36 yet in this series, but 6 of their 7 partnerships have been over 20. Don't hold much hope for this partnership lasting :p :

But the key now is to get a big partnership in and bat the day out, we need to get as close to 250 as possible, only losing a max of 3 wickets if we want to turn this match into a contest.

[raybak]

Aussies win again!!!

3 days isn't too bad, at least the Poms made more in their second innings than their first.

Warnie got a standing ovation even from the Members stand.

Ray

[Ranger]

Well, at least Matthew Hoggard's rendition of a British constable after the leaked game plan was brilliant! :D

Apart from that, England were crap. 5-0 is odds on after winning by an innings and 99 runs.

[stevie_gerrard]

:( :( :( :( I Dont know what to say anymore, i know 5-0 was a possibility but this is just flaming ridiculous, we are handing it to them on a plate! :(

[SEATFreak]

Well, at least Matthew Hoggard's rendition of a British constable after the leaked game plan was brilliant! :D

Don't get too cocky about the leaking of England's bowling tactics and the subsequent copying of hundreds of it.

To take England's extremely confidential tactics shows graphically just how low what your team is prepared to do to beat England is.

That frankly dirty and unsporting act has no place in any repectful sport and in my opinion alone your team is at risk of becoming a disgrace to international cricket and if the ICC has enough sense they will launch a full investigation and if your team is found guily, dish the adequate punishment.

And that is putting my personal views on Australians and Australia in general mildly. My respect for your nations pride is all but dead. It is my feeling that I consider you a disgrace to the entire Commonwealth and a disgrace to any flag that bears in it's canton the Union flag.

[Schultz]

Don't get too cocky about the leaking of England's bowling tactics and the subsequent copying of hundreds of it.

To take England's extremely confidential tactics shows graphically just how low what your team is prepared to do to beat England is.

That frankly dirty and unsporting act has no place in any repectful sport and in my opinion alone your team is at risk of becoming a disgrace to international cricket and if the ICC has enough sense they will launch a full investigation and if your team is found guily, dish the adequate punishment.

And that is putting my personal views on Australians and Australia in general mildly. My respect for your nations pride is all but dead. It is my feeling that I consider you a disgrace to the entire Commonwealth and a disgrace to any flag that bears in it's canton the Union flag.

lol. Bitter at all?

You presume the plans were stolen by the Australian team. There could be all sorts of reasons why such a document would be leaked. It could have been misplaced and found by the media, or it could have been sold directly to the media. If Australia were to 'stumble' upon such a document they would be silly not to have a peak ;)

[Ranger]

To take England's extremely confidential tactics shows graphically just how low what your team is prepared to do to beat England is.

Who said it was the team that took it? Surely the Australian team doesn't write down tactics of stealing game plans correct to which radio station it is broadcast to.

And why in God's name would they, a professional sporting team, send it to a news broadcaster instead of just keeping it for themselves, IF they kept it.

And, as disappointing as it may be, would Australia want yet alone need those plans? They've proved out on the pitch who is the better team, both in bowling and batting.

But I don't get how one thing that most likely wasn't the Australian team's doing can mean that Australians are appaling and should be out of the Commonwealth... Maybe you'd like to explain? :rolleyes:

[SEATFreak]

It could have been misplaced and found by the media

Why didn't the media hand it back?


or it could have been sold directly to the media. ;)

Who would it benefit and in what way?


If Australia were to 'stumble' upon such a document they would be silly not to have a peak ;)

Is there no longer an element of sneakyness to coin a word to looking at such documents anymore? :( If you took a "peek" at someones test paper at school during an exam you would probably have been disqualified.


And why in God's name would they, a professional sporting team, send it to a news broadcaster instead of just keeping it for themselves, IF they kept it.

See below.


And, as disappointing as it may be, would Australia want yet alone need those plans? They've proved out on the pitch who is the better team, both in bowling and batting.

Playing devils advocate for a moment and say it was them, leaking a paper move isn't about wanting or needing it. It is about having a cheap laugh, because that is what I felt when I got word of what had happened. I felt Australia was laughing at me as a "pom". :(


But I don't get how one thing that most likely wasn't the Australian team's doing can mean that Australians are appaling and should be out of the Commonwealth... Maybe you'd like to explain?

I can explain OK. We can establish whomever it was, he/she/they wasn't English. I thought you Aussies liked us. That proves you do not. :(

[Ranger]

I would describe the Australian/English relationship from an Australian's point of view as kind of the same as the Australian/NZ relationship.

Which is:

Sport and cheeky insults aside, both get along fine.

