Model Boat Mayhem
Mess Deck: General Section => Chit-Chat => Topic started by: Peter Fitness on December 10, 2013, 04:54:03 am
-
I couldn't help myself, I just had to say something about the cricket %) After a dismal time in the last few Ashes series, Australia has finally come out breathing fire. While England were clearly the better side in England earlier this year, I believe the Aussies showed enough to make cricket followers believe that things were starting to turn around. We were thrashed at Lord's, but other results were much closer, and England were saved by the weather, and some awful umpiring decisions, on two occasions.
The Australian cause was not helped by Cricket Australia's decision to sack coach, Micky Arthur, and replace him with Darren Lehmann, literally weeks from the commencement of the tour. Lehmann was certainly the man for the job, but the timing of the appointment was appalling. However, results have shown that the decision was the correct one, and while the personnel are much the same, the attitude within the squad has improved out of sight.
England were steamrolled by 381 runs in Brisbane, with Mitchell Johnson the main destroyer, and by 218 runs in Adelaide, with Johnson dominant again. The England team looked thoroughly demoralised as they walked off in Adelaide, and it will be a big job to get them thinking positively for the Perth match. I would definitely not write England off, they are too good a team for that, but they are going to have to pull something extra out of the hat for the third test on a wicket that is traditionally a fast bowler's paradise.
We will see.
Peter.
-
We will see.
Peter.
You might see it, Peter - most of us Poms can't bear to watch. Too much limited-overs cricket makes for stupid shot decisions in test matches, and there is no excuse for dropping catches at this level of cricket. The Australians play relatively few one-day games so they aren't as infected by the different mind-set. I thought the summer's series result flattered England and it looks like I was right, although Johnson bowled like a clown in England.
DM
-
Dave, you're quite right about the effect limited overs games has on players and, in my opinion, the 20/20 format has an even more detrimental effect. David Warner is a case in point, he first caught the eye in the 50 over game, in particular one against South Africa where he terrorised the crowd with his huge hits. He then starred in T20 games, but when he was first selected for the longer form of the game he tried to play the same way, not always successfully. It is only lately that he has succeeded in modifying his style to suit test match cricket. I just wish he would learn when to keep his mouth shut >:-o .
Johnson was poor in England, but some coaching from Dennis Lillee seems to have had the desired result, and he is now Australia's main effective strike bowler.
Peter.
-
I was dreading this thread......But knew you would have to mention it Peter......That said, I do recall doing the same a couple of series ago.
Fair play to the Aussies. They have clearly outplayed us and with largely the same bunch of guys that have been beaten in recent Ashes series.
England have the talent and can turn things round, but I do not think they will do it over there. Almost time to hand the urn over for a short time. (Metoforically speaking that is).
<:( <:( <:( :embarrassed: :embarrassed: :embarrassed:
-
I couldn't help myself, I just had to say something about the cricket %) Peter.
I'm amazed it took you so long peter..............been waiting for the broadside and grape shot all week, {-) {-) {-) {-) {-) {-)
I'll think of something to say by the end of the 5th test, but just shell shocked at the mo <:( <:( <:( <:( <:(
-
just shell shocked at the mo <:( <:( <:( <:( <:(
I know how you feel, Neil, I felt like that for the last 3 Ashes series O0
Barry, you're right, it isn't over yet, but surely we can't lose from here............can we? {:-{ Should we win the Ashes back, it's only a symbolic "handing over" of the Urn because, as everyone knows, it stays in England. It simply wouldn't do to let it go to the colonies {-)
Peter.
-
I'm amazed it took you so long peter..............been waiting for the broadside and grape shot all week, {-) {-) {-) {-) {-) {-)
I'll think of something to say by the end of the 5th test, but just shell shocked at the mo <:( <:( <:( <:( <:(
Neil,
The saying goes keep your powder dry and wait until you can see the whites of their eyes. O0 O0 O0
Peter can now see them, O0 O0 O0 incoming %% %% {-) {-) {-) %) %) %)
-
I know how you feel, Neil, I felt like that for the last 3 Ashes series O0
Barry, you're right, it isn't over yet, but surely we can't lose from here............can we? {:-{ Should we win the Ashes back, it's only a symbolic "handing over" of the Urn because, as everyone knows, it stays in England. It simply wouldn't do to let it go to the colonies {-)
Peter.
Peter,
Now come on. We share our language with you, our culture.....well some of it, and even allow you to share our Queen........but the real urn! Never!!!
:police: %%
-
Well, Barry, we may never get the real urn here in Australia, but we have comprehensively won it back, symbolically, with a 150 run victory in the third test. I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say England have been well and truly thrashed, by what many experts consider to be not a very good Australian team. George Bailey hammered James Anderson for a test match record of 28 runs in one over, very demoralising.
At least Ben Stokes (120) and Ian Bell (60) brought some semblance of respectability to an otherwise dismal England score card, but England were simply outclassed - for once. It is said that all good things must come to an end, and this is the case for England. However, I still maintain they are a good team, and are sure to have better times ahead. For now, though, I will enjoy the moment :-)
Peter.
-
Peter,
Very well done to Australia. They have been superb. To turn around what I consider to be an average side, Darren Leyman must take much of the credit. As for England, well it may just do them good. They thought they were better than then are. Now they know differently. Let the rebuild begin!
-
taught us poms a thing or two.............complacency, too much confidence and arrogance, and a little too much over hype by the press........lol.......always a good tonic is a damn good thrashing, as Terry Thomas once said in the great comedy Its a Mad Mad Mad Mad World.........think that's what the England squad will be thinking through rose filtered glasses this morning when the fly off to the next venue {-) {-) {-) {-) %% %% %% %% %%
a bit of humility for the next one me thinks {:-{ {:-{ {:-{
-
I suppose to make you all feel better, we should let you know, that we actually let you win the other occasions to keep the game going because our winning each game was starting to tell. %) %) %) %% %% %%
-
Britain has always been good at inventing games, - - - - it's just a pity that we stand on the sidelines watching every other country playing them properly. O0
Regards Ian.
-
It wouldn't surprise me if England were to win at least one of the last two Tests, now that the pressure is off. As long as the selectors finally acknowledge that KP's time has passed and that Alistair Cook is a crummy captain in adversity (c/w say Andrew Strauss or Mike Vaughan) they might stand a chance to build a new side. Australia look set fair for a couple of years with this present team - well, until old bones start to creak (Watson, Warner, Clarke, Harris) and Johnson's bowling action finally catches up with his spine and neck muscles. He might be fast but he's no Lillee or Holding to watch.
DM
-
Dave, even when Australia was on top of the test rankings, we had a bad habit of losing so-called "dead" games once the series was won, so it will be interesting to see how the current lot cope. As regards Mitchell Johnson not being a Dennis Lillee or Michael Holding to watch - who else was? They were truly great bowlers with great bowling actions, both of whom lasted a long time in the game. Australia has a long list of up and coming cricketers waiting for their chance at the big time. One thing that is of concern, however, is the number of young fast bowlers who have made a start then picked up injuries. Perhaps they are being pushed too far, too soon?
Barry, I agree with you concerning Darren Lehmann, he has pulled the team together and got them working as a unit. He also did away with the controversial rotation system and selects players on current form, which seems to have paid off.
Peter.
-
Once again we waltz into Aussie land after a three month break and play a couple of knock about games and declare our team ready for the tests. <*<
Only to come face to face with a team that is months into its domestic season and properly match fit.
After the first days play the outcome looked ominous. ( from a Pom's perspective. )
The results of the first three tests will have put an end to the test careers of some of this England team, now we have to rebuild from the bottom up to prepare for 2015 Ashes series.
