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The Ashes 2005

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Seems like a good time to start the thread, after the 20/20 match yesterday, which doesn't say very much about either side. the news reports of it were truncated by Jackson rubbish so I have even less to say about it. However we have some one dayers coming up and then the main event which is a little diminished by not being a seven match series.

England have the best team, and indeed the best squad they've had in ages. Australia are still the best team in Cricket.

Let the countdown begin.

― Ed (dali), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 07:11 (twenty years ago)

Ha, I knew this was you...

― suzy (suzy), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 07:15 (twenty years ago)

Sports reporter on Today this morning: "We know Australia are going to win the series - but by how much?"

― caitlin (caitlin), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 07:21 (twenty years ago)

i think australia are going to 'win' 1-2

― Ed (dali), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 07:22 (twenty years ago)

You're probably right - I wouldn't be *too* surprised if it was a draw.

― caitlin (caitlin), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 07:24 (twenty years ago)

(that would make more sense if I hadn't accidentally deleted the "but" before the second clause)

― caitlin (caitlin), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 07:25 (twenty years ago)

True the 20-20 doesn't tell us an enormous amount, but the Aussies lowing by THAT much (all out for 79? WTF?) must knock their confidence?

― Come Back Johnny B (Johnney B), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 10:03 (twenty years ago)

It was hilarious

― Bifidus Digestivum (Dada), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 10:05 (twenty years ago)

Good start, but not proper cricket. Anyway, it's going to be a cracker - the best home ashes series since 1981, I should think. We have a chance if all of our top bowlers can find form and stay fit for the series. I worry about Hoggard against really imposing batsmen like Hayden and Ponting - he could get clattered if they decide to target him, and I think they will. S.Jones will probably not stay fit for the whole series, and the back-up seamers are unproven. This worries me.

There has been some speculation that if Giles isn't fit for the first test, they'll play Peterson as an extra batsman and go in with four bowlers. A risk, but worth some thought. They'll need Giles later in the series though, especially at Old Trafford.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 10:53 (twenty years ago)

Yes. I'm looking forward to this. I still think we'll lose the series, but a win in a live match would be an improvement - and then... who knows?

― Chewshabadoo (Chewshabadoo), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 11:01 (twenty years ago)

For the first time ever, I think, last night I saw an Aussie team looking ill-prepared. Their fielding was dodgy, bowling uneven, and batting execrable. England, on the other hand, were keen as mustard. That, at least, should give us some hope. Still think they'll batter us in the proper stuff, though.

― Adam Faithless (Adam Faithless), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 11:01 (twenty years ago)

I thought it might be a cunning Aussie ploy to lull the Poms into a false sense of optimism but, having heard various Australian pundits on the subject, I think they were surprised at how ropey they were and how good England were

― Bifidus Digestivum (Dada), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 11:03 (twenty years ago)

2-1 to England.

― jel -- (jel), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 18:38 (twenty years ago)

God i'm so psyched for this series, I keep visualising the little battles and confrontations and getting shivers.

Strauss v McGrath
Flintoff v Warne
Harmison v Hayden

It's going to be fascinating.

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Wednesday, 15 June 2005 08:24 (twenty years ago)

I've got ticket to the Edgbaston test and am really rather looking forward to seeing the Aussies knocked about a bit. I hope it is really close (well I hope we win a whitewash but that's pretty unlikely). The Channel 4 ads a re really quite scary though.

― Pete (Pete), Wednesday, 15 June 2005 10:29 (twenty years ago)

If they'd got Flintoff to burst out of that grave they'd be perfect.

― On one hand I've got myself to blame (Lynskey), Wednesday, 15 June 2005 10:31 (twenty years ago)

What's pissing me off is that there is no test at Headingly.

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Wednesday, 15 June 2005 10:53 (twenty years ago)

i saw the second half of the 20/20 match when i got in from work on monday, i larfed and larfed.

i hope the tests are good but i do think england are going to lose the series, hopefully not by too much though...

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Wednesday, 15 June 2005 11:48 (twenty years ago)

four weeks pass...
Pietersen in Thorpe out!

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Thursday, 14 July 2005 10:34 (twenty years ago)

Ha, I was just looking for this thread, damn your connection speed.

It makes our middle order look worryingly flimsy, imo.

― Matt (Matt), Thursday, 14 July 2005 10:38 (twenty years ago)

I am now hoping that Strauss, Tresco, Bell and Vaughan all get centuries while Pietersen gets out in the low teens in both innings to dolly catches off mistimed leg side slashes. Or even better, bowled round his legs by Warne.

You may deduce from this that I really don't like Pietersen.

― RickyT (RickyT), Thursday, 14 July 2005 10:53 (twenty years ago)

what's with all the 20/20 hate?! its interesting, one day cricket has changed the approach to the 'proper', longer form of the game. also 5 matches is enough, wouldn't say the series is 'diminished' in anyway. I think its worse that they're all bunched together like this.

this does seem like the wrong decision but I'm not sure what thorpe was thinking of by saying he'd retire at the end of the summer - just doesn't look good - he had scored a 73 last week for surrey so again form and fitness don't come into this.

hope i'm proved wrong. xp

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Thursday, 14 July 2005 11:01 (twenty years ago)

I don't like him much, but I am pleased that they have chosen him. I think it signals that we are going to try and score quickly and take the attack to the Aussie bowlers if possible. But you're not wrong, Ricky, if we're 50-3 on the first morning at Lords I'd rather see Thorpe coming in. But if we're 200-1 mid afternoon, then Pietersen might be a good call.

Tremlett might be a dark horse later in the series.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Thursday, 14 July 2005 11:08 (twenty years ago)

Tremlett needs to nasty up a bit

― Matt (Matt), Thursday, 14 July 2005 11:12 (twenty years ago)

Given the way that Lee and McGrath are bowling at the moment we look like needing Thorpes grit rather than Pietersens cultured slogging.

If we were playing West Indies or New Zealand then sure, but against the line of McGrath (4 maidens in a row in 50 over game) and a fired up Brett Lee...

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Thursday, 14 July 2005 11:21 (twenty years ago)

OTM

― Matt (Matt), Thursday, 14 July 2005 11:46 (twenty years ago)

I'm a touch worried that the Austraaaalian bowlers have Pietersen figured out now. Also a tad worried that our pool of youthful bowlers isn't quite where it should be by now (the Andersons etc.).

On the pro side Vaughan should actually start batting now, Tresco's eye is in and the mid-lower's look in ok touch. As ever I think Gilo's got as much to do with the bat as the ball.

Prediction - long and cool drinks, TV outside, Radio, TV and Cricinfo at the the same time, light snacks, heaven.

― On one hand I've got myself to blame (Lynskey), Thursday, 14 July 2005 11:59 (twenty years ago)

I don't think they have seen enough of Pietersen to figure him out. In fact no-one knows how he'll do in a test match. They've certainly figured Tres out (as everyone has), but I don't think anyone's suggesting he shouldn't play. Let's just hope he gets that thin edge to first slip when he's got 150 on the board, not 15.

On Vaughan I agree, he needs consistent runs. I guess Bell is the gritty batsman now. I wonder if he'll bat 3 or 4. I think Vaughan may go in 3.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Thursday, 14 July 2005 12:33 (twenty years ago)

My worry is Strauss, he's not looked comfortable against Lee at all. We'll need to dent Lees confidence ASAP.

I feel if we can see off the opening spell we'll do great, if we lose early wickets I think we can recover to post a decent total given the depth of our batting.

And the big question is how well will Warne bowl.

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Thursday, 14 July 2005 13:38 (twenty years ago)

I expect Warne to bowl well

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 14 July 2005 13:40 (twenty years ago)

Two years ago I said I was happy with the young bowlers we had coming through but the ageing batting line up was a cause for concern. Oh how things have changed. Wither Kirtley, Anderson, Ali?

McGrath's line is more of a concern for me in the one-dayers. 4 straight maidens in a test isn't too bad and promotes the best in TMS commentary so it has its upside. I get the feeling, like I do when anyone comes up against the Aussies these days, that it's Englands to lose rather than theirs to win. Their players are so machine-like consistent that its down to the resolve and concentration of their opponents. Hence why I'd like to see Thorpe instead of Pietersen.

― On one hand I've got myself to blame (Lynskey), Thursday, 14 July 2005 13:40 (twenty years ago)

I think England have made a big mistake with leaving Thorpe out, we're so gonna need a grifter. Pietersen is okay, but I doubt if he save an innings, but there's no need to fast-track him in.

Anyway, I predict a 10 wicket haul for Hoggard at Lords.

I can't stand Simon Jones btw (though I liked him when he threw the ball at Hayden), so I hope Tremlett replaces him soon.

― jel -- (jel), Thursday, 14 July 2005 15:13 (twenty years ago)

Tremlett's name envokes a mental picture of a small 10 watt practice amp made by Fender.

― On one hand I've got myself to blame (Lynskey), Thursday, 14 July 2005 15:23 (twenty years ago)

**Wither Kirtley, Anderson, Ali?**

Kirtley - honest country pro but only ever a stop-gap. Hayden and Ponting would murder him.

Anderson - needs a season with Lancs. I wouldn't be surprised if he never gets back in actually. His action is terrible.

Kabir Ali - I liked the look of him when he played, but he probably isn't accurate enough for someone of his moderate pace. Could come again.

It looks thin, I agree, and the worry is that with pace bowlers injuries will happen. I think we might be alright in a couple of years with Bresnan (Yorks), Plunkett (Durham), Broad (Leics) and Tremlett as possibles. They have a lot of work to do though. I thought Steve Kirby might make it a couple of years ago, but that looks doubtful now.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Thursday, 14 July 2005 15:34 (twenty years ago)

Kirtley is also about to turn 31 (I know this as he's my cousin and I'm 6 months older than him. He's the only famous person in my family which is why I namedrop so often), so he's hardly "young". I suspect Doc C is right - his metronomic good length medium-fast balls just wouldn't be enough of a challenge. His reliability is a plus that shouldn't be underestimated, though.

― Markelby (Mark C), Thursday, 14 July 2005 15:37 (twenty years ago)

But all of the current crop of international bowlers are pretty young anyway - the Wheelie Bin aside

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 14 July 2005 15:40 (twenty years ago)

I might start my cricket career next year, I'll be 30. I could be the next Neil Mallender.

― jel -- (jel), Thursday, 14 July 2005 15:41 (twenty years ago)

1st day, 1st test!

aus won the toss and are batting

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Thursday, 21 July 2005 08:23 (twenty years ago)

And Langer's already been injured!

― RickyT (RickyT), Thursday, 21 July 2005 08:34 (twenty years ago)

9-0, Harmison looking good, despite the runs.

― RickyT (RickyT), Thursday, 21 July 2005 08:38 (twenty years ago)

bloody cricinfo is ballsing up

― Ed (dali), Thursday, 21 July 2005 08:41 (twenty years ago)

beauty from hoggard 35-1

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Thursday, 21 July 2005 09:10 (twenty years ago)

Pietersen's just dropped Ponting.

― RickyT (RickyT), Thursday, 21 July 2005 09:17 (twenty years ago)

and he missed on running out langer - its already looking like a disastrous choice from the selectors.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Thursday, 21 July 2005 09:21 (twenty years ago)

Poor Ponting

― Masked Gazza, Thursday, 21 July 2005 09:25 (twenty years ago)

Calm your spurs Julio. The Ashes is about 35 minutes old; let's goive the lad a chance.

(Can i suggest you get a job with the Tabloid sports desks)

― Dave B (daveb), Thursday, 21 July 2005 09:27 (twenty years ago)

ouch dave you guardian reader you

(guess their webpage is following this one over-by-over)

good hit from harminson!

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Thursday, 21 July 2005 09:32 (twenty years ago)

Tony fvcking Greig is commentating. Telly off, radio on.

― RickyT (RickyT), Thursday, 21 July 2005 09:33 (twenty years ago)

volume off, telly on ricky cuz harminson is got ponting!

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Thursday, 21 July 2005 09:38 (twenty years ago)

search and destroy: desktop cricket scoreboards. cricinfo, bbc or channel4?

― Pete W (peterw), Thursday, 21 July 2005 09:41 (twenty years ago)

guardian scoreboard seems to be the best.

― Ed (dali), Thursday, 21 July 2005 09:41 (twenty years ago)

YES!!!

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Thursday, 21 July 2005 09:49 (twenty years ago)

Martyn out! GET IN!

― RickyT (RickyT), Thursday, 21 July 2005 09:52 (twenty years ago)

another one! xp

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Thursday, 21 July 2005 09:52 (twenty years ago)

FLIPPING HECK! 66-4!!

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Thursday, 21 July 2005 09:55 (twenty years ago)

Nice to see Harmison trying to revive the success of bodylining by taking Ponting's head off...

― Alex M (Alex M), Thursday, 21 July 2005 10:08 (twenty years ago)

87-5! awesome morning

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Thursday, 21 July 2005 10:25 (twenty years ago)

Yowsa, you go fro a meeting...

― Pete (Pete), Thursday, 21 July 2005 10:35 (twenty years ago)

In that case, Pete, please can you spend the rest of the Ashes tour in meetings?

― Forest Pines (ForestPines), Thursday, 21 July 2005 10:37 (twenty years ago)

http://www.funice.de/images/product_images/popup_images/afro-peruecke_big%20funice.jpg

― Frogm@n Henry, Thursday, 21 July 2005 10:43 (twenty years ago)

wow! 97-5. I think Gilchrist will look to hit his way out of trouble with Katich hanging in there. If we can get these two quickly we're rolling.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Thursday, 21 July 2005 10:44 (twenty years ago)

Gilchrist out to Freddie/Geraint. 126-6!

― RickyT (RickyT), Thursday, 21 July 2005 11:35 (twenty years ago)

Well I can't spend the first day of the second test in meetings as I will be there (YAY!). Especially YAY! if it continues like this.

― Pete (Pete), Thursday, 21 July 2005 11:39 (twenty years ago)

171-6. Glad Gilchrist's gone, but Warne can be dangerous - 2 centuries for Hants this year. If they're still in in 15 mins, I'd bring on Giles to tie them up at one end, and to see if it will turn.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Thursday, 21 July 2005 12:14 (twenty years ago)

Warne out : 178-7.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Thursday, 21 July 2005 12:23 (twenty years ago)

Pietersen drops another catch.

― RickyT (RickyT), Thursday, 21 July 2005 12:30 (twenty years ago)

i think the aussies are lulling us into a false sense of security here...

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Thursday, 21 July 2005 12:33 (twenty years ago)

Echoes of 1997?

― RickyT (RickyT), Thursday, 21 July 2005 12:33 (twenty years ago)

And we're done. 190 all out. Well done chaps. Now to see how we handle the Aussie bowlers.

― RickyT (RickyT), Thursday, 21 July 2005 12:40 (twenty years ago)

i predict this test match will not last past saturday morning...

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Thursday, 21 July 2005 12:42 (twenty years ago)

I hope for good reasons.

― Pete (Pete), Thursday, 21 July 2005 12:44 (twenty years ago)

bah 11-2

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Thursday, 21 July 2005 13:42 (twenty years ago)

AT this rate it might not get past today.

― Pete (Pete), Thursday, 21 July 2005 13:46 (twenty years ago)

Having Pietersen at 5 is now even more worrying. Bell and Vaughan need to seriously steady things up before he comes in.

― RickyT (RickyT), Thursday, 21 July 2005 13:53 (twenty years ago)

Well you can always trust Vaughn to play a captains innings.

― Pete (Pete), Thursday, 21 July 2005 13:58 (twenty years ago)

Not today, it would appear.

― RickyT (RickyT), Thursday, 21 July 2005 14:05 (twenty years ago)

18-3! ball kept really low so a bit unlucky for vaughan but mcgrath just keeps that line...xp

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Thursday, 21 July 2005 14:05 (twenty years ago)

I blame Ptee.

― Dave B (daveb), Thursday, 21 July 2005 14:10 (twenty years ago)

Like my sarcasm re rubbidge Vaughan made any difference.

Pietersen can now make up for his rubbish fielding. Which admittedly he has been doing in the 1-days. It could easily be my fault though cos the meeting I had this afternoon was cancelled due to the weeny bombs.

― Pete (Pete), Thursday, 21 July 2005 14:16 (twenty years ago)

quick call a meeting!

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Thursday, 21 July 2005 14:17 (twenty years ago)

21-5, just too good.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Thursday, 21 July 2005 14:23 (twenty years ago)

I think it might be too late for the restorative powers of my meetings.

I think the terrorists have won.

― Pete (Pete), Thursday, 21 July 2005 14:24 (twenty years ago)

can we say this is a bowlers wicket then?

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Thursday, 21 July 2005 14:26 (twenty years ago)

mcgrath is a machine. i blame hoggard for winding him up beforehand.

― Pete W (peterw), Thursday, 21 July 2005 14:27 (twenty years ago)

oh no. I don't see a way out of this.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Thursday, 21 July 2005 14:37 (twenty years ago)

i'm going tomorrow. i fear i may witness a RESULT.

― Pete W (peterw), Thursday, 21 July 2005 14:38 (twenty years ago)

I hate Lord's.

(Obv post the bombs I have been convinced this test has been taking place at the Oval.)

― Pete (Pete), Thursday, 21 July 2005 14:43 (twenty years ago)

39-5, jones and pietrsen seem to be settling a bit, hopefully see mcgrath off and start to build a partnership.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Thursday, 21 July 2005 14:54 (twenty years ago)

58 partnership but 92-7 at the end of the day.

we'll have to make the impossible happen.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Thursday, 21 July 2005 16:09 (twenty years ago)

It was looking, well, not so bad for a while but Jones went late in the day and Giles went (hit wicket! I ask you...) with the very last ball. 92-7. Pietersen needs a Beefy-style performance tomorrow.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Thursday, 21 July 2005 16:10 (twenty years ago)

It was great for a while. Then it was terrible.

Gotta get close to their score, and then hope we can skittle them even more cheaply. Oh, and bring back Thorpe for the second test, it may have to be Bell who gives way - I know it's harsh, but it's the Ashes!

I thought Merv Hughes was just being mean spirited when he said England hadn't bowled well, obv. he knows more than me.

― jel -- (jel), Thursday, 21 July 2005 16:38 (twenty years ago)

No one at my work seemed to care about the cricket, I've never felt more alienated.

― jel -- (jel), Thursday, 21 July 2005 16:39 (twenty years ago)

Prediction : England will get up to the Aussie score or close. Pietersen will get 70 or so and a few blows from each of Jones, Harmy and Hoggard.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Friday, 22 July 2005 05:57 (twenty years ago)

Prediction: Pietersen out in the opening overs out attempting Beefy style assualt. England add 20 or so runs. Australia 300-odd for 3 by close of play.

― Dadaismus (Dada), Friday, 22 July 2005 08:39 (twenty years ago)

Hoggard out for 0 - thank you for your doughty resistance Matthew

― Dadaismus (Dada), Friday, 22 July 2005 08:53 (twenty years ago)

Hmm - looking more like your prediction than mine. A bit of wishful thinking in mine.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Friday, 22 July 2005 08:54 (twenty years ago)

Hang-on 4, 6, 4, 1 - Kev's rolling!

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Friday, 22 July 2005 08:56 (twenty years ago)

I only wish I could see it!

― Dadaismus (Dada), Friday, 22 July 2005 08:57 (twenty years ago)

SIX! Pietersen now on 57 not out! Needs a single off the next couple of balls to get to the other end.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Friday, 22 July 2005 09:02 (twenty years ago)

He's gone : 122/9.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Friday, 22 July 2005 09:03 (twenty years ago)

My sporting predicitons are rarely so spot on. So who scores the first century: Hayden; Langer or Ponting? I say Hayden... and very quickly too.

― Dadaismus (Dada), Friday, 22 July 2005 09:06 (twenty years ago)

If we can just get up to 150, there would still be hope.

None of them will score a century. I say we'll get 144 and they'll be 65-2 at lunch.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Friday, 22 July 2005 09:08 (twenty years ago)

Surely we should be worried that Warne has taken both wickets?

― Dadaismus (Dada), Friday, 22 July 2005 09:09 (twenty years ago)

Not unduly : 1) He always takes wickets and 2) they were slogging rather than trying to play him properly.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Friday, 22 July 2005 09:12 (twenty years ago)

Ha ha, I like how we're not supposed to worry unduly about 1)!

― Dadaismus (Dada), Friday, 22 July 2005 09:14 (twenty years ago)

Lee's on! That could give us some quick runs, in fact.... 13 off the over : 142/9

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Friday, 22 July 2005 09:17 (twenty years ago)

S.P. Jones can give it some welly

― Dadaismus (Dada), Friday, 22 July 2005 09:19 (twenty years ago)

Jones now up to 19! 148/9.

Looks like my prediction is closer than yours now ;)

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Friday, 22 July 2005 09:20 (twenty years ago)

Warne on - Harmy hits a four first ball!

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Friday, 22 July 2005 09:21 (twenty years ago)

Nothing beats a last wicket slog for entertainment!

― Dadaismus (Dada), Friday, 22 July 2005 09:23 (twenty years ago)

Let's hope they can get us up to 170/180.

155/9. McGrath to Harmy.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Friday, 22 July 2005 09:25 (twenty years ago)

excellent last wkt partnership - 155 is not so bad.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Friday, 22 July 2005 09:28 (twenty years ago)

Good effort from 21-5. We need quick wickets now!

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Friday, 22 July 2005 09:29 (twenty years ago)

(thorpe has just announced his retirement from test cricket to take effect immediately - such a premeture decision - I'd say he would have taken part in this series after this test)

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Friday, 22 July 2005 09:36 (twenty years ago)

Let's face it, he's thrown his toys out of the pram

― Dadaismus (Dada), Friday, 22 July 2005 09:39 (twenty years ago)

I don't think he'd have got in. Even if we get skittled again in the 2nd innings they won't change the batting line-up.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Friday, 22 July 2005 09:40 (twenty years ago)

i dunno, i really did think he might've played some part but its all speculation, we'll never know

aus 4-0

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Friday, 22 July 2005 09:44 (twenty years ago)

Fuck him, friggin' prima donna

― Dadaismus (Dada), Friday, 22 July 2005 09:45 (twenty years ago)

langer run out (pietersen gets it right in the field) 18-1!

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Friday, 22 July 2005 10:04 (twenty years ago)

Run out in the fifth over? That's not very Australian!

― Dadaismus (Dada), Friday, 22 July 2005 10:06 (twenty years ago)

EX-FUCKING-CELSIOR! What a waste of a wicket! (snicker, snicker, tee-hee!)

Now here comes Ponting v Harmison, round 2. Hit him again Harmy!

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Friday, 22 July 2005 10:07 (twenty years ago)

haha!

― Chewshabadoo (Chewshabadoo), Friday, 22 July 2005 10:08 (twenty years ago)

54-2 Hayden b Flintoff!

Martyn can be dangerous, but the Martyn/Clarke/Katich middle order isn't as worrying as the Martyn/M.Waugh/S.Waugh middle order on the last tour. A couple of quick wickets this session and we have a chance.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Friday, 22 July 2005 11:27 (twenty years ago)

102-3. PONTING gone. I think we have a chance to rip them out for under 250. Gilchrist is a worry though.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Friday, 22 July 2005 12:26 (twenty years ago)

if we had caught clarke for 21 instead of dropping him that might've happened but pietersen undid all his good batting in the 1st innings.

jones has just dropped gillespie though simon jones has bowled him as i type this.

but for the rest of the series (aus will now win unless a miracle happens): its encouraging we've kept gilchrist down. also hayden is out of sorts, ponting hasn't settled in much, still not convinced by clarke. but we can't go back to thorpe.

(katich has just scored 50, he reminds me of thorpe)

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Saturday, 23 July 2005 10:03 (twenty years ago)

also sluggish fielding has cost eng 20-30 runs I'd say

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Saturday, 23 July 2005 10:09 (twenty years ago)

I reckon they'll bring in Collingwood for Bell.

Might rain.

― jel -- (jel), Saturday, 23 July 2005 10:34 (twenty years ago)

A pretty heartening session up to tea, (last ball aside). The first decent opening partnership of the match. If England can bat every session like that then the match is theirs, 7 sessions left to play. However, Shane Warne is bowling well, he was unlucky not to get that wicket with the last ball before tea and I don't think Trescothick especially is playing Warne well.

― Ed (dali), Saturday, 23 July 2005 13:15 (twenty years ago)

Oh well, at least we beat our first innings score.

― jel -- (jel), Saturday, 23 July 2005 15:44 (twenty years ago)

Hah, that's not saying much.

Is there any chance it's going to piss down for the next couple of days?

― Forest Pines (ForestPines), Saturday, 23 July 2005 15:46 (twenty years ago)

This is what will happen:

It'll piss down all night, but the old saying "rain before 7, gone by 11" will come into play.

― jel -- (jel), Saturday, 23 July 2005 15:48 (twenty years ago)

I've not heard that one before.

How about "bad light before six, England in a fix"?

― Forest Pines (ForestPines), Saturday, 23 July 2005 15:50 (twenty years ago)

bugger

― Ed (dali), Saturday, 23 July 2005 15:53 (twenty years ago)

It could actually have been worse, that Brett Lee full-toss was LBW.

― jel -- (jel), Saturday, 23 July 2005 15:56 (twenty years ago)

I never had any doubts we'd lose with having to score 400. it was great that strauss and trescothick held on and scored for as long as they had; hope there's more to come from those guys, but 350 plus to win only happens once every few years or so.

Looking at the line-up I'd expect the considerable qualities of vaughan and flintoff to show through when it matters at some point, they will have to bat well if we're to avoid another poor series. That cannot be said of Ian bell, feet not moving, very hick/ramprakash, and I was just hoping that thorpe would reverse his decision NOW! Pietersen bats wonderfully but dropping clarke still leaves a bad taste.

funnily enough I am confident that we'll bounce back in the next test or maybe the third test - when it matters - and not just the 4th or 5th - when it doesn't, as in the last few series. I have faith in the quality and test match temperament of most of this bunch, just hope they show it.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Saturday, 23 July 2005 20:59 (twenty years ago)

I concur.

Though obviously Pietersen'll belt a double century and Jones a ton of his own tomorrow. Has to happen. Failing that a maiden century for Gilo.

Ahem. Roll on Edgbaston.

― Matt (Matt), Saturday, 23 July 2005 22:50 (twenty years ago)

The drizzle is our 12th man.

― Ed (dali), Sunday, 24 July 2005 08:02 (twenty years ago)

Hurrah for British summers!

― Forest Pines (ForestPines), Sunday, 24 July 2005 08:19 (twenty years ago)

This is made even better by the fact that it's gloriously sunny here

― Matt (Matt), Sunday, 24 July 2005 08:32 (twenty years ago)

Bah. I wanted to go out with my camera this afternoon, but the weather here is rather similar to Lords (albeit without the drizzle at the moment)

― Forest Pines (ForestPines), Sunday, 24 July 2005 08:34 (twenty years ago)

Drizzle appears to set in here in central London. (I was about to write that it appear to be easing off, but the weather beat me to the computer).

― Ed (dali), Sunday, 24 July 2005 08:41 (twenty years ago)

Man of the match.

― Matt (Matt), Sunday, 24 July 2005 09:11 (twenty years ago)

damned rain.

I would drop Bell for Thorpe if he'd come out of his day old retirement. Pietersen was clearly a good choice but the middle order could do with a little more experience.

― Ed (dali), Sunday, 24 July 2005 14:48 (twenty years ago)

I wouldn't drop Bell. Give at least one more game, see how he copes once the ridiculous hype surrounding this series has calmed down a bit. He's looked good up until now, it seems silly to drop him after two bad innings. Especially when you consider how McGrath was bowling in the first.

― RickyT (RickyT), Sunday, 24 July 2005 15:23 (twenty years ago)

I would have said that as well but Vaugn appears to have been rumbled to a certain extent.

― Ed (dali), Sunday, 24 July 2005 15:28 (twenty years ago)

Vaughn competely shown up. Very poor dismissal yesterday.

Perhaps he should consider what happened to Alec Stewart's batting after he gave up the captaincy.

― aldo_cowpat (aldo_cowpat), Sunday, 24 July 2005 15:30 (twenty years ago)

How many overs were bowled? I think their could be refunds payable, can't rememmber if it's less than 10 overs bowled or 15 to qualify.

Best not to drop anyone until after Edgbaston really. I thought Harmison had a good match. Pietersen doesn't like to protect the tail much, so maybe he should come in at 4? Vaughan at 5...find a new number 3. I'm sorry but Bell just annoys me with his constant shadow batting.

