Cricket

Post by **Earthfriend** » Tue Aug 04, 2009 3:33 am

StevieG wrote:Yeah, I've never been a fan of Watson - he obviously has talent, but how many games does he play in a row before getting injured again?

My feelings exactly, StevieG. And there is something about his attitude I never liked. Regardless, he did play well, so credit where it's due.

As for the test, weather completely destroyed any chance of a result. Watched all the last day's play and after lunch, it was just an exhibition match, really. Which leaves it still all to play for, going into test 4.

Post by **Queeaqueg** » Thu Aug 06, 2009 5:53 pm

Right people, remember for the 4th Test at Headingley we will be having no booooing, drinking or sledging.

Flictoff should be fit and I would like to see Harmison recalled to the squad. Not keen on Sidebottom too much.

If England win they regain the ashes. Hopefully the weather holds out but i heard rain is coming.

Post by **StevieG** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 2:12 am

I think Harmison would boost the English attack.

Australia may go in with 4 quicks - but probably not Brett Lee. And it looks like Haddin might be back...

Not long now!

Post by **Earthfriend** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 8:32 am

Latest mail I've heard suggests Lee out, Stuart Clarke in, and Haddin back in also. The English are still being coy about Flintoff, but I would be amazed if he doesn't play. Unless of course, he really is as injured as we've been told...

Rain possibly a factor around day 4, and with only the Oval left to play - a wicket notoriously difficult to get a result on - Australia really need to win this one. C'mon Aussie, C'mon!

Post by **Cleburne** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 6:22 pm

England 102 all out Disaster in their 1st Innings

Post by **Earthfriend** » Sat Aug 08, 2009 2:17 am

What a bizarre first day!

No Flintoff, and England collapse dramatically. Perhaps that's a bit of a long bow to draw, though...

Now, if Australia can just find a bit of form - and who better to have at the crease than Clarke? - they could bat for the next day and a half and put themselves in the driver's seat.

And if Stuart Clarke and Siddle can keep their destructive first innings form going, well, things are definitely looking up for the Tourists.

Post by **StevieG** » Sat Aug 08, 2009 1:58 pm

Things are definitely looking good from an Aussie point of view...

England 102, Aus 379-6 so far...

Post by **Earthfriend** » Sun Aug 09, 2009 3:42 am

England finish the day's play with 5/82. Surely only the weather can save them now...

I know it's parochial, but I'll admit to doing a little jig when Johnson got Collingwood. (I really admire him as a batsmen.) I do feel for Strauss though; he was a tad unlucky to be given lbw. A very close call, that could have just as easily gone the other way.

And what's going on with the Aussie bowlers? Showing patience, bowling great line and length - it's like they've suddenly remembered that it's not a Twenty/20 match. While the English bowlers - particularly Harmison - could not be more erratic. Not that I want to take anything away from Ponting, Clarke and North, but the English attack never seemed able to apply consistent pressure.

...and we're only up to Day 3! Rain, rain, go away...

Post by **StevieG** » Sun Aug 09, 2009 1:26 pm

Well, that's it. Series level with one to go. And this one over in 2 and half days...

Post by **Queeaqueg** » Sun Aug 09, 2009 5:54 pm

Rubbish Bowling, Rubbish Batting... I say bring Rob Key into the squad. Can't see England winning the ashes(never did in the first place) and now they need to win at the Oval... which I think will be a draw anyway.

Post by **StevieG** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 12:30 am

Well, as an 'outsider', I think Harmison was ok, Broad good with the bat (actually he reminds me of Johnson a bit, in the team for his bowling, somehow keeps getting wickets, but doesn't seem very consistent). Bell's gotta go. Bopara doesn't look like a number 3 batsman. English middle order need to take a leaf out of their tail-enders, and do some attacking. Anderson doesn't look fit.

From an Aus point of view, I'm guessing Hauritz will come back in (although I'd prefer him not to). Still not convinced about Johnson, but one of the quicks will probably miss out if Hauritz is back in, and it can't be Hilfenhaus. So either Siddle, Clark or Johnson. I suspect Siddle will miss out despite his 5 wicket haul. Hussey is still struggling with the bat a bit, maybe Phil Hughes should be given another chance and put Watson in the middle order...

Post by **StevieG** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 1:27 am

Getting t-t-twitchy - it's almost on again...

Post by **Queeaqueg** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 1:54 pm

Trott got called up but I still think that it should have been Rob Key. I would not left Ian Bell in the team. Harmison is still in the team which is good and Flintoff is fit.
England going ok atm 162-2
Its England's bowling which I am more interested in

Still think it will be an Australian win

Post by **StevieG** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 2:10 pm

And Bell's defying the odds and coming through with the goods!

Pitch looks flat though - it was a good toss to win.

Post by **Earthfriend** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 3:15 pm

Agreed, but if it holds together too well, Australia can just bat, and bat, and bat....Ponting knows he only needs a draw, after all.

Did anyone see Shane Warne's article in the Herald on Monday? (Or it might have been Tuesday.) Basically, it has his suggestions for revitalizing cricket - some of which were aimed at evening things up for the bowlers by not preparing such dead wickets. I bring it up cause I don't think the Australians have bowled particularly badly so far; the English are batting well, but the bowlers are certainly getting no help from the pitch at all. That's fine for day 1, but if it continues that way, drawn test here we come.

Can't help feeling that Flintoff is the key to this test. It's his last throw of the dice, and Australia need to be wary of him.

Watson, you inglorious basterd, don't f**k up and I may just take back all those horrible things I've said about you over the years...and Mr Cricket, you're due one, mate. Now's the time.

Post by **StevieG** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 12:22 am

A late fightback has evened things up a bit...

Heh, just read Shane Warne's article. Interesting that he thinks the one-day (50 over) game should be abolished. I agree with making the pitches more interesting - this one looks like it will help the spinners as the game goes on.

I think you're right about Flintoff - he's always had something over the Aussies, and may be the key. And yeah, there's 2 people now who have said bad things about Watson over the years (and still hoping he goes well

). Spot on with Hussey too, I think this might be an important game for him - I don't know how much longer they can keep him in the team if he fails this time.

~ EDIT ~ It's raining again.....

Post by **Queeaqueg** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 4:21 pm

Really impressed with England's bowling today, Swann and Broad have done really well
Australia 160 - 9

Post by **Earthfriend** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 3:09 am

How to lose the Ashes in one day, a new production brought to you by: the Australian Cricket Team.

Even at 3 for 58, surely England will be able to do enough from here to win the match, thereby retaining the Ashes.

Post by **StevieG** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 1:02 pm

You got it Earthfriend.

England bowled really well, and Australia are bowling crap. The wicket looked like a minefield when England were bowling, and now it looks flat again when Aus are bowling. It will take a miracle for England to lose it from here...

Post by **Queeaqueg** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 7:45 pm

I guess I was wrong. Trott hit 119 and England on course for victory. Shows what I know lol

Australia 80 - 0 in second innings, 466 to win... which will be a record at the Oval

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