The Ashes 2009 [Archive] - SUBSIM Radio Room Forums

saltysplash

07-07-09, 08:42 PM

Probably the greatest test series ever was the 2005 Ashes tests. I dont Think I ever remember almost evry test match being so close and nail biting as that summer series.

What do folk think of our current set up for the opening Test in Cardiff in just over 8 hours?

Is Andrew Flintoff fully committed? Is leaving Steve Harmisson out the biggest mistake of the series?

And what about our Antipodean cousins, How will the aussie team cope with a test series without the likes of Mcgrath, Langer and Hayden? and will Brett Lee be fit to take up the mantle of McGrath?

And why Cardiff?

The good news is, the weather is set to fine for the first couple of days play.

The bad news is.....Swmbo is due to give birth over the next 5 days!!!!!!!

One thing I am looking forward to is Shane Warne commentating on Sky Sports.

TarJak

07-07-09, 10:09 PM

saltysplash

07-07-09, 10:54 PM

I would have thought we'd be playing Wales in Cardiff, not England.:D

Looking foward to watching the series tonight.

I believe Lee is out and without him we will struggle a bit. The depth of the team is there though the recent game against the Lions was not really a good indicator but I think it showed some weaknesses still with the Australian batting line up.

I hope we can give the Poms what for and get a win in the first.

Good luck with the birth.:salute:

Ive told Swmbo that the birth must now be on hold for 5 days, unless rain stops play of course:DL

Lee will be a loss but the Aussie's greatest weapon is always going to be their sheer tenacity, and Englands greatest weakness, their thinking "we have this one in the bag"

The eyes of the cricket world are focused on Cardiff this week.

You can take your 20/20 game and pyjama cricket and stick it up your chuff.......there is nothing to compere to a Summer Ashes Test Series

bookworm_020

07-08-09, 02:00 AM

Should be interesting!

Go Aussies!!!!:yeah:

Steel_Tomb

07-08-09, 04:59 AM

The Welsh are naturally backing the guys from down under! Would be nice for us to take the Ashes again, but for some reason I doubt that its going to happen. That's the thing with England you never quite know what they're going to do next. They can be on a real good run and then suddenly just throw it all away.

Jimbuna

07-08-09, 05:59 AM

You do know the cons are so adept at batting because they trained wearing manacles and handcuffs don't you :DL

TarJak

07-08-09, 07:42 AM

3 wickets down before lunch. Looks like round one goes to the Aussie bowlers.

EDIT and after the end of the days play it looks like the poms batting has evened the score. 7-336. I think Ponting should have used Johnson and Hilfenhaus more during the afternoon as the spinners and the pitch didn't seem to be up to much.

Falkirion

07-08-09, 06:47 PM

Kicking Englands butt in their own country. I'm glad to see the aussies doing well especially because we're fielding a side thats so completely different to the last Ashes tour.

Jimbuna

07-08-09, 06:49 PM

I wasn't aware Englands were fielding the same set of players :hmmm:

CaptainHaplo

07-08-09, 07:08 PM

I read this whole thread - and I have no idea what any of you are talking about....:hmmm:

Jimbuna

07-08-09, 07:15 PM

I read this whole thread - and I have no idea what any of you are talking about....:hmmm:

What gives you the impression that we do? :DL

bookworm_020

07-09-09, 01:34 AM

What gives you the impression that we do? :DL

:har::har::har::har:

It's cricket, and I won't bother you with the rules!:up:

Jimbuna

07-09-09, 04:22 AM

:har::har::har::har:

It's cricket, and I won't bother you with the rules!:up:

Rules, what rules....this is the Ashes :stare:

TarJak

07-09-09, 05:20 AM

Too right mate. No harm no foul.:D but if someone gets hit in the throat by a red leather ball no big deal eh?

XabbaRus

07-09-09, 07:41 AM

Bring back the bodyline...oucha

Jimbuna

07-09-09, 08:40 AM

Yeah....an Ashes hero that was well and truly sh!t on by his countries governing body :nope:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/5357488.stm

TarJak

07-09-09, 09:40 PM

Jimbuna

07-10-09, 05:36 AM

So much so he emigrated to Godzown.:D

Looking like the Aussie batsmen are liking this tame pitch so far. 249 for the loss of only one after the poms were bowled out for 435. I'd say this one is headed for a draw unless one side makes a breakthrough in the next days play.