― jel -- (jel), Sunday, 24 July 2005 15:37 (twenty years ago)

Collingwood must come in at some point - he's peaking as a mature, adaptable and versatile cricketer - that's Michael Clarke rather than Derek Pringle 'bits and pieces' adaptable. I'd have him at 6, move Fred to 7, Read in for Jones the drop, and give the Wheelie Bin a rest. No need for weedy 'spin' at the 'Baston.

― darren (darren), Sunday, 24 July 2005 16:34 (twenty years ago)

Collingwood is only ever going to get a game when Freddie's injured. Which is fair enough. Anyone else remember Mark Ealham?

― RickyT (RickyT), Sunday, 24 July 2005 21:55 (twenty years ago)

There's not much point dropping a batsman on the basis of one poor match against the best bowlers in test cricket. We know that Bell has the technique, no-one was suggesting that he shouldn't play beforehand. Now he gets skittled by McGrath and Warne and we're talking about dropping him - madness! He should get at least 2 more games. He does need to work on what he's going to do against Warne though - he didn't see the flipper that got him in the 2nd innings, whereas Pietersen could obv pick the straight ball. In fact KP was the only batsman in either innings who made an Australian bowler deviate from plan, when Warne switched to round the wicket on Sat. And KP just kicked him away.

Vaughan is a worry, but he has made runs against this attack before. He doesn't seem to be moving his feet enough right now.

Giles - looked SO ineffective that I wonder if he should step down until Old Trafford, when we'll need a spinner? There might be a case for Collingwood coming in to bat at 7 and bowl a few overs. I agree with RickyT that this sort of thing has been a flop before (Ealham, Cowdrey, Pringle, Ian Greig, Capel), but I do think that Collingwood is a far better player than all of those, and is currently in form. In that scenerio, if a bowler gets injured we're in shit street with only 4 of them though. Also, I wonder if Flintoff's heavy workload is spoiling his batting?

G.Jones - WAY below standard for an international keeper this game. The two drops on Saturday morning were terrible, and he gives away far too many byes. Read is a better keeper, but I doubt would get runs against this attack. Matt Prior can definitely bat, but can he keep wicket to test match standard. I would support bringing him in to make it clear to Jones that he's got to improve.

The pace bowlers - did fine. Harmison is clearly on form, which is one reason why there is still hope for us in this series. I was impressed with S.Jones, despite his modest figures and I think Hoggard and Freddie did OK. We mustn't overbowl Flintoff though.

Having said all that - I don't expect any changes for Egbaston.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Monday, 25 July 2005 08:33 (twenty years ago)

Bell made runs against a good south african attack and has a good temperament. Prior to being outthought by the GREATEST SPINNER IN THE HISTORY OF THE GAME he was playing him as well as anyone and had the right idea in getting to the pitch of the ball.

Giles' ineffectiveness worries me a bit, but he was fighting a losing cause by the time he was brought on, there is a case for dropping him for Collingwood at Edgbaston (and this bolstering of the order would allow us the luxury of Read for Jones, which has always been a bit of a pipedream of mine).

I agree with Dr C to a certain extent. Harmison had an excellent game, and Jones was monstrously unlucky. Hoggard was pretty average, and I was surprised by the amount of short wide stuff Freddie dished up in the second innings. I don't expect a repeat.

Good teams do not become bad ones overnight. We've all had a reminder of just how good Australia are. Now it's up to England to readjust and fight back. Which they are going to. These are not the bad old days.

Good job it's the internet so you can't see me crossing my fingers.

― Matt (Matt), Monday, 25 July 2005 09:20 (twenty years ago)

Well said. But Bell hasn't played against S.A! His debut was against W.I when he made a half-century, he didn't tour, then he played the 2 tests v Bangla.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Monday, 25 July 2005 09:24 (twenty years ago)

I realised I'd got that wrong as soon as I clicked submit, it's cos he didn't go to South Africa that winter. Whoops. Ah well, I'm sure he would have scored heavily if he had.

Anyone remember Rob Key?

― Matt (Matt), Monday, 25 July 2005 09:33 (twenty years ago)

Well, I assume Key is next in line for Bell's place. In fact I read somewhere that the selectors told Thorpe that he was behind Bell, Key, Collingwood and Ed Joyce for a place in the team, which is why he retired. I like Key and I think he would do well in this series. He's played v Austrlia before and has a good attitude.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Monday, 25 July 2005 11:29 (twenty years ago)

If thats true then we didn't deserve to have Thorpe come back.

We could really have done with him at Lords.

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Monday, 25 July 2005 12:02 (twenty years ago)

hurrah! rugby has a use!

http://sport.guardian.co.uk/ashes2005/story/0,15993,1542301,00.html

― Pete W (peterw), Thursday, 4 August 2005 08:00 (twenty years ago)

McGrath is injured. Jolly bad luck for the Australians.

― On one hand I've got myself to blame (Lynskey), Thursday, 4 August 2005 08:07 (twenty years ago)

Lost the toss though. Not good. We need to get off to a good start.

― Last Of The Famous International Pfunkboys (Kerr), Thursday, 4 August 2005 08:17 (twenty years ago)

You're getting your wish.

Putting England into bat looking like a strange decision, although I say this in the full knowledge that it only takes one wicket to destroy English confidence. Surely they'd have been better off batting first, building up a big lead, denting our confidence and hoping mcgrath recovers in time to bowl tomorrow?

― Pete W (peterw), Thursday, 4 August 2005 09:18 (twenty years ago)

That's what you would've thought. But I think they must have felt the english batsmens confidence is so low they could skittle them out. As you say 1 wicket and it could all collapse.
Lets hope Vaughan, Pietersen,Bell all make big scores too.

― Last Of The Famous International Pfunkboys (Kerr), Thursday, 4 August 2005 10:06 (twenty years ago)

I'm not counting me chickens 'til the Aussies have batted on this pitch.

― jel -- (jel), Thursday, 4 August 2005 10:07 (twenty years ago)

I've been thinking how promising a start it was, but didn't want to say for fear of tempting fate.

― aldo_cowpat (aldo_cowpat), Thursday, 4 August 2005 10:08 (twenty years ago)

Don't blame you guys. How many times have we witnessed a good opening spell then the almighty collapse.
After the 1st 2 sessions at Lords we should never get too excited again.

― Last Of The Famous International Pfunkboys (Kerr), Thursday, 4 August 2005 10:10 (twenty years ago)

103-0

Pretty good. Nice dropped catch.

― jel -- (jel), Thursday, 4 August 2005 10:11 (twenty years ago)

Do you think it was all a bit of head games with the "on no! the pitch is so wet, we're done for lads!"?

― jel -- (jel), Thursday, 4 August 2005 10:12 (twenty years ago)

It's in the Aussie mentality to be ultra-confident and ultra-positive and, most of all, to want to grind England's nose in the dust

― Vicious Cop Kills Gentle Fool (Dada), Thursday, 4 August 2005 10:16 (twenty years ago)

My new favourite phrase is Kevin Pietersen's "some good positives", as though positives could be anything else.

― jel -- (jel), Thursday, 4 August 2005 10:18 (twenty years ago)

who got dropped? I have only a desk top scorecard. I think they might have put England in cos they really want to get at Vaughn.

― Pete W (peterw), Thursday, 4 August 2005 10:22 (twenty years ago)

Strauss got dropped on 4 by Shane Warne at slip.

Strauss is out now for 48.

― jel -- (jel), Thursday, 4 August 2005 10:24 (twenty years ago)

112-1

― jel -- (jel), Thursday, 4 August 2005 10:24 (twenty years ago)

I hope I haven't cursed us.

― Pete W (peterw), Thursday, 4 August 2005 10:26 (twenty years ago)

Tresco is giving it some welly.

― jel -- (jel), Thursday, 4 August 2005 10:31 (twenty years ago)

Warne got strauss with a beauty. Im really worried bout Vaughans form. A lot hangs on him and tres. If they could put up a good score then Pietersen could give us some fireworks later.
If he goes quickly then I fear the worst.

― Last Of The Famous International Pfunkboys (Kerr), Thursday, 4 August 2005 10:32 (twenty years ago)

Feck. 170-3 now. 2 quick wickets. Bell just doesn't look good enough at this level.

― Last Of The Famous International Pfunkboys (Kerr), Thursday, 4 August 2005 11:39 (twenty years ago)

"England", "middle order collapse" = "hand", "glove"

― Vicious Cop Kills Gentle Fool (Dada), Thursday, 4 August 2005 11:41 (twenty years ago)

oh bollocks. vaughn gone.

― Pete W (peterw), Thursday, 4 August 2005 12:03 (twenty years ago)

This run rate is positively Antipodean!

― Vicious Cop Kills Gentle Fool (Dada), Thursday, 4 August 2005 12:44 (twenty years ago)

grr damn the tea break - two quick wkts - 303-6. Pietersen outght to try and steady the ship, get as near to 400. overall its a bit disappointing if no one scores a hundred here.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Thursday, 4 August 2005 14:01 (twenty years ago)

350-ish doesn't sound that bad.

― aldo_cowpat (aldo_cowpat), Thursday, 4 August 2005 14:34 (twenty years ago)

They've blown it again, should have had closer to 500 (not by tonight of course!)

― Vicious Cop Kills Gentle Fool (Dada), Thursday, 4 August 2005 14:35 (twenty years ago)

350-8. Pietersen out for 71

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Thursday, 4 August 2005 14:37 (twenty years ago)

boycs reckons anything less than 450 is a bad score on this pitch. he was most despairing of the one-day style batting.

― Pete W (peterw), Thursday, 4 August 2005 14:41 (twenty years ago)

Far be it from me to agree with Boycott, but England are trying to win this Test, so anything less than 450 just isn't good enough

― Vicious Cop Kills Gentle Fool (Dada), Thursday, 4 August 2005 14:43 (twenty years ago)

BBC says: This is the first time Australia have conceded more than 350 on the opening day of any Test since 1993.

384-9

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Thursday, 4 August 2005 15:05 (twenty years ago)

407 in the end. OK, but it will interesting to see what happens tomorrow. If either Bell or Vaughan had played as well as they are capable of doing we would have had been in the driving seat. As it is, a lot hinges on how quickly we get Australian wickets in the morning.

― RickyT (RickyT), Thursday, 4 August 2005 15:42 (twenty years ago)

A fun day's play, glad I had the day off to watch it - though, I'd rather have England 290-5.

Tomorrow could be depressing.

But, I hope for overnight rain and humid conditions tomorrow morning, and Hoggy will swing them out.

― jel -- (jel), Thursday, 4 August 2005 15:44 (twenty years ago)

hayden throws it away - 0-1!

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Friday, 5 August 2005 08:36 (twenty years ago)

fucking marvelous

― Ed (dali), Friday, 5 August 2005 08:39 (twenty years ago)

Apparently Ricky Ponting should have gone as well, but KP missed the stumps with nobody there and it ended up as 4 overthrows.

― aldo_cowpat (aldo_cowpat), Friday, 5 August 2005 08:48 (twenty years ago)

Get into 'em England! McGrath out for series too!

― Pete W (peterw), Friday, 5 August 2005 08:49 (twenty years ago)

"rugby-like game" = kiss chase.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Friday, 5 August 2005 08:58 (twenty years ago)

Wahoo, I was OTM for about 10 minutes!

― jel -- (jel), Friday, 5 August 2005 09:29 (twenty years ago)

ponting takes the attack apart to score a 50.

flintoff is on and he needs to make things happen.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Friday, 5 August 2005 09:40 (twenty years ago)

giles gets him for 61! 88-2

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Friday, 5 August 2005 10:04 (twenty years ago)

martyn got off to a quick start then takes a suicide run - 118-3 at lunch

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Friday, 5 August 2005 10:31 (twenty years ago)

honours even so far, then

― Ed (dali), Friday, 5 August 2005 10:32 (twenty years ago)

anyone watching on telly? is there more movement today? it's going to dry out later, so these early wickets could be crucial.

― Pete W (peterw), Friday, 5 August 2005 10:38 (twenty years ago)

there was a bit more movement earlier today, it is swinging more than yesterday but its still good for batting, and will be until the end of 3rd-4th day, i reckon. giles is actually being more effective bowler than at lord's (as expected) and he'll play an important part.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Friday, 5 August 2005 10:45 (twenty years ago)

I was there yesterday and it was a lovely day. First test match I've been to when no-one managed to start a Mexican wave = proof it was an enthralling days cricket (and drinking). We came away thinking that the game was very open, I think 450 > 500 would have ut us in the driving seat, and I vaguely get the one day cricket shrugs - the run rate stayed above 5 for the whole game.

We need some fast wickets now, but as it stands I think today will end with no-one in the driving seat either. It was a pity Pietersen went when he did, but yet again he showed (generally) real maturity with how he was playing with tail and I think it is almost wholly down to him that they wagged so much.

― Pete (Pete), Friday, 5 August 2005 11:31 (twenty years ago)

clarke gone. boring old langer and katich will doubtless be around for a bit, though.

― Pete W (peterw), Friday, 5 August 2005 12:40 (twenty years ago)

I say!

― Pete W (peterw), Friday, 5 August 2005 14:41 (twenty years ago)

Cor!

― Ed (dali), Friday, 5 August 2005 16:08 (twenty years ago)

Need to make 300 in our second innings, but a good day. Shane Warne getting bowled was the best bit of the day.

― jel -- (jel), Friday, 5 August 2005 16:33 (twenty years ago)

What a ball Warne bowled to get Strauss. Brought back bad memories of gatting's dismissal in 1993.

― Last Of The Famous International Pfunkboys (Kerr), Friday, 5 August 2005 20:10 (twenty years ago)

So they're 120 ahead...9 wickets left? looks good.

― paulhw (paulhw), Friday, 5 August 2005 21:31 (twenty years ago)

not bad - think if we can make 200-250 and with our lead aus will have to bat esp well to win this.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Saturday, 6 August 2005 08:24 (twenty years ago)

Arse.

― Ed (dali), Saturday, 6 August 2005 08:53 (twenty years ago)

More Arse as flintoff seems to have hurt his shoulder. However Australia have to beat the highest ever 4 innings winning total to win on a pitch that is showing some uneven bounce. Fingers crossed England bat in a measured way and clear 160, it might just be enough.

― Ed (dali), Saturday, 6 August 2005 11:56 (twenty years ago)

9 on the boundary. Wierd.

― On one hand I've got myself to blame (Lynskey), Saturday, 6 August 2005 12:27 (twenty years ago)

282 to win. Amazing session.

― On one hand I've got myself to blame (Lynskey), Saturday, 6 August 2005 12:46 (twenty years ago)

awesome golfers

― dog latin (dog latin), Saturday, 6 August 2005 13:38 (twenty years ago)

Great game, either side could win it from here.

― Ed (dali), Saturday, 6 August 2005 15:23 (twenty years ago)

Get Clarke and GIlchrist and we'll win.

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Saturday, 6 August 2005 15:30 (twenty years ago)

I'll take Katich, one more for the tail.

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Saturday, 6 August 2005 15:41 (twenty years ago)

YES FUCKING YESSSSSSSS

FUCKING YES YES YES YES YES

Gilly gone

FUCKING COME ONE!!!!!!!!!!!

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Saturday, 6 August 2005 15:48 (twenty years ago)

Somehow an advert for tyres is now a beautiful sight.

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Saturday, 6 August 2005 15:51 (twenty years ago)

Gillespie the blocker GONE GONE GONE.

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Saturday, 6 August 2005 15:52 (twenty years ago)

Flintoff is THE GOD KING OF SPACE

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Saturday, 6 August 2005 15:53 (twenty years ago)

extra half hour?

― Ed (dali), Saturday, 6 August 2005 15:56 (twenty years ago)

Easy

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Saturday, 6 August 2005 15:57 (twenty years ago)

Damn right, come on lads.

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Saturday, 6 August 2005 15:59 (twenty years ago)

I can't take this, so tense.

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Saturday, 6 August 2005 16:04 (twenty years ago)

Fuck me 2 sixes from Warne...

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Saturday, 6 August 2005 16:15 (twenty years ago)

only another 120 needed then...

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Saturday, 6 August 2005 16:18 (twenty years ago)

Fuck that was close.

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Saturday, 6 August 2005 16:25 (twenty years ago)

GO HARMI

CLARKE

SLOW BOWL YORKER

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Saturday, 6 August 2005 16:34 (twenty years ago)

I have never seen a days cricket like that.

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Saturday, 6 August 2005 16:35 (twenty years ago)

cor!

― ken c (ken c), Saturday, 6 August 2005 16:36 (twenty years ago)

I was just about to lambast the extra half-hour! Wahoo!

― jel -- (jel), Saturday, 6 August 2005 16:36 (twenty years ago)

Harmisons dismissal of Clarke is one of the best deliveries i've ever seen.

― Last Of The Famous International Pfunkboys (Kerr), Saturday, 6 August 2005 16:37 (twenty years ago)

This may be one of the greatest test matches ever.

― Last Of The Famous International Pfunkboys (Kerr), Saturday, 6 August 2005 16:38 (twenty years ago)

Usually when i've watched every ball I don't bother with the highlights I might just tonight.

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Saturday, 6 August 2005 16:38 (twenty years ago)

Yeah, it's pretty damn good. Cricket = sport of kings!

― jel -- (jel), Saturday, 6 August 2005 16:39 (twenty years ago)

yeah thank god for that last ball

― ken c (ken c), Saturday, 6 August 2005 16:47 (twenty years ago)

Harmison hasn't really looked on form all game, what a time to come back with an over like that.

And there are not enough words for Flintoff.

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Saturday, 6 August 2005 16:53 (twenty years ago)

The first day's cricket I've seen this series. Wow. I may sound wise after the event, but I had honestly been wondering why Flintoff and co hadn't tried the slower ball at all.

― Japanese Giraffe (Japanese Giraffe), Saturday, 6 August 2005 16:56 (twenty years ago)

Freddies set-to with Michael Clarke was great. If it was poxy football there would have been fisticuffs.

― jel -- (jel), Saturday, 6 August 2005 16:56 (twenty years ago)

The slower ball has to be kept back and used correctly, it's a potent weapon but hard to disguise and easy runs if picked.

Clarke wasn't expecting it from Harmi last ball, he was probably looking for the short fast one and thats what got him, there almost needs to be another way of getting out, thought out.

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Saturday, 6 August 2005 17:16 (twenty years ago)

aw man, so interesting. I kept trying to work-with-radio-on and being inexorably drawn back to the telly.

Am loving Shane Warne more and more, too.

― spontine (cis), Saturday, 6 August 2005 17:22 (twenty years ago)

This is nail-biting.

― Forest Pines (ForestPines), Sunday, 7 August 2005 09:31 (twenty years ago)

have stopped watching because it was just too painful (and I was smoking too much, needing something to do with hands) and am reading guardian obo/running into other room every so often instead. argh argh argh this is too too tense.

― spontine (cis), Sunday, 7 August 2005 09:46 (twenty years ago)

Bloody hell, that was a bit close.

― Forest Pines (ForestPines), Sunday, 7 August 2005 10:11 (twenty years ago)

Greatest test match ever.

― Last Of The Famous International Pfunkboys (Kerr), Sunday, 7 August 2005 10:13 (twenty years ago)

Certainly one of the best that I've watched much of.

― Forest Pines (ForestPines), Sunday, 7 August 2005 10:14 (twenty years ago)

The 1st match i can ever remember watching was *THAT* test at Headingley. I can remember watching Botham's amazing innings and then Bob Willis taking 8 wickets. I was 8 years old. And probably the only scotsman who watched cricket and supported England hehe.

I also remember in 1987 Australia won the last test with something like 14 balls left. But this test was something else.

Next time anyone says cricket is boring i'll mention this match.

― Last Of The Famous International Pfunkboys (Kerr), Sunday, 7 August 2005 10:20 (twenty years ago)

Freddie man of the match.

― Last Of The Famous International Pfunkboys (Kerr), Sunday, 7 August 2005 10:27 (twenty years ago)

Technically not out!!

― Masked Gazza, Sunday, 7 August 2005 10:32 (twenty years ago)

after the 2 dismissals of bell and pietersen i'm not complaining!

― Last Of The Famous International Pfunkboys (Kerr), Sunday, 7 August 2005 10:37 (twenty years ago)

oh baby!

― cozen (Cozen), Sunday, 7 August 2005 10:52 (twenty years ago)

nail biting stuff, bloody good match all the way through. It's a wile since I've seen the advantage swing so much in a test match.

― Ed (dali), Sunday, 7 August 2005 14:55 (twenty years ago)

I'm still kinda stunned. Best test match I've ever seen. Think I only missed a few hours of this match. Cricket is the best way to live your life.

― jel -- (jel), Sunday, 7 August 2005 14:57 (twenty years ago)

Oh man. I really thought we'd chucked it away this morning. Best test since Headingly 81 obv. We will win the series now. Yes, you read that right! 3-2 England. I think they will come back to win at Old Trafford, especially if they play McGill as well as Warne (Katich out, and Gilchrist up one place). We will take Trent Bridge and The Oval.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Sunday, 7 August 2005 18:59 (twenty years ago)

hey this was awesome.

― Ste (Fuzzy), Sunday, 7 August 2005 19:01 (twenty years ago)

that was easy!

― Pete W (peterw), Sunday, 7 August 2005 19:36 (twenty years ago)

Hmmm, is it alright if an Aussie posts on this thread? Ha ha. Well done to England, they deserved to win the match, as much as I was obviously cheering every run it would have been way harsh on them to lose it in those circumstances. Flintoff's performance over the whole four days was exceptional, he was the difference between the two sides. Well, Flintoff and the absence of McGrath. Oh, and Ponting's frankly baffling decision to bowl first. I remain confident that we'll still win the series, or at the very least not lose, but to state the obvious I'd feel much more comfortable if McGrath could make his way back in to the side.

― Bumchowser (Bumchowser), Monday, 8 August 2005 07:33 (twenty years ago)

ha ha sheepfuxor wins it for England!

― plebian plebs (plebian), Monday, 8 August 2005 08:17 (twenty years ago)

england don't ever put me through that again!

Ian bell actually made a partnership w/pietersen hurrah - hopefully he's turned a corner.

I feel that if vaughan gets back into form we'll win this!

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 8 August 2005 10:11 (twenty years ago)

A very big if.

Also, Geraint Jones can't make it to the 4th Test if he plays like that again.

― aldo_cowpat (aldo_cowpat), Monday, 8 August 2005 10:21 (twenty years ago)

Jones took the match-winning catch! plus he had to deal with freddie and harmison throwing loads of byes down leg-side. i know what you mean, though.

Still not sure if Bell's going to post a big score (he looks like a frightened schoolkid half the time), but Vaughn definitely will. He's too good not to. His captaining is so impressive - very proactive in the field and all that.

― Pete W (peterw), Monday, 8 August 2005 10:45 (twenty years ago)

Wicket keepers usually stand or fall on what they add in batting, and Jones just doesn't do enough. His keeping is patchy at best - was it 5 drops in the first test? Plus a lot of those leg byes were fairly easy stops.

― aldo_cowpat (aldo_cowpat), Monday, 8 August 2005 10:52 (twenty years ago)

Am loving Shane Warne more and more, too.

haha oh no! cis do you shout out "WAHH NAICE ONE WARNEHHHHH" after each ball like the rest of his team does?? (i do! but normally when he fuqs up)

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 8 August 2005 10:55 (twenty years ago)

I wouldn't drop Jones. He still lets too many byes through, but Pete W is right : there were quite a few wayward yorkers that missed leg stump and sailed away for four byes. These are right bastards to stop as anyone who has ever kept wkt will tell you. There are 2 problems - a) you lose sight of the ball for a split second as it passes the batsman and b) because it pitches on or near the crease, the bounce is very unpredictable due to footmarks, bat marks and general rough. I thought he improved on Lords with his keeping, and we know he has the ability with the bat. I think he'll make a decent score at Old Trafford.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Monday, 8 August 2005 10:59 (twenty years ago)

the truth, is our batting has been pretty awful in three out of four innings. lots of players before g jones need to be contributing more. need to hit 350 consistently, and for the most part we're struggling to get 150.

btw, 40 extras in that second innings, including 18 nb. that's terrible!

― Pete W (peterw), Monday, 8 August 2005 11:07 (twenty years ago)

didn't comment earlier but I'm fine w/jones - there are no doubts in my mind, despite deficiencies with the glove, that he is eng's keeper. the catches he dropped at lord's were at a point where the match was already lost, too.

i don't think its a big if re:vaughan. did get in at the 1st innings and wz done through poor shot selection. he's feet aren't moving so well but I'm sure he'll be working on it.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 8 August 2005 11:10 (twenty years ago)

His feet never seem to move well early on. Even when he is in a good spell, he visibly struggles when he first comes in.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Monday, 8 August 2005 11:13 (twenty years ago)

Also let's celebrate the fact that we now have two MEAN and NASTY genuinely fast bowlers in Harmison and Freddie. Both capable of hitting the mid 90's, both with killer surprise balls (Harmy's slow ball and Freddie's yorkers) and both able to rough up batsmen at will.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Monday, 8 August 2005 11:20 (twenty years ago)

i like s jones too. he's cunning.

― Pete W (peterw), Monday, 8 August 2005 11:27 (twenty years ago)

the support aren't bad either: simon jones was unlucky with the catching at lord's but uses the old ball well, hoggard can get hit but does persist and can take the wickets. giles can be made to look ordinary but has accumulated the necessary experience and is able to bounce back on the right pitch. but yes, those are the top two. xp

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 8 August 2005 11:28 (twenty years ago)

If we get through Old Trafford unscathed I'll start to fancy this.

― Matt (Matt), Monday, 8 August 2005 13:38 (twenty years ago)

(it'll be a roaring bunsen, natch)

― Matt (Matt), Monday, 8 August 2005 13:38 (twenty years ago)

Hold on here tho:

1. Australia lost their main strike bowler just before the match started.

2. Ponting made a schoolboy error in putting England in.

3. England scored the most runs in a day than they've scored since WW2.

4. Flintoff broke Botham's record for number of sixes in an Ashes match

And yet, despite 1 thru 4, Australia lost by TWO runs. Let's not get over-confident here.

― Vicious Cop Kills Gentle Fool (Dada), Monday, 8 August 2005 13:42 (twenty years ago)

As I think someone mentioned up thread, England would definitely be concerned with their batting. Four completed innings in the series and they've only reached 200 once. Trescothick aside, the top order has been pants. That said, it's not like any of their Aussie counterparts are doing any better really. It's quite a refreshing change to see a Test series being dominated by quality bowling from both sides, makes for much more entertaining matches IMO.

― Bumchowser (Bumchowser), Monday, 8 August 2005 13:53 (twenty years ago)

That said, they should have won by 100. The worrying thing is nerves still, what went on Saturday night? The only reason we actually won is the Ausies started to get nervy when they got within 20 runs of winning.

I still think that it will be a tall order to win, however our bowling is looking good which is the part of the game we often lose on. If the batsmen start posting big scores, (and I fear this is a big IF) we are in with more than a shout.

McGrath might have been out, and it was bleddy stupid to put us in, but McGrath replacement was not exactly quiet.

― Pete (Pete), Monday, 8 August 2005 14:29 (twenty years ago)

Kasprowicz bowled like a donkey against Flintoff in the 2nd innings!

― Vicious Cop Kills Gentle Fool (Dada), Monday, 8 August 2005 14:31 (twenty years ago)

what are the chances of the aussies bringing in mcgill and playing with two spinners at OT? he's a good player, and as stated above, kasprowicz and gillispie aren't doing very much.

― Pete W (peterw), Monday, 8 August 2005 15:17 (twenty years ago)

**Trescothick aside, the top order has been pants.**

Strauss has done pretty well in two of his 4 innings (39, 6, 48, 2 are his scores IIRC). I don't have many concerns about him. He's got what it takes. Vaughan and Bell have been the soft centre of our top order, but I think there were positive signs from both in the last match.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Monday, 8 August 2005 15:24 (twenty years ago)

I'd play McGill, he's the second best leg spinner in the world and his style is different enough from Warne that it wouldn't be repetitive

― Vicious Cop Kills Gentle Fool (Dada), Monday, 8 August 2005 15:25 (twenty years ago)

Australian fast bowler Brett Lee has been admitted to hospital with a suspected knee infection and is a doubt for the third Ashes Test on Thursday.

Lee experienced swelling and discomfort in his knee and was taken to hospital on Monday for tests and treatment.