Some of the other Aussies here may not agree with that, but that's how I see it.

Of course, When a team like the current English team is 4-0 down and has something like thise floating around, it could be seen as kicking them whilst they're down and that's when people start to get offended (which, correct me if I'm wrong, I think is where you are coming from).

But that's IF the team did it. And yes, it would be wrong for the Aussies to escape punishment for doing something like that if it is proved true.

But think about the media aspect. What aspect of the media is going to hand back an English cricket document when in the midst of some of the highest sporting/TV ratings around due to the large support and coverage of the sport?

I certainly can't picture the rather more sensationalist British media doing that.

[Valve Bounce]

Don't get too cocky about the leaking of England's bowling tactics and the subsequent copying of hundreds of it.

To take England's extremely confidential tactics shows graphically just how low what your team is prepared to do to beat England is.

That frankly dirty and unsporting act has no place in any repectful sport and in my opinion alone your team is at risk of becoming a disgrace to international cricket and if the ICC has enough sense they will launch a full investigation and if your team is found guily, dish the adequate punishment.

And that is putting my personal views on Australians and Australia in general mildly. My respect for your nations pride is all but dead. It is my feeling that I consider you a disgrace to the entire Commonwealth and a disgrace to any flag that bears in it's canton the Union flag.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20988209-5001505,00.html

Just think about how stupid what you have said above really is. If the Poms are stupid enough to stick their secret game plan where anyone can get a copy of it and send it to the ABC, then how on bloody earth do you expect this bunch of genital crania to win a test match? It turns out the guy who sent it to the ABC fiound a copy of the secret codes near the photocopy machien. And do you really think if it remainied a secret, that the Poms could actually have won?

And by the way, did anyone notice that Warnie outscored all the Pommies in both innings except for their opener in the first innings?

This bloody team is a disgrace, played disgracefully, and don't even deserve to fly home - I wouldn't even bother to send this lot home in a Sampan, let alone feed them.

[Valve Bounce]

.............and just in case you havn't been humiliated enough by this lousy team, here's more: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/index/0,,5001505,00.html

[SEATFreak]

Of course, When a team like the current English team is 4-0 down and has something like thise floating around, it could be seen as kicking them whilst they're down and that's when people start to get offended (which, correct me if I'm wrong, I think is where you are coming from).

Spot on.


But think about the media aspect. What aspect of the media is going to hand back an English cricket document when in the midst of some of the highest sporting/TV ratings around due to the large support and coverage of the sport?

The honest aspect of the media. If there is such a thing. Which I doubt knowing what they are prepared to do to encourage ratings.


I certainly can't picture the rather more sensationalist British media doing that.

Being honest to hand back the paper or make a bid deal of it on air?

[Valve Bounce]

I can't see how anyone could possibly be offended by the Aussis intention of winning by thrashing these hapless Poms in the final test. Why the bloody hell would the Aussis want to give these no-hopers a chance? The same buggers who won the Ashes by one bloody run, celebrated as if they were the best cricket team on the panet and got their queen to give them MBE's? One bloody run!! think about that. Now they are just no bloody good. And they have this stupid Balmy Army sing at us "God save Your Queen"!!

And now some bloody twit seems to think we may have got an advantage because the Poms lost their game plan which was sentto the ABC. Why don't you Poms face the facts - that game plan was a joke! The Poms would have been beaten no matter plan or no plan being made public.

[harsha]

this is some of the most hilarious stuff i've read.... :D

well played to the aussies,i suppose england might even settle for a draw in the final test....

[Valve Bounce]

.............but wait, there's more:

http://www.smh.com.au/news/news/worst-england-side-ever/2006/12/29/1166895478784.html


............and: http://www.smh.com.au/news/news/england-to-restructure/2006/12/30/1166895521377.html

Just take your pick.

I couldn't find some of the stuff written by other ex England captains, but I am sure you will get the drift of what they said anyway.