Good luck and well done to Australia, take good care of the Ashes, we will want them back in 2015. :-))
-
Our domestic season started with the first Sheffield Shield match, a 4 dayer, on 30th October, so we're not really months into our season.
Peter.
-
The Aussies played good cricket and deserved to win but I don't think you need wholesale slaughter of the current
England team. They haven't played anywhere near ther abilities and at least one should go - K.P.
has to leave if he cannot control his batting - not every ball can be bashed into the next state, he doesn't seem
to know how to play defensively when it is required. Cook is completely out of form and Swann needs a rest from bowling.
A couple of youngsters need introducing to the squad.
The Aussie team is very similar to the team from the Summer series just a lot more confidence and a bit of tweaking.
We should be using the same approach
Geoff
-
Oh dear!
-
I agree with Geoff, the worst possible thing that the England selectors could do is to make wholesale changes. I repeat what I said in an earlier post, England is a good team but its confidence is down. They have been comprehensively beaten by an Aussie side whose confidence is sky high at the moment, but confidence is like the tides, it comes and goes.
As for Kevin Pietersen >>:-( his biggest critic, Geoff Boycott had this to say
http://sports.ndtv.com/the-ashes-2013-14/news/218379-the-ashes-geoffrey-boycott-berates-selfish-kevin-pietersen (http://sports.ndtv.com/the-ashes-2013-14/news/218379-the-ashes-geoffrey-boycott-berates-selfish-kevin-pietersen) and I have to agree with him. KP is too much of a one man band, and appears not to be a team player - plus, he's not even English %)
The Boxing Day test in Melbourne should be interesting, firstly to see if Australia can maintain its intensity, and secondly to see if England can rally to salvage some dignity.
My goodness, Barry, things aren't that bad.....are they??
Peter.
-
No Peter, but you know the English. Quick to praise, but even quicker to jump up and down complaining. It is only a year ago that we had the best team for half a century, now to listen to the press it is the worst team ever! <*<
-
I have to catch my breath when I hear "Sir" Geoffrey Boycott call anyone "selfish" and "not a team player". Boycott??!! There may not be KP in "team" but there sure as hell never was GB either.
DM
-
glad to hear someone else feel the same way about mr Boy cott.
he once snatched my programme out my hand at Fleetwood cricket club.....
when I asked what he was doing he replied he was signing it for me........
told him I didn't want a boring old f a r t like him ruining a good programme, to which he disappeared into the throng with a chin to his feet, lol {-) {-) {-) {-) {-) {-)
It was his testimonial tour prior to the Roses match.........think I upset him. %% %% %% %% %%
and besides.......he was from the wrong side the b***** hills anyway. >>:-( >>:-( >>:-(
-
I would have loved to have seen that Neil... O0 %%
-
I thought my reference to Boycott might upset the non-Yorkshiremen {-) I agree, Dave, GB wasn't a team player either, and I thought it rather rich of him to accuse KP of the same thing, even if it is true. It always amazes and annoys me how former players are quick to criticise the current crop, although to be fair, they are often put on the spot by reporters asking for a comment.
Neil, you're lucky you didn't start another War of the Roses %%
Peter.
-
Boycott had his faults as a player both at Yorkshire and at test level.
But I know who I would pick to bat for my life, and it wouldn't be KP.
-
I quite agree. The question isn't concerning Boycott as a batsman. That Roses one-day innings was one of the greatest I've ever seen played by anyone (including Richards, Kallis, KP and any number of Aussie sloggers). It's his obnoxious personality that grates.
DM
-
I quite agree. The question isn't concerning Boycott as a batsman. That Roses one-day innings was one of the greatest I've ever seen played by anyone (including Richards, Kallis, KP and any number of Aussie sloggers). It's his obnoxious personality that grates.
DM
"You can always tell a Yorkshireman, but you can't tell him much"
This saying sums up Boycott down to a tee.
( Don't judge us all the same though ) :-))
-
I am looking forward to the Anglican versus Catholic match next year.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25473150 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25473150)
I cannot wait for the Archbishop of Canterbury to face the Pope in full robes. O0
-
Goodness BrianB6 :o............holy balls & all {-) ...I will not be watching.......... Derek
-
Presumably Sackcloth and Ashes. {-)
-
now swann has gone as well,soon no one left......tony
-
Would someone in Australia kindly round up the England team, smack their bottoms and send them home NOW? They are a national embarrassment.
DM
-
Now, now, Dave, not long ago they were national heroes. They could still win this test, given Australia's tendency to collapse. Our batsmen appeared to be playing 20/20 in the first innings, and England's lower order were even worse.
Peter.
-
"Never in the history of sport has so much been thrown away by so few!"--------Footski 2013.
The debacle continues and this time, I do not praise The Australians for playing well, as they were only average. England on the other hand seem to have forgotten all the basics and at this moment are a woeful side. Cook, who is far from the best England captain we have had, is likely to lose his command at the end of all this. Flower too is likely to walk away if he is not pushed, which would be a shame as he has performed miracles with the team.
I worry for the future... <:( <:( <:(
-
You're quite right Barry, Australia did not play well, but England were pitiful. Sir "Beefy" Botham, who predicted a 5-0 whitewash to England at the start of the tour, was interviewed on TV yesterday, and was scathing in his assessment of England. He said that they may as well follow Graham Swann's lead and all go home. I can just imagine the blasting they are getting in the British press, who are ever ready to criticise local sports people.
I mentioned Australia's 20/20 style of batting in an earlier post, and David Warner is a prime example. He made his name in limited overs cricket before being given a chance in the test arena, where it took him a while to adapt his game. He had done that reasonably well, making some good scores and demonstrating a level of patience not seen in him before. However, in their "wisdom", Cricket Australia allowed him, and a couple of others, to play in the KFC Big Bash League (20/20) between the 3rd and 4th Tests. The result of this stupid decision saw him revert to his backyard cricket style, getting out to poor shots in both innings of the 4th Test. Fortunately for Australia, Chris Rogers and Shane Watson posted big scores to give us a comfortable win. BTW, Rogers' century means Australia's top 6 batsmen in the batting order have all scored centuries this series.
Peter.
-
I believe the media mogul machine <*< has a lot to answer for in the demise of many sports....after all....was Packer not a part of this game?.........
Square leg judge :police: over the hill judge :police: post try judge :police: second net camera :police: starting block judge :police: ........ %% Derek
-
Packer was only responsible for the limited overs form of the game, although World Series Cricket did impact on test teams for a while.
Those arguing the case for the demise of test cricket should look at the crowd numbers for the Melbourne Ashes test, with over 91000 people on the first day alone, a world record for official attendance at a test match. A total of almost 272,000 people saw the match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, plus a vast TV audience, so it's fair to say that test cricket is not dead, at least not in Melbourne. It must also be remembered that the series had been won before Melbourne, so that match was virtually a dead rubber.
Peter.
-
You only have to see and feel the emotion of it here on a model boat forum, to realise that Test cricket is most certainly alive and well.
-
alive & well???? {-)...we are talking the Warner family here..... %)
My 4 1/2 year old grandson & his dad have tickets for Friday the 3rd of January at the SCG.....
Thank goodness his grandfather will still be in Adelaide until Sunday the 5th of January......... O0............Derek
-
I am looking forward to the Anglican versus Catholic match next year.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25473150 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25473150)
I cannot wait for the Archbishop of Canterbury to face the Pope in full robes. O0
Aye.. Anglicans with cricket bats... Catholics (well, Irish ones) with hurling sticks. That would be some match {-)
Declan
-
Oh dear!!!! 5/25 >>:-(
Maybe South Africa can put some life back into the game. O0
-
England have been absolutely dreadful <*< Cook 7, Carberry 0, Anderson (night watchman) 7, Bell 2, Pietersen 3, Ballance 18, Bairstow 18, Borthwick 1, Rankin 13. Thank goodness for some resistance from Stokes 47 and Broad 30, two of the bowlers showing the batsmen how it's done. That said, Australia has lost 4 wickets cheaply too, Warner 16, Watson 9, Clarke 6 and Smith 7, although Rogers, currently 73 and Bailey on 20 are establishing a lead that will mean England need to make a record 4th innings score at the SCG to win. (Or so the commentators say).