He took four second-innings wickets at Edgbaston and almost batted Australia to victory with an unbeaten 43.

Australia are already set to be without Glenn McGrath at Old Trafford while he recovers from torn ankle ligaments.

Old Trafford traditionally favours spin and Australia could choose to replace Lee with Stuart MacGill.

Other options would be all-rounder Shane Watson or pace bowler Shaun Tait.

This might work in australias favour.
I am hoping england bat 1st at old trafford. Don't want to face Warne & McGill in the 4th innings.

― Last Of The Famous International Pfunkboys (Kerr), Monday, 8 August 2005 19:18 (twenty years ago)

It's not working in their favour, they were likely to drop the worst seamer they had (Gillespie ATM) for MacGill anyway, losing the genuine pace and agression of Brett Lee, especially after his amazing performance at Edgebaston is a huge blow.

Lee and McGrath both out means Kasprowicz and Gillespie bowling with the new ball which is a major bonus for us (even given Kasprowicz's ability to bowl well to lefthanders) however as you say to take full advantage of this we need to win the toss at Old Trafford and bat 1st and for as long as possible runs and time being important.

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Monday, 8 August 2005 21:18 (twenty years ago)

mcgrath and lee passed fit!

― Pete W (peterw), Thursday, 11 August 2005 08:04 (twenty years ago)

Let's hope we bat first, then we can see how fit they really are.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Thursday, 11 August 2005 08:12 (twenty years ago)

we're batting first!

― Pete W (peterw), Thursday, 11 August 2005 08:13 (twenty years ago)

England to bat.

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Thursday, 11 August 2005 08:16 (twenty years ago)

As happy as I am to see McGrath back, surely it's a huge gamble? 35 years old, torn ankle ligaments, speculation that you might miss the whole series and then you're back bowling in a Test match a week later? Man, if he breaks down during England's first innings and leaves us a bowler short for the rest of the match the selectors/fitness staff will have a hell of a lot to answer for.

― Bumchowser (Bumchowser), Thursday, 11 August 2005 08:27 (twenty years ago)

i think england should leave lots of ball bearings in the outfield and occasionally chuck him a rugby ball.

― Pete W (peterw), Thursday, 11 August 2005 08:30 (twenty years ago)

Let's hope so. Probably they're going to use him + Lee in short spells. I still wouldn't be surprised to see McGill edge out Katich.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Thursday, 11 August 2005 08:30 (twenty years ago)

oh why didn't i book the days off work

― Ste (Fuzzy), Thursday, 11 August 2005 08:31 (twenty years ago)

Pretty sure MacGill missed out. With both McGrath and Lee playing, does anyone know if it was Gillespie or Kasprowicz dropped?

― Bumchowser (Bumchowser), Thursday, 11 August 2005 08:33 (twenty years ago)

Kasprowicz, I see.

― Bumchowser (Bumchowser), Thursday, 11 August 2005 08:34 (twenty years ago)

We're off. 10 for nowt. Pitch sounds lively.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Thursday, 11 August 2005 08:43 (twenty years ago)

I hope McGrath's alright.

― Vicious Cop Kills Gentle Fool (Dada), Thursday, 11 August 2005 08:52 (twenty years ago)

Strauss b Lee
26-1

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Thursday, 11 August 2005 09:17 (twenty years ago)

gah!

― Ste (Fuzzy), Thursday, 11 August 2005 09:21 (twenty years ago)

BLIMEY! vaughny v mcgrath dropped catch and then bowled but a no ball!!!

reverse swing ahoy!

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Thursday, 11 August 2005 11:29 (twenty years ago)

Come on Vaughany!

― Vicious Cop Kills Gentle Fool (Dada), Thursday, 11 August 2005 11:44 (twenty years ago)

tressy gone?

― Ste (Fuzzy), Thursday, 11 August 2005 12:32 (twenty years ago)

1426: WICKET England 163-2 (Trescothick 63) Warne takes his 600th wicket as Trescothick plays and misses with a sweep but the ball bounces of his body, then the back of his bat and Gilchrist collects in untidy fashion.

1429: Warne gets an ovation as he finishes his over and returns to his place in the outfield. Somer Aussie fans unfurl a banner reading "Warne wicket count: 600".

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Thursday, 11 August 2005 12:34 (twenty years ago)

Wow, well done Fatboy, you're a genius!

― Vicious Cop Kills Gentle Fool (Dada), Thursday, 11 August 2005 12:42 (twenty years ago)

NAAACE ONE WARRRNNEEEEHHH

― ken c (ken c), Thursday, 11 August 2005 12:49 (twenty years ago)

We're going well. And Pieterson and Freddie to come (hopefully tomorrow afternoon!)

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Thursday, 11 August 2005 14:29 (twenty years ago)

The Captain comes good at last! Well done skipper!

― Vicious Cop Kills Gentle Fool (Dada), Thursday, 11 August 2005 14:34 (twenty years ago)

yes this is indeed splendid, marvellous

― Ste (Fuzzy), Thursday, 11 August 2005 14:35 (twenty years ago)

Batting out there with Vaughan will do Bell a lot of good too. He's done well in support.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Thursday, 11 August 2005 14:37 (twenty years ago)

Vaughan is on fire! 3 sucessive fours on the trot against Dizzy.

― RickyT (RickyT), Thursday, 11 August 2005 14:40 (twenty years ago)

good knock vaughny!

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Thursday, 11 August 2005 14:58 (twenty years ago)

333-3. Marvellous. Pietersen seems to have calmed down a bit, Bell looking relatively comfortable.

Oh arse, Pietersen has just banged one out to deep midwicket and got himself caught off Lee.

― RickyT (RickyT), Thursday, 11 August 2005 15:49 (twenty years ago)

oh KP you're nuts!

Nightwatchman!

― jel -- (jel), Thursday, 11 August 2005 15:49 (twenty years ago)

TRIPLE NELSON OV DOOM!

― RickyT (RickyT), Thursday, 11 August 2005 15:50 (twenty years ago)

did he forget to do the leg thing or something?

― ken c (ken c), Thursday, 11 August 2005 15:51 (twenty years ago)

great shot form Hoggy!

7 dropped catches from the buttery aussies!

― jel -- (jel), Thursday, 11 August 2005 15:52 (twenty years ago)

Hoggy did his job, I guess.

Must try and get 500.

― jel -- (jel), Thursday, 11 August 2005 16:02 (twenty years ago)

uh oh has the collapse started?

― ken c (ken c), Thursday, 11 August 2005 16:19 (twenty years ago)

Ken C, I think there was only one umpire that did 'the leg thing' and he's just retired.

― Japanese Giraffe (Japanese Giraffe), Thursday, 11 August 2005 18:42 (twenty years ago)

aww. that was the one thing that kept me watching cricket :(

― ken c (ken c), Thursday, 11 August 2005 21:14 (twenty years ago)

(apart from 2 runs victory margin thrillers)

― ken c (ken c), Thursday, 11 August 2005 21:15 (twenty years ago)

(and that hat thing people do when they score 100)

― ken c (ken c), Thursday, 11 August 2005 21:15 (twenty years ago)

376 for 6, and now rain has stopped play

― Ste (Fuzzy), Friday, 12 August 2005 09:44 (twenty years ago)

8 wickets down now

― ken c (ken c), Friday, 12 August 2005 10:36 (twenty years ago)

Should get around 500

― Vicious Cop Kills Gentle Fool (Dada), Friday, 12 August 2005 10:38 (twenty years ago)

you reckon? I think 450-470 would be a decent score from here, given it's Giles and Harmison in.

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Friday, 12 August 2005 10:54 (twenty years ago)

Giles has gone: 438-9

― Greig (treefell), Friday, 12 August 2005 11:19 (twenty years ago)

quadruple nelson all out

― ken c (ken c), Friday, 12 August 2005 11:26 (twenty years ago)

The proverbial whimper. Giles should be doing better than that.

― Vicious Cop Kills Gentle Fool (Dada), Friday, 12 August 2005 11:28 (twenty years ago)

Australia 5 down. Superb captaincy from Vaughan so far, great rotation of bowlers. Gilo, Freddie and Jones have been immense.

This is exciting.

― On one hand I've got myself to blame (Lynskey), Friday, 12 August 2005 14:44 (twenty years ago)

uh-oh all getting a bit butter-fingered...

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Friday, 12 August 2005 14:52 (twenty years ago)

I say! Let's not let that tail wag. And let's hope Clarke gets better soon, in about six weeks.

― Pete W (peterw), Friday, 12 August 2005 14:52 (twenty years ago)

Looks like the King of Spain's having a good one today!

― Vicious Cop Kills Gentle Fool (Dada), Friday, 12 August 2005 14:54 (twenty years ago)

Ball of the century! Though the one he bowled Lara with at Lords last year was probably better.

― jel -- (jel), Friday, 12 August 2005 15:01 (twenty years ago)

what's up with clarke?

― ken c (ken c), Friday, 12 August 2005 15:03 (twenty years ago)

oooh

HAVE YOUR SAY
Anything short of 350 for Australia and surely England will be looking for another win. Any thoughts?

From DV
Have your say on TMS

nice one vicar!

― ken c (ken c), Friday, 12 August 2005 15:03 (twenty years ago)

Clarke is plagued by a bad back, which, considering he's only 24, is a bit unfortunate

― Vicious Cop Kills Gentle Fool (Dada), Friday, 12 August 2005 15:05 (twenty years ago)

He didn't look too good, he'll need a runner! Run-out hilarity ensues.

― jel -- (jel), Friday, 12 August 2005 15:06 (twenty years ago)

Either that or gutsy brave knock against all the odds!

― Vicious Cop Kills Gentle Fool (Dada), Friday, 12 August 2005 15:07 (twenty years ago)

Why is Giles the King of Spain?

― Jack, Friday, 12 August 2005 15:11 (twenty years ago)

Wikipedia:

'...he gained the nickname "King Of Spain", after a set of mugs ordered for his testimonial year had been erroneously printed with that slogan, instead of "King Of Spin"'

― Vicious Cop Kills Gentle Fool (Dada), Friday, 12 August 2005 15:12 (twenty years ago)

haha

― Jack, Friday, 12 August 2005 15:20 (twenty years ago)

We need to get Gilly or Warne before we can have a go at Clarke.

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Friday, 12 August 2005 15:36 (twenty years ago)

I have stayed in work on a Friday night to watch this on the TV in the office.

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Friday, 12 August 2005 15:37 (twenty years ago)

GO ON JONESY!!!!!

― jel -- (jel), Friday, 12 August 2005 15:43 (twenty years ago)

SIMON JONES!

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Friday, 12 August 2005 15:43 (twenty years ago)

Swing and spin bowling of great quality from England.

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Friday, 12 August 2005 15:43 (twenty years ago)

Runner Fun! YAY!

― jel -- (jel), Friday, 12 August 2005 15:45 (twenty years ago)

This should be good Clarke has a runner.

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Friday, 12 August 2005 15:45 (twenty years ago)

I think jel exists about 3 seconds in the future.

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Friday, 12 August 2005 15:46 (twenty years ago)

BBC site has:

A C Gilchrist c G O Jones b G O Jones 30

Ball of the century!

― Vicious Cop Kills Gentle Fool (Dada), Friday, 12 August 2005 15:49 (twenty years ago)

Get some short stuff in to Clarke, he's not looking to comfy out there.

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Friday, 12 August 2005 15:50 (twenty years ago)

What time are they playing on until today?

― jel -- (jel), Friday, 12 August 2005 15:51 (twenty years ago)

oh, cool 6:20.

― jel -- (jel), Friday, 12 August 2005 15:54 (twenty years ago)

Could someone (or some-one) explain to me this "follow on" business that they keep mentioning?

― theantmustdance (theantmustdance), Friday, 12 August 2005 15:56 (twenty years ago)

If your innings closes 200 runs short of your opponents score, your opponent can ask you to bat again

― Vicious Cop Kills Gentle Fool (Dada), Friday, 12 August 2005 15:58 (twenty years ago)

but England won't.

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Friday, 12 August 2005 15:59 (twenty years ago)

ok. cheers

― theantmustdance (theantmustdance), Friday, 12 August 2005 16:00 (twenty years ago)

I wouldn't have thought so, even if it came to that (xpost)

― Vicious Cop Kills Gentle Fool (Dada), Friday, 12 August 2005 16:01 (twenty years ago)

isn't it like if they have a huge winning margin (doesn't it have to be 200+?) they can get australia to bat their 2nd innings straight after their 1st

― ken c (ken c), Friday, 12 August 2005 16:02 (twenty years ago)

xpost

― ken c (ken c), Friday, 12 August 2005 16:02 (twenty years ago)

OUT!

― ken c (ken c), Friday, 12 August 2005 16:03 (twenty years ago)

Clarke out!

― jel -- (jel), Friday, 12 August 2005 16:03 (twenty years ago)

looked a bit wide though

― ken c (ken c), Friday, 12 August 2005 16:03 (twenty years ago)

Shoulda put his back into that shot...

― jel -- (jel), Friday, 12 August 2005 16:04 (twenty years ago)

Simon Jones is finally getting some luck.

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Friday, 12 August 2005 16:08 (twenty years ago)

what's the forecast like? I'd say if there's time we ought to bat and not enforce this possible follow on, just in case warne works his 'magic' if we had to get, say, 150 in the fourth innings.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Friday, 12 August 2005 16:56 (twenty years ago)

It's days like today that win series'. The big positive for me is how many of the Australian batsmen got starts, however shaky, and failed to build on them. More than one was utterly thought out, which is far more of a psychological blow for the next two than if they'd fallen to silly personal errors. The commitment and sheer ruthlessness coming from England has been utterly superb, my favourite moment was Simon Jones vs. the injured Clarke - Oh bad back is it? How about a ball right up your FUCKING NOSE!

It says a lot that this test has been about Vaughanaldo, Bellboy, Wheelybin and the Leek as they were all players with a few questions hanging over them, some more than others. As much as Pietersen, Flinters and Harmy are the men of the moment it's nice that they're not carrying the side. At the moment for the Australians it looks like Warne is carrying them, which just isn't good from their perspective.

The follow-on question is tough to call. If the pitch tears up badly by day four then there's the possibility that Warne will rip us apart and I'd be favouring a break from bowling to give Freddies shoulder a rest for a bit.

― On one hand I've got myself to blame (Lynskey), Friday, 12 August 2005 19:25 (twenty years ago)

Apparently rain tomorrow but Sunday and Monday looking good. Ashes Test reaches 5th day shockah!

― Dave B (daveb), Friday, 12 August 2005 23:41 (twenty years ago)

if rain saves the aussies, i'll cry

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Saturday, 13 August 2005 02:48 (twenty years ago)

Damn! I hope the rain gets here soon and leaves Manchester!

― jel -- (jel), Saturday, 13 August 2005 09:18 (twenty years ago)

its looking good for tomorrow. only a drizzle today with some dullness towards the end.

woke up this morning and after warne's antics yesterday i really feared he'd get the aussies within a 100, bowl us out for 150 and knock the winning runs himself. thankfully it was just some early, sunday mornin' bloooze as eng polished it off, warne didn't get a wkt while we batted them out of the game with strauss doing the piling after ponting and warne looked clueless when trying to catch him on 1(both of whom were rumoured to have had a fight haha) and mcgrath ends 5 for a hundred odd AND THEN geraint jones (the villain yesterday) tells the journos to fuck off with 6-4-6 (27 off 12, and the drops not costing much, unlike gilchrist's). hurrah! best day ever and all that. really the only thing left was for vaughan to get a wkt.

surely we've got to win this now.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Sunday, 14 August 2005 20:40 (twenty years ago)

Hopefully the Aussies will sleep poorly and we'll get some early wickets, as an England fan who has watched us lose horrbily to the Aussies in four series I still can't quite believe we'll do it.

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Sunday, 14 August 2005 20:54 (twenty years ago)

HOGGY FOR P.M.!!!

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 15 August 2005 08:37 (twenty years ago)

so someone enlighten me about the rules. if australia are still batting by the finish today would it be a draw? even if they were nowhere near the target?

― Ste (Fuzzy), Monday, 15 August 2005 08:39 (twenty years ago)

so someone enlighten me about the rules. if australia are still batting by the finish today would it be a draw? even if they were nowhere near the target?

Yes. Isn't cricket wonderful?

― Vicious Cop Kills Gentle Fool (Dada), Monday, 15 August 2005 08:43 (twenty years ago)

so the rain *has* helped the aussies?

― Ste (Fuzzy), Monday, 15 August 2005 08:46 (twenty years ago)

Absolutely

― Vicious Cop Kills Gentle Fool (Dada), Monday, 15 August 2005 08:49 (twenty years ago)

I am not sure if the rain HAS helped the Aussies, except they have less time to bat. If it had not rained, and this was the fourth day they could win this, with two days of good batting. Now of course we would not have declared, but I would have been surprised if our batting would have made more than four sessions (It hasn't in any of the test so far). So whilst it might be tight today, ALL australia are batting for is the draw. Which they are not used to doing.

I think the rain maybe helped us.

― Pete (Pete), Monday, 15 August 2005 09:04 (twenty years ago)

Actually, I never thought of the rain preventing Australia winning the game - that shows I'm not Australian I think!

― Vicious Cop Kills Gentle Fool (Dada), Monday, 15 August 2005 09:09 (twenty years ago)

how's it going? why's vaughn bowling? somebody with access to telly - precis please!

― Pete W (peterw), Monday, 15 August 2005 09:23 (twenty years ago)

who needs telly when you have TMS ;)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/fivelive/sportsextra/index.shtml?logo

vaughny was bowling last night rather than today.

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Monday, 15 August 2005 09:27 (twenty years ago)

And bowled rather a useful over to Langer as well.

― Vicious Cop Kills Gentle Fool (Dada), Monday, 15 August 2005 09:28 (twenty years ago)

Listening to TMS while simultaneously watching Channel 4's coverage (Tony Greig? No fucking thanks!), I've noticed that all Jonathan Agnew does is commentate from the television pictures - which is, errrrrrrrrr, just not cricket really. I've never really liked Agnew anyway.

― Vicious Cop Kills Gentle Fool (Dada), Monday, 15 August 2005 09:31 (twenty years ago)

er it would be nice for england to get some wickets, soon

― Ste (Fuzzy), Monday, 15 August 2005 09:50 (twenty years ago)

FREDDIE!

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Monday, 15 August 2005 09:58 (twenty years ago)

Yessss! Sounded like a wonderful ball. How did it look TV chaps?

― Pete (Pete), Monday, 15 August 2005 09:58 (twenty years ago)

Great. 3 on off stump, then he totally did him with on pitching outside leg and coming back in. hayden had a long, long look in a kind of 'WTF' way. This is grebt.

― Dave B (daveb), Monday, 15 August 2005 10:02 (twenty years ago)

Amazing setup, a few slanting away and rising got him exposing the leg stump then he failed to pick the straight one and it clattered it.

xpost.

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Monday, 15 August 2005 10:07 (twenty years ago)

Fuck, there was a caught behind and we didn't appeal.

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Monday, 15 August 2005 10:24 (twenty years ago)

That was so not out but who cares?

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Monday, 15 August 2005 11:30 (twenty years ago)

you know when they shout their appeals for lbw.. what are they actually shouting?? it always sounds like they're shouting "LSD" out loud.

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 15 August 2005 11:41 (twenty years ago)

HOW WAZ EEE
HOW WAZ ZAT

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Monday, 15 August 2005 11:50 (twenty years ago)

Another one gone.

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Monday, 15 August 2005 12:05 (twenty years ago)

i do like it when they have a technical problem on tms and that bbc announcer guy suddenly has to commentate off the tv picture.

― toby (tsg20), Monday, 15 August 2005 12:22 (twenty years ago)

aha! HOW WAZ EEE would have been what i was mishearing as LSD! (EEE = he?)

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 15 August 2005 12:33 (twenty years ago)

Someone was just playing 'there'll always be an England'. WTF?

― Dave B (daveb), Monday, 15 August 2005 12:36 (twenty years ago)

does anyone know how long tea lasts?

― toby (tsg20), Monday, 15 August 2005 12:39 (twenty years ago)

20 minuites.

PS - Got him.

― Dave B (daveb), Monday, 15 August 2005 12:41 (twenty years ago)

go gilchrist go!

― Ste (Fuzzy), Monday, 15 August 2005 12:44 (twenty years ago)

SIMON JONES!

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Monday, 15 August 2005 14:12 (twenty years ago)

GET IN!

― Ste (Fuzzy), Monday, 15 August 2005 14:13 (twenty years ago)

HOGGY!

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Monday, 15 August 2005 14:21 (twenty years ago)

Go Hoggard!!!!
Get Ponting out please!!!

― Last Of The Famous International Pfunkboys (Kerr), Monday, 15 August 2005 14:22 (twenty years ago)

YES!

― Ste (Fuzzy), Monday, 15 August 2005 14:22 (twenty years ago)

Big wicket to get this one.

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Monday, 15 August 2005 14:22 (twenty years ago)

if either ponting and warne gets out early england will have a decent chance of making it.

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 15 August 2005 14:39 (twenty years ago)

Uh oh, seven wickets gone, this is where we have been stuck before... Need quick wicks.

― Pete (Pete), Monday, 15 August 2005 14:44 (twenty years ago)

exactly

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 15 August 2005 14:45 (twenty years ago)

it should be alright though, if they keep bowling this energetically for another 15 overs or so they're bound to get warne out.

ho ho

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 15 August 2005 15:19 (twenty years ago)

I can't cope.

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Monday, 15 August 2005 15:25 (twenty years ago)

He dropped it.

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Monday, 15 August 2005 15:30 (twenty years ago)

Now I really can't cope

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Monday, 15 August 2005 15:30 (twenty years ago)

Gah!

― Dave B (daveb), Monday, 15 August 2005 15:31 (twenty years ago)

oh dear :(

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 15 August 2005 15:59 (twenty years ago)

66 balls to go.

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 15 August 2005 16:00 (twenty years ago)

WHAT A CATCH!!!

― Last Of The Famous International Pfunkboys (Kerr), Monday, 15 August 2005 16:01 (twenty years ago)

NANANANANNANA KNEES!

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 15 August 2005 16:03 (twenty years ago)

'kin ell!

Cmon Freddy!

― Dave B (daveb), Monday, 15 August 2005 16:03 (twenty years ago)

43 balls left :\\

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 15 August 2005 16:07 (twenty years ago)

bah!

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 15 August 2005 16:09 (twenty years ago)

we got 6 at lee

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Monday, 15 August 2005 16:13 (twenty years ago)

oh no simon jones is fux0r3d

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 15 August 2005 16:15 (twenty years ago)

Shit jones off come on Harmi

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Monday, 15 August 2005 16:15 (twenty years ago)

HOW WAS THAT?

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 15 August 2005 16:16 (twenty years ago)

was rubbish

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 15 August 2005 16:17 (twenty years ago)

GAH

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 15 August 2005 16:19 (twenty years ago)

This is, yet again, hideously painful.

― Pete (Pete), Monday, 15 August 2005 16:20 (twenty years ago)

36 left :\\\|||/\/\

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 15 August 2005 16:20 (twenty years ago)

it's like an 8 hour penalty shootout.

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Monday, 15 August 2005 16:21 (twenty years ago)

the umpire is a wanker

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 15 August 2005 16:27 (twenty years ago)

9 down!

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Monday, 15 August 2005 16:28 (twenty years ago)

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 15 August 2005 16:29 (twenty years ago)

at least we have a chance now. COME ON!!!

― Last Of The Famous International Pfunkboys (Kerr), Monday, 15 August 2005 16:29 (twenty years ago)

england have really just been saving it all for the last ball

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 15 August 2005 16:29 (twenty years ago)

22 balls :

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 15 August 2005 16:32 (twenty years ago)

surely just going for the stumps now

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 15 August 2005 16:34 (twenty years ago)

I daren't go home, might miss sthg crucial during walk to car park. The tension is more unbearable than in the last match!

― Mooro (Mooro), Monday, 15 August 2005 16:34 (twenty years ago)

18 left - they'll get McGrath

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Monday, 15 August 2005 16:35 (twenty years ago)

they've come too far without winning now surely!

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 15 August 2005 16:36 (twenty years ago)

Stop that hexing shit yo

― Dave B (daveb), Monday, 15 August 2005 16:37 (twenty years ago)

12 balls ---:|

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 15 August 2005 16:38 (twenty years ago)

fing heart attack!

― Mooro (Mooro), Monday, 15 August 2005 16:40 (twenty years ago)

FUCK!

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 15 August 2005 16:40 (twenty years ago)

umpire's ain't giving shit

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Monday, 15 August 2005 16:40 (twenty years ago)

2 more from flintoff

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 15 August 2005 16:41 (twenty years ago)

England cheering an aussie boundary :-)

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Monday, 15 August 2005 16:42 (twenty years ago)

mcgrath last over

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 15 August 2005 16:42 (twenty years ago)

one left.

― Dave B (daveb), Monday, 15 August 2005 16:46 (twenty years ago)

final ball

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 15 August 2005 16:46 (twenty years ago)

much ado about nothing :(

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 15 August 2005 16:47 (twenty years ago)

cunter

― Dave B (daveb), Monday, 15 August 2005 16:47 (twenty years ago)

Had prepared myself for the draw, still thought it'd be that way 'til Ponting was out. Aussies saved by the weather. It'd usually be 3-0 by now. I feel kinda deflated. Well played nonetheless.

― jel -- (jel), Monday, 15 August 2005 17:59 (twenty years ago)

well aussies did really well on that match, can't take that away from them. Bring on Trent Bridge now.

― Ste (Fuzzy), Tuesday, 16 August 2005 00:06 (twenty years ago)

can anybody recommend a decent pub to just sit and watch the cricket in in Manchester city centre next Friday? (and drink ale of course)

― Ste (Fuzzy), Friday, 19 August 2005 12:04 (twenty years ago)

And we're back!
McGrath injured; England batting.

― Pete W (peterw), Thursday, 25 August 2005 08:25 (twenty years ago)

49/0 good start. Tait's getting some long handle from Tres. Good.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Thursday, 25 August 2005 09:30 (twenty years ago)

My tuning in moments have been very bad luck generally, so I am nervously hanging back.

I was also up half of last night worrying about not batting first. Phew!

― Pete (Pete), Thursday, 25 August 2005 09:46 (twenty years ago)

100-0. Splat!

― scotstvo (scotstvo), Thursday, 25 August 2005 10:03 (twenty years ago)

Tres 56. Let's hope he can make a BIG ton today - he's just hit Warne back over his head for six. Well bowled Warn-ehhh!!

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Thursday, 25 August 2005 10:05 (twenty years ago)

At the risk of tempting fate, this looks like a helluva batting wicket, and the Aussie attack's clearly missing McGrath. I just fear that this is when Gilchrist'll come good.

Arse, there goes Strauss.

― scotstvo (scotstvo), Thursday, 25 August 2005 10:09 (twenty years ago)

putting the auss back in strauss's ass

― ken c (ken c), Thursday, 25 August 2005 10:11 (twenty years ago)

ouch!

― scotstvo (scotstvo), Thursday, 25 August 2005 10:12 (twenty years ago)

Haha ANOTHER no ball 'wicket'!

― RickyT (RickyT), Thursday, 25 August 2005 10:23 (twenty years ago)

And a no ball FOUR! Hee hee hee!

― scotstvo (scotstvo), Thursday, 25 August 2005 10:24 (twenty years ago)

then for four!

― Pete W (peterw), Thursday, 25 August 2005 10:24 (twenty years ago)

Warne is the only threat really. We can handle Lee, and Kaspers and Tait are turkeys. Should get 450 after this start.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Thursday, 25 August 2005 10:46 (twenty years ago)

143/3
tresy, strauus and bell out now. Tait got 2 wickets.

― Ste (Fuzzy), Thursday, 25 August 2005 14:17 (twenty years ago)

Oops Dr. C - a second opinion required?

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 25 August 2005 14:20 (twenty years ago)

Ponting is bowling.

― Pete W (peterw), Thursday, 25 August 2005 15:25 (twenty years ago)

... and bowling out the England captain into the bargain

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 25 August 2005 16:12 (twenty years ago)

Dr C is correct though, after that start 450-500 was well on the cards.

However, last two tests have seen england perhaps underachieving slightly on first innings (Certainly when Flintoff and Jones were together at Old Trafford a first innings total of well over 500 looked on the cards), before bundling Aus out, I just hope this rain doesn't force a tight finish (imagine if those overs lost to rain had been available at the end of the last Test....)

