England are still the favourites to win this test. I'm hoping for a draw.
The Ashes 2009
- Thread starter Botany Bay
- Start date
It hasn't been particularly memorable, has it? It probably couldn't have matched the drama of '05 and it certainly wasn't going to be as comprehensive as '06/'07 (the series a lot of England fans seem to have forgotten ever happened), but this series has been pretty ordinary. And again, I'd say that regardless of what happens in this Test.
I'd really like to think the Wallabies could give me something to feel cheerful about tonight but I know better than to be too hopeful about that lot.
I'd really like to think the Wallabies could give me something to feel cheerful about tonight but I know better than to be too hopeful about that lot.
I think frustrating is the word. Not much between the sides - but plenty of bewlidering selections, amateurish captaincy, baffling umpiring, and bad weather.
Cardiff was always going to be costly, that was where Australia really blew it. England won the sessions that mattered.
Moving ahead, I'd like to see Australia get back to the successful tactics they've used since the days of Bradman - 3 quicks and an over the wrist spinner led by an attacking captain. Anyway, plenty of time for post mortems coming up.
Today, let's hope Strauss makes an early departure and Australia pull off a batting miracle.
Cardiff was always going to be costly, that was where Australia really blew it. England won the sessions that mattered.
Moving ahead, I'd like to see Australia get back to the successful tactics they've used since the days of Bradman - 3 quicks and an over the wrist spinner led by an attacking captain. Anyway, plenty of time for post mortems coming up.
Today, let's hope Strauss makes an early departure and Australia pull off a batting miracle.
Great innings Strauss...man of the series for sure.
I'd really like to think the Wallabies could give me something to feel cheerful about tonight but I know better than to be too hopeful about that lot.
Another heartbreaking loss by the Wallabies. They go in with a good half time lead and surrender it. It was good to see a hard fought battle with multiple blood bins and at the end both sides were barely standing. Are we looking at another 2005 season for the Wallabies?
Rugby should be played, but not watched is my motto, so I have no idea. We're certainly looking at another 2005 series for our cricketers though.
Trott has done so well for a first gamer in a match like this. He and Strauss have snuffed out any miracles here.
Ponting looks like he's lost a few teeth to remember his second Ashes loss by. It's been a sad old morning for the baggy greens.
All that needs to happen now is some Freddy fireworks after lunch to send the locals over the top.
Might as well hire the red busses and order the kegs.
Trott has done so well for a first gamer in a match like this. He and Strauss have snuffed out any miracles here.
Ponting looks like he's lost a few teeth to remember his second Ashes loss by. It's been a sad old morning for the baggy greens.
All that needs to happen now is some Freddy fireworks after lunch to send the locals over the top.
Might as well hire the red busses and order the kegs.
Surprised this thread hasn't been updated since my return from the seaside. Caught small snippets here and there.
Trott 119 on his debut!
England finishing 373-9 dec, setting Australia a world record 546 to win.
Australia off to a good start, 80-0 in 20 overs at stumps.
2 days to go. Remember, England, you just need 10 balls.
Trott 119 on his debut!
England finishing 373-9 dec, setting Australia a world record 546 to win.
Australia off to a good start, 80-0 in 20 overs at stumps.
2 days to go. Remember, England, you just need 10 balls.
It was an incredibly intense match but yet again we failed to play for 80 minutes - those periods where we fade out of the game for a few minutes (or many minutes, on occasion) are just deadly at international level and our blokes don't seem to grasp the fact that they have to be switched on for the whole match, not just bits and pieces. This was a much better effort in that regard but we're still not there.I'd really like to think the Wallabies could give me something to feel cheerful about tonight but I know better than to be too hopeful about that lot.
Another heartbreaking loss by the Wallabies. They go in with a good half time lead and surrender it. It was good to see a hard fought battle with multiple blood bins and at the end both sides were barely standing. Are we looking at another 2005 season for the Wallabies?
I think Deans is going to have to bite the bullet and make changes. The problem is, we don't have the cattle for him to work with. It'll be a real test of his coaching ability but we're not going to win the next match, never mind a World Cup, with some of these blokes coasting along and giving away dumb penalties / getting binned at crucial moments.
As for the cricket...
I'd say more but I think even T'Bonz would draw the line at some of the language I'd like to use about our efforts in this match. We lost this series on the second morning at Cardiff. I reckon heads are going to roll. Please God the selectors will be among them.
