Questions already been asked at this end Jaesen.....he wanted the bowlers get a bit practice in and prevent them going a little 'rusty' :yep:

I concur with your last statement though :DL:03:

Hmmm, having read some of the English headlines after day 1 and 3, I'm not sure I could possible agree with you there. For example:

"These are our national default positions: gloating and gloom," The Times newspaper announced in its headline.
"The local press were full of it," the paper continued.
"This England side thought they were good, but they're crap.
"Same old bloody Poms.
"England’s heart had been ripped out, apparently.
"England were on their knees. That was just the local Courier-Mail."
The Daily Express’s headline announced ‘‘England’s galah performance’’ — complete with a photograph of the native pink parrot.
The paper exclaimed England’s ‘‘feathers are ruffled by the Aussies’’ and described Matt Prior as ‘‘sick as a parrot".
‘‘If one moment symbolised the folly of our batting it was Prior’s dismissal,’’ the Daily Express said.

Etc and so on. Feel free to read more here... http://www.foxsports.com.au/cricket/...-1225961264583

Hardly the words of strong loyalty and support through thick and thin, eh? ;)

I'd disagree with this position. Both sides copped a caning from their respecive press during various stages of this test. If anything should be written off it is the pitch prepration in BNE. See Jason's comment below:
Even good bowlers need some assistance from the pitch at time. I'd also say they need support from their fielders. Both sides missed some sitters during this test and the luck certainly swung both ways right though the test.

If you want to save some money you're welcome to my spare room anytime mate. I won't invite you to share a room again after Houston though.:D:O:

Hah!....the good old British press, anything to sell a newspaper and the same diatribe as handed out by both sides respective media machinery I believe (confirmed by TJ below) :yep:

No, I was referring to the real 'supporters'...the ones who travel to a match and put bums on seats, money in gate receipts. :03:

Yeah, I doubt your missus would be impressed if she had to sleep in the spare room whilst we shared the matrimonial bed :DL

:har:

Patrick Fitzwilliam and William Fitzpatrick and all that :DL

^Ignoring obvious inyerendo....:03:

The 2nd Test starts today in Adelaide. Lets hope the pitch provides something for the bowlers and that the Aussies can claw back some pride.

And again who are the boc?

Poor batting from the aussies, excellent bowling from England - What more could you ask for:D

Again ? Sorry I must have missed the question before, but it's been really busy here what with all these boc wickets falling and endless replays to watch.
Anyhow the bocs are the Australian cricket team.

Looking forward to seeing the England batsmen post a massive first innings total tonight !

The pitch certainly did offer something for the bowlers but the Aussies weren't able to claw back much of anything :DL

Did you see Ricky 'The One' let his claws out at the close of play :o

Must be running out of dummies soon if he's going to keep spitting them out http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/1...kdummyht41.gif

I gathered that, however am still in the dark as to where the name comes from. I've never heard of them referred to as the bocs by anyone prior to you in this thread and I've been following Australian cricket since the early seventies.

Jscones mentioned earlier than the only Boks he's aware of are the South African rugby team which stems from their emblem the Springbok. I'm in the same boat.

Maybe we are just ignorant convicts but I'm sure everyone would be much the wiser if you could explain where the name comes from.

A little harsh in my opinion :hmmm:

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news...-1225965416431

Oh and I forgot to post earlier after Pontings latest duck/dismissal :DL

TAXI FOR PONTING!!

http://images.mirror.co.uk/upl/m4/au...-500978886.jpg

I dunno that the pitch was that much of a help to the bowlers. There seemed to be a bit more swing yesterday which is interesting because Adelaide is notoriously drier than Brisbane. I think the Aussie batsmen did themselves no favours with the run outs as well. I definately think that with the hot dry weather forecast the pitch will open up later on this test.

Here's hoping the bowlers can get some movement today and get some quick wickets to keep things interesting. Yesterday was much like England's first innings in Brisbane though, so I'd not start crowing until the fat lady has finished warbling.:O:

Fairly typical. A week before the 1st test the same media were questioning the wisdom of the selectors for sticking with Hussey whose form was lacklustre in the games played earlier this year.

I agree though that it was harsh, but no doubt similar to the pommy journalism when Strauss failed in the 1st innings.

There'll be no 'crowing' until the series has ended....I learned many a series ago that 5 tests is a bloody long time.

To the victor the spoils :DL

I honestly don't take too much notice of the press because their main aim is to sell print/newspapers.

Too much hindsight for me.

It's time for Ricky to retire...before he in inevitably pushed (although, with our selectors, that may never be likely).

Yes, as we've seen numerous times, you don't crow in Adelaide (bit of a pun there for AFL fans) until the end of day 5.

Of course, the difference here is that historically we've had the bowlers that could make the difference in the last session or so...

55-1 and Strauss gives the inevitable opportunity to the Old Enemy.....wake up in the morning and either cheer or jeer.

Goodnight http://www.fonefunshop.co.uk/forum/i...es/gdnight.gif

Taxi for Strauss!
http://images.smh.com.au/2010/12/04/...auss-200x0.jpg

Not that there's been much joy since then England squarely on top with Cook and Pietersen batting well. The Australian attack is looking lacklustre with only Siddle and Bollinger showing any signs of life. I'm not sure about Doherty's selection but you have to play what you've got. And right now we don't have a lot.