Fully agree, the pitch may yet turn though. I saw a few areas of assistance to the spinners (which is probably why each side chose two).

What the series so clearly needs is one or two performances from the small number of world class players available for selection.....otherwise I fear we are in for an uneventful period ahead.

TarJak

07-10-09, 05:15 PM

That is unless the Welsh weather doesn't turn against us. Looks like rain is forecast. What a surprise on the British Isles.:D

Jimbuna

07-11-09, 02:43 AM

Forecast is for rain....which would probably be welcomed by England.

TarJak

07-11-09, 09:05 AM

With Australia declaring 239 runs ahead in the first innings I'd not be surpised they want it to pour for the next two days.

Jimbuna

07-11-09, 10:31 AM

With Australia declaring 239 runs ahead in the first innings I'd not be surpised they want it to pour for the next two days.

At 17 - 2 it looks like the only chance they've got now. :doh:

TarJak

07-11-09, 04:52 PM

Jimbuna

07-11-09, 05:19 PM

Rain closed play at 20-2. Hope it clears up enough for us to get a result. Amazing effort by North and Haddin. Last night was the first time an Australian Ashes side had 4 centurions in an innings since 1938!:salute:

Fair play....considering how poorly the pre ashes tour went I'm of the firm belief that England are struggling to come to terms with the reality of the importance of an Ashes series.

Quite simply.....they just aint good enough.

Jimbuna

07-12-09, 12:46 PM

A draw....lucky lucky lucky lucky England :o

TarJak

07-12-09, 06:11 PM

A disappointing end for Australia. I think they were unlucky but well played to the last two English batsmen for hanging on.

I hope the 2nd test has a more definite outcome.

Jimbuna

07-13-09, 03:55 AM

A disappointing end for Australia. I think they were unlucky but well played to the last two English batsmen for hanging on.

I hope the 2nd test has a more definite outcome.

I watched it live....nailbiting stuff. :o

I then watched the highlights in the evening.....still nailbiting stuff :DL

It's just a pity Ponting is bad mouthing England over alleged time wasting.

Whether that was the case or otherwise is a matter of individual opinion.

Would Australia have acted differently had the positions been reversed?

TarJak

07-13-09, 05:20 AM

Probably not. TBH I think the captains will always have a crack about anything they think they can get the umpires or match referee's to take a look at next time around.

The time honoured tactic of psyching your opponent out.

Jimbuna

07-14-09, 05:55 AM

Probably not.

You jest with me? :o

kiwi_2005

07-14-09, 08:36 AM

I haven't the patience for test match cricket, don't mind the 1 day games though.

TarJak

07-15-09, 03:24 PM

You jest with me? :o
No. Seriously, if we had no chance of winning the game we would also do whatever we could to hang out for a draw rather than a loss.

Jimbuna

07-16-09, 09:34 AM

No. Seriously, if we had no chance of winning the game we would also do whatever we could to hang out for a draw rather than a loss.

Something must have got lost in translation earlier :doh:......I know what you meant now :DL

TarJak

07-17-09, 07:06 AM

Poor start by the Aussies to the 2nd Test. Very wayward bowling on the first day with some improvement later in the day.

Shocking start to their innings though. Could be a short night for our batting line up.:hmmm:

Jimbuna

07-17-09, 09:01 AM

49-2

badhat17

07-17-09, 02:36 PM

Fantastic days cricket, especialy so for the England supporters. Lovely to see the Ponting pout much in evidence on the Lords balcony this afternoon.:haha:
The morning session tomorrow will be critical and may well decide the match. England will surely enforce the follow on if the Aussies fail to gain the 70 runs still required. If the ball moves around tomorrow like it did today then the Aussies will have a real hard time saving it. Strauss must show faith in the bowlers, after all he has five to choose from.

Jimbuna

07-17-09, 04:00 PM

TarJak

07-17-09, 08:12 PM

156-8!:o

http://clouddragon.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/deadduck.jpg

Jimbuna

07-18-09, 06:59 AM

215 all out and Strauss didn't enforce the follow on :hmmm:

He's obviously looking to build on a big lead and let the bowlers have a go at defending a large score in the last day and a half. :|\\

mr chris

07-19-09, 02:30 AM

England should turn up today a bat for 10 minutes then put them in.
I just hope we get as much movement and swing from the ball as there blowers have managed to get at times. The big worry for me is that the pitch is only going to get flatter and drier.