[Valve Bounce]

But don't despair, help may be on the way for the Poms:

http://mirror.bom.gov.au/products/IDR033.shtml

[Valve Bounce]

Pietersen not happy: http://www.theage.com.au/news/news/furious-pietersen-slams-buchanan/2006/12/31/1167500010837.html

The pitch of the SCG: http://www.theage.com.au/news/news/a-test-pitch-to-give-pacemen-heart/2006/12/31/1167500010846.html

And Monty's New Year's wish: http://www.theage.com.au/news/news/panesar-and-england-cling-to-their-mantra/2006/12/31/1167500010840.html

[Schultz]

The original Ashes team from Australia:

M. Hayden: Won't be around for long
J. Langer: Announced his retirement
R. Ponting: No sign of slowing down
D. Martyn: Announced his retirement
M. Clarke: Will captain Australia one day
M. Hussey:One of the best in the world. Will be around for years.
A. Gilchrist: Maybe 2 years at the longest
SK. Warne: Retired - irreplacable
B. Lee: Still improving
S. Clark: Best find of the year
G. Mcgrath: Retired

So the situatuation Australian cricket are dealing with is the need to replace 4 of our most experienced players. Only one of these players Australia will struggle to find an adequate replacement for. The good thing is, we have got almost a year before we play another test series. These players have retired after many new players have been tested and have made a good impact. I'm talking about Mitchell Johnson, Shaun Tait, Phil Jacques, Shane Watson and more. All have shown they are capable of having a long and successful career in the baggy green.

Let's look at what will undoubtebly be the Australian team in the next test we play. That is supposing there are no more retirements.

M Hayden
P. Jacques
R. Ponting
M. Hussey
M. Clarke
S. Watson/A. Symonds
A. Gilchrist
B. Lee
S. Clark
S. Macgill
M. Johnson

Macgill WILL fill the Warne void, but he won't be around for too long. In the case of Stuey retireing now (Which he won't) I think Australia wil take on Cam White, who i believe is overrated to the extreme. Great leader. Decent batsmen on his day, but i've seen nothing that says he can bowl. Other than this problem, I don't see how The Australian cricket team will fall from the lofty heights they have occupied for 10 years now. Macgill, Johnson, Tait and Watson have high quality wickets and they are only going to get better. Apart of Macgill.

[Valve Bounce]

We are talking about heart - the heart of the tream. What can I say about the Poms? Tell me what you can say about the Poms!

[SEATFreak]

Pietersen not happy: http://www.theage.com.au/news/news/furious-pietersen-slams-buchanan/2006/12/31/1167500010837.html

Kevin is absolutely spot on!! :up: That is more like the mentality and opinions I expect England to show people whose ancestory can be traced back to a bunch of our unwanted ex-convicts. We are too soft on the Aussies. We give them more respect than they deserve. More success doesn't entitle you to more praise or respect.

The Aussie coach needs to but out of our affairs if he knows what is good for him and concentrate on his own camp!!

It is because of John Buchanan's ability to do it that England players are reduced to mere morally defeated unconfident sportsmen.

[millencolin]

We are talking about heart - the heart of the tream. What can I say about the Poms? Tell me what you can say about the Poms!


i can say that they are crap....

[Daniel]

That is more like the mentality and opinions I expect England to show people whose ancestory can be traced back to a bunch of our unwanted ex-convicts. We are too soft on the Aussies. We give them more respect than they deserve. More success doesn't entitle you to more praise or respect.

I do hope you're being sarcastic.

[stevie_gerrard]

We are talking about heart - the heart of the tream. What can I say about the Poms? Tell me what you can say about the Poms!

The Poms were beaten by the better and well prepared side called the aussies :p :

Cant go on about it forever, im happy to admit we made mistakes and we were crap, but doesnt mean we will be crap forever. As long as we learn from our lessons this time around, then we can come back to Australia in 4 years a stronger side, and give the aussies more of a game. May not win, but it cant get much worse than this really.

[bowler]

It is because of John Buchanan's ability to do it that England players are reduced to mere morally defeated unconfident sportsmen.

I think this shows exactly why he English team lost 4 out of 4. If a few words from an opposition coach reduce them to "unconfident sportsmen" then what hope have they got on the field.

Pretty rich to blame the opposition coach for a few comments after the players have been demolished 4/4.

This English team is simply not up to it. Accept it, and plan for a better future, don't blame the mirror for what it shows.

[Valve Bounce]

I do recall that Duncan Fletcher used to get under the skin of the Aussi players two years ago to te extent that Ricky Ponting turned towards the Pommy Coach and cursed him when he was run out by a crack substitute fieldsman.

Now it seems that Buchanen is simply returning the favour and he certainly has gotten under Pietresen's skin.

I have a very good device to counter all these negative media reports - it's called a shredder, and you simply cut the news articles to roughly A4 size before reading them, then you feed it through the shredder.

There is never anything published in the media that could possibly help any sportsman perform better. I cannot believe that by reacting to what Buchanen said that Pietersen could perform better as a result. And I did state very early in this thread that I felt Pietersen was not a team man, preferring to duck the strike and let the inferior tail enders face our bowlers. Maybe Pietersen should think how that makes him a team man.