― Matt (Matt), Thursday, 25 August 2005 16:48 (twenty years ago)

Declare at tea, perhaps?

― aldo_cowpat (aldo_cowpat), Friday, 26 August 2005 12:44 (twenty years ago)

Declare at 507 I would say. After last time we want a fair bit of time to bowl at the buggers. Still, not losing is still the order of the day (we lose this test we can't win the Ashes). So maybe bat til out, declare just before the end of the day?

― Pete (Pete), Friday, 26 August 2005 12:55 (twenty years ago)

they should declare at 666 just for laughs.

― ken c (ken c), Friday, 26 August 2005 12:56 (twenty years ago)

actually.. this is a serious question - why do they ever bother declaring? why not just lash at the ball outragously for cheap fours and sixes and just not care about being bowled out?

― ken c (ken c), Friday, 26 August 2005 12:57 (twenty years ago)

looks like we'll be out pretty soon, and then we can start knocking em over after tea.

― Pete W (peterw), Friday, 26 August 2005 12:57 (twenty years ago)

is it just psychology?

― ken c (ken c), Friday, 26 August 2005 12:59 (twenty years ago)

xpost

― ken c (ken c), Friday, 26 August 2005 12:59 (twenty years ago)

Ken, teams declare to give themselves enough time to bowl the other team out twice to win the match. The chances of England losing this test having already posted a score of 400+ is minimal so to bat on indefinitely would actually lessen their chances of winning.

― Venga (Venga), Friday, 26 August 2005 13:04 (twenty years ago)

**Oops Dr. C - a second opinion required?**

450/7. A shame Jones didn't get a ton. Hopefully we can get 500. I do think that our bowlers won't get much out of the pitch though.

**actually.. this is a serious question - why do they ever bother declaring?**

Usually to give yourself time to bowl a team out. Or to give the openers a nasty half hour at the end of the day. Sometimes an extra 50 runs just takes up time that's needed to take wickets if you want to win the game. Second innings declarations are more common as less time is left in the game.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Friday, 26 August 2005 13:04 (twenty years ago)

I guess what Ken is asking is, rather than declare, why not just hit ridiculous shots which will probably get caught but might go to the boundary. The answer being that if the opposition are k-rub, you might not get out at all, and your final batsmen are usually yer bowlers.

Looks like the innings is over now anyway. Good knock tho.

― Pete (Pete), Friday, 26 August 2005 13:13 (twenty years ago)

'I do think that our bowlers won't get much out of the pitch though.'

Our attack is so much stronger than theirs, i think it's impossible to tell what the pitch is really like.

― Pete W (peterw), Friday, 26 August 2005 13:15 (twenty years ago)

Agreed.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Friday, 26 August 2005 13:21 (twenty years ago)

glued bails

― Teh HoBB (the pirate king), Friday, 26 August 2005 13:30 (twenty years ago)

475/9 S. Jones slogging nicely.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Friday, 26 August 2005 13:33 (twenty years ago)

I guess what Ken is asking is, rather than declare, why not just hit ridiculous shots which will probably get caught but might go to the boundary. The answer being that if the opposition are k-rub, you might not get out at all, and your final batsmen are usually yer bowlers.

yeah i guess - i haven't watched much cricket though so i wonder if they hold some kind of threashold that's below their declaration point, where they just let rip with the crazy shots just to earn themselves some time??? like say here in this innings, if you don't declare and just hit stupid shots up to 666 or something you can just not bother with the 2nd innings (and possibly get to do that follow-on thingie!!)

― ken c (ken c), Friday, 26 August 2005 14:00 (twenty years ago)

basically i just want to see them frantically hitting everything in the air!! behind the back shots!!!! between the legs!!!! running backwards between the stumps!! cartwheels!!!!!!

― ken c (ken c), Friday, 26 August 2005 14:01 (twenty years ago)

way to demoralise your opposition!

― ken c (ken c), Friday, 26 August 2005 14:01 (twenty years ago)

a passionate HUG with the bowlers in between runs!

― ken c (ken c), Friday, 26 August 2005 14:02 (twenty years ago)

I had a feeling that *whatever* the first ball of Australia's innings did, England would make an appeal :-)

― Forest Pines (ForestPines), Friday, 26 August 2005 14:03 (twenty years ago)

Driving round the country with TMS has been electric.

― Ed (dali), Friday, 26 August 2005 14:34 (twenty years ago)

YES!

― Pete W (peterw), Friday, 26 August 2005 14:42 (twenty years ago)

See ya Ricky! 21-2. This is dynamite stuff.

― scotstvo (scotstvo), Friday, 26 August 2005 14:49 (twenty years ago)

22-3! Yip yip yip!

― scotstvo (scotstvo), Friday, 26 August 2005 14:54 (twenty years ago)

Another one. Fuck a duck!

I'm an exiled Brit listening to TMS online in Washington D.C. I only wish I had some way of watching it but sadly I suspect the Americans are never going to understand this fine game of ours.

Blowers and Aggers are doing a fine job of making me feel like I'm in good seats though.

Let's hope the weeather doesn't fuck it up for us again. The Aussies are on the ropes!

― uptoeleven (uptoeleven), Friday, 26 August 2005 14:57 (twenty years ago)

GOOD BOWLING

― ken c (ken c), Friday, 26 August 2005 14:57 (twenty years ago)

I bloody love TMS.

― scotstvo (scotstvo), Friday, 26 August 2005 14:59 (twenty years ago)

it is marvellous isn't it, blowers described lee as "a disgruntled teapot" earlier...

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Friday, 26 August 2005 15:02 (twenty years ago)

Yeah! That was great. They were obsessed with buses today, and I loved the bit where a shopping list flew into the commentary box.

― jel -- (jel), Friday, 26 August 2005 15:27 (twenty years ago)

Aussies: What's it like to be out-classed?

― jel -- (jel), Friday, 26 August 2005 15:27 (twenty years ago)

Wahoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

― jel -- (jel), Friday, 26 August 2005 15:36 (twenty years ago)

Titter.

― scotstvo (scotstvo), Friday, 26 August 2005 15:36 (twenty years ago)

"like a porpoise out for a fish"

58 for 4!

― uptoeleven (uptoeleven), Friday, 26 August 2005 15:37 (twenty years ago)

When's stumps tonight?

― scotstvo (scotstvo), Friday, 26 August 2005 15:38 (twenty years ago)

Katsick won't last long

― jel -- (jel), Friday, 26 August 2005 15:38 (twenty years ago)

Stumps is half-six I think.

― jel -- (jel), Friday, 26 August 2005 15:38 (twenty years ago)

Come on the light then! Another couple tonight and England have a hell of a shout here.

― scotstvo (scotstvo), Friday, 26 August 2005 15:39 (twenty years ago)

630? So that means i'm going to be sitting in the library basement of Georgetown University for another fifty minutes?

Does that strike anyone else as a wee bit sad?

― uptoeleven (uptoeleven), Friday, 26 August 2005 15:41 (twenty years ago)

Not at all uptoeleven, dedicated and wise, more like.

― jel -- (jel), Friday, 26 August 2005 15:42 (twenty years ago)

Nope. My dad is even hooked on the cricket this summer.
This is most uncommon in Scotland , believe me.

― Last Of The Famous International Pfunkboys (Kerr), Friday, 26 August 2005 15:44 (twenty years ago)

eh, not really, I'm doing the staying-by-work-computer-until-stumps thing. Although that's because I seem to be stuck here until about seven, and reading the grauniad obos is the only thing keeping me sane.

― spontine (cis), Friday, 26 August 2005 15:46 (twenty years ago)

I think it may actually be a 7 o'clock finish, as they are having a drinks break.

― jel -- (jel), Friday, 26 August 2005 15:58 (twenty years ago)

9 overs left.

― Last Of The Famous International Pfunkboys (Kerr), Friday, 26 August 2005 16:06 (twenty years ago)

it's like fallujah out there!

― cozen (Cozen), Friday, 26 August 2005 16:09 (twenty years ago)

Hoorah! Great way to end (/start for me) the day.

― uptoeleven (uptoeleven), Friday, 26 August 2005 16:28 (twenty years ago)

Time to go see if there's still a world out there. See y'all tomorrow.

― uptoeleven (uptoeleven), Friday, 26 August 2005 16:29 (twenty years ago)

argh i went to make my dinner and missed the wicket. What happened?

― Last Of The Famous International Pfunkboys (Kerr), Friday, 26 August 2005 16:31 (twenty years ago)

The umpire wiggled his finger at some dude with a stick and he went away.

― scotstvo (scotstvo), Friday, 26 August 2005 16:33 (twenty years ago)

Clarke is out at end of play. Score is 99-5.

― AdrianB (AdrianB), Friday, 26 August 2005 16:44 (twenty years ago)

Warne out for a duck! Looks like it'll be a follow-on!

― Forest Pines (ForestPines), Saturday, 27 August 2005 09:14 (twenty years ago)

you have to say it was a quacking delivery

― ken c (ken c), Saturday, 27 August 2005 09:19 (twenty years ago)

!!!!!

― spontine (cis), Saturday, 27 August 2005 09:19 (twenty years ago)

163-8 and a splendid one handed catch by all accounts.

Should they make the Aussies follow on?

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Saturday, 27 August 2005 09:31 (twenty years ago)

Definitely.

― Forest Pines (ForestPines), Saturday, 27 August 2005 09:32 (twenty years ago)

All over for the aussies

― ken c (ken c), Saturday, 27 August 2005 09:38 (twenty years ago)

almost

― ken c (ken c), Saturday, 27 August 2005 09:38 (twenty years ago)

Strauss's catch was even more impressive on the real-time replay.

― Forest Pines (ForestPines), Saturday, 27 August 2005 09:43 (twenty years ago)

Smashed out of the ground!

'at baw mistur!

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Saturday, 27 August 2005 09:44 (twenty years ago)

Yeah, get the Aussies back in and have a real go at them. There's plenty of movement from the pitch and the bowlers seem to be having a really good time out there.

― scotstvo (scotstvo), Saturday, 27 August 2005 09:46 (twenty years ago)

Who does Lee think he is? Capitulate!

― scotstvo (scotstvo), Saturday, 27 August 2005 09:50 (twenty years ago)

Bell's caught him finally. England enforcing the follow on. Goodness me.

― RickyT (RickyT), Saturday, 27 August 2005 10:14 (twenty years ago)

CUM ON ENGLAND!

― ken c (ken c), Saturday, 27 August 2005 10:18 (twenty years ago)

LOVE CREAM ON ENGLAND!

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Saturday, 27 August 2005 10:20 (twenty years ago)

This is the one sport I support England at. Please don't spunk on it.

― scotstvo (scotstvo), Saturday, 27 August 2005 10:21 (twenty years ago)

Bloody hell. What a morning.

― Matt (Matt), Saturday, 27 August 2005 10:37 (twenty years ago)

I don't like follow-on's, they make me feel uneasy. I think I will have to go out for a few hours, and hope the Aussies are 4 or 5 wickets down by the time I come home.

Great morning though!

― jel -- (jel), Saturday, 27 August 2005 11:01 (twenty years ago)

With the amount of time left though, there's no reason why they shouldn't enforce the follow-on. I don't see this Aussie team putting up a big total, and even if they do, it should be a reachable total for England.

What if it's a draw? The Oval will be electric!

― scotstvo (scotstvo), Saturday, 27 August 2005 11:12 (twenty years ago)

56-1, a wee breakthrough at last.

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Saturday, 27 August 2005 12:07 (twenty years ago)

Given that Australia would have to make 500-odd to make it interesting I think enforcing the follow on was a good move.

If it's a draw then I miserably predict a washout at the Oval, and Aus. retention of the ashes.

― Matt (Matt), Saturday, 27 August 2005 12:12 (twenty years ago)

Bollocks, oh dear Straussy

― Matt (Matt), Saturday, 27 August 2005 12:34 (twenty years ago)

Still, I suppose we can forgive him after the one he took to get rid of Gilchrist.

― Matt (Matt), Saturday, 27 August 2005 12:34 (twenty years ago)

Just gotten up to spend another three solitary hours in the Georgetown library with only TMS and you guys for company.

Can't believe Australia are having to follow on. When was the last time that happened?

― uptoeleven (uptoeleven), Saturday, 27 August 2005 13:49 (twenty years ago)

Oh yeah and I spent yesterday evening drinking in Adams Morgan/Dupont Circle with several Australians.

Never has it been so satisfying to be in the company of our antipodean cousins.

― uptoeleven (uptoeleven), Saturday, 27 August 2005 13:51 (twenty years ago)

Can't believe Australia are having to follow on. When was the last time that happened?

According to the TV commentator, 1988.

― Forest Pines (ForestPines), Saturday, 27 August 2005 14:06 (twenty years ago)

Ponting run out for 48.

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Saturday, 27 August 2005 14:39 (twenty years ago)

Woah Freddy Freddy....

161 for 4

― uptoeleven (uptoeleven), Saturday, 27 August 2005 14:42 (twenty years ago)

if jones made that stumping it would've been pretty much perfect.

still, unless the pitch cracks up or the weather forecasters fuck up or we have about 250+ to make batting last...

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Saturday, 27 August 2005 17:28 (twenty years ago)

Jesus christ, how bitter are the Aussies getting about that run-out? Ponting made a risky decision to run, he got run out, end of story. And they call us whingeing poms?

― Porkpie (porkpie), Saturday, 27 August 2005 17:42 (twenty years ago)

haha that was hilarious. hey pal, your bowlers couldn't get the line right and never mind reverse swing 'cause yr batsmen can't play the 'normal' type either!!

I hope it won't lead into another "international crisis" between these fine sporting nations.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Saturday, 27 August 2005 17:48 (twenty years ago)

the weird thing is, as Aggers just pointed out on Radio 5, the aussies replaced one of their bowlers who had to go off (McGrath??) earlier in the series with their best fielder, and not with Kasprowic, who would have been a direct replacement.

Ponting's apology:
"I let myself down and I apologise to those who see me as a role model.

"My frustration was compounded by the fact I was run out by a sub fielder, an issue that has concerned us and one we raised before the series," he said.

"I was disappointed with my dismissal given that it was a crucial stage of the game and I'd worked hard to get to that position."

have to say though, great knock by Brett Lee

― Porkpie (porkpie), Saturday, 27 August 2005 17:58 (twenty years ago)

I wouldn't like to chase 150+. I think the Aussies would be quite happy. Although i think they expect to achieve 200-250.

― Last Of The Famous International Pfunkboys (Kerr), Saturday, 27 August 2005 18:35 (twenty years ago)

Any news on Jones? We'll need him quite badly I fear.

― jel -- (jel), Saturday, 27 August 2005 18:39 (twenty years ago)

I'm not sure the Australian attack is much to be feared; unless Lee and Tait managed to bowl out of their skins. They won't just be able to rely on Warne to win it single-handedly. 250 may be tricky, possibly, but hardly impossible. I think it's doubtful whether Australia could set such a high target; an early wicket or two tomorrow, and it could be curtains by tea. Of course, Warne, Gilchrist and Lee could all be dangerous, but I doubt all three will perform wonders; they'll be more of a threat than Clarke and Katich, mind.

Interestingly poised game, this, but England are well on top and have the psychological advantage.

― Tom May (Tom May), Saturday, 27 August 2005 21:53 (twenty years ago)

Any news on Jones? We'll need him quite badly I fear.

The way Australia's playing you could give the ball to Inspector Rex and still win by 600 runs.

― Hotman Paris Almanac (Autumn Almanac), Saturday, 27 August 2005 23:06 (twenty years ago)

It's not surprising that Warne's not taking rapid wickets at Trent Bridge though. McGrath'd've been a boost to us this week, but really, you need more than 1-2 great fast bowlers to win a test. Batters with stamina, for instance.

― Hotman Paris Almanac (Autumn Almanac), Saturday, 27 August 2005 23:13 (twenty years ago)

In the first innings Warne was all about slowing down the run rate too, rather than strike bowling.

This is England's for the taking, really, and if we don't win it, there's something wrong. It's nice to see an Aussie on this thread :)

I just called England 'we'. Urgh!

― scotstvo (scotstvo), Saturday, 27 August 2005 23:44 (twenty years ago)

An embarrassed Aussie. :)

I think Australia's just panicking now. At first it was "close, but never mind". Then it was "oh shit, bad mistake that test, never mind". Now it's obvious Australia's a little bit hopelessly crap, and needs to trim some fat if it's to win anything ever again.

I mean the Aus ODI side lost against Bangladesh. BANGLADESH! That's like failing an arse-kicking competition because you don't know where your arse is or what "kick" means.

― Hotman Paris Almanac (Autumn Almanac), Saturday, 27 August 2005 23:49 (twenty years ago)

Also, it's interesting to see how the Aus media is reacting now. Half is being eternally [and glibly] optimistic, while the other half is trying to ignore it altogether. Too often Ashes news is buried down the end of sports reports on the telly. We're sore losers.

― Hotman Paris Almanac (Autumn Almanac), Saturday, 27 August 2005 23:51 (twenty years ago)

No sorer than here. I mean, the last two Ashes series passed the non-cricket-loving community by. Now it's front and back-page news.

― scotstvo (scotstvo), Sunday, 28 August 2005 00:00 (twenty years ago)

Heh, true that.

I'm actually glad to see Australia lose something but I daren't say it aloud, I'd be killed.

― Hotman Paris Almanac (Autumn Almanac), Sunday, 28 August 2005 00:04 (twenty years ago)

Hey, so am I!!

― scotstvo (scotstvo), Sunday, 28 August 2005 00:10 (twenty years ago)

aus played some hard cricket, we missed a run out but we finally broke that 5th wicket partnership and the scene is set for gilchrist to do a 'botham' -- key moments coming up!

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Sunday, 28 August 2005 11:12 (twenty years ago)

gilchrist is out YES!!!

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Sunday, 28 August 2005 11:22 (twenty years ago)

YEEESSS!!! 373 for 9!

― Will McKenzie, Sunday, 28 August 2005 13:05 (twenty years ago)

My god, what was Tait thinking?

Also, Matthew Hoggard, just interviewed, on the topic of Clarke: "well, you know, he played really patient, but thankfully we out-patient him" ahaHA.

― spontine (cis), Sunday, 28 August 2005 13:27 (twenty years ago)

Matthew Hoggard is our greatest living sportsman!

― jel -- (jel), Sunday, 28 August 2005 13:32 (twenty years ago)

So, England are chasing 129, no? What do we think? Doable in one or two sessions? My only regret is that I'm stuck in Normandy with only SkyNews (No SkySports! A thousand curses on my girlfriend's dad's shoddy cable package) and the Guardian website's OBO coverage. Although, it must be said, said OBO coverage has mused amusingly: much meditation on Mogwai, Godspeed You BE and Krautrock. Can't even get Radio 4 here. I'm actually quite lonely and tearful. Oh God...

― Will McKenzie, Sunday, 28 August 2005 13:51 (twenty years ago)

I hope this isnt a reverse version of headingley in 81. England are wobbling 37-2.
I have no faith in Bell and Pietersen hasnt been too great for the past 2 matches. (lets hope im wrong)
If we were scoring runs like we did at the start of the innings i'd be far more confident.
But im worried. Warne is awesome.

― Last Of The Famous International Pfunkboys (Kerr), Sunday, 28 August 2005 14:25 (twenty years ago)

Compare and contrast: "Rule Britannia, Britannia rules the waves/Britons never ever ever shall be slaves" w/ Ian Bell's face.

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Sunday, 28 August 2005 14:28 (twenty years ago)

Oh, but it wouldn't be England without a glimmer of fuck-up, would it? And as it is, two wickets is but a glimmer. 48-2? Still VERY doable, no?

― Will McKenzie, Sunday, 28 August 2005 14:33 (twenty years ago)

57-4!

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Sunday, 28 August 2005 14:53 (twenty years ago)

Another wicket and the Aussies are the faves to win.

― Last Of The Famous International Pfunkboys (Kerr), Sunday, 28 August 2005 14:56 (twenty years ago)

At least these 2 can score quickly. So lets hope they stick around.

― Last Of The Famous International Pfunkboys (Kerr), Sunday, 28 August 2005 14:56 (twenty years ago)

I still reckon England can do it. It's bizarre that they've made it difficult for themselves, but every player left is capable of getting 10-15 runs on average, (at least, they've all each done it before) and that's all they need.

― Will McKenzie, Sunday, 28 August 2005 15:00 (twenty years ago)

103-4 now. Pietersen's hair has properly gone to shit. this is oddly pleasing.

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Sunday, 28 August 2005 15:41 (twenty years ago)

Oh shit.

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Sunday, 28 August 2005 15:42 (twenty years ago)

4 wickets left, 18 runs needed. Still easy.

― dmun drive-in (dmun), Sunday, 28 August 2005 15:59 (twenty years ago)

Getting nervy now...

― Teh HoBB (the pirate king), Sunday, 28 August 2005 15:59 (twenty years ago)

Oh fuck. Bloody amazing ball though. 111-6, Giles & Gerry at the crease. What odds on the winning runs being leg-byes off Simon Jones' shin splints?

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Sunday, 28 August 2005 15:59 (twenty years ago)

Hopefully we'll still do it. Just so long as there isn't a complete collapse...

― Forest Pines (ForestPines), Sunday, 28 August 2005 15:59 (twenty years ago)

15 runs needed, i think we'll lose Giles before we win this.

― dmun drive-in (dmun), Sunday, 28 August 2005 16:02 (twenty years ago)

noooooooooooo

― Teh HoBB (the pirate king), Sunday, 28 August 2005 16:08 (twenty years ago)

Jones, G. prats it up and it's 116-7, with Giles and Hoggard at bat. Oh man...

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Sunday, 28 August 2005 16:09 (twenty years ago)

Dear television - please stop showing me Andrew Strauss' face. Thank you.

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Sunday, 28 August 2005 16:12 (twenty years ago)

My girlfriend pulled me into the bedroom and tried to initiate a 'where are we going with our relationship?' discussion and all I could think was '116-7... 116-7... what's going on out there?'

AM I A BAD PERSON?

― Will McKenzie, Sunday, 28 August 2005 16:21 (twenty years ago)

4 to win. Hoggard on strike.

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Sunday, 28 August 2005 16:24 (twenty years ago)

PUT STRAUSS IN A CUPBOARD OR SOMETHING FFS

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Sunday, 28 August 2005 16:25 (twenty years ago)

2 to win, Giles will face Warne for them.

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Sunday, 28 August 2005 16:26 (twenty years ago)

And somehow, Ashley Giles hitting the winning runs really was the only way that could end.

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Sunday, 28 August 2005 16:30 (twenty years ago)

YES!!!

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Sunday, 28 August 2005 16:30 (twenty years ago)

YES!!!!!

― Last Of The Famous International Pfunkboys (Kerr), Sunday, 28 August 2005 16:30 (twenty years ago)

For once a batting collapse didn't cost us a game.
Just a few heart attacks around the country.

― Last Of The Famous International Pfunkboys (Kerr), Sunday, 28 August 2005 16:31 (twenty years ago)

WILL YOU GET IN! Well done! Oh, and apparently our relationship is 'going somewhere', despite my continual attention on the match and not on the emotional state of girlfriend. Good news on both fronts.

― Will McKenzie, Sunday, 28 August 2005 16:34 (twenty years ago)

Bastards. I didn't tape LOST on Wednesday, and they've just cancelled the repeat because of the sodding cricket. Bastards.

(Well done, English crickety types though, I watched the last ten minutes and it was quite exciting)

― ailsa (ailsa), Sunday, 28 August 2005 17:07 (twenty years ago)

ooh, me nerves

― Ed (dali), Sunday, 28 August 2005 17:14 (twenty years ago)

That was a little stressful.

(not as much as the final match probably will be, though)

― Forest Pines (ForestPines), Sunday, 28 August 2005 17:22 (twenty years ago)

When is the 5th test? (Hope it rains for a week)

― Last Of The Famous International Pfunkboys (Kerr), Sunday, 28 August 2005 17:33 (twenty years ago)

Had to watch it in mute. I hated Mark Nicholas for the first time in my life (I forgive him now). Wow. Might turn a wee bit autumnal by the Oval ;)

Jason Donovan, Ned Kelly, Harold Bishop, Russell Crowe, Dame Edna your boys took one hell of a beating (or something)

Matthew Hoggard for PM.

― jel -- (jel), Sunday, 28 August 2005 17:34 (twenty years ago)

5th Test, begins on the 8th September.

― jel -- (jel), Sunday, 28 August 2005 17:36 (twenty years ago)

i hope it rains throughout the 5th test

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 29 August 2005 08:19 (twenty years ago)

I want it to be in play at 5pm on monday.

― Ed (dali), Monday, 29 August 2005 09:37 (twenty years ago)

dear work, if what ed says comes to pass, please do not expect to see me on 12 Sept. okthxbye.

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Monday, 29 August 2005 11:03 (twenty years ago)

Nice win, now we want hurricane katrina to hit the oval.

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Monday, 29 August 2005 12:07 (twenty years ago)

A rain draw would be a let down. We need 5 more days of what has been some of the most gripping cricket in years.

― Ed (dali), Monday, 29 August 2005 13:24 (twenty years ago)

Last five days of cricket on 'proper' TV, probably ever :(

― jel -- (jel), Monday, 29 August 2005 15:14 (twenty years ago)

I've been trying to convey the magnitude of this series to my nonplussed better half and, while she's very sympathetic to my sporting neuroses, she draws the line at cricket.

Even Richie Benaud agrees - prior to England's 2nd innings yesterday he said this might be better than 1981 and, therefore, the best series he's ever seen. I think the tension at 116-7 might have tipped it over the line.

The great thing is Australia could so easily be 4-0 up (3 runs short at Edgbaston, hitting the runrate for the impossible target at Old Trafford until Warne went, England wobbling like hell at 6:15 yesterday) - but they're emphatically not. That must hurt.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Monday, 29 August 2005 15:42 (twenty years ago)

Oh my! That was fantastic wasn't it. I spent all weekend in a small town in Wales and watched the final innings in a pub with hundreds of Welsh people cheering the game. amazing stuff.

i even spent today watching some family playing beach cricket and umpired the game in my head. i'm hooked.

― Ste (Fuzzy), Monday, 29 August 2005 17:25 (twenty years ago)

Curse the EWCB for handing the rights to Sky next year.

― Ed (dali), Monday, 29 August 2005 17:44 (twenty years ago)

What if jones doesn't make it?

Can't say I'll be surprised...

As for the rain obv we should've already regained the ashes but those showers cost eng precious time at old trafford - maybe its payback for those umpiring decisions that went our way.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Tuesday, 30 August 2005 09:27 (twenty years ago)

Oh my! I really thought we'd blown it at 116-7.

I think the Oval is going to be really difficult for us. The Aussies will make changes. Possibly Hussey or Hodge for Hayden? Watson for Hayden with Katich to open? Combine the latter with McGill for Tait or Kaspers. McGrath back?

It's essential that Jones is fit. What do we do if not? Tremlett is the obvious replacement, but isn't really a swing/reverse swing bowler. Collingwood could come in at 7 and bowl a few overs. That would strengthen the batting, but we'd be down to a 4 man attack really. I read somewhere that Graham Swann was a possibility as a second spinner.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Tuesday, 30 August 2005 09:38 (twenty years ago)

Russel Crowe is a Kiwi IIRC.

― Chewshabadoo (Chewshabadoo), Tuesday, 30 August 2005 09:41 (twenty years ago)

haha has anybody seen that video footage of Lee walking back to the pavilion and a guy goes to shake his hand saying "well played brett" but as lee goes to shake the guy pulls back and taunts him. I laughed all day i tells ye.

― Ste (Fuzzy), Tuesday, 30 August 2005 09:42 (twenty years ago)

we really missed jones, didn't we? he's like our warne - the aussie middle and lower order are bamboozled by his complexities.

― Pete W (peterw), Tuesday, 30 August 2005 09:44 (twenty years ago)

Ponting's whinging about the subsitute fielder issue is really unbelievable, don't you think? "We try to play within the spirit of the game" yeah right - it wasn't the Aussies who perfected the art of sledging by hurling constant abuse at opposition batsmen, was it? Oh no.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Tuesday, 30 August 2005 09:52 (twenty years ago)

esp the lower order - he's more like out waqar younis. he is v good at cleaning them up and if he hadn't had to go off at old trafford...too many ifs. I'd say its collingwood for the oval, he is a v tough competitor and great on the field.

the aus attack will surely be mcgrath (should be fit, but hopefully not his usual self) lee, warne and mcgill xp = ponting having a go at fletcher as he was walking off (I'm assuming it was fletcher) was quite a sight.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Tuesday, 30 August 2005 09:54 (twenty years ago)

Ponting looks like a member of the Ant Hill Mob.