Jimbuna

07-19-09, 05:38 AM

Australia need to break the record for the highest number of runs scored in the fourth innings to win a test match (418).

17-1 Looking good :yeah:

http://www.bbcc.ciren.net/Images/Page%20components/Golden-Duck.jpg

mr chris

07-19-09, 06:03 AM

34-2 things are looking good.
Ponting's whining at the umpire after every decision is starting to get a little petty.

TarJak

07-19-09, 06:18 AM

34-2 things are looking good.
I disagree things are loking bad!:o Clearly these are not the same two teams that met in Cardiff!

mr chris

07-19-09, 06:23 AM

I disagree things are loking bad!:o Clearly these are not the same two teams that met in Cardiff!

The is a very long way to go in this match and in the series.
My dad always says, Only a fool would ever write off the Australians, as long as it is still possible they can do it.

Jimbuna

07-19-09, 06:52 AM

I've heard there's a taxi waiting for Ponting outside the ground :DL

clive bradbury

07-19-09, 09:58 AM

I've heard there's a taxi waiting for Ponting outside the ground :DL

...and a plane at Heathrow to take Mitchell Johnson home...mind you he'd miss it - he's missed everything else.

Jimbuna

07-19-09, 01:11 PM

313-5

An interesting final day is in store for us tomorrow.

I think we may have done enough.....just :hmmm:

badhat17

07-19-09, 01:57 PM

Cartoon in the Times this morning showed a boy holding an autograph book, the page open with just the three letters written on it ... Mit.... the rest missing somewhere. :har:

It looks to me that we have a contest on our hands again which is what the Ashes should be. I think this could still go either way after a magnificent performance from Clarke and Haddin this afternoon, Australia have real hope now. Old Trafford 05 revisited ?

TarJak

07-19-09, 07:08 PM

Beery

07-19-09, 07:42 PM

Looking on Google for Ashes news, I was surprised to see Subsim forums pop up. Hopeful about tomorrow and the rest of the series. Wish I could see it live - or at all, but the Yanks are philistines about cricket, even though the first international game was played in Manhattan. :rolleyes:

If we win the Ashes, I suppose I can always get the DVD, but it's not the same as seeing it as it happens.

Jimbuna

07-20-09, 04:13 AM

Well well! I went to bed dejected with us at 5 for 128 and woke this morning full of hope that we may just hang on.

This is what I love about Test Cricket! Each session can hold surprises that no-one can predict. Let's hope the umpires can get their heads straight and don't do anything weird.

TBH and as much as it would gut me....I wouldn't be suprised if Australia went on to win it.

In recent years England have mastered the art of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory :oops:

badhat17

07-20-09, 06:48 AM

Taxi For Ponting !

Jimbuna

07-20-09, 07:52 AM

A 1-0 lead in a 5 test series....not a bad start http://imgcash3.imageshack.us/img412/4774/thumbsuplargeon1.gif

http://www.thegoogly.com/images/2008/04/10/ecb_logo.gif

Still 3 to play though http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/1817/thinkbigsw1yo4.gif

mr chris

07-20-09, 01:08 PM

Aye still three to play.
I wonder what odds you could get on the Aussies winning 3-1.

Tchocky

07-20-09, 01:24 PM

TarJak

07-20-09, 10:52 PM

@Tchocky:About half past nine....

Well played England. Despite the glimmer of hope, the Aussies just did not play well enough this time.:wah: I hope we can do better next test.

Jimbuna

07-21-09, 04:24 AM

We could be without Flintoff and Pietersen for the Edgbaston test.

It never fails....a hint of victory/success and the prima donna mindset returns.

badhat17

07-29-09, 12:47 PM

Weather forecast for the Edgebaston test is looking rather grim, rain forecast on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Would seem to make a draw the likely result.

TarJak

07-29-09, 05:58 PM

Hmmm. Not the result the Aussies will be looking for but probably a good prediction.:hmmm:

Jimbuna

07-30-09, 10:41 AM

That would still leave two to play and...weather permitting, the opportunity for either side to clinch a series victory.