Oh yes!! another disaster for the Poms: Hoggard is out beccause of a side strain.

[Valve Bounce]

Start Delayed! check here:http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/australia/engine/match/249226.html

[Valve Bounce]

.......and a cruel disection from Simon Barnes: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20999519-5001505,00.html

[Rollo]

The Poms were beaten by the better and well prepared side called the aussies :p :


On the pitch yes... but off of it, NO :D

Most of the crowd that you've been able to hear on this tour comes from one section of the pitch. Let's face it, Australians just don't know how to sing much beyond Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi oi oi.

Even on the streets on the cities around this antipodean land, as passing Englishman see each other they break into song.

[NinjaMaster]

The original Ashes team from Australia:

M. Hayden: Won't be around for long
J. Langer: Announced his retirement
R. Ponting: No sign of slowing down
D. Martyn: Announced his retirement
M. Clarke: Will captain Australia one day
M. Hussey:One of the best in the world. Will be around for years.
A. Gilchrist: Maybe 2 years at the longest
SK. Warne: Retired - irreplacable
B. Lee: Still improving
S. Clark: Best find of the year
G. Mcgrath: Retired

So the situatuation Australian cricket are dealing with is the need to replace 4 of our most experienced players. Only one of these players Australia will struggle to find an adequate replacement for. The good thing is, we have got almost a year before we play another test series. These players have retired after many new players have been tested and have made a good impact. I'm talking about Mitchell Johnson, Shaun Tait, Phil Jacques, Shane Watson and more. All have shown they are capable of having a long and successful career in the baggy green.

Let's look at what will undoubtebly be the Australian team in the next test we play. That is supposing there are no more retirements.

M Hayden
P. Jacques
R. Ponting
M. Hussey
M. Clarke
S. Watson/A. Symonds
A. Gilchrist
B. Lee
S. Clark
S. Macgill
M. Johnson

Macgill WILL fill the Warne void, but he won't be around for too long. In the case of Stuey retireing now (Which he won't) I think Australia wil take on Cam White, who i believe is overrated to the extreme. Great leader. Decent batsmen on his day, but i've seen nothing that says he can bowl. Other than this problem, I don't see how The Australian cricket team will fall from the lofty heights they have occupied for 10 years now. Macgill, Johnson, Tait and Watson have high quality wickets and they are only going to get better. Apart of Macgill.

A pretty good summation of the future of Australian cricket but I can't see the same level of domination continuing. We will still be a/the top team but not by as great a margin as previous. Hayden and Gilchrist have 2 years left, tops. Ponting, Hussey, Stuart Clark and MacGill are all over 31 making them 35+ for the next Ashes. Thats a lot to replace in the near future.

Our next long-term spinner will be Dan Cullen. Cam White will make it as a middle order batsman who can bowl a bit and I reckon he will be captain before Michael Clarke. The future still looks good for Australians. :up:

[Schultz]

On the pitch yes... but off of it, NO :D

Most of the crowd that you've been able to hear on this tour comes from one section of the pitch. Let's face it, Australians just don't know how to sing much beyond Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi oi oi.

Even on the streets on the cities around this antipodean land, as passing Englishman see each other they break into song.

Okay, i'll give you guys that. On day two of the Melbourne test, our performance in the crowd was rather poor. I somehow got myself stuck right next to the Barmy army. Sheesh, imagine of the English cricket team had done any good. I would have really had somehting to deal with.

[stevie_gerrard]

Well, its not been so bad on the first day. England 234-4 with some average scores, but solid performance, it was nice to see Flintoff in a bit of good form again. :)

[oily oaf]

Well, its not been so bad on the first day. England 234-4 with some average scores, but solid performance, it was nice to see Flintoff in a bit of good form again. :)

You do realise Stevie that Freddie will now be out hit wicket to the first ball on day 2 and that the boys will then collapse to a highly creditable 235 all out before the Aussies amass 1012 for 0 declared before lunch which will result in our boys trying to sneak off to the airport concealed in Duncan Fletchers duty free bags :mad:

Trescothic barmy? You decide ;)

[Jaws]

Message for [Toilet]SEATFreak

Wow, Pigeon and Warnie must have broken into the Pommie's bedrooms last night and read all their Top Secret papers. Yeah that's why they lost 6/50 today :D

Ouch, sound of Queen's boot kicking me out of the Commonwealth

[SEATFreak]

.......and a cruel disection from Simon Barnes: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20999519-5001505,00.html

Awww diddums..upset at this "cruel disection" are you Valve? PLEASE!! How do you know what a cruel disection is? You seem to know nothing about cruel disections till it happens to you. The hypocritical upstarts you are!