― Pete W (peterw), Tuesday, 30 August 2005 10:03 (twenty years ago)

xpost - no they can't go in with only 2 seamers. If they want to play McGill, they'll have to find room for one of Tait, Kaspers (v. unlikely), or Watson (most likely - based on his batting).

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Tuesday, 30 August 2005 10:14 (twenty years ago)

yeah I guess its not on. haven't had a look at watson but I really think they'll have to play mcgill.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Tuesday, 30 August 2005 10:30 (twenty years ago)

oh yeah, but then harold bishop's a fictional character, so I'm not fussed.

― jel -- (jel), Tuesday, 30 August 2005 15:19 (twenty years ago)

Not part of the Ashes series, I know, but after 58.4 overs the tourists have managed to take a grand total of


one


wicket for 284 at Chelmsford.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/counties/essex/latest_scorecard/default.stm

― Mooro (Mooro), Saturday, 3 September 2005 13:35 (twenty years ago)

been half-following it as I'm watching the one-day final. cook is apprently really promising player.

warwicks have come out all guns blazing

meanwhile looks like jones isn't gonna make it - atherton asked boycott who ought to replace him - his ans: darren gough! bcz he responds to the big occasion! he knows that he's retired but 'its only words'!!!

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Saturday, 3 September 2005 13:55 (twenty years ago)

Bring back Andy Caddick. The perfect stage for a fairwell match!

― jel -- (jel), Saturday, 3 September 2005 17:51 (twenty years ago)

Bring back Andy Caddick.

Balls to that. Tremlett's been 12th man all summer. Give him the ball.

― scotstvo (scotstvo), Saturday, 3 September 2005 22:33 (twenty years ago)

But, but, but, he's our Shaun Tait.

― jel -- (jel), Sunday, 4 September 2005 08:12 (twenty years ago)

they've delayed the naming of the squad...

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Sunday, 4 September 2005 08:17 (twenty years ago)

They are sending a horseman to inform Andy Caddick!

― jel -- (jel), Sunday, 4 September 2005 08:23 (twenty years ago)

and take him back to the conference room!

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Sunday, 4 September 2005 08:35 (twenty years ago)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/england/4210952.stm

collingwood and anderson(!).

the cup final yesterday was a good warm up - I'd say that pietersen, who looked really good when saving a cpl of boundaries, has to field near the boundary and not go anywhere near mid-wicket. Bell looks in good touch, but can he keep himself together? out hooking and then his body seemed to give up when warwicks looked to have control of the game. as for these aussies wouldn't like to see shane watson he looks in good form and bowls some lovely slower balls.

Its a shame if jones isn't fit but the great thing about this attack is that any of these bowlers can put their hand up and take the wickets when it counts - hoggard did so much of the job in both innings at th bridge and harminson seemed to be getting the line and length right in the 2nd and he has a good rec at the oval.

hayden gets another hundred against essex. he'll be good for county cricket next year and if he fails again this week i'd say that'll be all he'll be good for.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Sunday, 4 September 2005 11:34 (twenty years ago)

Jimmy Anderson! WTF!? I remember the last time he played a test at the Oval against South Africa, hardly did a thing in the match, and walked around sheepishly behind the rest of the team when they did a lap of honour (led by Mark Butcher, it was pretty funny). Shoulda gone for Andy Caddick.

Well, 2-86 and 1-55 (hardly inspiring). though, it'd be cool if Tres made 200 again.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sol/shared/bsp/hi/cricket/statistics/scorecards/npower_england_v_south_africa_test_match_series_england_v_south_africa/6183/html/scorecard_hi.stm

― jel -- (jel), Sunday, 4 September 2005 13:20 (twenty years ago)

Opps! Got that wrong, amazingly he played against the West Indies last year. Bowled 6.5 overs in their first innings, but chipped in with 4-52 in the second. Anyway, get well soon Simon Jones.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/shared/fds/hi/statistics/cricket/scorecards/2004/8/6550/html/scorecard.stm

― jel -- (jel), Sunday, 4 September 2005 13:23 (twenty years ago)

Caddick's injured, anyway. Anderson's not a bad pick really. I suppose.

Golly I'm nervous.

― Matt (Matt), Wednesday, 7 September 2005 11:54 (twenty years ago)

What's the verdict: Anderson or Collingwood?

― Pete W (peterw), Wednesday, 7 September 2005 11:57 (twenty years ago)

Collingwood please.

― Markelby (Mark C), Wednesday, 7 September 2005 12:18 (twenty years ago)

I'd need to see what the pitch was like first. If it's a result pitch, Anderson. If it's a flat track, Collingwood.

― Matt (Matt), Wednesday, 7 September 2005 12:25 (twenty years ago)

I'm shitting my pants over this.

― Ste (Fuzzy), Wednesday, 7 September 2005 12:33 (twenty years ago)

Rate of scoring means that all pitches are result pitches, these days, unless it rains for more than a day. Therefore pick Anderson. We have to play to win, not to bat for a draw.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Wednesday, 7 September 2005 12:39 (twenty years ago)

In other words keep on doing what we've been doing well so far.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Wednesday, 7 September 2005 12:52 (twenty years ago)

Its a tough one - collingwood can bowl but picking him alters the balance of the team and he's done well in the one dayers, the selectors had no probs in selecting pietersen on that basis for the 1st test and let's not forget all the expectation that bought. It was just as big a game then. I have a feeling that he might up the standard of fielding somehow and that may be the edge we'll need.

anderson has more experience though and I guess his form must be ok for him to get picked in the first place.

its a tough one...

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Wednesday, 7 September 2005 13:14 (twenty years ago)

We cannot go in with 4 bowlers + Collingwood. It's not like a one-dayer, where it's a question of just getting through your quota of overs tidily if your the 5th or 6th bowler. While a draw would be OK, we have to aim to take 20 wickets, and so need 5 proper bowlers.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Wednesday, 7 September 2005 13:25 (twenty years ago)

Looks like Old Man McGrath is is playing.

The press has been way too over the top, and please no crappy Rugby songs before the match.

I think the pitch will probably suit Harmison and Flintoff more than the others anyhow - fast and bouncy I hope. So, I doubt if it'll make much difference who England include, I just feel that Anderson is such a 'confidence' player that the Aussies would be after him - "not easy for a guy to come in to a match like this" and etc. Like Julio says I think Collingwood would be a bonus in the field.

As usual, I'm not going to relax or say who's going to win until it's over (for like a week)

― jel -- (jel), Wednesday, 7 September 2005 15:25 (twenty years ago)

"Caddick's injured, anyway

Lies! Lies! All Lies! I refuse to believe this of my favourite folk-hero

― jel -- (jel), Wednesday, 7 September 2005 15:30 (twenty years ago)

See what you mean Dr C (like I said slightly unbalanced, actually forgot to mention that I read an article by steve waugh over the weekend and he also thought that McGill should've played in that 4-man, 2 spinners attack we talked abt BUT KATICH should be given the odd extra spell and not quota filler stuff either, waugh believes he is a v competitive player who can bleed the odd wicket out...maybe I'm thinking the same of Collingwood) but whether we pick Collingwood or anderson I don't think of either as a safe 'draw' type choice.

anyway, all will be revealed tomorrow.

apparently Sven is gonna attend one of the days in the Oval match - he'll need time to clear his head after what happened tonight.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Wednesday, 7 September 2005 20:49 (twenty years ago)

haha, it's like john major in '97 ;)

jel, jerusalem is not a rugby song, it is the song that should be our national anthem anyway :)

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Wednesday, 7 September 2005 21:00 (twenty years ago)

Poem by William Blake set to music by Hubert Parry in 1916, acting on a commission from Francis Younghusbands' Fight for Right pacifist campaign; if not a satire then a critique of rampant capitalism during the industrial revolution, it is often confused for a patriotic song. What better hymn for our national anthem. (I chuckle every time I see people sing it as if they were singing 'Rule Britannia' or 'Land of Hope and Glory')

― Ed (dali), Thursday, 8 September 2005 06:18 (twenty years ago)

Fuck you, Simon Heffer, you don't know what you are singing.

― Ed (dali), Thursday, 8 September 2005 06:21 (twenty years ago)

(I'm more than happy for him to promote the cause of Jerusalem as Inno Nazionale Inglese, though)

― Ed (dali), Thursday, 8 September 2005 06:28 (twenty years ago)

It does have a very good tune, and has given the language at least one idiomatic phrase I can think of. The anti-capitalist reading is good, but I don't like the religiosity.

― Forest Pines (ForestPines), Thursday, 8 September 2005 06:35 (twenty years ago)

You can take an anti-clerical reading of it as well. ('What bloody good is jerusalem to us here amongst the dark satanic mills?')

― Ed (dali), Thursday, 8 September 2005 06:37 (twenty years ago)

Wasn't Blake very much an anti-established-religion type of chap? To be honest I don't know much about him, but I have the impression that his own beliefs were all about personal contact with the Divine, unmediated by the church.

― Forest Pines (ForestPines), Thursday, 8 September 2005 06:40 (twenty years ago)

Blake was certainly a pretty radical non-conformist, his exact views, I am unsure on. Admittedly the hymn like tune and how it rises on the word Jerusalem does emphasise the religiosity of the piece.

Incidentally, as a tune it is a huge improvement on God Save the Queen and lacks the Edwardian Imperial fripperies of Pomp and Circumstance March Number 1, Rule Britannia and it's Jolly Jack Tar tune probably has the edge as far as national tunes go.

― Ed (dali), Thursday, 8 September 2005 06:44 (twenty years ago)

No love for I Vow To Thee, My Country? The words are very suspicious, but it does have a very good tune, largely because when Holst was commissioned to write it he was too busy to come up with anything new, so just re-arranged the central theme from Jupiter.

― Forest Pines (ForestPines), Thursday, 8 September 2005 06:47 (twenty years ago)

(the whole of Jupiter always makes me think of a big steam train going on a long journey, largely because of the 3/4 section near the start that starts off roughly andante but gets faster and faster. I once tried to work out if any large 3-cylinder steam engines with 120-degree phasing had been built by the time Jupiter was written, so then I could say "it must have been inspired by a journey on *this* railway!")

― Forest Pines (ForestPines), Thursday, 8 September 2005 06:51 (twenty years ago)

When was Jupiter written? That's going to bug me until I find and answer.

― Ed (dali), Thursday, 8 September 2005 07:04 (twenty years ago)

Some time in the 1910s - I know Mars was written in 1913, and the whole piece was premiered in 1917.

― Forest Pines (ForestPines), Thursday, 8 September 2005 07:17 (twenty years ago)

I'm going to have to look that up now. Cailin may, be able to answer much quicker than I.

― Ed (dali), Thursday, 8 September 2005 07:18 (twenty years ago)

Colingwood then....

― Vicky (Vicky), Thursday, 8 September 2005 07:19 (twenty years ago)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/england/4221924.stm

― Vicky (Vicky), Thursday, 8 September 2005 07:20 (twenty years ago)

1880s for first ideas. By 1905 the NER and Midland had 3 cylinder compound locomotives in service (many more in France, some in Germany).

― Ed (dali), Thursday, 8 September 2005 07:27 (twenty years ago)

Our wittering is better than Blofeld's.

― Ed (dali), Thursday, 8 September 2005 07:33 (twenty years ago)

Collingwood - a surprise. Let's hope none of our frontline bowlers gets injured.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Thursday, 8 September 2005 07:36 (twenty years ago)

Did they have cranks set at 120 degrees, though?

Given that Holst lived in Gloucestershire, it's likely it would have been Midland 3-cylinder engines that he heard.

We should witter about cake more, I think.

― Forest Pines (ForestPines), Thursday, 8 September 2005 07:45 (twenty years ago)

Sweepstake on the number of the first bus Blofeld sees?

― Ed (dali), Thursday, 8 September 2005 07:46 (twenty years ago)

eng won the toss and are batting

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Thursday, 8 September 2005 08:03 (twenty years ago)

32

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Thursday, 8 September 2005 08:05 (twenty years ago)

winning toss = v good

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Thursday, 8 September 2005 08:07 (twenty years ago)

so basically the best thing about michael vaughn is he's VERY GOOD at winning the toss?

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Thursday, 8 September 2005 08:29 (twenty years ago)

It's not the best thing but it's certainly a good thing. Nasser Hussain was useless at it.

― Raymond Douglas Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 8 September 2005 08:31 (twenty years ago)

OMG kitkat ads.....

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Thursday, 8 September 2005 08:44 (twenty years ago)

"green and pleasant land" = damning with faint praise?

― Markelby (Mark C), Thursday, 8 September 2005 08:56 (twenty years ago)

Is bringing Tait on after Lee has only bowled 4 overs a sign of early panic from the aussies?

― Ed (dali), Thursday, 8 September 2005 09:18 (twenty years ago)

Yes. Yes it is.

― On one hand I've got myself to blame (Lynskey), Thursday, 8 September 2005 09:34 (twenty years ago)

Looks like a good batting pitch, winning the toss was crucial.

I like Jerusalem.

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Thursday, 8 September 2005 09:37 (twenty years ago)

74-0. Strauss is on FIRE!

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Thursday, 8 September 2005 09:39 (twenty years ago)

xxxxpost

Blofeld's not commentating on this match. Budget restrictions at the BBC.

― Venga (Venga), Thursday, 8 September 2005 09:40 (twenty years ago)

Boundaries galore.

I just thought this then read it on the beeb site:
HAVE YOUR SAY
Peronally, I think that Strauss and Mr T should be looking to bat out the full five days!
From CP

I also have to repeat this excellent phrase:
1131: Warne barely pitches on the cut strip and Trescothick does well to reach it without doing himself a mischief

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Thursday, 8 September 2005 09:42 (twenty years ago)

surely they pay blowers in cakes/pies though?

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Thursday, 8 September 2005 09:47 (twenty years ago)

The thing with Blowers is that all the TMS guys rotate and drop one test each (possibly for budgetary reasons) . The Oval was the one Blowers agreed to sit out.

Be a bit hard to believe his isn't there though.

― Pete (Pete), Thursday, 8 September 2005 09:49 (twenty years ago)

aw byebye tresco

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Thursday, 8 September 2005 09:50 (twenty years ago)

x-post vintage port I think. Except he's drunk the lot already.

Yes, he loves watching buses on the Harleyford Road.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Thursday, 8 September 2005 09:50 (twenty years ago)

The thing with Blowers is that all the TMS guys rotate and drop one test each (possibly for budgetary reasons) . The Oval was the one Blowers agreed to sit out.
Be a bit hard to believe his isn't there though.

Yes and CMJ's a bit of a dull old stick

― Raymond Douglas Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 8 September 2005 09:51 (twenty years ago)

The best thing about CMJ is when he confidently predicts how many runs the batsman will take, two milliseconds after he's hit the ball, and gets it wrong virtually every time

― Raymond Douglas Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 8 September 2005 09:52 (twenty years ago)

Tres OUT!

Cricinfo scoreboard is wrong though. It has Strauss on 31 n.o with NINE FOURS!

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Thursday, 8 September 2005 09:53 (twenty years ago)

now 6 fours, that computes.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Thursday, 8 September 2005 09:54 (twenty years ago)

shit!

― Pete W (peterw), Thursday, 8 September 2005 10:16 (twenty years ago)

vaughn gone

― Pete W (peterw), Thursday, 8 September 2005 10:16 (twenty years ago)

gah! bell gone

%^*@£($*%!

― Pete W (peterw), Thursday, 8 September 2005 10:27 (twenty years ago)

Oops it's WARNEHHHHH again!

― Raymond Douglas Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 8 September 2005 10:28 (twenty years ago)

104-3. Sounds like Bell got done by the slider again. SHIT.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Thursday, 8 September 2005 10:29 (twenty years ago)

Bugger.

― Forest Pines (ForestPines), Thursday, 8 September 2005 10:30 (twenty years ago)

England on the rack.

― Ed (dali), Thursday, 8 September 2005 10:33 (twenty years ago)

Ah well, I never thought we'd win anyway.

― Come Back Johnny B (Johnney B), Thursday, 8 September 2005 11:08 (twenty years ago)

We'll be fine.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Thursday, 8 September 2005 11:36 (twenty years ago)

131-4, bludy 'ell.

EVERY TIME someone comes to talk to me/rings me and thus i stop listening we lose another wicket!!! i haven't heard any of them yet...

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Thursday, 8 September 2005 11:39 (twenty years ago)

it's reassuring to see england revert to sucking at sport.

― ken c (ken c), Thursday, 8 September 2005 12:00 (twenty years ago)

I blame Sven for this.

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Thursday, 8 September 2005 12:03 (twenty years ago)

maybe he's been shagging warnie...

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Thursday, 8 September 2005 12:22 (twenty years ago)

http://www.lfcthailand.com/news/story/images/erikson.jpg
NICE ONE WARNEH!

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Thursday, 8 September 2005 12:50 (twenty years ago)

flintoff gone, for 72.

― Ste (Fuzzy), Thursday, 8 September 2005 14:44 (twenty years ago)

FREDDIIEEE!!!

― ledge (ledge), Thursday, 8 September 2005 14:46 (twenty years ago)

Double century for Strauss, Collingwood with a debut test century- nah half century, let's not be too ambitious - no problemo!

― ledge (ledge), Thursday, 8 September 2005 14:48 (twenty years ago)

jones could be good for 50 if strauss is there to partner him.

― Ed (dali), Thursday, 8 September 2005 15:06 (twenty years ago)

I should shut up

― Ed (dali), Thursday, 8 September 2005 15:13 (twenty years ago)

Same to me * 100...

― ledge (ledge), Thursday, 8 September 2005 15:29 (twenty years ago)

Scrape 350 - 60 and we're still in it. All a question of whether Harmison et al can reverse swing it. But, rain tomorrow afternoon, and a cloudy Saturday morning = orthodox swing. Plus, the Aussie tail has got to fail eventually.

― jel -- (jel), Thursday, 8 September 2005 15:41 (twenty years ago)

I think we can get up to 370ish if G. Jones can get runs off the new ball. At least Warne won't be bowling for 8-10 overs this morning. We're by no means out of it.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Friday, 9 September 2005 06:15 (twenty years ago)

I had a dream last night that we lost a wicket on only the second ball of the morning, the first was guarded safely but the second clean bowled the batsman.

Needless to say I would expect nothing less than eternal wealth if this were to happen.

― Ste (Fuzzy), Friday, 9 September 2005 07:32 (twenty years ago)

today, in his hat+suit, boycott = 50% jandek 50% michael gira!!

― Ward Fowler (Ward Fowler), Friday, 9 September 2005 08:24 (twenty years ago)

looking good then.

whatever eng's score its what these aussie batsmen do with it.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Friday, 9 September 2005 08:31 (twenty years ago)

or how much england's bowlers can contain them, I reckon this pitch is going to do more than was first thought.

― Ed (dali), Friday, 9 September 2005 08:32 (twenty years ago)

jones out just after a cracking shot -- good delivery

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Friday, 9 September 2005 08:38 (twenty years ago)

350 looks very far now Jones has gone

― Ed (dali), Friday, 9 September 2005 08:38 (twenty years ago)

It's Australia's Test

― Raymond Douglas Dadaismus (Dada), Friday, 9 September 2005 08:56 (twenty years ago)

if that tope six can bat long and they haven't done much of that.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Friday, 9 September 2005 08:59 (twenty years ago)

bye bye ashes
(well actually it's not really a goodbye, just not a hello)

― ken c (ken c), Friday, 9 September 2005 09:00 (twenty years ago)

Hayden hit a (rapid) century in his last innings. Collingwood instead of a proper bowler. I ph3ar the worst.

― Raymond Douglas Dadaismus (Dada), Friday, 9 September 2005 09:01 (twenty years ago)

I still keep the faith.

― Ed (dali), Friday, 9 September 2005 09:02 (twenty years ago)

Rain required, lots of rain.

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Friday, 9 September 2005 09:03 (twenty years ago)

... in the British weather!

― Raymond Douglas Dadaismus (Dada), Friday, 9 September 2005 09:04 (twenty years ago)

Beat me to it!

― Raymond Douglas Dadaismus (Dada), Friday, 9 September 2005 09:04 (twenty years ago)

bugger rain, its now up to hoggard, harmisson, giles and flintoff to do something magical with the ball.

― Ed (dali), Friday, 9 September 2005 09:04 (twenty years ago)

haha dada has the ph3ar cuz hayden scored a century against ESSEX!

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Friday, 9 September 2005 09:09 (twenty years ago)

On the flattest pitch ever!

― RickyT (RickyT), Friday, 9 September 2005 09:10 (twenty years ago)

I'm easily startled

― Raymond Douglas Dadaismus (Dada), Friday, 9 September 2005 09:13 (twenty years ago)

it's swinging. I reckon Hoggard could take early wickets.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Friday, 9 September 2005 09:16 (twenty years ago)

Hoggard's faced 28 balls without scoring.

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Friday, 9 September 2005 09:17 (twenty years ago)

Hoggy could be the saviour, 'tis true - bat and ball!!!

― Raymond Douglas Dadaismus (Dada), Friday, 9 September 2005 09:17 (twenty years ago)

incredible over from mcgrath - giles dropped by ponting at slip, next its a wide then giles nicks the last one to the keeper and the umpire doesn't give it.

warne is back on

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Friday, 9 September 2005 09:20 (twenty years ago)

Hoggy's flying now, 2 runs!

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Friday, 9 September 2005 09:23 (twenty years ago)

hoggard out

― Ed (dali), Friday, 9 September 2005 09:25 (twenty years ago)

Bah

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Friday, 9 September 2005 09:26 (twenty years ago)

harmisson, fluffs his first shot and his catch is missed.

― Ed (dali), Friday, 9 September 2005 09:29 (twenty years ago)

Lousy Aussie fielding is quite stupendous.

― Pete (Pete), Friday, 9 September 2005 09:30 (twenty years ago)

and we have the 350

― Ed (dali), Friday, 9 September 2005 09:30 (twenty years ago)

Saying which makes me wonder if we can have out own "The batsman's Holding The Bowlers' Willey," for ILx.

We have a Fielding!

― Pete (Pete), Friday, 9 September 2005 09:32 (twenty years ago)

373 all out

― Ed (dali), Friday, 9 September 2005 09:52 (twenty years ago)

Good stand from Harmison. Three straight fours.

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Friday, 9 September 2005 09:53 (twenty years ago)

useful last wicket stand

― Ed (dali), Friday, 9 September 2005 09:54 (twenty years ago)

wow!

― ken c (ken c), Friday, 9 September 2005 09:55 (twenty years ago)

One of the very best things about this series has been the fifty or so runs made by the tail. When you consider how close some of the victories have been, these runs are absoultely vital.

Not really happy with 373 at the Oval, BUT lets see the Aussies face our bowling.

― Pete (Pete), Friday, 9 September 2005 09:59 (twenty years ago)

bludy bludy bbc website has fallen over for me, grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr, may have to go out at lunchtime and buy small longwave radio...

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Friday, 9 September 2005 10:17 (twenty years ago)

Neither Langer nor Hayden look at all comfortable against Hoggy and Harmison.

― RickyT (RickyT), Friday, 9 September 2005 10:22 (twenty years ago)

it sounds very positive.

― Ed (dali), Friday, 9 September 2005 10:24 (twenty years ago)

dear argos GET ONE BOOLEAN SEARCH on yr website i don't want to search for long OR wave OR radio, i want to search for long AND wave AND radio, grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Friday, 9 September 2005 10:52 (twenty years ago)

cheapest on argos website
http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=3801&productId=160067&clickfrom=name

― ken c (ken c), Friday, 9 September 2005 10:57 (twenty years ago)

i lied!
http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=3801&productId=159404&Trail=C%24cip%3D28956.Sound%2Band%2Bvision%3EC%24cip%3D29018.CD%2Fradio%2Fcassette%2Bplayers%3EC%24cip%3D29024.Radios&categoryId=29024&clickfrom=name

― ken c (ken c), Friday, 9 September 2005 11:00 (twenty years ago)

The aussie openers always look a bit uncomfortable, get a few then get out for about 30.

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Friday, 9 September 2005 11:01 (twenty years ago)

You can hear Radio 4 on Medium Wave anyway - 720 MHz

― Raymond Douglas Dadaismus (Dada), Friday, 9 September 2005 11:01 (twenty years ago)

steve - radio 5 are there the whole time anyway, the LW reception in our computer stuffed office is appalling so I'm relying on Murphy, Tuffers, Gatting and Simon Mayonnaise

― Porkpie (porkpie), Friday, 9 September 2005 11:02 (twenty years ago)

But, as I said, you can hear Radio 4 on Medium Wave anyway - 720 MHz

― Raymond Douglas Dadaismus (Dada), Friday, 9 September 2005 11:03 (twenty years ago)

Jesus Christ, Giles Clark is an utter prick, isn't he?

― RickyT (RickyT), Friday, 9 September 2005 11:10 (twenty years ago)

are

― ken c (ken c), Friday, 9 September 2005 11:10 (twenty years ago)

oh oops didn't mean to do that.

― ken c (ken c), Friday, 9 September 2005 11:12 (twenty years ago)

is there anyone here watching this on TV at all just now? are they looking good?

― ken c (ken c), Friday, 9 September 2005 11:13 (twenty years ago)

dada is TMS on medium wave all day, i assumed it was just on longwave?

(website is working again now, for the time being anyway)

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Friday, 9 September 2005 11:26 (twenty years ago)

It is, but the reception's not as good

― Raymond Douglas Dadaismus (Dada), Friday, 9 September 2005 11:29 (twenty years ago)

it never used to be, it used to be that TMS would leave MW around 2 o'clock?

― Porkpie (porkpie), Friday, 9 September 2005 11:30 (twenty years ago)

We've got C4 on a laptop in the corner of the office. Sound is off, mind.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Friday, 9 September 2005 11:39 (twenty years ago)

What a lopsided opening partnership - Langer has just reached his 50 with two huge sixes but it's still only 66-0.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Friday, 9 September 2005 12:08 (twenty years ago)

And Langer's usually the plodder of the partnership!

― Raymond Douglas Dadaismus (Dada), Friday, 9 September 2005 12:10 (twenty years ago)

Now there are horseys on my telly. Make them go away.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Friday, 9 September 2005 12:16 (twenty years ago)

Half-chance (well, three-quarter chance) just went down in the slips. Horseys have gone away.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Friday, 9 September 2005 12:28 (twenty years ago)

did you see a horsey?

tresco just put one down by the sounds of things...

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Friday, 9 September 2005 12:28 (twenty years ago)

england have so blown this chance.

― Ste (Fuzzy), Friday, 9 September 2005 12:29 (twenty years ago)

Why is everyone so bizarrely pessimistic? 373 is OK, it's going to rain most of tomorrow and Sunday, England are not in such a bad position.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Friday, 9 September 2005 12:31 (twenty years ago)

well where is all this rain that was promised today ???

― Ste (Fuzzy), Friday, 9 September 2005 12:33 (twenty years ago)

A lot of panic on this thread, yes. their run rate hasn't been all that and eng have been bowling at a consistent line and length.

langer was nearly out from collingwood's bowling.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Friday, 9 September 2005 12:37 (twenty years ago)

Ah, I meant today and tomorrow for rain. Yes, these thundery showers are not forthcoming. I shall go out and have a butchers at the sky in a minute.

It's playing havoc with my bus ride home, this test. Yesterday I saw Oliver Letwin getting out of a cab near the ground. If I'd been on an open-top bus I could've struck him with my Diet Dr Pepper.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Friday, 9 September 2005 12:42 (twenty years ago)

Why is everyone so bizarrely pessimistic?

after the footie everyone remembered that our national sports teams are all rubbish.

― ken c (ken c), Friday, 9 September 2005 12:42 (twenty years ago)

Speak for yourself

― Raymond Douglas Dadaismus (Dada), Friday, 9 September 2005 12:43 (twenty years ago)

clouding over and humidity rising by the bt tower

― Ed (dali), Friday, 9 September 2005 12:50 (twenty years ago)

What happened to "bugger rain" Ed?

― Raymond Douglas Dadaismus (Dada), Friday, 9 September 2005 12:51 (twenty years ago)

I'm looking for a bit more swing, rather than delays.

― Ed (dali), Friday, 9 September 2005 12:55 (twenty years ago)

overnight rain looks likely and could be critical.