TarJak

07-30-09, 07:27 PM

And looking more likely with the Brummy weather living up to expectations.
http://www.smileyvault.com/albums/character/smiley-vault-character-222.gif (http://www.smileyvault.com/)

Not a bad start by the Aussies though.

Jimbuna

07-31-09, 02:44 PM

263 all out, not a good finish.

We're at 116-2 so if the weather holds off it could be an interesting contest.

badhat17

07-31-09, 03:29 PM

Seemed like a good finish to the convicts innings from where I was sat.:D

Jimbuna

07-31-09, 03:35 PM

I meant in terms of the overall score.

Not much for their bowlers to defend....even on a flat pitch.

saltysplash

07-31-09, 07:06 PM

Baby girl arrived the afternoon of the first test so managed to catch the highlights on sky when i eventually got home later that night.

Following the first day at edgbaston It looked like the Aussies were settling in for a decent innings, then, today, test cricket takes another turn and Englands bowlers do some stirling work. (would still rather see Harmisson there).

Will Strauss and Bell manage to continue their partnership tomorrow.

Fingers well and truly crossed

edited due to fat fingers

Jimbuna

08-01-09, 09:00 AM

No play at all today due to bad weather.

Even though they're one down in the series I reckon this will suit the Aussies the most and frustrate England.

DeerHunter UK

08-02-09, 08:18 AM

Strauss, Collingwood and Bell all gone so far today. Seems to be a bit of swing in the pitch today, which is definitely suiting the Aussies.

TarJak

08-02-09, 08:20 AM

Good start to the day!:DL Hope the trend continues.:D

mr chris

08-02-09, 10:14 AM

Ah bugger i really wanted Big Fred to get a ton.
Was enjoying watching him smack the Aussie attack to all parts.

Must say that Siddle has bowled poorly so far this game. Cant believe Stuart Clark has not featured so far this series. Would have played him instead of Watson. Who has as been very poor.

DeerHunter UK

08-02-09, 11:36 AM

England all out for 376 with Broad scoring an impressive 55. Very good performance from him.

Jimbuna

08-02-09, 01:21 PM

Aussies are 85-2, still 33 behind.

I can't believe how poorly they're playing :hmmm:

Oh!!...Nearly forgot.

Taxi for Ponting!! :D

mr chris

08-02-09, 01:34 PM

The Aussies 25 behind at stumps.
It's Set up for a interesting final days play.
Just hope the ball swings again like it did on day 2.

Jimbuna

08-02-09, 02:14 PM

I'm only sorry we lost a days play through rain :stare: (forgetting the experience of the first test :DL).

saltysplash

08-02-09, 05:21 PM

I'm only sorry we lost a days play through rain :stare: (forgetting the experience of the first test :DL).
Lost the best part of day 1 as well due to the boggy pitch.

I should be an interesting days play tomorrow and I understand they will probably play through till 7pm,

What I dont understand is, if they are allowed to play late to make up for lost time, then why dont the powers that be arrange to make 'start of play' at say 10am or even 9am?

Even if they play through till 7pm there is still the danger of Bad Light stopping play later that evening whereas starting earlier could remove that chance.

And another thing.....:D

Why, during the 20/20 world cup, when playing under flood lights and rain stopped play......why did they then reduce the number of overs when as far as i can see, they can play till late into the evening with the aid of the floodlights!

DeerHunter UK

08-03-09, 12:31 PM

Congrats to the Aussies on their hard fought draw. Should give them plenty of confidence for the 4th test.

Jimbuna

08-03-09, 01:00 PM

Lost the best part of day 1 as well due to the boggy pitch.

I should be an interesting days play tomorrow and I understand they will probably play through till 7pm,

What I dont understand is, if they are allowed to play late to make up for lost time, then why dont the powers that be arrange to make 'start of play' at say 10am or even 9am?

Even if they play through till 7pm there is still the danger of Bad Light stopping play later that evening whereas starting earlier could remove that chance.

And another thing.....:D

Why, during the 20/20 world cup, when playing under flood lights and rain stopped play......why did they then reduce the number of overs when as far as i can see, they can play till late into the evening with the aid of the floodlights!

I must say I agree with you on the earlier starting times...it is a question I have never received an answer to.

Regarding floodlit conditions...it is all down to the shadows cast by the artificial light.