Every paragraph, sentence, word and syllable is absolutely spot on about your team. And if you don't like it VB then you know what you can do!!

Maybe not all Australians are so bad after all? :laugh:

Then again who is to say it was an Australian?

[Rollo]

I wonder how Australia would have fared if they played against a side in this test series with more than 5 batsman. England today again showed a tail that extends half way across the Atlantic when the lost the last 6 wickets for only 37 runs.

What could be telling is if a few Aussies gets dismissed early tomorrow. The pitch is starting to move around a bit more and Harmison has managed to put together more than just a good ball or over, but a whole session.

Again I must admit that the crowd in Sydney was very very lionesque in nature. It was difficult to even hear the Australians cheering today - can't sing won't sing?

[stevie_gerrard]

You do realise Stevie that Freddie will now be out hit wicket to the first ball on day 2 and that the boys will then collapse to a highly creditable 235 all out before the Aussies amass 1012 for 0 declared before lunch which will result in our boys trying to sneak off to the airport concealed in Duncan Fletchers duty free bags :mad:

Trescothic barmy? You decide ;)

Well it wasnt quite that bad in the end oily, but it was pretty poor. :p :

have faith my friend, the one dayers and the world cup are yet to come :p :

[oily oaf]

Well it wasnt quite that bad in the end oily, but it was pretty poor. :p :

have faith my friend, the one dayers and the world cup are yet to come :p :

Yeah Thanks for that Stevie boy :(

(fixes rope to ceiling beam, places noose over head and starts reciting from Koran)

[stevie_gerrard]

Oh come on oily, keep faith, lets see what England have to offer first in the one dayers. Im hoping that there is a small hope of seeing some good one-day cricket from a side best known for their test credentials (even though we are playing so poorly :p : )

Oh yeh, and England are going to lose 5-0 :(

[Daniel]

Kevin is absolutely spot on!! :up: That is more like the mentality and opinions I expect England to show people whose ancestory can be traced back to a bunch of our unwanted ex-convicts. We are too soft on the Aussies. We give them more respect than they deserve. More success doesn't entitle you to more praise or respect.

You haven't replied to me so I'll say what I wanted to say before.

DO NOT EVER EVER say something so uneducated, rude and stereotypically WRONG like that about the country of my birth on this forum again. If you look back at my ancestry and at the ancestry of a good deal of Australians you will find no ties to that of any of YOUR scummy 18th and 19th century criminal ancestors. Don't insult me or anyone else like that again please.

[Valve Bounce]

Awww diddums..upset at this "cruel disection" are you Valve? PLEASE!! How do you know what a cruel disection is? You seem to know nothing about cruel disections till it happens to you. The hypocritical upstarts you are!

Every paragraph, sentence, word and syllable is absolutely spot on about your team. And if you don't like it VB then you know what you can do!!

Maybe not all Australians are so bad after all? :laugh:

Then again who is to say it was an Australian?

The writer is a Pom and obviously you didn't get to the second half of the story.

[Ranger]

Grudges aside, England are about what... 20 ahead with 4 wickets left.

That'll be 5-0, thanks.

[millencolin]

the guard of honour that england formed when Justin Langer came out to bat was touching, sportsmanship at its finest form. thats why i love cricket

[Rollo]

Nil-Five to the England,
Nil-Five to the England,

I'd like to be the first to both congratulate and send my condolences to the Australian fans. Now you'll be forced to watch in the free time... State Cricket :eek:

[Hawkmoon]

Awww diddums..upset at this "cruel disection" are you Valve? PLEASE!! How do you know what a cruel disection is? You seem to know nothing about cruel disections till it happens to you. The hypocritical upstarts you are!

Every paragraph, sentence, word and syllable is absolutely spot on about your team. And if you don't like it VB then you know what you can do!!

Maybe not all Australians are so bad after all? :laugh:

Then again who is to say it was an Australian?

Ahhh... did you read the same article I did? :confused:

The author talks about Australia ruthlessly squashing England "like a bug". I don't think that will upset Valve or any other Australian.

But hey, it's just a game. You win some, you lose some. OK, so England do the latter more than the former, but it's all fun and games in the end.