― Ed (dali), Friday, 9 September 2005 12:55 (twenty years ago)

According to Radio 5 it's raining in roehampton and thundering in fulham... but no sign of it at the Oval yet

― Vicky (Vicky), Friday, 9 September 2005 12:56 (twenty years ago)

this could be the first time ever I'm pleased to hear about the arrival of the darkness.

― Porkpie (porkpie), Friday, 9 September 2005 12:57 (twenty years ago)

It's absolutely PISSING down here in Twickenham!

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Friday, 9 September 2005 13:05 (twenty years ago)

RAIN

― Teh HoBB (the pirate king), Friday, 9 September 2005 13:13 (twenty years ago)

I was wondering where you lot were...

I might drop that bombshell about C4 being on a laptop in the corner of the office at the competition...

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Friday, 9 September 2005 13:19 (twenty years ago)

Bombshell dropped. Zero response.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller 68), Friday, 9 September 2005 13:23 (twenty years ago)

has rain stopped play? website hasn't moved for a bit

― Ste (Fuzzy), Friday, 9 September 2005 13:25 (twenty years ago)

tea

― Ed (dali), Friday, 9 September 2005 13:27 (twenty years ago)

bad light

― Teh HoBB (the pirate king), Friday, 9 September 2005 13:30 (twenty years ago)

rain, aussie's wouldn't accept bad light

― Vicky (Vicky), Friday, 9 September 2005 13:32 (twenty years ago)

Anyone near the ground? Pretty gloomy here at Waterloo but no actual rain, and looks a bit brighter towards the south.

Can't believe the weather's getting more analysis than the actual play.

― ledge (ledge), Friday, 9 September 2005 13:32 (twenty years ago)

"The umpires have offered Langer and Hayden the light ... and they've accepted it"!!

― ledge (ledge), Friday, 9 September 2005 13:33 (twenty years ago)

sorry, you're right. Why on earth would they accept bad light?!

― Vicky (Vicky), Friday, 9 September 2005 13:33 (twenty years ago)

[makes very loud chicken noises]

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Friday, 9 September 2005 13:34 (twenty years ago)

thunder in W1, no more play today, I think.

― Ed (dali), Friday, 9 September 2005 13:37 (twenty years ago)

Are we sure these guys are actually Australian?

― Raymond Douglas Dadaismus (Dada), Friday, 9 September 2005 13:38 (twenty years ago)

They are clearly going into a witness protection program now!

They would accept bad light because if they can't see the ball they are more likely to get hurt/get out. Alos if the accept the light, the cover will go on so the wicket is less likely to get wet enough to make it better for our bowlers.

But mainly cos they are chickenshit.

― Pete (Pete), Friday, 9 September 2005 13:43 (twenty years ago)

Thunder rumbling over in the east (some lovely fork lightning visible from Oxford Street). I think I just avoided a soaking.

# It might as well rain until September (13th) #

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Friday, 9 September 2005 13:48 (twenty years ago)

there is no rain in walthamstow

― Teh HoBB (the pirate king), Friday, 9 September 2005 13:52 (twenty years ago)

what a wonderful song title

― Ste (Fuzzy), Friday, 9 September 2005 14:04 (twenty years ago)

Ah well, C4 showed the highlights of the 20:20 international. So that was fun.

― Matt (Matt), Friday, 9 September 2005 14:43 (twenty years ago)

England retake the field as the women's team - who won their Ashes series for the first time in 42 years - complete a lap of honour at The Oval. Conditions are still very overcast.

woo! come on england!

― ken c (ken c), Friday, 9 September 2005 14:46 (twenty years ago)

I fear the Aussies will make a very big total, but hey maybe they'll collapse once we get a wicket!

Should never have booked Leicester Square (or where-ever) to parade the Ashes in.

― jel -- (jel), Friday, 9 September 2005 15:12 (twenty years ago)

When I heard about that I thought it wd have given the aussies that extra incentive - hayden's just reached his 50.

weirdly eng have been bowling well but this opening partnership have been equal to it: "better late than never"

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Saturday, 10 September 2005 10:16 (twenty years ago)

Depressing.

― jel -- (jel), Saturday, 10 September 2005 10:17 (twenty years ago)

langer's 100 but what a fucking over - he's gone

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Saturday, 10 September 2005 11:36 (twenty years ago)

fuck me...finally some fire from harminson.

and now rain...

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Saturday, 10 September 2005 11:37 (twenty years ago)

They had a stat yesterday on C4 - England's average 1st inns opening partnership was 60-odd in this series while Australia's stood at 29 point something. I did think at the time, how many do Hayden and Langer have to make here to equalise that stat? They almost did it.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Saturday, 10 September 2005 11:56 (twenty years ago)

Saw that stat and was wondering. After nullifying Gilchrist shutting down that opening partnership has been the next best thing that eng have done. until now.

this is heavy rain -- damn I know I should be happy but this will prb be the last time I'll watch live cricket for the next 4 years (maybe for ever you know...anyone seriously think this'll go back on the 'free for everybody' list cuz I doubt it)

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Saturday, 10 September 2005 12:14 (twenty years ago)

It is now raining in walthamstow

― Teh HoBB (the pirate king), Saturday, 10 September 2005 13:37 (twenty years ago)

raining? it was pissing it down.

stopped now though

― Porkpie (porkpie), Saturday, 10 September 2005 14:36 (twenty years ago)

I've already resigned myself to getting Sky, think I will get it in time for October's super series.

― jel -- (jel), Saturday, 10 September 2005 15:33 (twenty years ago)

Hell yeah Freddy!

England making it look like they're gonna fight for this as they secretly pray for rain.

― uptoeleven (uptoeleven), Saturday, 10 September 2005 15:56 (twenty years ago)

Maybe this'll help..

― uptoeleven (uptoeleven), Saturday, 10 September 2005 16:00 (twenty years ago)

Whoa - just checked the BBC site and saw 277-2. I can't believe they played after the 4:15pm interruption - we had a four-hour thunderstorm in SE19!

More rain forecast for tomorrow but not for Monday. I guess the Aussie aim must be for England to bat last on this pitch - build up such a lead that Warne can spin Australia to an innings win inside two/two-and-a-half sessions on the last day. As well as they're going, I doubt the Aussies will face enough overs between the showers tomorrow to be sufficiently far ahead by close of play to declare. They'll have to keep plodding on into day five (I can't see us bowling them out for less than 475 at this point), and the amount of time England will have to survive will reduce.

I think we might all be crapping ourselves again come 5pm on Monday, England needing 130 to force a fourth inning, wobbling on 115-6 or something.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Saturday, 10 September 2005 22:09 (twenty years ago)

There was some debate about what the aussies wd do: the alternative wd be that they would get say 100-150 ahead with an hour to go (get gilchrist to move up the order). warne bowls 'em out with enough time to knock off the runs (98 overs in the last day and they can chase 'em even if it gets dark).

as for eng the new ball will be up soon so they gotta get 3-4 quick wickets and stop all of this talk!

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Saturday, 10 September 2005 22:17 (twenty years ago)

martyn out - new ball not taken yet - the fightback begins!!!

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Sunday, 11 September 2005 08:39 (twenty years ago)

clarke dropped by flintoff grr but the captain seemed to give a message for these guys to get quick runs so there might be opportunities.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Sunday, 11 September 2005 09:08 (twenty years ago)

if that had been anyone but Fred, they'd still be showing replays and laying into him now. absolutely dreadful, and worse, probably a licence for Clarke to ride his luck and hit a half century.

― Lee F# (fsharp), Sunday, 11 September 2005 09:29 (twenty years ago)

the only person they might've benn "laying into" has been pietersen but rightly so as he's dropped so many.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Sunday, 11 September 2005 09:35 (twenty years ago)

hayden out leg-before flintoff!

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Sunday, 11 September 2005 09:42 (twenty years ago)

how was that?

― ken c (ken c), Sunday, 11 September 2005 09:43 (twenty years ago)

that was good. katich also out -- even better

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Sunday, 11 September 2005 09:56 (twenty years ago)

woah!

― ken c (ken c), Sunday, 11 September 2005 09:56 (twenty years ago)

how funny would it be if we bowled them out before they reached our total? hee hee. if by some miracle we win this test, i will weep with joy and laughter.

― Lee F# (fsharp), Sunday, 11 September 2005 09:58 (twenty years ago)

its amazing what a couple of wickets can do

i'd like to see gilchist back in the pavillion

get them out take the light then see what tommorow brings

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Sunday, 11 September 2005 10:04 (twenty years ago)

i'm around the corner from the Oval and it's almost too dark too see my keyboard. why aren't the umpires offering me the light?

― Lee F# (fsharp), Sunday, 11 September 2005 10:07 (twenty years ago)

bad light is only offered if there's danger to your safety! in this day and age with the escape key to undo things safety is no longer really an issue

― ken c (ken c), Sunday, 11 September 2005 10:09 (twenty years ago)

surely ctrl-z

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Sunday, 11 September 2005 10:12 (twenty years ago)

i could just about grope for the top right of the keyboard, but if i have to hit ctrl and z at the same time, i could be in all sorts of trouble.

Hoggy's not having any luck. he has deserved wickets. he also seems to have been the the main victim of fielding errors.

― Lee F# (fsharp), Sunday, 11 September 2005 10:18 (twenty years ago)

i meant top left, of course.

― Lee F# (fsharp), Sunday, 11 September 2005 10:19 (twenty years ago)

OUT

― ken c (ken c), Sunday, 11 September 2005 10:28 (twenty years ago)

well, there you go. just reward.

― Lee F# (fsharp), Sunday, 11 September 2005 10:28 (twenty years ago)

gilchrist OUT yes!!!

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Sunday, 11 September 2005 10:29 (twenty years ago)

lunch for me too! x o

― ken c (ken c), Sunday, 11 September 2005 10:30 (twenty years ago)

hell yeah!! now it's happening. the game is surely disappearing from Australia now.

― Lee F# (fsharp), Sunday, 11 September 2005 11:28 (twenty years ago)

haha

they're not even going to reach our total at this rate!

― cozen (Cozen), Sunday, 11 September 2005 11:28 (twenty years ago)

do you think maybe england should try and keep australia in there as long as they can? (i.e. not bowl out the last wicket!!!) so that they don't have to bat today??

― ken c (ken c), Sunday, 11 September 2005 11:35 (twenty years ago)

this is awesome!

― toby (tsg20), Sunday, 11 September 2005 11:35 (twenty years ago)

hilarious!

― cozen (Cozen), Sunday, 11 September 2005 11:35 (twenty years ago)

Hate to be depressing but I have the feeling that this is all gonna backfire, they will shoot us out and run the score down easily; and we wish we had let them get 500 and then just batted for the draw.

― , Sunday, 11 September 2005 11:39 (twenty years ago)

that's what i meant!

― ken c (ken c), Sunday, 11 September 2005 11:40 (twenty years ago)

but i guess it's just a case of england will need to bat better than australia today+tomorrow?

― ken c (ken c), Sunday, 11 September 2005 11:40 (twenty years ago)

all over!

― ken c (ken c), Sunday, 11 September 2005 11:42 (twenty years ago)

i agree that it would've been better in the circumstances to try to contain Australia and let them bat longer and scoring slowly, but that'd be a hard one to pull off. at least it's in our hands now.

― Lee F# (fsharp), Sunday, 11 September 2005 11:44 (twenty years ago)

aaa - I would have disagreed w/ you bcz the light wasn't so good this morning but apparently its better now so we can't get off the field.

I can see eng getting bowled out for 120, the light getting worse and then the aussies having a better conditions to chase and win the game tomorrow. bah, it makes me sick. xxp

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Sunday, 11 September 2005 11:44 (twenty years ago)

yeah I don't fancy batting out there

looks real muggy and dirty

― cozen (Cozen), Sunday, 11 September 2005 11:46 (twenty years ago)

ok so the light would have been offered so warne is coming in. either ponting or katich in the other end. we'll see.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Sunday, 11 September 2005 12:09 (twenty years ago)

oh dear

― Teh HoBB (the pirate king), Sunday, 11 September 2005 12:12 (twenty years ago)

this is unbearable!

― cozen (Cozen), Sunday, 11 September 2005 12:12 (twenty years ago)

cobblers

― Masked Gazza, Sunday, 11 September 2005 12:12 (twenty years ago)

keep yr eyes peeled fr corposant

― cozen (Cozen), Sunday, 11 September 2005 12:16 (twenty years ago)

on balance, i'd have preferred it if Strauss hadn't got out.

i'm not trying to be controversial - it's just how i feel.

― Lee F# (fsharp), Sunday, 11 September 2005 12:18 (twenty years ago)

Ha! Twenty thousand people cheering the fact that nothing's happening.

― Teh HoBB (the pirate king), Sunday, 11 September 2005 12:22 (twenty years ago)

hmm, mixed feelings. what am i going to do with my afternoon now?

― Lee F# (fsharp), Sunday, 11 September 2005 12:24 (twenty years ago)

you pay yr ticket and then hope that you don't see anything...first the umbrellas up, then its the OFF OFF chants.

I've seen it all now.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Sunday, 11 September 2005 12:30 (twenty years ago)

It's not gonna rain tomorrow is it? Once another wicket goes bell and pietersen have been rather poor the past few tests and gone cheaply. I'd hate to lose the ashes now after being great all the way through. I really feel we needed a good start from the openers.
We're relying on the weather.

― Last Of The Famous International Pfunkboys (Kerr), Sunday, 11 September 2005 12:47 (twenty years ago)

back on @ 3:10

With Warne the Aussies are a lot more than in this

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Sunday, 11 September 2005 13:06 (twenty years ago)

sunglasses, brilliant

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Sunday, 11 September 2005 13:08 (twenty years ago)

"It's so dark it's unbelievable!" hehe

― jel -- (jel), Sunday, 11 September 2005 15:20 (twenty years ago)

Listening to TMS, this has been another thriller. The weather has been helpful but not as good as the bowling and fielding demonstrated by England (Admittedly aided by some weird tactical decisions by the aussies)

― Ed (dali), Sunday, 11 September 2005 15:39 (twenty years ago)

You know I had the feeling that when eng came back after the early tea break that we could've stayed on. I mean clarke was on at the other end and we're always gonna score off him and that means no pressure for warne to build on meaning he would've needed to produce magic balls - thought eng were looking good to build a nice lead. Not even warne is capable of that kind of stuff every innings (the batsmen who were out playing poorly in the 1st innings should've learned a bit more: vaughan looked great) but I guess its the safest option and anyone would have taken the light, not least the aussies were the roles to be reversed.

I say all that bcz an aussie win, though unlikely at this point, is still possible. Only 40 ahead and it might be bright enough to get mcgrath/lee/warne combination from first on. Hopefully it'll get gloomy again and the umpires have to be consistent nevermind whether they've correctly applied the laws of the game.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Sunday, 11 September 2005 18:03 (twenty years ago)

any way for me to listen to the cricket today on a computer that won't let me install realplayer?

― cozen (Cozen), Monday, 12 September 2005 07:22 (twenty years ago)

It's pretty dark in SW London. I don't think a full day is possible. I am worried that another wicket or two goes early and then Bell and KP will be in. Julio is OTM for the most part, except that I believe he can get any of our guys out at virtually any time.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Monday, 12 September 2005 07:44 (twenty years ago)

i can't listen to the cricket, but the sky live scores thing updates quickly. the OBO isn't a patch on the Guardian in terms of entertainment, but it's quicker and more reliable.

― Lee F# (fsharp), Monday, 12 September 2005 07:54 (twenty years ago)

www.cricinfo.com has he fastest updates I think, guardian is good for entertainment

Also 5Live Sports extra has a windows media stream

― Ed (dali), Monday, 12 September 2005 07:57 (twenty years ago)

it's getting lighter by the minute out of my Centre Point window. that could be to do with the whole night-day transition, i suppose, but the cloud cover does seem to be lightening. with condition improving, if we avoid losing early wickets we'll do this. i'm getting very good at typing with my fingers crossed.

― Lee F# (fsharp), Monday, 12 September 2005 08:01 (twenty years ago)

cozen, you can also listen to TMS using windows media player on fivelive extra:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/fivelive/theashes2005/

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Monday, 12 September 2005 08:21 (twenty years ago)

I reckon it's going to be light enough for play now. I am VERY worried. Yesterday's bowling shows how much we deserve to win this, but I am still anxious that a killer spell by Warne + a very last hurrah by by McGrath (I doubt he has it in him, but...) could cause problems.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Monday, 12 September 2005 08:25 (twenty years ago)

We deserve this series, Warne deserves something for his outstanding performances.

Here we go guys.

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Monday, 12 September 2005 08:29 (twenty years ago)

Every Warne over takes 10 minutes from my life.

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Monday, 12 September 2005 08:33 (twenty years ago)

Just last until tea and score 200-220. That's all we need.

I wish our boss would click the icon to turn the laptop into full-screen 16x9 - they all look like basketball players at the moment.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Monday, 12 September 2005 08:36 (twenty years ago)

We need to keep scoring.

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Monday, 12 September 2005 08:45 (twenty years ago)

ponting has lee from the other end. wasn't expecting that.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 12 September 2005 08:46 (twenty years ago)

vaughan carrying on from yesterday. tresco has taken a cpl of smart singles but looks like he needs more time...

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 12 September 2005 08:50 (twenty years ago)

warne back on...

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 12 September 2005 08:57 (twenty years ago)

...and looking dangerous already, Tresco lucky by all accounts.

what happened to the good old days, when hotels used to poison visting teams' food?

― Lee F# (fsharp), Monday, 12 September 2005 09:03 (twenty years ago)

cozen : i hadn't checked this time round but the last test bbc had media player version of their commentary.

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 12 September 2005 09:05 (twenty years ago)

yeah it didn't work either

: /

thanks for the tips ppl

guardian it is

― cozen (Cozen), Monday, 12 September 2005 09:06 (twenty years ago)

vaughan out

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 12 September 2005 09:11 (twenty years ago)

shoite

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Monday, 12 September 2005 09:12 (twenty years ago)

mcgrath on a hat-trick. oh dear

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 12 September 2005 09:13 (twenty years ago)

bloody Ian Bell...

that's a pair.

― Lee F# (fsharp), Monday, 12 September 2005 09:14 (twenty years ago)

haha

nice one bell

my favourite!

― cozen (Cozen), Monday, 12 September 2005 09:14 (twenty years ago)

fuck fuck fuck

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Monday, 12 September 2005 09:16 (twenty years ago)

good work billy bowden

― , Monday, 12 September 2005 09:16 (twenty years ago)

OH HEARTATTACK!!! bastards. why am i at work?

― Lee F# (fsharp), Monday, 12 September 2005 09:17 (twenty years ago)

BLIMEY!

it's getting sunnier too...

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Monday, 12 September 2005 09:17 (twenty years ago)

sunnier is good though no? easier batting?!?!?!?

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 12 September 2005 09:18 (twenty years ago)

jesus every ball looks like it could get them out at the moment

― , Monday, 12 September 2005 09:18 (twenty years ago)

if it ain't gonna rain then it may as well be not overcast!

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 12 September 2005 09:18 (twenty years ago)

Christ, I thought that was off the glove.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Monday, 12 September 2005 09:19 (twenty years ago)

no it was off the shoulder.

pietersen dropped by hayden off warne. very tough though.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 12 September 2005 09:21 (twenty years ago)

predictions by people watching it please?!

if england stay till tea, are we clear?

what do we need? 220

haha we!

― cozen (Cozen), Monday, 12 September 2005 09:21 (twenty years ago)

weren't england pretty good at batting at some point this summer?

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 12 September 2005 09:22 (twenty years ago)

dropped by gilchrist and hayden indeed xxpost

― , Monday, 12 September 2005 09:22 (twenty years ago)

I'm half-watching it with the sound off. If McGrath/Warne keep this up, all out for 150. Just need to weather the storm and not lose any more before lunch.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Monday, 12 September 2005 09:24 (twenty years ago)

SHITE. I can't watch this. Tres MUST stay in until tea. KP MUST now justify the hype and play a real test match innings as opposed to a crashbangwallop 50. Mind you a brisk 50 would be handy.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Monday, 12 September 2005 09:25 (twenty years ago)

why can't england gain composure in the wicket anymore? what the hell has happended to us?

― Ste (Fuzzy), Monday, 12 September 2005 09:25 (twenty years ago)

terrifying!

― cozen (Cozen), Monday, 12 September 2005 09:26 (twenty years ago)


if kp and freddie both hit crash bang wallop 50s we're laughing, albeit nervously.

― Pete W (peterw), Monday, 12 September 2005 09:27 (twenty years ago)

haha warney, not out son

― , Monday, 12 September 2005 09:27 (twenty years ago)

i don't think i've ever seen a ball turn as much as that

― , Monday, 12 September 2005 09:28 (twenty years ago)

i reckon warney will clock up 100 appeals by lunch.

― Pete W (peterw), Monday, 12 September 2005 09:28 (twenty years ago)

Pietersen: get a haircut, grow some balls, score some fucking runs.

i'm not a cruel person, but i hope Ian Bell is in tears now, choking back snot-clogged sobs of misery at his own inadequacy and the end of his England career. and i support Warwickshire.

my prediction is that i contract some kind of tropical disease and nick off home this afternoon to watch the rest of this horrow on TV. the way i'm imagining this has to be worse than the reality.

― Lee F# (fsharp), Monday, 12 September 2005 09:28 (twenty years ago)

I'd say if we're all out for 180 aus wd be favourites, sure (light doesn't come into this anymore - lovely sunny day, aus won't get off even if its pitch black) but they still have to score them and if there's any swing we could bowl 'em out on this pitch. we'd need at least 180 I'd say.

rod marsh did say (interview at trent bridge) somthing like: they aren't playing well but this is a team of champions.

guess this is what it means. many xposts

pietersen just hit a nice boundary.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 12 September 2005 09:32 (twenty years ago)

That ball from Warne was stupid, a freak, pitched way outside leg and was practically missing off.

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Monday, 12 September 2005 09:41 (twenty years ago)

i don't think it's necessarily how many runs england score but now long england stay in to bat to score those runs.

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 12 September 2005 09:42 (twenty years ago)

If that's out they should both be whipped

― , Monday, 12 September 2005 09:44 (twenty years ago)

thank fuck for that

― , Monday, 12 September 2005 09:45 (twenty years ago)

aaargh! pleasepleaseplease...

― Lee F# (fsharp), Monday, 12 September 2005 09:45 (twenty years ago)

ken completely right, i'd like us to still be there at 3pm.

― Ste (Fuzzy), Monday, 12 September 2005 09:46 (twenty years ago)

i want to see australia needing 4 runs to win the test on the final ball of the day, and england chooses to bowl a grounder.

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 12 September 2005 09:50 (twenty years ago)

fantastic shot from tresco to end that last warne over. he's looking cool.

mcgrath is off. lee is on.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 12 September 2005 09:50 (twenty years ago)

warne drops pietersen!!!

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 12 September 2005 09:51 (twenty years ago)

Holy shit.

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Monday, 12 September 2005 09:51 (twenty years ago)

this is getting painful.

― Porkpie (porkpie), Monday, 12 September 2005 09:52 (twenty years ago)

how could you drop that? c'mon Pieterson make the most of it

― , Monday, 12 September 2005 09:53 (twenty years ago)

pietersen is no form so if he scraps a 30 with tresco I'll be glad.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 12 September 2005 09:53 (twenty years ago)

australia are just paying back pietersen the favours

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 12 September 2005 09:54 (twenty years ago)

pietersen hits a six off warne

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 12 September 2005 09:54 (twenty years ago)

despite the fact that Pietersen will go any minute now, the positive is that we're putting runs on...six! ha ha! someone has to teach this guy how to play Test cricket against world class bowlers.

― Lee F# (fsharp), Monday, 12 September 2005 09:55 (twenty years ago)

another one!

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 12 September 2005 09:57 (twenty years ago)

wicket or six?

― Ste (Fuzzy), Monday, 12 September 2005 09:58 (twenty years ago)

Another, go KP, this is crazy, no-one hits Warne for 2 sixes when trying to draw to win the Ashes.

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Monday, 12 September 2005 09:59 (twenty years ago)

well if he's already been dropped twice anyway he may as well get some runs before he's caught!!

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 12 September 2005 10:00 (twenty years ago)

I wish C4 would put a bloody great "R" on their replays; I keep turning round to see Aussie celebrations and my heart sinks. 109-3. Keep chugging away.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Monday, 12 September 2005 10:00 (twenty years ago)

michael clarke was also dropped twice (once by flintoff at slips, DO YOU SEE!!!). he made 20-somtheing.

pietersen is on 30.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 12 September 2005 10:02 (twenty years ago)

tresco out lbw

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 12 September 2005 10:03 (twenty years ago)

shit.

― toby (tsg20), Monday, 12 September 2005 10:04 (twenty years ago)

oh no tresco gone

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Monday, 12 September 2005 10:04 (twenty years ago)

flintoff on -- here we go. good thing is we've run out of left handers.

(hey I'm always trying to look on the +ve side)

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 12 September 2005 10:06 (twenty years ago)

: O

hairy

― cozen (Cozen), Monday, 12 September 2005 10:06 (twenty years ago)

A Thorpe, A Thorpe, My kingdom for a Thorpe.

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Monday, 12 September 2005 10:07 (twenty years ago)

extras '0' - not a single no ball...

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 12 September 2005 10:09 (twenty years ago)

until now -- 4 byes.

10 mins to before lunch

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 12 September 2005 10:18 (twenty years ago)

warne's last over. and hopefully brazil won't score before half-time.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 12 September 2005 10:24 (twenty years ago)

caught and bowled. jesus fucking christ its rivaldo

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 12 September 2005 10:24 (twenty years ago)

oh fucknuts

― hold tight the private caller (mwah), Monday, 12 September 2005 10:25 (twenty years ago)

australia win the ashes!

― cozen (Cozen), Monday, 12 September 2005 10:25 (twenty years ago)

heart attacks all round

― Ed (dali), Monday, 12 September 2005 10:25 (twenty years ago)

that's warne the man of the series then

― Porkpie (porkpie), Monday, 12 September 2005 10:25 (twenty years ago)

oh god no.

― toby (tsg20), Monday, 12 September 2005 10:25 (twenty years ago)

flintoff c&b warne, to translate...

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Monday, 12 September 2005 10:25 (twenty years ago)

i dont know what to say.

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Monday, 12 September 2005 10:26 (twenty years ago)

my heart's sunk

― cozen (Cozen), Monday, 12 September 2005 10:27 (twenty years ago)

Don't worry, we've still got Matthew Hoggard.

― , Monday, 12 September 2005 10:27 (twenty years ago)

stay down Kevin, stay down!!!

― Porkpie (porkpie), Monday, 12 September 2005 10:28 (twenty years ago)

argh.

― spontine (cis), Monday, 12 September 2005 10:30 (twenty years ago)

god england sucks

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 12 September 2005 10:31 (twenty years ago)

what a last over this is. test of character for pietersen.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 12 September 2005 10:32 (twenty years ago)

fuck me that was close

― , Monday, 12 September 2005 10:32 (twenty years ago)

lee is on fkn fire - giving it everything...

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 12 September 2005 10:32 (twenty years ago)

has he got any fingers left after that though?

― , Monday, 12 September 2005 10:32 (twenty years ago)

Lunch

omg

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Monday, 12 September 2005 10:34 (twenty years ago)

Now lets make it through to tea please lads

― , Monday, 12 September 2005 10:35 (twenty years ago)

DAmn I wish I was at home watching this. Though I may be cowering behind the sofa. A part of my died when Freddie went. And I'm not even English! Collingwood, your time is now...

― Crackity (Crackity Jones), Monday, 12 September 2005 10:36 (twenty years ago)

on the nerves question - i was punching walls and screamin' at the end of the last 3 games but posting here is kinda...therapeutic.

its lunch - pietersen can recompose himself.

can someone kill tony grieg - eng lost all their wkts while he was commentating its his fault!!!

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 12 September 2005 10:38 (twenty years ago)

ha, now i have to go and hang out with australians at a maths conference in canada, so that'll probably be the last i'll hear of the cricket until the result comes in. i'm kinda jealous of everyone who can see/hear the rest of it, although it's just going to be nerve-wracking stuff from here on, i guess.