Back to todays play......I thought the Aussies finished very strongly. If the extra day had of been available it would have been interesting to see what the outcome might have been.

One up with two to go....interesting developments ahead me thinks.

TarJak

08-03-09, 09:09 PM

Good to see Clarke and North both batting well. I just wish the top order could give themselves a good hard shake and wake up that they are in a contest.

Oh well onto Headingly for the 4th test. No guessing what result I'd like to see.:)

TarJak

08-07-09, 08:40 AM

England on the ropes on the first day of the 4th Test. All out for 102! :o

Siddle taking 5-25 Woot!:yeah::woot::D

So was it great bowling by the Aussies or rubbish batting by the poms? How much did the wicket help?

Jimbuna

08-07-09, 11:04 AM

How so very very predictable :hmmm:

I refer to #24 and 50 :nope:

TarJak

08-07-09, 08:01 PM

Well our mob had to start playing sometime.

Jimbuna

08-08-09, 02:48 PM

TBH I'm not sure there is a decent eleven that could give Sri Lanka or India (plus a few more) a game if you combined them both.

England predictably had their 'All Stars' go into prima donna mode as soon as victory began looking like a possibility.

Sack em all and give the kids a chance....lean and mean....you may lose a few series in the process but isn't that whats happening anyway whilst said prima donnas simply rake it in :nope:

DeerHunter UK

08-08-09, 03:21 PM

This test has been an Australian masterclass, they have totally out played England in every department. They come out and set out to attack England from the start. We've had absolutely nothing in response and this should all be over by tomorrow lunchtime, tea time at the very latest. Will the Aussies need to come out for their 2nd innings...I don't think so.
Our only hope in this test is sadly rain and I for 1 don't want that. The Aussies thoroughly deserve their victory.
The only thing to put a smile on my face and I laughed out loud was the commentary between Bumble and Shane Warne...

Bumble:"so Shane, have you been anywhere nice in the last week?"
Shane:"Yeah Bumble, I went to Scotland last week...how about you?"
Bumble:"I went to LA only for a few days mind."
Shane:"You went to LA?!"
Bumble:"Yeah Lower Accrington, it was lovely. But seriously I'm going to the USA next week."
Shane:"USA really?"
Bumble:"yeah the uther side of Accrington"

Top lads the pair of them. :salute:

Jimbuna

08-08-09, 03:36 PM

LOL :DL

I once met Warney and had a fag and a drink with him whilst he was captaining Hampshire.....nice man bag he had :hmmm:

Konovalov

08-08-09, 04:35 PM

I'm lovin this. :yeah: All the talk before this 4th test was about England outswinging our boys and then turning up at the Oval at least 1 nil up. The plan was for the flat batters paradise of a pitch at the Oval to quash any chance of Australia getting a victory. In effect it was to be a benefit 5th final test in an Enlish series triumph.

Oh how things have changed. :haha: Now it is all about trying to find an Oval pitch that either is a raging turner or a seamers paradise so England can effect a result. A draw now in the 5th and final test will not do for them to regain the Ashes.

Bring it on I say. I had to put up with English fans giving me a gob full on the 5th morning at Lord's about how Johnson is crap and overated. Well there were some signs in the 3rd test that suggested he was finding his feet again. And then today we saw almost the Johnson that blew away the Saffies in South Africa. The man is close to regaining that form which destroyed South Africa.

Meanwhile England have problems in a Flintoff with a busted knee, Anderson with some leg injury despite the England team saying there is nothing wrong. In addition to no Flintoff there is no KP. England have some bloke at number 3 who shouldn't even be at number 3 in a Sydney grade cricket side. Bopara is so out of his depth in the most important batting position in the team. He could be a number 5 or 6 but not a number 3.

The momentum is all with us going into the 5th and final test. If England do win the Ashes then they fully deserve it because it would have meant a massive tunraround from this total disaster and humiliation that they have suffered at Headingley.

P.S. Why the selectors never picked Stuart Clark is a total mystery to me. He is a poor mans McGrath which is a pretty good thing. Just look at his career stats and it says it all. Go Aussies go. :arrgh!:

TarJak

08-08-09, 06:45 PM

Taxi for Strauss!

:O:

darius359au

08-08-09, 07:57 PM

taxi for strauss!:d

:haha::haha:

Jimbuna

08-09-09, 05:59 AM

Taxi for Strauss!