Peter.
-
Absolutely disgraceful performance yet again. The only good thing to come out of this series for England is the discovery of a good all rounder in Ben Stokes. At least he played with some guts. >>:-( >>:-( >>:-(
-
And where does he come from??? {-) %%
-
Oh dear.....I never thought of that.... <:(
-
Taken from an article on the BBC sport website by
Tom Fordyce;
1. The aggregate score of all of England's first innings in this series is 969. The aggregate first-innings score of Australia's last five batsmen - its not-batsmen, in other words - is 1,071.
2. Five times England's top five batsmen have been out for a combined total of fewer than 20 runs.
3. When England are bowled out sometime in the next day and a half, as they certainly will be, it will be the first time in a five-match Ashes series they have lost all 100 wickets.
If this series were a dog it would have been put down a long time ago. Unfortunately for England, it staggers on to be kicked another day.
End of article.
That shows just how bad this shower of manure that is masquerading as a cricket team is. >:-o >:-o
-
That's all very well, but don't forget that the bulk of this same England team that is now being reviled retained the Ashes in England not too long ago. A few new faces have been introduced in the current game in an effort to give them experience, a good move in my opinion. As has been pointed out by others, a lot of the Australian team are almost to the veteran stage and, while they are going extremely well in this series, they are playing an England team that give the impression they want to be somewhere else. There is absolutely no doubt that England have been completely outplayed, even humiliated, and I think that started in Brisbane when their confidence was undermined by a red hot bowling attack. They never recovered.
Who knows which of the current Aussie crop will contest the 2015 series? Australia should be bringing in new young blood too, and fairly soon, otherwise we will be in the same predicament we were when the likes of Warne, Gilchrist, McGrath etc retired. We have a deep pool of young, talented players who need to be given a chance, and not immediately dropped if they fail at their first, or even second and third attempts.
One thing that has most definitely helped the Aussies in this series is the stability of the team. Past policy has been to rotate players from match to match, supposedly to rest them, but since Darren Lehmann has been in charge he has fielded basically the same team throughout the series. This seems to have created a greater unity within the team, which has shown through on the field.
Peter.
-
Very well played to the Aussies. To achieve a 5-0 in the manner in which they did is a remarkable achievement. We can hail every single one of a team who were given little chance a few months ago. An extra special well done must go to Darren Lehman.
As for England, well it has to be back to the drawing board. Cook, while a top batsman keeps showing that he is not the captain England need. He simply has not got what it takes. Some of the old boys, Pieterson and Prior included will probably call it a day now. As for replacements........that does worry me!
-
I gather that investment bankers and politicians are no longer vying for top place in the UK Pariahs of the Year list. That said I'm inclined to think that, whereas the summer's Ashes series results flattered the England team, this latest series didn't show the Australians as all-conquering world-class heroes either. Take away the extraordinary batting of Haddin (age 36) and the ferocious pace of Johnson (age 32) and you have a pretty ordinary cast of characters. Harris (34) is injury-prone and Nathan Lyon is little better than a village cricket second-change pie-chucker; quite how he avoided getting truly pasted by KP is something only KP will ever know. Chris Rodgers (36) is marginally less interesting to watch than Geoffrey Boycott and even Captain Clarke only played one decent innings (i.e. one more than Captain Cook), scoring more in his first innings at Brisbane than he managed in total for the other nine.
The people for whom I feel most sorry are those loyal England supporters who flew halfway round the world to watch this sorry debacle. They should all be given refunds by the ECB or at least free entry to all of next summer's home test matches.
Roll on the Six Nations!
DM
-
Oh c'mon you guys, stop having those negative waves, man..........there's nothing a few schooners of Toohey's, a fag and a good night club crawl around Sydney with a few Sheilas thrown in won't fix.........and if you get Botham to lead the soirée they'll be bang on for next series {-) {-) {-) {-) {-)
-
Is it law in Oz to christen all female babies Sheila?
Ned
-
Oh c'mon you guys, stop having those negative waves, man..........there's nothing a few schooners of Toohey's, a fag and a good night club crawl around Sidney with a few Sheila's thrown in won't fix.........and if you get Botham to lead the soirée they'll be bang on for next series {-) {-) {-) {-) {-)
Who is Sidney and why do Sheila's have to crawl around him at night with clubs? Hogarth would have had a field day with that cast of characters.
DM
-
Is it law in Oz to christen all female babies Sheila?
Ned
:o :o :o Makes it easier to remember them O0 O0 O0 same as all us guys iz blokes %) %) %)
Reading this thread I have now learnt why it called "The Ashes". {-) {-) %% %%
-
Dave, haven't you heard of Sidney Arbour???? %% He's world famous, so I'm told, he's even had a bridge named after him.
I tend to agree with your assessment of the Aussie team. While a 5-0 Ashes win is very gratifying, it's tempered by the poor quality of the opposition, although I think your comment regarding Nathan Lyon is somewhat harsh. If he started chucking pies he would be lynched, pies are for eating, not chucking, an activity that would be severely frowned upon on Aussie cricket grounds. The tour of South Africa will be a much better guide as to where Australia is at present, the Proteas will be a much tougher nut to crack, especially at home, and even without Jacques Kallis. Meanwhile we will enjoy the moment, a 5-0 flogging of the "Old Enemy" is something to be savoured.
Peter.
-
Peter,
We will be back! %% %%
-
Peter,
We will be back! %% %%
To pick up your baggage?
-
To pick up your baggage?
Very good.....I like it. <*< :police: <*< :police:
-
Thought Sidney was the name of Cap'n Cook's pet
baboon. Hence the harbour being christened Sidney
%% %%
Ned
-
Thought Sidney was the name of Cap'n Cook's pet
baboon. Hence the harbour being christened Sidney
%% %%
Ned
When did the spelling change then?
-
It hasn't changed, Dave, except in some people's minds, it's still Sydney and always has been. It's my home town, I was born there, went to school there (within sight of the Bridge) but haven't lived there for the last 60 years, so I'm almost a local here now :-)
Peter.
-
Hullo Peter........the city scape has changed a little in the past 60 years...... :o...what city suburb did you spend your early years?.........Derek
-
It hasn't changed, Dave, except in some people's minds, it's still Sydney and always has been. It's my home town, I was born there, went to school there (within sight of the Bridge) but haven't lived there for the last 60 years, so I'm almost a local here now :-)
Peter.
Except when they won the games and it became "the winner is Siiiiiiiiiiidney" %) %) %)
Oh yes I also grew Up in the big smoke and can recall standing on Parramatta road, Campedown, watching the transporters taking war planes, with their wings folded to the airfields from the wharves O0 O0 .
I also have been here that long that I am now a banana bender, but most of my family members are still there.
-
Derek, I was born in Mosman, grew up in Northbridge and went to school in North Sydney. I left Sydney just before Christmas 1953, having done my leaving certificate, as it was known then. The city skyline certainly has changed, dramatically, in the past 60 years. I remember the AWA Tower as being big, but if you look at the extreme right edge of the photo below, taken from the bridge pylon, the tower can be seen on the skyline. It's actually quite small, and the skyscrapers, some of which can be seen under construction, eventually completely overshadowed it.
Peter.