Look on the bright side. Warnie's retired so England can stop trying to figure out a way to play him and spend some time explaining the use of that wooden thing to their bowlers. :D

Cheers! :up:

[millencolin]

Nil-Five to the England,
Nil-Five to the England,

I'd like to be the first to both congratulate and send my condolences to the Australian fans. Now you'll be forced to watch in the free time... State Cricket :eek:

whats wrong with state cricket, heck im going to a bulls game tonight

[Storm]

off topic: but for all the Aussies here bored after the 5-0 demolition job (those that wanted to see some good cricket that is) I just checked the next few series this year.

Oct-Nov - India v Australia in India
Dec-Feb - India v Australia in Australia


:up: :cool:

[oily oaf]

WINSTON CHURCHILL, MAGGIE THATCHER, WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, LORD BYRON, FRANK BRUNO, TONY BLAIR, DAME MICHAEL PARKINSON, CHARLIE CHAPLIN, OILY OAF!
OUR BOYS TOOK ONE HELL OF A BEATING! :D

What can I say fellas. It was men against boys to be honest.
I've listened to some of the excuses this beautiful London morning, bad preparation, injuries, selection Yadda Yadda Yadda.
I'm 'aving none of it we took a whipping and we've got to swallow it, learn from it and come out punching in 2009.
Well played Oz you guys were phenomenal although having said that I thought our lads were magnificent at the toss, our whites were much cleaner than yours (surprisingly ;) ) and we had much better hair.
2009? Bring it on. Aussies without some of their champions v England with some fine youngsters coming to fruition and burning for payback.
Could be interesting.
Congratulations again Australia
(you still can't have the urn though ;) )

[Valve Bounce]

I think I've finally figured out the poor performance of the Poms. In this weeks papers, Freddie and a couple of his mates were already talking about 2009. I was stunned. First and foremost, every Pom cricketer should have been thinking about the present day's play, focussing on the moment of play. They took their eyes off the ball.

Who is to say that any one of this poor performing team could be guaranteed a palce in the 2009 team? These guys had a chance of taking the lead after Hussey fell, but instead, they just seemed to be uninterested in winning this fifth test. I won't go into details as I am sure it is reported ad nauseum in the British tabloids.

Yes! this was a disapointing series to me. While I wanted the Aussis to win the Ashes back, I was ready for one helluva fight and some great viewing. The Poms let us all down; they let the world's cricket fans down, and they sure as hell let their own country folks, who had paid squillions to come over here, down.

We are all sorry that Warnie is no longer playing cricket, he was a real character and provided a lot of interest. He kept telling Collingwood that the latter got his MBE for making 7 runs, while he(Warnie) kept belting the ball all over the ground, and into the stands. He even asled Collingwood to throw his MBE back over the fence at Buckingham Palace.

We'll miss Glenn McGrath, and Alfie Langer. Even tho' we know they will be replaced by new blood, it's difficult to think of Cricket in the future without these great players. :(

[SEATFreak]

Fletcher OUT!!Fletcher OUT!!Fletcher OUT!!Fletcher OUT!!Fletcher OUT!!Fletcher OUT!!Fletcher OUT!!Fletcher OUT!!Fletcher OUT!!Fletcher OUT!!Fletcher OUT!!Fletcher OUT!!.....

There is probably a 10yr old kid recuperating in hospital somewhere from having a limb amputated who could beat Australia better than England can at the moment!!

There has been one or two tiny sparks of ability through the series from those rank amateurs we call England like maybe one or two good 6's we smashed through those sun-bleached Aussies but apart from that one of the many reasons why they were worse than dire apart from the absence of players like Trescothic and Vaughn is because Fletcher couldn't fire up a boiler. The motivation was just nowhere to be seen. Why? It is just Australia for pete's sake!!

On another note is the so-called apraisal's of England from McGrath the biggest crock of sh1te you have ever heard?

[Ranger]

On another note is the so-called apraisal's of England from McGrath the biggest crock of sh1te you have ever heard?

I didn't see this, but it'd have to be.

If they did crap, you could at least congratulate them for trying hard.

But the problem is, they didn't.

[Knock-on]

Well done Australia. Sometimes it's time to step back and appreciate we took a good pounding.

No complaints, we were poor but lets hope we bounce back and learn from this.

[SEATFreak]

He said of the Barmy Army who have been the one passionate thing about England that they kept on singing even though they had little to sing about.

Yes he is right, but the problem is, McGrath is an Aussie. It is highly unlikely he would ever mean it. No self respecting Aussie seriously means any credit he or she gives us English. Any credit they give us should be thrown back in they're faces.

If it had come from Freddie Flintoff who I feel so sorry for at the moment (he must be so disconsolate and wishing he was home where he should be now), you can believe every word.