:O:

http://img113.imageshack.us/img113/7975/gigglebigtb9fg3.gif

Konovalov

08-09-09, 08:54 AM

If it wasn't for Strauss then the England batting would be in some serious trouble. He is the only guy with a century for England this series against 7 or 8 from the Aussie batters. The taxi should be for Bopara either down the order or more likely back to county cricket for a while.

saltysplash

08-09-09, 09:40 AM

Oh the shame:oops:

At least Englands tail get a bit of practice and inproved their averages.
Not much else to say about that test except well done the Aussies, a well deserved victory.

All eyes now set on the Oval

TarJak

08-09-09, 06:46 PM

Good solid win for the Aussies. Nice to see we kept the foot to the floor and didn't give the poms an opportunity to slip out of the noose.

:woot:

If it wasn't for Strauss then the England batting would be in some serious trouble. He is the only guy with a century for England this series against 7 or 8 from the Aussie batters. The taxi should be for Bopara either down the order or more likely back to county cricket for a while.I agree but he's the Captain and should carry some of the blame for the poor performance of his team. See post #70.

Mind you could a pair of smouldering knickers really caused the demise of Englands hops this test?

Jimbuna

08-10-09, 11:51 AM

Mind you could a pair of smouldering knickers really caused the demise of Englands hops this test?

More like too many bloomers :DL

XabbaRus

08-10-09, 05:57 PM

Congratulations to the Aussies. Well we have JB and Brawn to give us some glory against an Aussie.....

Jimbuna

08-11-09, 03:44 AM

Bring back Beefy 'bite yer legs' Botham :yeah:

bookworm_020

08-11-09, 05:31 PM

It might even turn into a criket match for the last one!:DL Go Australia!:woot:

TarJak

08-21-09, 04:19 AM

The honours appear even after the first days play. England electing to bat and scoring 307 for 8. Interesting to see if the Aussies can bowl them out early and get a good total for a lead in the 1st innings.:hmmm:

Jimbuna

08-21-09, 05:25 AM

Todays play may decide the series.

If England fail to bowl your lot out thereby gaining a first innings lead, the result at best will be a draw.

I fear that is what will happen....a drawn game and the retention of the Ashes by the current holders.

Not that you ever get to actually keep them :O:

TarJak

08-21-09, 05:37 AM

It's all OK so long as we all know who's on top. ;)

Jimbuna

08-21-09, 09:22 AM

For those who are wondering what all the fuss is about:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ashes

Latest: Australia 93-3 Ponting went for 8.

Jimbuna

08-21-09, 12:33 PM

Australia all out for 160 giving England a first innings lead of 172 :o

England currently 33-1 (overall 199-1) Cook carries on with the England tradition of attempting to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. :shifty:

TarJak

08-21-09, 11:20 PM

Well done England. Looks like being a good last test after all.

Jimbuna

08-22-09, 04:31 AM

Two more wickets for Australia before the close of play (Collingwoods was definitely a no ball).

Overall score England 224-3......Australia would ned to play their best cricket of the summer if they are to reach a total of 300 or more.

Today will be key in the final series result.

TarJak

08-22-09, 07:20 PM

The match is still anyones though I'd have to say an England victory is the most likely outcome if the weather plays no part. 415 to get on a deteriorated track with 2 days play left means the Aussies will have to be on top of their batting game which they have not really been all series.

Jimbuna

08-23-09, 08:12 AM

197-2...I can see your lot getting out of jail and creating a new 4th innings world record for good measure.

http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/2319/14916802pn4.gif

XabbaRus

08-23-09, 09:01 AM

221-4 Ponting out

Jimbuna

08-23-09, 12:55 PM

TAXI FOR PONTING!! http://www.bbcc.ciren.net/Images/Page%20components/Golden-Duck.jpg

The Poms edge it over the Cons 2-1....Well done the lads, the Ashes return home (not that they ever actually left) LOL
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/46254000/jpg/_46254491_flintoff466x260afp.jpg

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Sport/Pix/pictures/2009/7/20/1248097614312/Andrew-Flintoff-and-Andre-001.jpg
A great series, fought in the right spirit but I fear the post mortem will not be kind on Ponting and his gang when the miserable England stats are scrutinised :hmmm:

Letum

08-23-09, 05:39 PM

Woo!