― toby (tsg20), Monday, 12 September 2005 10:38 (twenty years ago)

fucking NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. Well we'll see what Colly is made of. I am almost vomiting with anxiety now.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Monday, 12 September 2005 10:38 (twenty years ago)

They're trying to kick us off the pitch, lads.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Monday, 12 September 2005 10:40 (twenty years ago)

yeah

I have a definite angsty feeling in my upper-chest

I'm going to step-out at 1 to try pick up the first 20mins after lunch

it's very exciting

― cozen (Cozen), Monday, 12 September 2005 10:42 (twenty years ago)

no that's not right

I should get 50mins!

this is today's emoticon

:-&

― cozen (Cozen), Monday, 12 September 2005 10:46 (twenty years ago)

dude richie benaud is on.

(did anyone see the inetrview with him on sunday - he caught hollyoaks after all those 'we'll stay till the end of the game so no hollyoaks' - HE LIKES HOLLYOAKS)

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 12 September 2005 10:47 (twenty years ago)

maybe he meant adam hollyoaks

has richie benaud always been this pale?? he looked like a ghost the other day i thought he was going to dissolve in the daylight.

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 12 September 2005 11:00 (twenty years ago)

I can't picture him watching the 'yoaks somehow

― , Monday, 12 September 2005 11:04 (twenty years ago)

What, you think Richie doesn't like attractive young women at college in Chester? (Its no Chester-Le-Street mind)

― Pete (Pete), Monday, 12 September 2005 11:06 (twenty years ago)

he would be appalled by the acting.

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 12 September 2005 11:07 (twenty years ago)

How badly are England missing Graham Thorpe? Surely David Graveney should've, in Alan Patridgeian terms, swallowed humble pie and asked, nay begged, Thorpe to return. At least for this final test, before which we all knew Bell wasn't up to it; plus, it's at Thorpe's home ground, this...

Somehow I think he'd have made a far greater contribution than Bell's ahem, pair: at least have England 200 in front at this equivalent stage.

A lot of players (Giles, G. Jones, Collingwood, Pietersen) are now going to have to show that they are worthy of winning the Ashes by playing great knocks. I don't feel too confident, considering the supposedly better upper-order failed to do so.

― Tom May (Tom May), Monday, 12 September 2005 11:09 (twenty years ago)

C'mon England, you can do it. I have faith in them, especially our secret weapon Matthew Hoggard.

― , Monday, 12 September 2005 11:13 (twenty years ago)

funny how bell's place was never in question at the start of this series, it was always between pietersen and thorpe. But thorpe (left-hander) would've found it v difficult with those footmarks. but yes that was a big mistake...

as the players descended down the steps this really nervous looking kid tapped collingwood's shoulder.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 12 September 2005 11:16 (twenty years ago)

let's get this innings over and done with and let freddie single handedly bowl out the whole australia lineup for 70 and pwn them IN STYLE.

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 12 September 2005 11:18 (twenty years ago)

the aussies have deserved the win today if they get it, and it's certainly looking that way. I really don't see us bowling them out like they've done today.

― Ste (Fuzzy), Monday, 12 September 2005 11:19 (twenty years ago)

come on dude, remember yesterday's heroics!!

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 12 September 2005 11:20 (twenty years ago)

you don't know that ste - its nervy on both sides - warne dropped an easy catch.

pietersen hits a six!

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 12 September 2005 11:22 (twenty years ago)

50 for pietersen

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 12 September 2005 11:25 (twenty years ago)

he's our hero of the innings.

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 12 September 2005 11:27 (twenty years ago)

eng 150 ahead

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 12 September 2005 11:29 (twenty years ago)

The Kiwi ump just had cause to do that crazy "I'm climbing up a ladder with just my fingers" thing.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Monday, 12 September 2005 11:31 (twenty years ago)

Pieterson better know what he's doing.

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Monday, 12 September 2005 11:31 (twenty years ago)

We've got a chance now even if we're all out quite soon. With Jones and Giles left to come we are definitely favourites again now.

― , Monday, 12 September 2005 11:31 (twenty years ago)

another six - lee's last (great) over before lunch comes back to haunt him. he's trying to bounce him but pietersen is focused after lunch. 12 off the last 3 deliveries.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 12 September 2005 11:32 (twenty years ago)

16 off the last 4.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 12 September 2005 11:33 (twenty years ago)

Got to see Lee getting some long-handle. Rat-faced grinning twunt.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Monday, 12 September 2005 11:35 (twenty years ago)

Lee is been competitive with ball and bat but throughout this series he's tended to ball a lot of garbage after lunch or tea.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 12 September 2005 11:41 (twenty years ago)

too much pasta

― Ste (Fuzzy), Monday, 12 September 2005 11:42 (twenty years ago)

two quick fours from pietersen after collingwood gets a single. the second is a baseball smack. shot of the day!

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 12 September 2005 11:44 (twenty years ago)

Pietersen is making me nervous.

― RickyT (RickyT), Monday, 12 September 2005 11:45 (twenty years ago)

The BBC Blog are keen to prove that REAL ACTUAL YOOF are watching!

I'm in school desperately tryin 2 find out da score. Hope dat vaughan will have his hands on da little urn by da end of the day.

― Tom (Groke), Monday, 12 September 2005 11:46 (twenty years ago)

mcgrath is back now...

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 12 September 2005 11:49 (twenty years ago)

Pietersen is making YOU nervous. Me and my auditor have decided to turn TMS off because we were getting no work done and I'm paying £1000 a day for him to be in here.

― Pete (Pete), Monday, 12 September 2005 11:49 (twenty years ago)

tony grieg is commentating. damn!

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 12 September 2005 11:50 (twenty years ago)

I've just realised I'm treating this like a 1-day match now. Each over I'm recomputing the run-rate that the Australians would need to get if they bowl us all out within an over.

(it's about 2.8 now)

― Forest Pines (ForestPines), Monday, 12 September 2005 11:51 (twenty years ago)

i think now that the wickets have fallen it is worth knocking up the runs and possibly go for a victory!!! (at least give australia a big target to chase)

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 12 September 2005 11:52 (twenty years ago)

Hmm, I wonder what is contributing to your One Day feeling. Is it the way KEVIN BLOODY PIETERSEN is playing as if we have three over to get 290? (Its been wonderful to watch all summer, but nevertheless England inability to bat for more than three sessions is a slight failing).

― Pete (Pete), Monday, 12 September 2005 11:53 (twenty years ago)

I'm in school desperately tryin 2 find out da score. Hope dat vaughan will have his hands on da little urn by da end of the day.

Teachers today, eh?

― C J (C J), Monday, 12 September 2005 11:53 (twenty years ago)

I don't think there's any chance that a match victory's on, to be honest. We still need to keep playing defensively and hang on to the remaining half of the wickets for as long as we can.

― Forest Pines (ForestPines), Monday, 12 September 2005 11:54 (twenty years ago)

eng 180 ahead...

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 12 September 2005 11:55 (twenty years ago)

warne going round the wkt to pietersen to try and dry up the runs

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 12 September 2005 11:57 (twenty years ago)

We still need to keep playing defensively and hang on to the remaining half of the wickets for as long as we can.

KEEP?

― Pete (Pete), Monday, 12 September 2005 11:58 (twenty years ago)

or bowl him round his pads

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 12 September 2005 11:58 (twenty years ago)

Well, just "play defensively" in Pietersen's case then :-)

― Forest Pines (ForestPines), Monday, 12 September 2005 11:59 (twenty years ago)

pietersen might edge - umpires conferencing.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 12 September 2005 12:00 (twenty years ago)

not out...

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 12 September 2005 12:01 (twenty years ago)

interesting, even from from the slow motion replay is quite hard to tell (did it hit the bat, go onto the foot, NOT hit the gound). the third umpire was not asked.

anyway...

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 12 September 2005 12:04 (twenty years ago)

mcgrath just bowled a maiden - aus getting some control back - get out of there greig.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 12 September 2005 12:05 (twenty years ago)

kevin is playing like how i play on the xbox brian lara game test matches:-
ball 1 "Thats 6!"
ball 2 "That was 4 the moment it left his bat"
ball 3 "Super shot!"
ball 4 "The fielder's not going to stop that one!"
ball 5 "in the air.. CAUGHT!"
..rinse and repeat.

― Ste (Fuzzy), Monday, 12 September 2005 12:06 (twenty years ago)

**We still need to keep playing defensively and hang on to the remaining half of the wickets for as long as we can.**

No way. We have to get runs too. I don't think we should slog (yet), but we have to try and hit the bad ball. Also take quick singles if poss.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Monday, 12 September 2005 12:06 (twenty years ago)

is pieterson kicking balls away? is that advisable?

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Monday, 12 September 2005 12:08 (twenty years ago)

yeah, i think with all these wickets gone no matter how england plays now austrlia will have ample time to chase. so getting some runs on the board is the more effective strategy (because the defensive game had failed)

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 12 September 2005 12:08 (twenty years ago)

Kicking it away is wise, but only when Warne is pitching it outside leg.

― RickyT (RickyT), Monday, 12 September 2005 12:09 (twenty years ago)

pietersen padded 6 out of 6 from warne in the last over.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 12 September 2005 12:09 (twenty years ago)

Well if Warne is going round the wicket, he isn't going to be out LBW is he!

― Pete (Pete), Monday, 12 September 2005 12:14 (twenty years ago)

no but the tactic is surely to get control back, dry up runs or make pietersen go for a six. he's not gonna keep padding away.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 12 September 2005 12:17 (twenty years ago)

collingwood out after hitting a boundary.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 12 September 2005 12:17 (twenty years ago)

d'oh

― Ed (dali), Monday, 12 September 2005 12:17 (twenty years ago)

I BLAME RODNEY MARSH ENTIRELY!

every time he comes into the booth we lose a wicket...

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Monday, 12 September 2005 12:18 (twenty years ago)

fantastic innings though. 10 runs in 50 balls.

1 wkt in the last hour is what we needed. xp = no grieg. eng running out of excuses.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 12 September 2005 12:19 (twenty years ago)

I fear the quick one-two, like the 2nd/3rd and 4th/5th wkts...

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Monday, 12 September 2005 12:20 (twenty years ago)

the tail's going to disappear real quick. may as well knock them now

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 12 September 2005 12:24 (twenty years ago)

this is worse than watching svens england at penalty shoot outs

― Ste (Fuzzy), Monday, 12 September 2005 12:25 (twenty years ago)

it's like watching hoddle's england at penalty shootouts

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 12 September 2005 12:25 (twenty years ago)

I'm optimistic again

― cozen (Cozen), Monday, 12 September 2005 12:27 (twenty years ago)

ok mcgrath is round the wkt now.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 12 September 2005 12:30 (twenty years ago)

what's the clouds looking like?

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 12 September 2005 12:30 (twenty years ago)

no rain, no light, play this out

― Ed (dali), Monday, 12 September 2005 12:30 (twenty years ago)

shit.

how is jones looking? i hope he doesn't get pwned

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 12 September 2005 12:31 (twenty years ago)

How many overs left. If the Aussies have to get 200 off of 60 overs surely we can stick everyone in the outfield and bowl defensively and have a good chance.

― Pete (Pete), Monday, 12 September 2005 12:33 (twenty years ago)

57 left (2 deducted for the inning break I think, so 55)

― Ed (dali), Monday, 12 September 2005 12:34 (twenty years ago)

warne is back over the wkt to pietersen.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 12 September 2005 12:35 (twenty years ago)

It would be in our interest to keep Hayden in anyway if they are after a run chase.

― Pete (Pete), Monday, 12 September 2005 12:38 (twenty years ago)

we're already nearly 200 ahead y'all.

shaun tait is on - THIS IS IT !!! - their swing bowler, can reverse it, he'll either take two quick wkts or he'll go for quite a few runs I think.


streaker on

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 12 September 2005 12:38 (twenty years ago)

Bloody streakers.

― RickyT (RickyT), Monday, 12 September 2005 12:38 (twenty years ago)

pietersen concentration does not waver - 8 off 2 deliveries

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 12 September 2005 12:40 (twenty years ago)

We need to get Australia needing > 5/over for real, actual safety. Even if it's 230 off 48, they'll still go for it and quite possibly get there.

― RickyT (RickyT), Monday, 12 September 2005 12:41 (twenty years ago)

Fucking shit

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Monday, 12 September 2005 12:42 (twenty years ago)

tait bowls jones!!!

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 12 September 2005 12:42 (twenty years ago)

Jones out, fairly emphatically.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Monday, 12 September 2005 12:42 (twenty years ago)

great delivery...

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 12 September 2005 12:43 (twenty years ago)

Rod Marsh needs booting out of the box NOW!

― RickyT (RickyT), Monday, 12 September 2005 12:43 (twenty years ago)

So Giles and Hoggard need to see off 10-15 overs.

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Monday, 12 September 2005 12:43 (twenty years ago)

marsh was just "jokingly" saying, should i stay for another ball and then jones bowled quite a lot by the sounds of things...

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Monday, 12 September 2005 12:44 (twenty years ago)

There's a science graph about declining overs and increasing targets, and where the lines cross is an England win. can some science bod pls help?

Oh sod it. lets say 5 an over is fine for the aussies, then we need to get to about 250 ahead by tea. Then we _should_ be ok, what with the later overs in poorer light...

― Dave B (daveb), Monday, 12 September 2005 12:44 (twenty years ago)

hey - if we have regular streakers to interrupt play we can WIN THIS!

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 12 September 2005 12:45 (twenty years ago)

get naked for england

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Monday, 12 September 2005 12:47 (twenty years ago)

england needs NYOUDE

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 12 September 2005 12:47 (twenty years ago)

B-b-but this is TEST MATCH CRICKET! I know in a lot of Test England have been batting at 5 an overish, but that is not against a defensive atttacking side. I would prefer a few more runs, but it all depends on how we bowl now. Can we restrict the Aussies scoring?

I fear, whatever happens, another close one...

― Pete (Pete), Monday, 12 September 2005 12:48 (twenty years ago)

Dark Cloud Approaching Oval!!

― Porkpie (porkpie), Monday, 12 September 2005 12:49 (twenty years ago)

Agree with D. Boyle. KP will surely throw the bat even more soon to get a 250 lead. They COULD still do it. 270 and I'd be happy.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Monday, 12 September 2005 12:49 (twenty years ago)

KP is the only man who can save england now!

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 12 September 2005 12:51 (twenty years ago)

Hmm, it is getting a bit grimy out there. As long as we are in long enough to be offered the light...

Surely Hoggard can save us too. And the King Of Spain.

You do still have to rememeber as well that out bowlers are not half bad. We restricted scoring on Saturday to a snails pace and skittled 'em out on Sunday. At the moment 200 is doable by the Aussies, but difficult.

― Pete (Pete), Monday, 12 September 2005 12:52 (twenty years ago)

How many bats has KP broken?

― Ed (dali), Monday, 12 September 2005 12:53 (twenty years ago)

Vito here got 7-1 on an Aussie victory this morning, great odds on a two horse race.

― Porkpie (porkpie), Monday, 12 September 2005 12:53 (twenty years ago)

we're 210 ahead. bat for as long as we can (hopefully a bit after tea), get as much as we can (i think over >200 is alright). we're gonna have to bowl and eng's attack can get wickets out of nowhere (vaughan gets harminson to fire bullets, hopefully).

we'll see...this is an awesome end to the series.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 12 September 2005 12:54 (twenty years ago)

Does anyone fancy a pint when this is all over?

― Tom (Groke), Monday, 12 September 2005 12:55 (twenty years ago)

I doubt Harmy will get the ball, it'll be Flintoff and either Hoggard to try blowing them away or Giles to tie them up and annoy them into playing stupid shots

― Porkpie (porkpie), Monday, 12 September 2005 12:55 (twenty years ago)

yes, is there a pub called the cricketers we could go to?

― Ed (dali), Monday, 12 September 2005 12:56 (twenty years ago)

WHY DOES THIS HAVE TO HAPPEN WHEN I'M AT WORK?!?!

Best sporting event........ever. And I'm following it with the joy of text. Fuck.

― Crackity (Crackity Jones), Monday, 12 September 2005 12:57 (twenty years ago)

There's one in Mitcham. (Pub called Cricketers, that is).

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Monday, 12 September 2005 12:58 (twenty years ago)

Tom!

Well, watching the last hour in a pub does appeal a touch I guess.

No Cricketers or Bat And Ball centrally.

― Pete (Pete), Monday, 12 September 2005 12:58 (twenty years ago)

Ed! Lemon and garlic from shop please!

― suzy (suzy), Monday, 12 September 2005 13:00 (twenty years ago)

this one's alright but will involve travelling to greenwich
http://www.fancyapint.com/main_site/thepubs/pub683.htm

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 12 September 2005 13:00 (twenty years ago)

I think harmy may have to be given the ball at some stage should hoggard/flintoff not get much straight away and vaughan has to get him firing from the off.

xp = this game can get anyone to take to the bottle.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 12 September 2005 13:01 (twenty years ago)

almost a century!

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 12 September 2005 13:03 (twenty years ago)

i shall be going to the FREEMASONS as it has BIG TELLYS and an EXCITABLE CROWD and it's approx 2 mins from work.

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Monday, 12 September 2005 13:05 (twenty years ago)

They slog down to 9 we'll see.

Hayden and Langer in form

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Monday, 12 September 2005 13:05 (twenty years ago)

pietersen 100!!!

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 12 September 2005 13:07 (twenty years ago)

The cricketers in Ormskirk is now a trendy wine bar.

Lovely ton

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Monday, 12 September 2005 13:08 (twenty years ago)

o excellent!

― spontine (cis), Monday, 12 September 2005 13:08 (twenty years ago)

(that was re pietersen's hundred, obv.)

― spontine (cis), Monday, 12 September 2005 13:11 (twenty years ago)

teatime. only 2 wkts lost this session.

dare I say it...

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 12 September 2005 13:11 (twenty years ago)

tea

― Ed (dali), Monday, 12 September 2005 13:12 (twenty years ago)

eng-a-land, eng-a-land, eng-a-land engaland nah nah

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 12 September 2005 13:12 (twenty years ago)

it's teatime and we're still in bat, i feel joy again. fuck this is going to be close.

― Ste (Fuzzy), Monday, 12 September 2005 13:12 (twenty years ago)

So, 49 left (really 47) - I'll start to believe when it gets to 40 overs left and we're still batting. It'll be close, but 6 an over will be beyond them.

― Dave B (daveb), Monday, 12 September 2005 13:13 (twenty years ago)

bludy hell...

this is a bit ridiculous innit?

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Monday, 12 September 2005 13:14 (twenty years ago)

If you look at what we said earlier today, we would have all been pretty confident getting to tea 200 ahead. So
a) Pietersen and his silly hair has saved the game
b) Its amazing how things change. When you are at the point you thought you would be safe at, you aren't any more...

― Pete (Pete), Monday, 12 September 2005 13:18 (twenty years ago)

We need to bat 10-15 overs after tea.

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Monday, 12 September 2005 13:21 (twenty years ago)

clouding over

― Ed (dali), Monday, 12 September 2005 13:24 (twenty years ago)

Rain rain rain

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Monday, 12 September 2005 13:25 (twenty years ago)

we would have all been pretty confident getting to tea 200 ahead.

haha i think i was more in the mind of 200 for 1 wicket

― Ste (Fuzzy), Monday, 12 September 2005 13:26 (twenty years ago)

haha we should declare now and bowl the aussies out

:-D

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 12 September 2005 13:26 (twenty years ago)

no rain, play into the murk

― Ed (dali), Monday, 12 September 2005 13:27 (twenty years ago)

Hugh Grant on TMS. Bizarre.

― uptoeleven (uptoeleven), Monday, 12 September 2005 13:28 (twenty years ago)

Someone was just using flash photography outside my office. I waited with excitement for the rumble of thunder...

But really, I'm with Ed. Let's have this continue to be an exciting series please AND win it.

― Pete (Pete), Monday, 12 September 2005 13:28 (twenty years ago)

when's the next ashes?!

― cozen (Cozen), Monday, 12 September 2005 13:29 (twenty years ago)

how will I live till then!

― cozen (Cozen), Monday, 12 September 2005 13:29 (twenty years ago)

three boundaries and a dismissal

xxxpost

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 12 September 2005 13:29 (twenty years ago)

world cup, cozen

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 12 September 2005 13:30 (twenty years ago)

ashes is like binneneniiall right?

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 12 September 2005 13:30 (twenty years ago)

next ashes is in australia winter 06/07

we have a tour to pakistan this winter

world cup cricket is arse.

― Ed (dali), Monday, 12 September 2005 13:32 (twenty years ago)

oh i mean world cup FOOTIE

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 12 September 2005 13:33 (twenty years ago)

I have a class at 1.15 (Eastern). Two and a half hours and then I'm still gonna miss the bloody climax.

Story of my life.

― uptoeleven (uptoeleven), Monday, 12 September 2005 13:34 (twenty years ago)

brett lee is on but some of the field placings aren't so hot. giles could've been out...

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 12 September 2005 13:38 (twenty years ago)

every over that England stay there for is worth 4 or 5 runs even if they don't score.

― Ed (dali), Monday, 12 September 2005 13:40 (twenty years ago)

engaland!

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 12 September 2005 13:41 (twenty years ago)

Who ever heard of a team scoring over 200 in less than one session on the fifth day?

Come on, a bit of confidence kids.

― Pete (Pete), Monday, 12 September 2005 13:43 (twenty years ago)

just covering our backs, we just know england sport teams too well

― Ste (Fuzzy), Monday, 12 September 2005 13:44 (twenty years ago)

Its at 5.1 an over atm a few more overs.

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Monday, 12 September 2005 13:44 (twenty years ago)

do you think perhaps the fire has gone out of the aussie bowlers eyes, that was looking so fierce this morning?

― Ste (Fuzzy), Monday, 12 September 2005 13:45 (twenty years ago)

wot pete said.

unlike one-day cricket there are no field restrictions. xp

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 12 September 2005 13:46 (twenty years ago)

how many sixes does it take to get 235?

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 12 September 2005 13:48 (twenty years ago)

i've just worked it out... australia theoretically only need 8 overs! (haha if they smash everything for sixes)

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 12 September 2005 13:50 (twenty years ago)

it should make exciting viewing if australia are forced to smack everything to try and forge a victory.

but then again hey maybe pietersen and co will somehow hold out til the end!

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 12 September 2005 13:52 (twenty years ago)

That's just silly. But how awesome would it be to listen to the Test Match Special boys commentate on that?

― uptoeleven (uptoeleven), Monday, 12 September 2005 13:52 (twenty years ago)

if we can bat right up until the 2nd last over. and then DECLARE and make them bat for six balls. HUMILIATION!

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 12 September 2005 13:54 (twenty years ago)

wow i'm evil

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 12 September 2005 13:54 (twenty years ago)

Don't think it would be allowed.

― Ed (dali), Monday, 12 September 2005 13:55 (twenty years ago)

upto11, SKIP THE CLASS!!!! :)

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Monday, 12 September 2005 13:56 (twenty years ago)

kick the stumps!

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 12 September 2005 13:57 (twenty years ago)

yay BBC's run-by-run window has now started the overs count down.

― Ste (Fuzzy), Monday, 12 September 2005 13:58 (twenty years ago)

No, not allowed. And anyway, would Ricky "Dickie" Ponting come on? (He doesn't have to. He can declare. And lose.)

It is still amazing how tense today has been considering. And I know someone who is there yah-boo suXor.

― Pete (Pete), Monday, 12 September 2005 13:58 (twenty years ago)

i've just worked it out... australia theoretically only need 8 overs! (haha if they smash everything for sixes)

They could do it off just one ball if all of our fielders suddenly fall over / go blind, though this would be unprecedented I expect.

― Teh HoBB (the pirate king), Monday, 12 September 2005 14:00 (twenty years ago)

haha you mean so they can just run all the runs? cool!!

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 12 September 2005 14:01 (twenty years ago)

they should all pretend to be blind on the last ball and let them run 235 times and then pick up the ball and run them out!

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 12 September 2005 14:02 (twenty years ago)

I would skip the class but I think convincing my tutor that this counts as a legitimate reason would prove beyond the level of even my powers of persuasion. Americans really don't get this game.

Dear Ms. Whoever (Professor of.... *yawn*.... Bureaucratic Politics)

I was unable to attend today's class because I wanted to sit in the IT lab and listen to the last fifteen minutes of the most significant sporting event of my life.

And yes, it was a draw.

― uptoeleven (uptoeleven), Monday, 12 September 2005 14:02 (twenty years ago)

EXACTLY!

tms trying to persuade us that vaughn is considering declaring...

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Monday, 12 September 2005 14:04 (twenty years ago)

england win the ashes!

― cozen (Cozen), Monday, 12 September 2005 14:04 (twenty years ago)

tell them it's to watch baseball upto11

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 12 September 2005 14:04 (twenty years ago)

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

The TMS stream's stopped working!

― uptoeleven (uptoeleven), Monday, 12 September 2005 14:04 (twenty years ago)

they should all pretend to be blind on the last ball and let them run 235times and then pick up the ball and run them out!

If they didn't collapse first: 22 yards x 235 = a fair old distance!

― scotstvo (scotstvo), Monday, 12 September 2005 14:04 (twenty years ago)

Who's glad Pietersen replaced Thorpe?

― scotstvo (scotstvo), Monday, 12 September 2005 14:06 (twenty years ago)

tms trying to persuade us that vaughn is considering declaring...

Madness!

― ledge (ledge), Monday, 12 September 2005 14:06 (twenty years ago)

Nice scoring but I'd rather have 3 maidens without a wicket.

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Monday, 12 September 2005 14:06 (twenty years ago)

and while we are all chatting england march up to 246. amazing considering what was happening this morning.

― Ste (Fuzzy), Monday, 12 September 2005 14:07 (twenty years ago)

another six. eng 250 ahead.

yes, we've won. and it's SHANE WARNE that did it, by dropping pietersen. that's makes it even more satisfying.

shane warne dropped the ashes :-)

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 12 September 2005 14:07 (twenty years ago)

It's only 5 chains short of three miles!

(xxxxpost)

― Forest Pines (ForestPines), Monday, 12 September 2005 14:08 (twenty years ago)

252, was that another six?

― Ste (Fuzzy), Monday, 12 September 2005 14:08 (twenty years ago)

A fair old distance does not equal half a kilometer. I could run that in three minutes. Mind you, a team of blind men wandering around could between them probably find the ball and run someone out in the time.

― Pete (Pete), Monday, 12 September 2005 14:08 (twenty years ago)

Day of the cricket triffids!

― Tom (Groke), Monday, 12 September 2005 14:09 (twenty years ago)

Does anyone in this bitch believe England can still lose this?

― Pete (Pete), Monday, 12 September 2005 14:10 (twenty years ago)

This is bloody wonderful. NO ONE on our floor is doing any work at the mo' - there's just basking in the glow of the laptop as ENGLAND. WIN. THE. RUDDY. ASHES.

OK, they've had enough...back to it.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Monday, 12 September 2005 14:10 (twenty years ago)

1606: Pietersen launches Warne for a straight six and the great Australia spinner looks disconsolate. He looks even less happy when he is drilled for a straight four two balls later. A possible 40 overs remain.

aw i can picture it so vividly.

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 12 September 2005 14:11 (twenty years ago)

just 7 short of hayden's high score of the test now.

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 12 September 2005 14:12 (twenty years ago)

Does anyone in this bitch believe England can still lose this?

haha i never doubted it!!!!!

― Ste (Fuzzy), Monday, 12 September 2005 14:13 (twenty years ago)

A cricket pitch is quite a big area for 11 blind men to find a small ball. I think they'd have to quite systematic in their search. (many x-posts)

― Teh HoBB (the pirate king), Monday, 12 September 2005 14:14 (twenty years ago)

Pessimism springs eternal for England fans... if the Aussies went in it would be the very definition of a nothing-to-lose innings. (xpost)

― ledge (ledge), Monday, 12 September 2005 14:15 (twenty years ago)

england should declare

― cozen (Cozen), Monday, 12 September 2005 14:16 (twenty years ago)

don't be pussies

win it right

― cozen (Cozen), Monday, 12 September 2005 14:16 (twenty years ago)

We've been waiting 18 years! Don't throw it away!

― ledge (ledge), Monday, 12 September 2005 14:17 (twenty years ago)

Phew. Have switched computers and now listening through MediaPlayer instead.

Had intended to do some reading of From World War To Cold War. It's just not happening.

― uptoeleven (uptoeleven), Monday, 12 September 2005 14:17 (twenty years ago)

aw but i want to see pietersen get 200 now

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 12 September 2005 14:18 (twenty years ago)

there is a noise on my tms feed that sounds very much like a small scratch on an lp, as though they were commentating directly on to vinyl and then broadcasting it, it seems rather appropriate somehow...