[Ranger]

Oh cmon, the barmy army were brilliant! :D Of course, no self respecting Aussie would say that the pom supporters were better than ours, but he didn't say that.

[SEATFreak]

Do you mean it though? Because they way your team went about beating us I fear you do not.

That is the question. Not whether he was right, because he was. Do you think in the ODI soon if the Barmy Army used a widji board they may wake up the Australian fans? :laugh: But whether he meant it.

I find it very hard to believe a nation of people who were so fired up to beat us during the series could then go on to say anything good about us after it and mean it. :(

[Knock-on]

Do you mean it though? Because they way your team went about beating us I fear you do not.

That is the question. Not whether he was right, because he was. Do you think in the ODI soon if the Barmy Army used a widji board they may wake up the Australian fans? :laugh: But whether he meant it.

I find it very hard to believe a nation of people who were so fired up to beat us during the series could then go on to say anything good about us after it and mean it. :(

What is the problem. The Aussies went about their Job the way we should have done.

Determination to win and good Sportsmanship are not mutually exclusive qualities. You seem to have a bit of a chip on your shoulder that we got a good spanking.

Try and be good natured in defeat a little more ;)

[SEATFreak]

What is the problem. The Aussies went about their Job the way we should have done.

Determination to win and good Sportsmanship are not mutually exclusive qualities. You seem to have a bit of a chip on your shoulder that we got a good spanking.

Try and be good natured in defeat a little more ;)

I have an idea how my comments may look from the outside and I am sorry if it appears that way. But rest assured I have no problem with Australia winning. Rest assured I have no problem with seeing the worlds best team, and possibly the most unbeatable team, in any sport beat us in the manner they did. Because I knew before a ball had been bowled we were facing one of the hardest and scariest asks a team can face in sport - beat Australia in Australia with well over 30k overly fired up Aussies baying for a convincing thrashing of the opposition behind the worlds best sporting team. But that was not the point I was trying not to make.

It is the anger and frustration at seeing a team that should have the "Bulldog Spirit" our nation was once known for, at every emotional level be walked over by a team that constantly made rousing, if at times sore (which on a personal level clearly still seems judging from my posts), fighting talk like how hopeful they were of taking lots of wickets and how up for the game they were. I understand that is part of the game and I know we are one heck of crap teams but no matter how true it is, somehow criticism like they made is still hard to take. All the more when the silence is deafening from the England camp. Where was our similar response? How hopeful we were?

Not how utterly incompetent that shower of ****e was on the pitch because I was not convinced at all our success in 2005 was the start of a long term thing.

[Daniel]

I have an idea how my comments may look from the outside and I am sorry if it appears that way. But rest assured I have no problem with Australia winning.

That may be true but there's no reason to be insulting and bringing the past into things and trying to insult a whole nation of people :rolleyes:

[oily oaf]

That may be true but there's no reason to be insulting and bringing the past into things and trying to insult a whole nation of people :rolleyes:

Quite frankly Dan I'm surprised your wasting valuable keystroke energy dignifying that load of old guff with a reply mate.
Shouldn't you be devoting your time to attaching detached driving mirrors you dirty litle devil ;)
Still Hubba Hubba Eh? Eh?

[Daniel]

Ar ar ar aroooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!! :facelick:

I didn't break it and neither did Caroline but feel free to blame Caroline if you must :up:

[stevie_gerrard]

Congrats to the Australians for a wonderful whitewash, fully deserved in my opinion. :)

As for England, better luck next time :p :

[Brown, Jon Brow]

Pathetic!!

I blame Schools for this my replacing real cricket with 'Quick Cricket' :rolleyes: (And Englands Cricketers for being terrible)

[Valve Bounce]

Based on performance during this Ashes series alone, this is who I would select for the 2009 return. I know I am going to get a caning from both sides for this, but here goes:

Captain: Kevin Pietersen, by far England's best cricketer, and I think the responsibility of captaincy would mature him, and make him an even better cricketer.

Ian Bell - the person who seemed to me to have some strrength when it mattered.

Mather Hoggard - the best bowler in this side and in my opinion, the only bowler who preduced anything when the chips were down

Monty Panesar - the guy who the Aussis loved to thrash and yet he was the one who got their wickets. The most enthusiastic guy in an otherwise dour side.

I am looking through all the other names, and based on their performance in this test, I can't find anyone else I would select in the 2009 England side.

[SEATFreak]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/england/6236469.stm

Sorry but a team does not need the very man who tried to beat them for years. What next? Manchester United to turn to Jose Mourinhio when Sir Alex Ferguson retires?

