The Ashes....

[Vagabond]

UK-Fishing-Tackle.co.uk:

Hmm...We had a discussion about this at Lords at the Tsumani match and the general concensus was Australia:

 

a) Not really being bothered about 20/20

Lack of very recent play as a team

c) Mind games (my own favourite).

a) Doesn't look as if they are bothered about 50/50 either

 

Well, they are getting some experience now

 

c) If its "mind games", then losing to Bangladesh must require nerves of steel

 

Hold yer breath tomorrow Chevin

 

 

...and despite the pleasure of winding up Aussie supporters, let us not forget to congratulate Bangladesh handsomely - what a morale-boost for a team that Gatting had written off as "not relevant"

 

[ 18. June 2005, 07:31 PM: Message edited by: Vagabond ]

[Vagabond]

England win by 3 wickets

 

Well at least the Aussies put up a good show this time - bring on the Ashes

[Steve Burke]

Wasn't it the Aussie captain who said only Flintoff was good enough to get into the Australian team? How many runs did Ponting get today? Is he good enough to get into the England team? For that matter how many of the Aussies are?

 

Joking apart, Australia are obviously out of form. They're bound to improve, indeed they already have, after defeats to Somerset and Bangladesh and an earlier thrashing by England.

 

England have shown that, like Australia, they have strength in depth!

 

So it's going to be an exciting and probably closely fought series. Just like today's game.

 

And that's good for cricket!

 

[ 20. June 2005, 02:42 PM: Message edited by: Steve Burke ]

[awaaar]

now then - think we need a new thread here...

 

Should Australia have their test status removed?

 

Bangladesh were 500-1 by the way

[awaaar]

Posted by Ian W

 

"Basically England are not a good team "

 

erm?...we watching the same England team here?

 

[argyll]

Monkey World for you Andy if we lose the series.

 

Dont worry....I think you're safe

[UK-Fishing-Tackle.co.uk]

Awaaar - I am hoping that was sarcasm!

 

Going back over the past year or so we have...

 

West Indies - A team that was reeling with controversy not least because of wage/sponsorship issues and internal fueding. Yes - some good names - but they are definitely a team rebuilding.

 

The South Africans are nothing like they were in the Cronje days (and he was on the take). Our Christmas/Winter tour was hailed as a success but we beat a rebuilding SA team who give them three or four years will walk all over us.

 

Next, did Bangladesh EVER play that well against England? The answer is no, and if they did they would have gave us a good run for our money!

 

I am concerned. Not because I don't think there is a chance (there is always a chance B'desh proved that) however, I fear our complacency could be our undoing. Australia are the greatest team in the world - we, the team and the media can lie to ourselves - but it is true.

 

The Ashes is 25 days of cricket, not one - Australia could have five bad days and still 'easily' win hands down. The question we need to be asking though is can England truly perform on all 25? - because that is, in reality, what is going to be required, and it is something I've not seen an England team do in a very long time.

 

(More importantly! - Does anyone actually agree Geriant should be Keeper - no-one picked up on my comments about Chris Reid. We could lose the Ashes to a few dropped catches and a handful of byes....).

[*Ant*]

I think Jones has steadily improved behind the stumps whilst in the England shirt, infact I think he's done very well so far in the one-dayers. You could argue that Reid is a better keeper but he's not as deft with the bat, so i'd personally stick with Jones.

 

The one worry is that when McGrath and Warne are bowling in tandem, the middle order will get bogged down and switch into negative mode. Jones is an attacking batsman and for the same reason i'd pick Pieterson over Thorpe.

[awaaar]

Ian W,

 

Are you Australian?

 

How about a bit of positive thinking - these ashes are ours mate!

[UK-Fishing-Tackle.co.uk]

Awaaar - Sorry but I do think positive thinking holds back sport in this country. We are naturally pessimistic about everything in this country ** EXCEPT ** anything related to national pride such as sports teams.

 

Yes I love cricket - I will watch most of the ashes, and will travel to at least the trent bridge match (got 3 days of tickets already). BUT unless us poor folk who have to shell out hard earned cash to watch them raise our voices, the situation regarding our national sports teams will never improve.

 

Does anyone TRULY believe that the England setup isn't an 'old boys club'. Look at the Thorpe/Pietersen debate - it's a no brainer as far as I am concerned (even with the trecherous Pietersen leaving Notts last year - lol).

 

Ant

===

What said it all was the commentary the other week about Jack Russell spending more time with Jones to help him with his keeping. In my opinion anyone can be shown how to catch a ball, but keeping is FAR MORE than catching and stopping balls - as any good keeper will tell you. Chris Read can bat - and his first class average last year proves that - sure his England average may not be great but the poor guy has only played a handful of tests - Jesus - if we got rid of all players for having rough spells we'd lose our captain instantly!!

 

TEST CRICKET IS NOT THE PLATFORM TO LEARN A TRADE - we wouldn't take a professional batsman like Vaughn, Pietersen etc and expect them to open the bowling with a new ball!!

 

[ 21. June 2005, 01:56 PM: Message edited by: UK-Fishing-Tackle.co.uk ]