-
The following is in circulation in OZ as I Copy & Paste........ :embarrassed: .....Derek
Q. What do you get if you cross the English cricket team with an OXO cube?
A. A laughing stock.
Q What's the height of optimism?
A: English batsman putting on sunscreen.
Q. What's the difference between an English batsman and a Formula 1 car?
A. Nothing! If you blink you'll miss them both.
Q. What do English batsmen and drug addicts have in common?
A. Both spend most of their time wondering where their next score will come from.
Q. What does an English batsman playing in The Ashes have in common with Michael Jackson?
A. They both wore gloves for no apparent reason.
Q. What is the difference between Cinderella and the Pommies?
A. Cinderella knew when to leave the ball.
Q. What's the difference between the Pommies and a funeral director?
A. A funeral director isn't going to lose the ashes.
-
Brilliant. I have copied it , ready for the next Ashes......Simply replace Pommies, with Aussies!! %% %%
Well I live in hope.
-
Guys.......following is a note for my 4 1/2 year old grandson when playing @ the SCG on 03.01.2014 & a picture of proof
Just look at the supporters tops with the name WARNER...... O0 ...Derek
_________________________________________________
From: Paul Peterson [mailto:@bigpond.com]
Sent: Friday, 10 January 2014 2:45 PM
To: Chris Chambers; Derek Warner; Ross Peterson; Craig Morris
Cc: Danielle Warner
Subject: Tom @ The SCG :: 3rd January 2014
Hullo Nanna & Grandpas.
I played cricket for Australia on the SCG. I hit a 4 and a 6 and I got someone out with good bowling. Then I high-fived the crowd because they were cheering for me.
It was good fun and I want to do it again next year. See ya.
Love,
Tom.
-
Guys.......following is a note for my 4 1/2 year old grandson when playing @ the SCG on 03.01.2014 & a picture of proof
Just look at the supporters tops with the name WARNER...... O0 ...Derek
_________________________________________________
From: Paul Peterson [mailto:@bigpond.com]
Sent: Friday, 10 January 2014 2:45 PM
To: Chris Chambers; Derek Warner; Ross Peterson; Craig Morris
Cc: Danielle Warner
Subject: Tom @ The SCG :: 3rd January 2014
Hullo Nanna & Grandpas.
I played cricket for Australia on the SCG. I hit a 4 and a 6 and I got someone out with good bowling. Then I high-fived the crowd because they were cheering for me.
It was good fun and I want to do it again next year. See ya.
Love,
Tom.
No hope for the Poms as we start em young :-)) :-)) %) %) %)
-
Thanks RAAArtyGunner............
It's not Photo shopped........@ 4 1/2 YO .....grandson Tom was selected from his home cricket games & sponsored by MILO to part-take in a kids game in front of the general public @ the SCG after the Ashes series
Nothing like being a proud old grandpa :-)) Derek
-
Just listened to the last ten overs of the ODI. Was afraid England might lose their record there for a moment..................... phew! Defeat was snatched from the jaws of victory.
I've booked my bus ticket to Heathrow and bought my rotten eggs for the welcoming party.
DM
-
I also thought for one horrible moment that England were actually going to win, but common sense prevailed and they lost. At least they kept their record intact %)
Peter.
-
No such danger of winning this time - ten overs and seven wickets to spare - but did I see a double-digit score alongside the name "Cook"? Surely some mistake (as they used to say in 'Private Eye').
The question to ask is just how Cook and Flower have managed to convince the ECB that they are indispensable? I think we should be told.....
DM
-
You'd better order an extra dozen rotten eggs, Dave :o England really is making Australia look good, and maybe we have improved quite a lot. As I said earlier, South Africa will be a better indicator of where we stand in the rankings.
Peter.
-
Maybe if Andy Flower and David Moyes were to job-swap...................... %)
DM
-
Stone me! An England win? AND within 50 overs? Please don't let me wake up.
If there is a nucleus of a new England team then it's Joss Buttler for Matt Prior and Ben Stokes for everyone else.
DM
-
At least in this game they looked interested and confident. I agree with your choice of keeper. Butler has the potential to be superb. Now all we have to do is teach Stokes to bowl, leg spin, off spin and swing... %%
-
Agreed.
Let's get Bruce French to sharpen up Buttler's keeping skills - like he did with Prior - and you'd have Gilchrist Mk2. Stokes may be likened to the next Flintoff, except he can bat a bit better than Fred.
Bell should open with Cook and have Root and Ballance next. Sorry, KP, but you're not required any more, Go polish your ego and count your money somewhere else. Maybe they'd have you back in RSA? You seem to be able to text the language................but no-one at Trent Bridge has a good word for you that doesn't start with B or F.
Nick Compton was dropped too soon. Class with a pedigree. He needs a good Gooching to and several more chances against lesser enemies.
James Taylor? More or less ditto.
Bowlers? Impressed by Chris Jordan but hugely puzzled by the absence - yet again - of Graham Onions. The less said about Finn the better ("Lurch").
Broad for his aggression and the regular unplayable ball - and the way he doesn't walk - and Brezza 'coz he's a Tyke and won't give up until he's dead beat. Monty is too weird these days and Tredders is a tad too old - whither spin?
I think that's 11. The ECB can chose the rest. (Cheque to me c/o Mayhem).
DM
-
Finally, some spine shown by England, albeit against effectively a second string Australian team, with several key players "rested". Nevertheless, England showed what it is capable of, and at least there won't be a whitewash in the ODI series.
I'm not sure why you would be impressed by Chris Jordan, Dave, I thought he looked out of his depth, and he was the most expensive of the England attack. Ben Stokes, on the other hand, did look impressive, with 4 wickets, conceding just over 4 runs per over. He is, however, a Kiwi, and in keeping with England's policy of importing foreign players he seems assured of a spot in the team for some time to come.
You're right about Stuart Broad though, he wouldn't walk if all 3 stumps were out of the ground, plus his father is an ICC official to protect him from criticism :o %%
It will be interesting to see if England can maintain the momentum in Hobart. As Monty Panesar said on TV last night, 3-2 looks a lot better than 5-0, but Australia has still won the series, and the Ashes :-))
Peter.
-
That's more like it - cruising at 154-3 and then losing in the last over. Shameful.
I shall reserve a very special rotten egg for Ravi Bopara if he has the nerve to come back to England after that shabby performance. He's proved over time that he can't field, bowl or bat up to standard in ODI matches, so how on earth does he keep getting selected? As I was listening to the radio commentary I could almost hear "Sir" Geoffrey saying "My grannie could have hit that with a stick of rhubarb".
I feel sorry for the folk who have spent a lot of money and time going to Oz to watch England. They deserved much, much better than they got.
Good luck to the Aussies for South Africa - you're going to need it, because this sorry excuse for an England side gave you no competition for 95% of the time. Steyn and Co will be an altogether different experience for you.
DM
-
I agree 100%, Dave, how any side could lose a match from the position England was in defies comprehension. Australia was very ordinary in their innings, but England were dreadful. As I have said several times, South Africa will be the acid test for the Aussies, and playing England was no real preparation for that series.
Peter.
-
I am sorry to say that this whole series has shown that both English and Australian cricket is not in a good state. I reckon that India and South Africa will be dominating both sides of the game for some time to come. <:(
-
You could be right, Barry, although I live in hope that Australia will claw its way back through some of our younger players. Following the series win over England we have gone to the top of the ODI rankings, but I don't know how long that will last {:-{
Peter.