Day 4 begins. Weather forecast is bright, sunny and very hot. (Well, when I say very hot, it's more like high 20s, maybe even 30 Celsius. 
)
But already Swann has taken Katich LBW.
And Watson is walking now!
Good to see* the standing ovation for Ricky Ponting as he comes out to bat. Dubious captaincy decisions, perhaps, but what a batsman.
90-2.
* Well, when I say "see", i'm still listening to it on TMS, so technically I'm not "seeing" anything.
)But already Swann has taken Katich LBW.
And Watson is walking now!
Good to see* the standing ovation for Ricky Ponting as he comes out to bat. Dubious captaincy decisions, perhaps, but what a batsman.
90-2.
* Well, when I say "see", i'm still listening to it on TMS, so technically I'm not "seeing" anything.
2 days to go. Remember, England, you just need 10 balls.
Well already Kaitch is out. And now so is Watson.
Hussey needs runs.
By the way, anyone getting TMS on ABC local radio down in Australia?
It looks like the dusty pitch is making the ball do all sorts of things. Still anyone's game. England's confidence is certainly high this morning.
It looks like the dusty pitch is making the ball do all sorts of things. Still anyone's game. England's confidence is certainly high this morning.
We can only hope.
As well as Fred, this may be the farewell for Clark, Hussey, Harmison, Collingwood, Cook, Lee and Panesar.
Very worried for Huss.
For me, I'm treating this series as an unknown quantity.
This is the first series for nearly 20 years, where you haven't had the likes of Warne, McGrath, Waugh, Langer, et. al. Apart from Ponting, and Lee, the side is different to me, so whereas, say, 5 years ago, you could say without hesitation "Win for Australia".
England, in terms of their performances in recent years - I'd disagree that they've got better - quite frankly, I'd say they're guilty of playing some rubbish Cricket, but they have improved marginally, but that's it. Australia, have always played good Cricket, but in the last couple of years, their playmaking has slid downward in quality, and England are taking full advantage of that, and truth-be-told, so they should.
There will be a lot to answer for when the lads head back to Australia, and some heads will roll. This is two seasons in a row where England have regained the Urn on their home soil; both times under the leadership of Ricky Ponting. If you ask me, the only saving grace he had was in the 2006-07 series down-under where they whooped England 5-0 -- Let's face it, and English fans can't argue here, that was impressive.
The downer for me this series, has been the weather. I would have like to have seen a proper series been played out...really, this has been the best out of three (or two and a half, really), than a best out of five contest. I'm also annoyed that it's not on television -- I already fork out enough on Sky, and with my other half just losing her job, I can't afford to pay for the sports channels. I'm resigned to listening to the match on BBC Live through the BBC website.
This is the first series for nearly 20 years, where you haven't had the likes of Warne, McGrath, Waugh, Langer, et. al. Apart from Ponting, and Lee, the side is different to me, so whereas, say, 5 years ago, you could say without hesitation "Win for Australia".
England, in terms of their performances in recent years - I'd disagree that they've got better - quite frankly, I'd say they're guilty of playing some rubbish Cricket, but they have improved marginally, but that's it. Australia, have always played good Cricket, but in the last couple of years, their playmaking has slid downward in quality, and England are taking full advantage of that, and truth-be-told, so they should.
There will be a lot to answer for when the lads head back to Australia, and some heads will roll. This is two seasons in a row where England have regained the Urn on their home soil; both times under the leadership of Ricky Ponting. If you ask me, the only saving grace he had was in the 2006-07 series down-under where they whooped England 5-0 -- Let's face it, and English fans can't argue here, that was impressive.
The downer for me this series, has been the weather. I would have like to have seen a proper series been played out...really, this has been the best out of three (or two and a half, really), than a best out of five contest. I'm also annoyed that it's not on television -- I already fork out enough on Sky, and with my other half just losing her job, I can't afford to pay for the sports channels. I'm resigned to listening to the match on BBC Live through the BBC website.
I'm hoping that he can get his 50 and then go on with it he needs a century. There is still over 9 hours of cricket in this test.
Ponting and Clarke run out in quick succession before drinks. Nice work.
343-9. Hussey still 121 n.o.
Harmy's on a hattrick, though...
... not to be.
But it definitely looks like it's going to be all over tonight.
Harmy's on a hattrick, though...
... not to be.
But it definitely looks like it's going to be all over tonight.