TarJak

08-24-09, 02:12 AM

Well done England. I thought that we might have snuck out of the noose when we were only 216-2 than came that run out!

See you all back here next series.

DeerHunter UK

08-24-09, 08:09 AM

It was a closer run thing than the score suggests. Botham said after lunch yesterday, how shocked he was by the amount of England fans coming up to him saying that the Aussies were dominating and going to win.
As a Brit, obviously I'm over the moon about winning the ashes but on balance a draw would of been a fairer result. If the Aussies had put Hauritz into the side, things may well of been different.

Letum

08-24-09, 08:14 AM

It was a closer run thing than the score suggests.

heh, that's an understatement.
I was so convinced the Aussies had it in the bag I didn't watch the final test. :damn:

Oh me of little faith.

Beery

08-24-09, 08:24 AM

I couldn't watch the test series (the Yanks are philistines about cricket, so it's either a case of paying $250 for a season pass on satellite TV or miss it altogether)), but judging for the after-match reports, it really didn't seem as if England was capable of winning that final test. The team had either lucked out due to the weather or played half-assed cricket in every test except the other one they won. To me it seems like this was England's luckiest test ever. To win when they seem to have played so inconsistently can only be attributed to pure luck.

DeerHunter UK

08-24-09, 08:39 AM

The memory I'll take away with me from the 5th test comes from my own mother. She was deeply upset about Harmison's inclusion into the England squad over the ladies favourite, Ryan Sidebottom. During the Aussies 2 innings she set about explaining why Sidebottom was clearly the better choice...and for about 90% of the time it looked like she'd be proven right. No wickets coming from Harmison or anything...until he popped up with 3. Yes, I know they were all against the Aussies lower order, but Steve Harmison...I salute you if only for making her eat some humble pie. :salute:

Jimbuna

08-24-09, 09:38 AM

Well done England. I thought that we might have snuck out of the noose when we were only 216-2 than came that run out!

See you all back here next series.

Looks like the tattoo on my right bicep stays then.....shoulda made you kiss it in Texas :DL

As a Brit, obviously I'm over the moon about winning the ashes but on balance a draw would of been a fairer result.

:o A draw would have resulted in the cons retaining the Ashes (the replica anyway). You can surrender your passport at the nearest government office the next time your passing. :DL

I couldn't watch the test series (the Yanks are philistines about cricket, so it's either a case of paying $250 for a season pass on satellite TV or miss it altogether)), but judging for the after-match reports, it really didn't seem as if England was capable of winning that final test. The team had either lucked out due to the weather or played half-assed cricket in every test except the other one they won. To me it seems like this was England's luckiest test ever. To win when they seem to have played so inconsistently can only be attributed to pure luck.

Check out the stats for England and I'm confident you'll be even more puzzled as to the result. Or it could simply be down the fact the opposition were even worse than us.....for a change. :hmmm:

No wickets coming from Harmison or anything...until he popped up with 3. Yes, I know they were all against the Aussies lower order, but Steve Harmison...I salute you if only for making her eat some humble pie. :salute:

I think in fairness to Harmison it was more a case of not being utilised enough by Strauss who tended to favour the other three, Broad, Anderson and Flintoff.

heh, that's an understatement.
I was so convinced the Aussies had it in the bag I didn't watch the final test. :damn:

Oh me of little faith.

An understandable trait considering the hitty missy form of England in recent years.

http://www.thegoogly.com/images/2008/04/10/ecb_logo.gif

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/OtherSports/2009/08/23/4082301AU.jpg

http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00054/mainmainmain_516x350_54358a.jpg

badhat17

08-24-09, 11:09 AM

The way the series turned out only reinforces how important it is not to have a really bad session at any time. Four days of good work can be undone by just two hours of sloppy cricket and Australia who lost Six wickets in the evening session on the second day at Lords and a staggering Eight wickets after lunch on the second day at the Oval will need no reminder.
I feel Australia just about shaded it over the Five tests but they performed badly at crucial points which cost them overall. England owe plenty to Collingwood, Anderson and Panesar who batted bravely to save the first test that Australia dominated. But that said Australia bowled without conviction on the last day at Cardiff and let the match drift when they should have won convincingly. Had Australia left Cardiff with a series lead then they surely would be going home with the Ashes again.