-
A good bit of cricketing news for England - at last. The women's cricket team take an unbeatable lead and will retain the 20 Ashes! - well done girls.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/womens/ (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/womens/)
-
A good bit of cricketing news for England - at last. The women's cricket team take an unbeatable lead and will retain the 20 Ashes! - well done girls.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/womens/ (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/womens/)
I second that. Maybe they could play the remaining mens' T20 matches and spare the present England team any further humiliation. Oh and Ravi - I'll save that special egg for another day. Seven sixes was mighty impressive; shame you left it too late. And where was Stokes, for goodness sake?? Some things I shall never understand.
DM
-
Nice to see that you've given Ravi a reprieve, Dave, he earned it with last night's effort. Australia have a poor record in International T20 matches but, despite England's best efforts were able to post a win in this series. There's still 2 matches to go, though.
Peter.
-
Thank the Lord that's over.
I see Andy Flower fell on his sword but now the clown Giles is actually the bookies' favourite to succeed him. If past history has anything to do with it then the ECB will probably hire him - given that the teams under Giles actually contrived somehow to win one match out of their eight played. Flower hasn't helped by saying that the reason he is standing down is to allow the resumption of the system whereby one coach looks after the whole sorry mess of them. That being the case then the cricket establishment who appointed Giles will have to justify not only not 'promoting' him but firing him from his present job. Good luck with that. Painted into a corner, I think.
There are any number of better candidates for the job but whoever gets it will have to deal quickly with the enormous ego that is Kevin Pietersen, whom Giles has recently described as 'a million pound asset'. First three letters were spot on!
Off to pack the rotten eggs and buy a ticket to Heathrow for tomorrow morning.
DM
-
I think Heathrow security may have been reading this thread, Dave, and they may well be waiting for you with sniffer dogs. Rotten eggs would be no challenge for a dog :-)
Peter.
-
An English father goes into his daughter's bedroom and sees a letter addressed to "Mummy and Daddy" on the bed. With a heavy heart he opens it and reads: Dearest Mummy & Daddy, It is with great regret and sorrow that I'm telling you that I've eloped with my new boyfriend. I've found real love and he is so nice - especially with all his piercings, scars, tattoos and his big American motorcycle. But it's not only that, I'm pregnant and Ahmed said that we will be very happy in his caravan in the bush. He wants to have many more children with me and that's one of my dreams, too. I've learned that marijuana does not hurt anyone and we'll be growing it only for us and Ahmed's friends. They're the ones providing us with all the cocaine and ecstasy we could ever want. In the meantime, we'll pray for science to find a cure for AIDS so Ahmed can get better. He really deserves it. Don't worry about money. Ahmed has arranged for me to be in films that his friends Leroy and Jahmal make in their basement. Apparently I can earn £200 per scene, and I get a £200 bonus if there are more than 3 men in the scene and an extra £100 for the sheep. Don't worry, Mummy, now that I'm 15 I know how to take care of myself. Someday we'll visit you and Daddy so that you can meet your grandchildren. Your loving daughter, Sarah
P.S. Daddy, it's not true - I'm watching television with Jessica and her parents next door. I just wanted to show you that there really are far worse things in life than England losing The Ashes.
Regards Ian.
-
A little boy said to his mother last night......"mum......I like cricket %) if they want me....I will go to Africa to help our cricket team"
.....the words of my 4 1/2 YO grandson knowing that he had played @ the SCG a few weeks back....... {-) .....Derek
-
I think Heathrow security may have been reading this thread, Dave, and they may well be waiting for you with sniffer dogs. Rotten eggs would be no challenge for a dog :-)
Peter.
I rang ahead to warn them. They are holding some extra eggs for me.
DM
-
I rang ahead to warn them. They are holding some extra eggs for me.
DM
{-) {-)
Peter.
-
I am so glad that is all over!!! I have spent so much I this winter embarrassed and angry. <*<
They are sure to give Giles the coaches job as he will not rock the boat. Other, much better candidates undoubtedly would. I fear for our future in Test cricket. {:-{
-
I am so glad that is all over!!! I have spent so much I this winter embarrassed and angry. <*<
They are sure to give Giles the coaches job as he will not rock the boat. Other, much better candidates undoubtedly would. I fear for our future in Test cricket. {:-{
I fear for our cricketing future full stop. :((
At the end of last summer I said that England's win only papered over the cracks that were evident to any one who has watched test cricket for more than one series.
The bias towards one day or 20/20 cricket does not help any player prepare for the mental and physical grind that is the test cricket arena.
Some times I wonder how the players of my youth ( 1960 /70 era )
managed to play in a one division championship, each team played every other team twice and the only games missed were due to being picked for the national teams or if they were injured.
Today's players play very few championship games due to them being "rested" by the ECB, poor mites {-)
and they are supposedly fitter and stronger than all the previous generations of players {:-{ %% ( I still can't work that one out, no matter how hard I try )
-
Maybe England can feel not quite so bad.
Australia first innings 397
South Africa first innings 206
Australia second innings 3 for 288
Helps make up for our performances in Sochi, which for some reason we have heard almost nothing about on the news.
-
An amazing performance by Australia, who have embarrassed the South Africans in this match, according to SA Captain, AB De Villiers. Maybe the doubters, and I was one, will now acknowledge that the current Aussie team is pretty good after all. We annihilated a very poor England, and I thought that SA would be a totally different prospect, but our boys have carried on as they did against England, making the No1 Test nation look second rate - so far.
Peter.
-
I think I may have to reassess my rating of this Australian side. They really are doing the business. As for Mitchell Johnson. He is the most improved cricketer I can remember. We used to laugh when he was picked........not anymore!
-
I agree, Barry. Johnson went through a period where he didn't know whether he was coming or going, one day he was red hot, the next, rubbish. At one stage his mother was giving stories to the press about his personal life which caused him no end of embarrassment. Finally, someone from cricket Australia took him in hand and set him on the right track - he no longer has anything to do with his mother who was only after the publicity for herself. He has grown as a person, and most definitely as a cricketer, as his recent performances show, and is now arguably the best fast bowler in the game. I believe Dennis Lillee has also had a hand in his improvement, and with Craig McDermott as the Aussie bowling coach his "re-birth" has been completed.
As I write, South Africa are 3 for 78, needing another 408 to win, although Hashim Amla and AB De Villiers are still there. Johnson has 9 wickets for the match.
Peter.
-
Australia have just handed South Africa, the number one ranked test team, its worst home thrashing in almost 60 years. They won by 281 runs with Mitchell Johnson taking a career best 12-127. SA could only manage 200 in its second innings following 206 in their first dig. Australia scored 397 and 3-288 declared to crush SA completely. Maybe now this Aussie team will be taken seriously.
Peter.
-
The rest of the world should really be worried. The Australians are fast developing into a very, very good team!
-
What a difference a few months can make! %% %%
At 130 for 6, chasing 412 it is looking bleak for this Australian team. Outplayed in every department by an England team written off before the start, including by me.....
A superb performance by England.... :-))
-
A few changes to cricket laws. Watson's law. Look surprised when the ball hits you on the pads demand a review even when it's pointless then trudge off out shaking your head. Starcs law. Hold a finger to your lips for no reason to show hiw easy youy think it is when you bowl someone on the first day then look like a prat for the next three days. Warne law. Boast how bàd the other team is and how good your team is then avoid the press.
-
{-) {-) %%
-
One thing I never do is underestimate England at home, although a lot of people who know much more about cricket than me, did just that. As Footski said, Australia were outplayed in every department, and were comprehensively beaten. It's going to take a mighty effort to turn that performance around for Lord's. I am at a complete loss as to why the Aussie selectors opted for Shane Watson, at his best he's a champion, but we haven't seen his best for a long time now, even when he's playing well he picks up an injury. I had to laugh at former cricketer, Ed Cowan on TV this morning when he said that Watson needs to do some batting in the nets - without his pads, and hit the ball with his bat :}
Well played England :-))
Peter.