I can see how the Australian public may feel having Warney now work for us against his own countrymen but other than that I see no logic in taking on your greatest nemesis and I feel that would really be the death knell for English cricket when, despite the presence of the last English players to show any heart like Botham, Gower and Gatting, we have to turn to someone from another country and especially the man who beat us on many ocassions. Mind, Duncan Fletcher is from Zimbabwe and also Warne has for a while now played county for Hampshire so the idea of Warney as a coach ain't so strange.

What is everyones thoughts on the frankly desperate idea of Shane Warne as a coach?

[Valve Bounce]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/england/6236469.stm

What is everyones thoughts on the frankly desperate idea of Shane Warne as a coach?

England may as well sack Duncan Fletcher - he's a dead loss to them as a coach.
I think England would be better off with any of the former Kiwi All Blacks champion rugby players as a coach.
At least, he can teach them haka to rouse the team to greater efforts. Tana Umaga comes to mind.

[SEATFreak]

England may as well sack Duncan Fletcher - he's a dead loss to them as a coach.

Couldn't agree more.

I see why he said it. Shane is in the top 5 world's best cricketers of any age. He has to be. But I fail to see the reason behind it. There should be more than enough people from the past like the ones I mentioned or one that I haven't; Geoffrey Boycott, as dire at sport this useless country of ours is now, to call on to bring back what few talents the England cricket team used to have in the past without resporting to foreign players.

[stevie_gerrard]

Are we keeping this thread open for the One-dayers by any chance?

Vaughan announced as captain for the one-day side, which surprised me a lot, i would have thought it would have been a lot easier to keep Flintoff as the main man, and how the hell is Vaughan in good enough shape for an international triangular series such as this one? I find it strange, but maybe we will see some good cricket now! :D

After all, New Zealand are involved in this as well......... :p :

[Valve Bounce]

Are we keeping this thread open for the One-dayers by any chance?

Vaughan announced as captain for the one-day side, which surprised me a lot, i would have thought it would have been a lot easier to keep Flintoff as the main man, and how the hell is Vaughan in good enough shape for an international triangular series such as this one? I find it strange, but maybe we will see some good cricket now! :D

After all, New Zealand are involved in this as well......... :p :

Perhaps we could contact pino to change the title of this thread to Ashes plus One Day Cricket series. I suggest this only because many of the players from the Ashes are also in this series, and we could also discuss/compare their performance with those who have left/retired.

I find it encroyable that Vaighen is captain of this side because one day cricket is just as stressful on an injured player as a three day test match. :p :

[Hawkmoon]

Are we keeping this thread open for the One-dayers by any chance?

Vaughan announced as captain for the one-day side, which surprised me a lot, i would have thought it would have been a lot easier to keep Flintoff as the main man, and how the hell is Vaughan in good enough shape for an international triangular series such as this one? I find it strange, but maybe we will see some good cricket now! :D

After all, New Zealand are involved in this as well......... :p :

They had to do something. Flintoff, whilst being a great cricketer and good leader, is no captain. He couldn't place a field for a spin bowler if you gave him a manual and told him where to put the fielders.

I think Flintoff's questionable field placings can be added to the list of reasons why England had such a miserable Ashes series. On the the flip side, I think Vaughan's captaincy in 2005 was one of the reasons for England's victory.

[Valve Bounce]

. On the the flip side, I think Vaughan's captaincy in 2005 was one of the reasons for England's victory.

I thought it was the Aussis's complacency, and lousy preparation.

[SEATFreak]

Vaughan announced as captain for the one-day side, which surprised me a lot, i would have thought it would have been a lot easier to keep Flintoff as the main man, and how the hell is Vaughan in good enough shape for an international triangular series such as this one? I find it strange, but maybe we will see some good cricket now! :D

A lot easier to keep Flintoff? I don't agree in the slightest with that remark whatsoever (Boy, that felt good!! :) ).

On what basis is it easier to keep Flintoff? Because he is a better captain than Michael Vaughan? Because though I am not a cricket fan I care a lot about the team and the way I see it, everyone saying Vaughan is a better captain than Flintoff cannot be just fate. Michael must be a better captain.

Though I agree with the point about Vaughan's fitness. He isn't strong enough for a Triangular Series, but we have to try something different to the useless shower of sh1te that lost us the Ashes and Michael may just be the man to turn them around.

[Valve Bounce]

I really do think that we either abandon this thread, or ask pino to alter the title to include the one day series coming up here in Oz.

So what do you guys think?

[Storm]

Or rather close this one and continue discussing in the "official cricket thread" ?