-
Had to laugh at a lot of things. Nathan Lyon saying at the start of the day records are there to be broken and we will break the records. Yes England might lose the ashes as there are still many tests to go but its very sweet to shove the boasts of MGrath and Warne prior to the start of the ashes at how easy it was going to be right back to them. I wouldn't make many predictions about the final outcome but one prediction I might make is:
Watson LBW
Watson LBW
Watson LBW
Watson LBW
Watson LBW
Watson LBW
Watson LBW
Watson LBW
-
Mike Vaughan said that the cricket laws should change to rename the verdict "Leg Before Watson". I wonder what the outcome might have been had Old Father Haddin not dropped Joe Root on nought in the first innings? Great result, though.
DM
-
There are always ifs, buts and maybes, Dave, the simple fact is that Haddin dropped Root, and England won easily, mainly because they played better than Australia.
Peter.
-
Yep - you're right there. Makes a nice change for us Poms! No doubt Warne will soon be bragging that England couldn't have done it without an Aussie coach.
The only thing worse than a gobsh*te is a has-been who won't recognise the fact - and Warne is both.
DM
-
There are always ifs, buts and maybes, Dave, the simple fact is that Haddin dropped Root, and England won easily, mainly because they played better than Australia.
Peter.
True Peter, and very pleasantly surprised I am too. That said, I don't think this Aussie team is as good as we thought. Age is beginning to tell on Hadin and Watson. Clarke just simply look like the same player I remember and as for the bowling attack, well on English pitches they really do look ordinary.....
I reckon the Aussies will fight back and we could be in for a cracking series. Let's all enjoy it, win or lose...
-
Dave, Warne was a loud mouth when he was playing and he's only become worse, I can't stand him. I just wish former players would keep their opinions to themselves sometimes, although I recognise that the press are, in many cases, at fault, looking for a printable quote.
Barry, there's no doubt that the home team has a definite advantage over tourists, where ever matches are played, as conditions vary greatly from country to country. The age of some of the players is certainly a factor, but selectors have traditionally been reluctant to blood new players in Ashes series. I don't believe that the Aussie attack is as bad as it looked in Cardiff, but we are missing the experience of Ryan Harris. The fact that Australia beat the West Indies convincingly (not that that's too hard to do these days) may have given them unfounded confidence against an England team out to redeem itself after some poor recent performances. The match at Lord's may be a true indicator of where the teams stand relative to each other, as Australia's record at that ground has been good - except for last time when England won by 347 runs {:-{
Peter.
-
Whatever happens Peter, we can wait for Lords..... :-))
-
I don't see too many comments from England supporters now :} It seems that Australia were only kidding in the first test and are now showing England how to play %)
Peter.
-
No arguments from me on that Peter. Watson and Haddin out, as predicted by me, albeit Haddin for personal reasons, but his replacement looks a good player. Still not happy with that Aussie attack. England's top order simply played badly. The only player who got a really good ball was Bell. I think the toss was very important.
I just hope our batsmen knuckle down and make the victory difficult for Australia.... %)
-
I think the toss was very important.
That's the risk you take as the home side when you contrive to have a flat, lifeless pitch prepared to blunt the opposition's pace attack - it works both ways. At least England have got out of their old habit of a middle-order collapse; it happens at the top now! Full marks to the Aussies for their proper Test match batting, but like Barry I'm not convinced about their bowling attack. Watching Mitchell Johnson's horrible round-arm, chest-on action makes me wince (to think he's been coached by Denis Lillee!) and he still bowls at least one bad ball every over.
-
Easy to explain this result, which is what makes the result of the Cardiff Test so mystifying. No excuses this time, though. England were dismal - back to their old ways. Australia were rampant - back to theirs. I just hope I don't see or hear Shane Warne this week, no doubt crowing about the victory as if he'd been responsible for it.
DM
-
I totally agree, but credit where it is due, and I don't mean Shane Warne. Well played Australia. They really do have the upper hand now.... <*<
-
Yes guys....but we did have a Warner in the team..... :-))
This is my grandson [nee Warner] at the SCG....you can see his hero's name in the background.....
Even at 7 years of age ...he said he wants to play for Australia O0.........Derek
-
Forgive me if I appear to be gloating, but that was an absolute smashing for England, 405 runs and a day to spare :o . If I were the England coach I'd be giving Ben Stokes a boot up the you-know-where for that schoolboy run out. One of the basics when running between wickets is to keep your bat grounded as you near the crease, Stokes appeared to be completely disinterested, as if he was out for a gentle jog.
I don't agree with Barry and Dave about the Aussie attack, it may not be the best we've ever had, but it's still a very well balanced unit, more than capable of taking wickets. Yes, the England batting was awful, but credit has to be given to the bowlers for taking advantage of an amateurish performance by the England batsmen.
The ease of the win will be a massive boost to Australia, whereas England will need to put it behind them and focus on Edgebaston.
Peter.
-
How can you predict cricket? {:-{ At Lord's, Australia completely dominated England in every aspect of the game, yet at Edgbaston they were made to look like amateurs by a rampant Jimmy Anderson and friends. The bowling was inspired, but the batting was deplorable. I'm just glad I'm not a gambler and had money on the Aussies, if they were race horses there would be a stewards' inquiry. I have no idea what will happen next.
Peter.
-
If the Pakistani team was involved there would already be cried of "Fixed!!" in the tabloid press. The only things which have been consistent are the woeful batting of Michael Clarke and Adam Lyth, and the no-risk approach of Chris Rogers. Someone on the TMS website has nominated the groundsman as Man of the Match for producing the first decent wicket of the series!
Today will be very interesting.
DM
-
As I write this, Australia are 153-7 in their second innings. England need to take three more wickets and then make up the difference in scores (which is currently 8 runs) with three days' play left.
I shall therefore ring Corals and put twenty quid on an Aussie win.................
Unbelievable stuff!
DM
-
If Michael Clarke wasn't the captain he would have been dropped long ago, his recent batting form has been very poor. Chris Rogers has been solid, but he's 37 years old on his first ashes tour - talk about a late maturer. Australia has been referred to in the press as Dad's Army, with good reason, whereas England's team is relatively young, a good sign for the future. I can't see how Australia can get out of this one, unless it pours rain for the next two days but, continuing the theme, maybe Australia will humiliate England at Trent Bridge %) It's a very bizarre series so far.
Peter.
-
Bizarre is the word Peter. I am away in Ireland on holiday so have not seen a ball bowled. An amazing test match. 2-1 to the good guys, but a long way to go.......
-
Forgive me if I appear to be gloating, but that was an absolute smashing for England, 405 runs and a day to spare :o .
Of course, Peter! You're forgiven! :} :} :} :} :}
8 Wickets and 3 days to spare!
-
It's a good job I didn't make that call to Coral's, but I wouldn't bet either way on the next one. Too close to call.
Shame they've had to kill proper Test cricket to get paying customers (aka TV sponsorship), but I guess that's the way things are.
When people are enjoined to ring the BBC to vote on "contestants" in cookery shows then I think I'm better off with a book or the radio.
DM
-
It's a pretty bizarre series. Topsy turvy with no real consistency of form from either side. Who knows how the next two tests could go. Certainly the bookies must be scratching their heads. Despite it being a heavy loss for Australia the difference was really only down to England having only one or two better minor partnerships. The only consistent thing is that as we all know , and he comntinues to show it, David Warners middle names aren't 'sportsmanlike', 'nice chap', 'decent guy' or 'modesty'. Perhaps he is different with his family but he really is an objectionable piece of work.
-
England certainly outplayed Australia in this test, and were deserved and comfortable winners. Despite something of a fight back by the Aussie tail, there was an air of inevitability about the result. I tend to agree with Mike regarding David Warner, he really needs to modify his attitude, but maybe I'm just being old fashioned. If he learned to keep his mouth shut and let his bat do the talking he would come across as a much better person. I'm told that behaviour like his is part of modern cricket, and possibly of modern sport generally, but I for one don't like it, again because I'm old fashioned - or simply just old :((
Like Dave M, I wouldn't even try to predict what will happen in the next 2 tests, both teams have performed poorly at times in the series, and extremely well at other times, so who knows?
Peter.
-
It's probably the most unpredictable series ever. Without Anderson I would have said England no chance of bowling Australia out twice in the next test and that Australia will run riot with the bat. But nothing would surprise me. On balance I would go for Australia to hit back with a vengeance next test and the final test drawn and rain affected.
-
I'm just going to wait and see, with no bold predictions %)
Peter.
-
I forgive you for gloating Peter, that is if you still are {-)
Forgive me if I appear to be gloating, but that was an absolute smashing for England, 405 runs and a day to spare :o . If I were the England coach I'd be giving Ben Stokes a boot up the you-know-where for that schoolboy run out. One of the basics when running between wickets is to keep your bat grounded as you near the crease, Stokes appeared to be completely disinterested, as if he was out for a gentle jog.
I don't agree with Barry and Dave about the Aussie attack, it may not be the best we've ever had, but it's still a very well balanced unit, more than capable of taking wickets. Yes, the England batting was awful, but credit has to be given to the bowlers for taking advantage of an amateurish performance by the England batsmen.
The ease of the win will be a massive boost to Australia, whereas England will need to put it behind them and focus on Edgebaston.
Peter.
-
Not at the moment <:(
Peter.
-
It's still wide open Peter, anyones Urn at this time.
Nige
-
It certainly is Nige, and as I said earlier, I can't pick a winner at this stage.
Peter.
-
.........but Australia cannot afford another first days poor performance or it will be all over before the final Test!! %)
-
England off to a cracking start in the 4th test. Broad getting his 300th test wicket by removing two of the Aussies in his first over! Let's just hope that it demoralises them enough to not make it a rollover like they did in the 2nd test.
-
Oh dear. Still 4 and 7/8 days to go so anything could happen but seems to paraphrase corporal jones 'these Aussies don't like it up em'. Mr Clarke and Mr Warner seem to have morphed from their normal bullying behaviour of threatening to break peoples arms, punching people and not applauding good play to broken men. Kinda sad but...,..
-
60 all out. Unreal. I wonder if its crossed Alistair's mind to forfeit England's first innings and send Australia straight back in? It's worth it just for the humiliation factor alone. But then of course England can easily get themselves out for less than 60 in one session so best not!
-
The interesting thing here is that the English Bowlers went for the Wicket, and not the Man, and still prevailed. A lesson here for the overly aggressive Australian bowlers, who despite recent tragic events, have continued, up until now, to bowl in an excessively dangerous manner. We are all big boys, but, there is a limit...........
-
.........but Australia cannot afford another first days poor performance or it will be all over before the final Test!! %)
I did not think for one minute that it would be all over before the end of first day!!!
Spoiled a good match today!! %%
-
This from Michael Vaughans official facebook page.
-
Its the little ironies in the game that make it all the sweeter.
Broad taking the wickets on the same ground where he didn't walk and had to endure all the hypocrisy of the Aussie batsmen saying he should have and they always walk they are that sporting.
Root getting his hundred with a four off Warner who punched him and verbally abused him last series and failed to applaud his century in the first test. Amongst other things.
Sweet. Gloating and sweet yes.
-
Sweet. Gloating and sweet yes.
I almost hesitate to say this, but the show ain't over until the fat lady sings. England have been known to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory before; let's hope that doesn't happen here - difficult as it is to imagine.
Off now to watch the Channel 5 highlights - with a large JD and a big smile!
DM
-
Too true. As I said earlier I would put it past England to have had a first innings collapse and I don't rule out a second innings collapse after a strong aus second innings fightback. But today is a once in a lifetime chance to enjoy the humiliation. Even if we lose the test.
-
The only thing that can snatch victory from england in this game is the weather. What is the forecast for the next 3-4 days?
-
Not sure but today was good weather for ducks.
-
as a good Nottinghamshire lad I know what Trent bridge can do to teams. Let's hope that the sum shines on us in the morning or the Aussies will be back in batting by noon. I ' glad the sun shone on us today, usually if we don't have bad luck we don't get any...
-
There is a God after all. :} G'day!
-
Is there a cricket match on somewhere? %) %%
Absolutely horrible, embarrassing, humiliating, and anything else you can think of. What a shambles <*< >>:-(
Peter.
-
ok2 Never mind Peter,every team in history has had their bad moments,England have had some terrible matches and must certainly will again,so chin up and there is always the Oval where the aussies will do better as that wicket will suit them,Ray. ok2 ok2 ok2 ok2
-
Am not a cricket fan but tonight's news rated it as the second worse result in history. <*< <*<
Wow what a distinction. :(( :((
Liked the cheap cricket bats photo {-)
-
I loved that photo too. :} Ray, what you say is true, but at the moment I'm just glad the English Premier League kicks off tomorrow, so at least I'll have something decent to watch, even if it is only the highlights show :-)
Peter.
-
Best joke I've heard so far. The Aussie bobsled team are consulting with Michael Clarke to get advice on how to go downhill so fast.
Best 'I wish I'd kept my big mouth shut' moment....replays of a certain modest Aussie cricketers pre series interview...'They (England) won't even get anywhere close to us.
-
This was sent to me by my cousin on Kangaroo Island SA
-
Those poor Devil's , will they be able to get past Border Security :police: when they return home <*< ?
Their bat's will surely be confiscated as contaminated wood , with all the 'snick's' they've endured . . .
I think they should be offered ASYLUM here . . . . O0
Bill
-
A wonderful victory against all the odds for England. %%
Now I know it is against ALL the rules to feel sorry for the Aussies, but there is one exception. Saddened to hear Michael Clarke is calling it a day. A great cricketer and ambassador of the game. He will be missed..
-
Where is Shane Warne now? Probably sharpening his pencil to be as hard on Michael Clarke as he was on the England team until they won at Cardiff et seq. I hope he had a very large bet on a 5:1 whitewash, but I imagine he'd laid it off after the first Test.
DM
-
I think that there's a lot of players, past and present, as well as commentators, with large amounts of egg on their faces. For anyone to suggest that Australia would flog England, at home, was ridiculous and arrogant. I thought we had a good chance but, as I said in an earlier post, England are always difficult on English pitches, and I was far from confident. What I didn't expect, however, was the manner in which Australia capitulated, it was downright embarrassing.
I agree with Barry concerning Michael Clarke, he was the world's top ranking batsman, terrorising the attacks of test playing nations, but he's badly out of form as well as confidence. It's a shame he had to go out on such a low. I'm sure there will be big changes in personnel for the next series we are involved in, hopefully some of the promising young players we have will be given a chance.
England is a young side, and should have a bright future in front of it for some years to come.
Well played England, you were by far the better side, and thoroughly deserved winners O0
Peter.
-
Gracious words Peter. In the cricketing world of the Ashes, all Test matches simply lead up to the big one, the battle between two great, mostly friendly countries. Long may it last. I am already looking forward to the next encounter.
-
Great Ambassador???? "Get Ready for a ****ING BROKEN ARM!"
Without a doubt, a fantastic Cricketer from a skills point of view, but his lack of sportsmanship will, unfortunately define him around the world, and that is a great shame.
>>:-( A wonderful victory against all the odds for England. %%
Now I know it is against ALL the rules to feel sorry for the Aussies, but there is one exception. Saddened to hear Michael Clarke is calling it a day. A great cricketer and ambassador of the game. He will be missed..
-
To be fair to Clarke whilst it's not defendable, he is sadly nowhere near as unsporting or objectionable as the likes of Warner or Smith. These two seem to be the main rabble rousers, amongst others. Warner comes across as the lowest form of swamp life ever to walk onto a sporting pitch. His roll call is neverending. Mouthing at rohit 'speak english' and I'm sorry but despite his cries of it not being racist it clearly was. Hitting Joe Root which despite his claims of provocation was clearly intended as a pre series softner on the then new kid. Failing to appaud or even acknowledge centuries. Telling Jonathan Trott he was weak for having a mental health issue, both on the field and to the press.. These are just a few examples and the list is endless. Banter, sledging, heat of the moment is part of the modern game like it or not, and I don't, and all teams do it now but Warner should have been booted out of international cricket a long time ago. Smith well not as bad but is there a more big headed arrogant braggard?
-
but is there a more big headed arrogant braggard?
Well.................you could start with a certain leg-break bowler of recent years, who now writes opinionated and offensive nonsense in several Australian newspapers and advertises on-line gambling over here. I hope he had a large amount bet on a 5-0 Ashes result. Then there's the venerable (aka old has-been) ex-Yorkshire and England opening batsman who thinks that to make a point you have to keep repeating it over and over again, as if his listeners are deaf, stupid or both. And has "Sir" Geoffrey ever been known to utter a sentence which didn't include "I", "Me" or "My"?
I always felt that Merv Hughes and David Boon were the hardest and fiercest proponents of sledging, but they could also take it when it came back at them. With Clarke, Warner, Smith and Haddin you don't get that impression at all. Let's hope that the thrashing they were given last Thursday morning will chasten them for the future - or at least the few that survive the tour with their place in the team intact. Nobody really likes a bully.
DM
-
Well with ' sir' Geoff it was always about 'ME'. Hughes and Boon were hard but took it as you say.
-
There are a raft of feelings associated with this series; A warm glow after Cardiff, that sinking feeling after Lord's, Edgebaston, a growing pride and Trentbridge, Elation.
For all this what sticks with me is outrage at Australia refusing to have a beer with the England team after Cardiff.
-
I agree, TailUK, that's indefensible. It would never have happened in the "old days", especially not in Boon and Hughes' time, they'd have had the first round on the bar before the last batsmen had their pads off O0
Mike, while I agree wholeheartedly with you about Warner, I've never thought of Steve Smith as being particularly big headed or arrogant, at least, not from what I've seen or heard of him. He's being tipped in the press as the next Aussie captain, but we will have to wait and see. As for Clarke's so-called "unsportsmanlike behaviour", I believe that just about any of the top teams would have someone who could be similarly accused.
Dave, I think I've made my feelings about Mr Warne quite clear in previous posts, but if I said what I really thought I'd be leaving myself open to a libel suit >>:-(
Peter.
-
Dave, I think I've made my feelings about Mr Warne quite clear in previous posts, but if I said what I really thought I'd be leaving myself open to a libel suit >>:-(
Peter.
Ah - but first and foremost it has to be demonstrably untrue! I'm reminded of the prop forward who was having a hard time with a certain referee. The guy seemed to blow for an offence every time our man touched the ball. Eventually things came to a head and he squared up eyeball to eyeball with the ref.
"What would you do if I called you a $£**&^%?"
"I'd send you off straight away"
"What would you do if I just thought it"
"There's no offence in thinking it"
"Right! I think you're a $£**&^%!" ;D
-
I've never thought of Steve Smith as being particularly big headed or arrogant, at least, not from what I've seen or heard of him.
Peter.
He gave a whole series of interviews about how nice it was going to be to win in 'Englands backyard' and kept repeating that England won't even get close to Australia. The tone of the interview was done in a very smug goading arrogant manner . And I did agree that Clarke is or was no better or worse than many other cricketers or captains these days. Sad indictment of how the game is played. Everyone, regardless of nationality, does now seem to follow the Steve Waugh philosophy of 'mental disintegration'. Sadly some take it to extremes of personal nastiness.
-
Looks like the 'Rabble Rousers' >>:-( <*< are in favour with CA. %% This new era will be interesting to say the least.
To be fair to Clarke whilst it's not defendable, he is sadly nowhere near as unsporting or objectionable as the likes of Warner or Smith. These two seem to be the main rabble rousers, amongst others. Warner comes across as the lowest form of swamp life ever to walk onto a sporting pitch. His roll call is neverending. Mouthing at rohit 'speak english' and I'm sorry but despite his cries of it not being racist it clearly was. Hitting Joe Root which despite his claims of provocation was clearly intended as a pre series softner on the then new kid. Failing to appaud or even acknowledge centuries. Telling Jonathan Trott he was weak for having a mental health issue, both on the field and to the press.. These are just a few examples and the list is endless. Banter, sledging, heat of the moment is part of the modern game like it or not, and I don't, and all teams do it now but Warner should have been booted out of international cricket a long time ago. Smith well not as bad but is there a more big headed arrogant braggard?
-
While I expected Michael Clarke to be named as captain, I have to say I'm astounded that David Warner has been given the vice-captaincy. My only comment would be - I hope he gets his act together and behaves as the position demands, not as he has in the past <*<
Peter.
-
I thought the Australian Cricket Board had finally lost all their senses at first. How a man with his reputation for lack of personal discipline can be made vice captain of his country is beyond me. That said, it may just calm him down a little and if he respects the role given him, it just may be a very shrewd move. Time will tell..
-
Could this be true
-
Only if the England team had suffered a similar fate {-)
Peter.
-
Well another match could end inside three days, this time to an Australian win, a very odd series.
Sadly, we have lost today one of the true greats of Australian cricket in the passing of Arthur Morris. One of the "Invincibles" May he rest in peace...
-
Vale Arthur Morris indeed, a Great Man, from a Great Game.
-
How sad to see Shane Watson relegated to 'Drinks Carrier' during the last Ashes Test. This is, in all likelihood his Swansong, so wouldn't it have been far more fitting for him to have been selected, rather than to have been humiliated in this way. He has, like Michael Clarke, served Australia well, but the contrast in treatment is so disrespectful. I have always admired his conduct on the pitch, as well as his considerable talent. So different to that of Messrs Smith, Warner & Johnson.
-
Without a doubt this is the most bizarre Ashes series I can remember, with none of the matches going the full 5 days, and all the matches won by wide margins. One would have to wonder at the pitches provided, although having said that, both teams had to play on the same pitch in each game. England were worthy winners, but I believe that Australia showed enough to give us cause for optimism in the future. Some selections were puzzling, to say the least, but that doesn't alter the fact that we were outplayed in 3 of the games. There's always next time :-)
Peter.
-
Always good battles in England, but not going to be easy in Australia next time.
Now as for the one dayers.........England management have been saying that they are going to prioritise one day cricket. In which case I do not understand the decisions to rest Broad, Anderson and Root! Our best three Ashes players..... <*<
-
Always good battles in England, but not going to be easy in Australia next time.
Now as for the one dayers.........England management have been saying that they are going to prioritise one day cricket. In which case I do not understand the decisions to rest Broad, Anderson and Root! Our best three Ashes players..... <*<
Probably saving the ageing legs of the the two bowlers for South Africa. Resting Joe will force some of the other batsmen to up their game; they'll need to be sharp to face Steyn, Morkel and Philander. The England team relied far too much on JR to the point that when he failed to make a score the whole thing fell apart. The batting coach has much to do.
As for Australia's problems, I find it difficult to care. All of their wounds were self-inflicted - either by the team or the selectors.
DM