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Monday, 12 September 2005 14:18 (twenty years ago)

I wanna see (so to speak) Ashley Giles get his fifty. Ideally reaching it with a slog straight over Warne's head.

― uptoeleven (uptoeleven), Monday, 12 September 2005 14:20 (twenty years ago)

aim for warne's heart

― cozen (Cozen), Monday, 12 September 2005 14:22 (twenty years ago)

I cant watch. ive waited a long time to see us win the ashes again. I just can't watch. Im just hoping the aussies don't get to bat.

― Last Of The Famous International Pfunkboys (Kerr), Monday, 12 September 2005 14:23 (twenty years ago)

whaddya mean? we have totally won this now. detox breakage tonight.

― Ste (Fuzzy), Monday, 12 September 2005 14:25 (twenty years ago)

Ed just RAN IN with a mad look in his eyes.

― suzy (suzy), Monday, 12 September 2005 14:32 (twenty years ago)

Yeah, put in the Aussies so we can win this test (not sure if I really mean that. It would be nice to see Pietersen get a big(ger) score).

Wow. I can't believe i went to see a test during our Ashes winning series!!!

― Pete (Pete), Monday, 12 September 2005 14:33 (twenty years ago)

wow its 277-7 77 overs

― Ste (Fuzzy), Monday, 12 September 2005 14:34 (twenty years ago)

yes i am far too excited

― Ste (Fuzzy), Monday, 12 September 2005 14:34 (twenty years ago)

let's bowl at em! they'll be so demoralised freddie will clean up.

― Pete W (peterw), Monday, 12 September 2005 14:38 (twenty years ago)

andrew flintoff

man of the match

&

man of the ashes

― cozen (Cozen), Monday, 12 September 2005 14:38 (twenty years ago)

run close by

shane warne

― cozen (Cozen), Monday, 12 September 2005 14:39 (twenty years ago)

will australia even bat now?

I mean, is it plausible they just concede?

― cozen (Cozen), Monday, 12 September 2005 14:41 (twenty years ago)

surely not - they have too many egos for that

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 12 September 2005 14:42 (twenty years ago)

KP MOTM
AF MOTS

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Monday, 12 September 2005 14:43 (twenty years ago)

Warne has tried his heart out, but the pies got in the way.

― Pete (Pete), Monday, 12 September 2005 14:44 (twenty years ago)

I think Vaughan has too much respect for the Aussies to put them in for no reason (we won't get the wickets, they won't get the runs). This'll do just fine - 400-7 at stumps would be lovely.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Monday, 12 September 2005 14:47 (twenty years ago)

i think shane's warne out

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 12 September 2005 14:47 (twenty years ago)

Are you Rory Bremner's scriptwriter, Ken?

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Monday, 12 September 2005 14:48 (twenty years ago)

shame we couldn't reduce our score to 133.

then we would have had a finish of 133-7 hax0r

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 12 September 2005 14:49 (twenty years ago)

xpost nope i write headlines for the sun

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 12 September 2005 14:49 (twenty years ago)

this is so great, declare, play on, whatever,

― Ed (dali), Monday, 12 September 2005 14:56 (twenty years ago)

: )

― cozen (Cozen), Monday, 12 September 2005 14:57 (twenty years ago)

pietersen out

― Ed (dali), Monday, 12 September 2005 15:00 (twenty years ago)

We're in trouble now

― Teh HoBB (the pirate king), Monday, 12 September 2005 15:01 (twenty years ago)

BBC are so excited they can't even type anymore

He shared a century stand with Ashley Giles to take England's lead over 300 with too little time left for Australia to chace to total.

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 12 September 2005 15:03 (twenty years ago)

That's the cricket spelling. As in WG Grace.

Warne ran over to congratulate Pietersen as he walked off. What a nice fella.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Monday, 12 September 2005 15:05 (twenty years ago)

That summit meeting between truly evil haircuts will live long in my memory. Ed wonders whether Pieterson's mum does his hair with a frosting kit.

― suzy (suzy), Monday, 12 September 2005 15:09 (twenty years ago)

Most cricketers are, they respect each other.

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Monday, 12 September 2005 15:10 (twenty years ago)

he stuck a "kick me" sticker on his back

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 12 September 2005 15:11 (twenty years ago)

Aww. Richie Benaud was winding up his final goodbye when Pietersen was bowled. Ever the pro, he worked the action into his script. I'm sure he'd rather people remember McGrath's ball though.

In the midst of the happiness, Benaud's departure is a sad point. I'm even thinking it's been a privelige to watch warne's final Ashes over here and McGrath's too. I want Warne to get the final two wickets to take him to 40 for the series.

― Dave B (daveb), Monday, 12 September 2005 15:15 (twenty years ago)

I'm off to the Freemason's Arms on Long Acre, near Covent Garden, where I hope to share a beer with Mr Carsmile Steve and a few others.

― Tom (Groke), Monday, 12 September 2005 15:21 (twenty years ago)

ha hoggard's expressions after brett lee's every attempt to senselessly murder him r priceless

― hold tight the private caller (mwah), Monday, 12 September 2005 15:28 (twenty years ago)

Matty Coastal has put a nice bottle of champers on ice.

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Monday, 12 September 2005 15:30 (twenty years ago)

drinks break, play on

― Ed (dali), Monday, 12 September 2005 15:31 (twenty years ago)

It won't be the same without richie.

― Last Of The Famous International Pfunkboys (Kerr), Monday, 12 September 2005 15:32 (twenty years ago)

God-damn TMS! Thought that the umpires had signalled the end of the game for bad light. Wrongggggggggg!

― uptoeleven (uptoeleven), Monday, 12 September 2005 15:32 (twenty years ago)

Sounds like I'm probably going to be able to listen to the end of it though.

Awesome. Almost feeling a bit sorry for the Aussies.

― uptoeleven (uptoeleven), Monday, 12 September 2005 15:34 (twenty years ago)

such a soft ball from Warne there

― Ed (dali), Monday, 12 September 2005 15:35 (twenty years ago)

It's been a pleasure, but time for me to go learn something.

Adios y'all.

― uptoeleven (uptoeleven), Monday, 12 September 2005 15:40 (twenty years ago)

will australia even bat now?
I mean, is it plausible they just concede?

-- cozen (skiplevel...), September 12th, 2005 3:41 PM. (Cozen) (later) (link)

if they concede does that mean they'll LOSE?

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 12 September 2005 15:42 (twenty years ago)

Why is Warne wearing flares?

― Dave B (daveb), Monday, 12 September 2005 15:44 (twenty years ago)

make the aussies bat

― Ed (dali), Monday, 12 September 2005 15:47 (twenty years ago)

innings break, yesssss

― Ed (dali), Monday, 12 September 2005 15:47 (twenty years ago)

rofl suddenly it's all over!

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 12 September 2005 15:49 (twenty years ago)

Well done England! (and about bloody time!)

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Monday, 12 September 2005 15:56 (twenty years ago)

You never know - Australia might make the run rate they need to win!

― Forest Pines (ForestPines), Monday, 12 September 2005 15:58 (twenty years ago)

bad light offered, but the game is not over, we still have to wait half an hour

― Ed (dali), Monday, 12 September 2005 16:02 (twenty years ago)

This is rubbish.

― Teh HoBB (the pirate king), Monday, 12 September 2005 16:03 (twenty years ago)

and it's done!

well done, england.

― spontine (cis), Monday, 12 September 2005 16:16 (twenty years ago)

What a cricketing finish, the majestic lifting of the bails by the Umpires. Magic.

― Ed (dali), Monday, 12 September 2005 16:20 (twenty years ago)

Yay, well done England.

― Crackity (Crackity Jones), Monday, 12 September 2005 16:26 (twenty years ago)

I wish I understood the rules of cricket. Then I might really be able to enjoy and appreciate this event. I think that for those that do, it must be a big and inspiring time. I hope you are happy and that you get to appreciate it fully. Well done, England.

― the batfox, Monday, 12 September 2005 16:28 (twenty years ago)

2 inches of pottery containing some burnt wood, is there a better trophy.

― Ed (dali), Monday, 12 September 2005 16:54 (twenty years ago)

Woohoooo!

― Last Of The Famous International Pfunkboys (Kerr), Monday, 12 September 2005 16:57 (twenty years ago)

but why did Hayden and Langer take the light; play up, play up and play the game, at that point I'd have take Trescothick and Strauss bowling underarm for just a few more overs.

― Ed (dali), Monday, 12 September 2005 16:59 (twenty years ago)

lovely acting by the two umpires at the end there. marvellous.

― Ste (Fuzzy), Monday, 12 September 2005 17:05 (twenty years ago)

Hayden and Langer took the light because one of them would probably have ended up dead otherwise, the way Harmison steamed in.

What a day. What a team! Well done England!

― Harry Flowers (Lord Byron Lived Here), Monday, 12 September 2005 17:13 (twenty years ago)

2 inches of pottery containing some burnt wood, is there a better trophy.

does the one they get to hold even have the wood in it???

― ken c (ken c), Monday, 12 September 2005 17:18 (twenty years ago)

Brilliant!

The highlight of the summer.

― jel -- (jel), Monday, 12 September 2005 17:56 (twenty years ago)

Who's for Sky TV and several cases of Red Bull November next year?

― Ed (dali), Monday, 12 September 2005 17:59 (twenty years ago)

At least I'll be able to get into see Sri Lanka and Pakistan next year.

I'll be getting Sky, I can't imagine how depressing summer would be without being able to watch test cricket. Plus, I'll get to see the winter tour and the super series, and wrestling too!

Loved the way KP managed to spray himself in the face with the champagne, and I can't believe that glass vase thing didn't end up broken. What odds can I get on KP dropping it off the bus on the victory parade?

― jel -- (jel), Monday, 12 September 2005 18:09 (twenty years ago)

fantastic

thanks for the company

― cozen (Cozen), Monday, 12 September 2005 18:16 (twenty years ago)

I'm gonna miss Richie Benaud :(

I'm sure Boycott will get a job at Sky no probs. Mark Nicholas would be my choice for new presenter of Countdown. Hope Sky don't have Botham commentating.

― jel -- (jel), Monday, 12 September 2005 18:19 (twenty years ago)

I'll miss Blofeld more than Benaud and he didn't even get to commentate at the Oval. Who will spot busses for us?

― Ed (dali), Monday, 12 September 2005 18:30 (twenty years ago)

Botham's commentary makes me sick, him and Bob Willis are such doom-mongers and they always think they are right; no-one elses opinion could possibly matter. Paul Allott isn't much better to be fair.

― , Monday, 12 September 2005 18:58 (twenty years ago)

Sky pictures + TMS

― Ed (dali), Monday, 12 September 2005 19:02 (twenty years ago)

We tried, in the pub, to explain cricket, to the Pinefox.

― Tom (Groke), Monday, 12 September 2005 20:18 (twenty years ago)

I'd have been all over this thread but I couldn't tear myself away from the telly. Ed Kuepper! Peter Carey! Angry Anderson! Alex the waitress who works for me! That bloke with the gozzy eyes out of Midnight Oil! The guys who invented Ern Malley! The girl who played the original Lucy Robinson in Neighbours, you know, the one with the perpetual case of sinusitis! Your boys took a hell of a beating!

― Matt (Matt), Monday, 12 September 2005 23:01 (twenty years ago)

I have been reading this, the whole series, and so so so thrilled, wow, england!

― Gravel Puzzleworth (Gregory Henry), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 04:22 (twenty years ago)

Lovely stats :

http://uk.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/2005/AUS_IN_ENG/STATS/AUS_IN_ENG_JUN-SEP2005_TEST_AVS.html

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 07:03 (twenty years ago)

The only consistent poor performer was Bell. Key should be tried out for the Pakistan tests. Collingwood turned out to be a good pick for this test if only for a good defensive spell after Pietersen's exuberance against Lee; he did well to steady the ship at that point and did a lot to help Pietersen stay in. In the circumstances Geraint Jones was Ok as a batting wicket keeper, he scored well enough with the Bat, but I still can't help thinking that a safer pair of hands would have been a better bet.

Everyone else performed marvelously, and the best thing about the England team is that whenever someone has performed below par there has been someone to pick up the slack. Star performances certainly, but England have played better as a Team than I have ever seen them play.

Bring on the tours to Pakistan and India and Sri Lanka and hosting Pakistan next summer. I'm sure we will get battered in the ODIs, who cares about ODIs; however we should do well in the tests and this should set up next winter's ashes series as the one that decides who is number one test playing nation in the world rankings.

― Ed (dali), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 07:26 (twenty years ago)

Very much OTM, Ed. I supported Bell's choice and they were right to stick by him. At least he came good in the Old Trafford Test. I think he never worked Warne out, and ultimately never got into a run of form against the quicker bowlers either. He has his work cut out to stay in for the winter tours. I think they'll start with him, but he'll need to get runs early, or they'll look elsewhere. Head of the queue has to be Owais Shah or Rob Key. Both had great county seasons. Key could be ahead as he has test experience, but I suspect they'll look at Shah too, as he is a genuine stroke-playing number 4. Behind these two would be Ed Joyce and Alistair Cook.

For wicketkeeper, I beleive Read will get another chance unless Jones improves with the gloves, although they might want to look at Matt Prior.

On the bowling side, we have to get another spinner - and there isn't really one who springs to mind. Graham Swann might be the best bet, although they seem to like Gareth Batty. Panesar of Northants always seems to take wickets, but apparently can't bat at all.

The pace bowlers will always pick up injuries, so we need a couple more to come through. Tremlett and Anderson are in the frame and an ouside bet could be Stuart Broad (Chris Broad's son) of Leicestershire.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 07:44 (twenty years ago)

Going to India for one of the Tests would be a jolly wheeze (I'd love to go back to Lahore and see England play at the Gadaffi Stadium, Lahore is fantatsic, but Pakistan, even Lahore doesn't seem like the best place to be visiting at the moment (also no beer apart from in dreary forigners only drinking rooms in the bowels of international hotels, and you have to get a license as well).

Mumbai, Kolkatta or Delhi would be stunning, not that the BCCI has announced venues yet.

― Ed (dali), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 07:51 (twenty years ago)

great to wake up this morning. we've won it!

Agreed on Bell. And Collingwood's partnership w/pietersen was the one that stopped the rot - no wkts to aus for one hour after lunch.

Is chris read a better batsmen than geraint jones? Rodney marsh maintains that in one academy year he was the best though whenever I saw him batting for the test side he wasn't good enough (long time ago now). Geraint's avg has been near 30, i think, but he has stuck around and played some really good counter-attacking cricket and has this gd partnership with flintoff.

I care about ODIs. Sure i'm always for test cricket first but its the reason why test cricket is played at the pace which it is now and I want eng to win the world cup! (we've been in the final 2-3 times?)

fletcher needs to put this right and he can bcz we've got the players. And a good one-day rec keeps the momentum, keeps eng with the winning mentality. if we're gonna be the best and the best for a while we can't get other sides thinking they have a shot at beating us, but if we lose in ODIs I'm thinking they can get those crazy ideas.

Shame there's no more cricket on telly. no more richie. sad but happy to see eng winning the ashes. Actually most of the last five years from nasser onwards have been mostly great to see (few good series before in the 90s but always followed by taking two steps back). We've been a pretty tough side since 2000 apart from the ashes series four years ago but they were at their v best and we had a few notable injuries/withdrawls.

Its gonna be good to see aus chopping and changing for a bit and several of their players taking a good hard look at themselves for a change.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 08:33 (twenty years ago)

according to Benaud, Read = "the best glovesman in the world"

― Porkpie (porkpie), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 08:52 (twenty years ago)

Is chris read a better batsmen than geraint jones?

If he was you'd never heard of Geraint Jones. As it is, I think Read is a better batsman than Jones is a wicket keeper.

― Raymond Douglas Dadaismus (Dada), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 09:04 (twenty years ago)

This debate has been going on for well over a year hasn't it? Fletcher and Marsh clashed over this. Can Read can score runs when the pressure is on? Hopefully he can ans that soon enough...

Whatever changes eng make they have to be proactive. Pietersen replacing thorpe was just that when many would've said to keep playing with the winning team.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 09:18 (twenty years ago)

Put it this way, would Jack Russell or Alan Knott be picked if they were available now? Knott probably would, but I don't think he started scoring serious runs until well into his test career.

― Raymond Douglas Dadaismus (Dada), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 09:24 (twenty years ago)

Anyway England already has a pretty useful all-rounder in Flintoff, since when did you need two all-rounders in your team? The Australians have never bothered with having two all-rounders.

― Raymond Douglas Dadaismus (Dada), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 09:25 (twenty years ago)

Flintoff is an all rounder but he is good enough with the ball to be considered a bowler so there is a case that someone who can bat well and is reasnobly handy with the ball can take the pressure off the bowlers a little whilst still keeping pressure on the opposition.

― Ed (dali), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 09:27 (twenty years ago)

... is he good enough with the ball? Ask Adam Gilchrist!!

― Raymond Douglas Dadaismus (Dada), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 09:28 (twenty years ago)

**Anyway England already has a pretty useful all-rounder in Flintoff, since when did you need two all-rounders in your team?**

Uh? - you'd play two if you had two. Or three.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 09:35 (twenty years ago)

You would if they were good enough and Jones isn't good enough

― Raymond Douglas Dadaismus (Dada), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 09:36 (twenty years ago)

I'd pick Jones but then I'm a biased Kent fan. The first time I ever saw him play (his debut against Surrey in the NCL at the Oval 2001) we were under extreme pressure and he smashed Saqlain Mushtaq back over his head for 4 in an amazing innings of 39; I remember saying he could be England's Adam Gilchrist. And hopefully he will be...

― , Tuesday, 13 September 2005 09:46 (twenty years ago)

... he's supposed to be a wicketkeeper, remember?

― Raymond Douglas Dadaismus (Dada), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 09:48 (twenty years ago)

aus and eng have a diff balance in the team -- they could always have four bowlers as long as mcgrath and warne were bowling bcz their wkts cost about 20-25. eng have a slightly thinner batting line-up so they need runs lower down, a keeper that can bat under pressure when the middle order fails or one that can bat with the tail. I can see geraint's batting improving (and its already good - he came in at 21-5 at lord's and made 58 w/pietersen and that 177 w/ flintoff and destroyed lee's bowling after lunch, and that 27 off 13...) but i've not seen read for a long time...

Would be a good time to try read as he can come in to a winning team and that might make it easier and we can tell jones to improve his keeping, which if it keeps going like the way it has it will cost us a match. Can't see it though 'cause Fletcher really believes in him, the only time I've seen him sort of make excuses for someone was when asked abt jones.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 09:48 (twenty years ago)

Julia, before this series McGrath was like the ultimate no.11 donkey!!

― Markelby (Mark C), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 09:50 (twenty years ago)

No he wasn't! He was in 1997, but has been steadly improving since. And anyway, Julio is talking abt BOWLING average there.

― RickyT (RickyT), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 10:04 (twenty years ago)

He looked pretty much like a donkey to me whenever I've seen him after 1997 - tho not in this series

― Raymond Douglas Dadaismus (Dada), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 10:05 (twenty years ago)

Just to add to aa's post (which i skipped - its all xposts now!) but I'm with him -- given the way the eng team is balanced the wktkeeper has to bat and score a few and i think jones can do it and HAS done it. haha xxp

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 10:08 (twenty years ago)

Something I've always wondered about, even given that Warne and Giles are pretty useful batsmen, why are spinners never all-rounders?

― Raymond Douglas Dadaismus (Dada), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 10:10 (twenty years ago)

I can see geraint's batting improving

lol but it's not his batting that need improving!

― ken c (ken c), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 10:10 (twenty years ago)

OTM!

― Raymond Douglas Dadaismus (Dada), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 10:11 (twenty years ago)

sorry but this is bullshit from ppl who were praying for the weather to save eng at the last match.

ok I'll leave it at this -- so if ppl who back read are saying 'give him a good run' in the team to show that he can score runs I'll say the same for jones. Give him time to improve his keeping bcz this guy can bat, is a cool head and he has the temperament for test match cricket.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 10:21 (twenty years ago)

they should do the same for david james.

― ken c (ken c), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 10:27 (twenty years ago)

sorry but this is bullshit from ppl who were praying for the weather to save eng at the last match

Who exactly?

― Raymond Douglas Dadaismus (Dada), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 10:34 (twenty years ago)

I'm more inclined towards Julio's position on Jones, but I think we have to consider alternatives (not just Read). Remember that the Jones experiment WORKED - he made decent runs and his dropped catches didn't matter in the end. He was good ENOUGH, but we are probably right in thinking that he may cost us a match in the future.

I actually think that Harmison deserves some criticism. Since Lords he has been poor for much of the time. The odd decent over (e.g to Langer on Sat afternoon) isn't good enough for someone with his talent. And I still haven't forgiven him for that awful last over at Old Trafford.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 10:45 (twenty years ago)

otm re: harmison

― cozen (Cozen), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 11:10 (twenty years ago)

aw there's no harm in harmison

― ken c (ken c), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 11:12 (twenty years ago)

There's no-one better than Harmison to come in otherwise we'd of picked him for S. Jones. He will come back and take wickets I have faith in him.

― Jarlr'mai (jarlrmai), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 12:05 (twenty years ago)

just been down to Trafalgar Square. fabulous scenes. took me back to when i was 9, standing in Coventry city centre watching our FA Cup heroes trundle slowly along. okay, there probably weren't 100,000 people on the street that day, but the result was similarly unlikely at the outset. it was hot and crowded and uncomfortbale, but it was great to be down there, literally two metres away from the trail of Veuve Clicquot that Freddie was happily pouring from his perch hanging over the front of the bus. they've clearly been up all night, and he in particular looked fucked. and best of all, the ceremony was just as confused and overlong as yesterday's! ENG-ER-LAND!

― Lee F# (fsharp), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 12:30 (twenty years ago)

oh, and i think that i'd rather stick with G.O. than bring in Read, because one of the commentators said it's easier to learn to improve with the gloves than with the bat, and that makes seense to me.

also, i think Bell should have at least a couple of less intense series before we should jettison him. that would also give time for some younger players to come through, particularly Alastair Cook, who's been in sparkling form for Essex this summer, with a double century against Australia under his belt already.

― Lee F# (fsharp), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 12:42 (twenty years ago)

Alastair Cook

are scottish people eligible to play for england?

― ken c (ken c), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 12:46 (twenty years ago)

Yes, and several have and have even captained England. Don't forget that three of the current team aren't English

― Raymond Douglas Dadaismus (Dada), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 12:49 (twenty years ago)

... which is one of the reasons it's no problem for me to support the England cricket team!

― Raymond Douglas Dadaismus (Dada), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 12:50 (twenty years ago)

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b339/dahling007/dot%20to%20dot/e5f61296.jpg

alistair cook, in sparkling form, yesterday...

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 12:53 (twenty years ago)

when he gets his turn to be shit-faced on an open-top bus, i reckon the lad will do just fine.

― Lee F# (fsharp), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 13:29 (twenty years ago)

i hope he does the dance

― ken c (ken c), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 13:38 (twenty years ago)

Yes!

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 13:39 (twenty years ago)

whilst keeping wicket

he can be the new bruce grobbelaar

― ken c (ken c), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 13:39 (twenty years ago)

(although quite why you'd want to put off your own bowlers i don't know)

― ken c (ken c), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 13:42 (twenty years ago)

**because one of the commentators said it's easier to learn to improve with the gloves than with the bat, and that makes seense to me.**

That's funny because Rod Marsh said just the opposite on Radio 4. Which makes sense to me. The example he gave was McGrath who could basically not bat at all when he came into the Aus team. Now he can at least defend reasonably and has a test 50. But he said 'try teaching him to keep wicket and you'd get nowhere'. A similar example from England would be Hoggard.

But maybe that's beside the point, as we're really talking about people who are already keeping to a high standard anyway. I'd say that Jones has some coachable faults, like going for the ball one handed, also possibly his feet position. Slightly more worrying is his keeping to the spinners - maybe his reflexes are just not up to it, which no amount of coaching will ever fix. Certainly he looks like he'll never be up to standard of Russell, Knott or even Stewart, who turned out to be a very good keeper in the end. I can remember Russell taking some stumpings off the likes of Tuffnell that were so bloody fast, that you couldn't see what had happened until the slow motion came up. I don't think Jones will ever be able to do that. Russell also used to stand up for the fast-medium bowlers at times, which is pretty amazing. It stops batsmen taking guard outside the crease, which some the Aussies like to do. You wouldn't stand up for Harmison, but you might for Hoggard if the ball's not swinging much.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 14:19 (twenty years ago)

... and Russell used to get stick for his batting too. Ridiculous.

― Raymond Douglas Dadaismus (Dada), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 14:21 (twenty years ago)

aw, and he is named after a breed of dogs

― ken c (ken c), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 14:22 (twenty years ago)

i guess i was thinking along the lines of there being fewer principles to master to be an effective WK, and less natural talent than required to be a quality batsman.

wow, isn't it funny how much less convincing certain thoughts are when you put them in black and white...

― Lee F# (fsharp), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 14:27 (twenty years ago)

i guess i was thinking along the lines of there being fewer principles to master to be an effective WK, and less natural talent than required to be a quality batsman.

I hope you never meet Rodney Marsh on a dark night

― Raymond Douglas Dadaismus (Dada), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 14:29 (twenty years ago)

g.jones really needs a battered old hat :(

― ken c (ken c), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 14:30 (twenty years ago)

I hope you never meet Rodney Marsh on a dark night

you think this face was an accident? my nose used to be in the middle. all i said was that i thought he was great on Sky Sports Centre with Jeff Stelling.

― Lee F# (fsharp), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 14:33 (twenty years ago)

I'm a Chris Read fan to be honest. It always helps if your wicket-keeper can actually keep wicket. Jones is great at the occasional eye-catching take but drops the bread and butter stuff too often. I've lost count of the amount of times he's failed to cleanly take the simplest of deliveries (don't tell me Gilo turns it that much Geraint, and stop looking around with that innocent "wow, did you see that? what a ripper!" look on your face). If Ashley Giles wants to improve his average he could do worse than "accidentally" feed Jones a dodgy curry or two this winter.

Re spinners, Panesar's been turning it square all summer, but can't bat. Ian Blackwell is an improving bowler who hits the ball harder than Flintoff and would be a good option for the winter's tests (particularly as his batting prowess means you could easily play Read and bat him at eight, the same applies to Gareth Batty, but he's an inferior batsman to Blackwell).

Harmison's been out of form since Lords, and yet still hasn't been collared. This tells me he's a bloody good bowler, and when he gets his length back, watch out.

― Matt (Matt), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 14:38 (twenty years ago)

I think relexes and v.fast hands are not coachable. I once kept wkt at Univ for about 3 games as we had no-one else. If you've never done it, you be surprised how difficult it is to hang on when the batsman gets an edge. Batting is simpler to improve- you can learn a forward defensive and a backward defensive and you have the basics of defending your wicket. All the shots are played from those platforms. To score runs the forward defensive can become a drive, the short ball can be pulled away on the leg side and the short ball outside off can be chopped square (cut). Basically to learn to bat better you have to get your feet in the right place.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 14:40 (twenty years ago)

Dr. C, can you provide illustrations to go with your batting tips, please? I can almost see an Eagle style weekly comic strip but not quite.

(nb, I am not taking the piss!)

― Mooro (Mooro), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 14:58 (twenty years ago)

"This tells me he's a bloody good bowler, and when he gets his length back, watch out."

Gotta be more agressive too.

I reckon marsh is really going for jones' throat here.

jones didn't go to his academy did he? I remember him talking about how when wktkeeping standards are really good the whole side will field better etc and yet BOTH SIDES have dropped a lot of catches and a lot of no balls were bowled.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 15:00 (twenty years ago)

Gilchrist dropped a few but still on a different planet, wicketkeeping-wise, to Jones

― Raymond Douglas Dadaismus (Dada), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 15:03 (twenty years ago)

I wouldn't say a different planet.

Top-class : Russell, Knott, Bob Taylor, late-period Ian Healy, Wasim Bari
Very good : Gilchrist, Boucher, Read, Kartik or P.Patel (India), Sangakara (SL), Rod Marsh, Adam Parore. Late-period Stewart
OK : Jones, McCullum (NZ), Dujon (WI) Jacobs (WI)

x-post : Mooro - if I could draw I would. Maybe if we cross paths at a FAP, I'll demonstrate!

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 15:11 (twenty years ago)

Agreed, diff. planet bit strong

― Raymond Douglas Dadaismus (Dada), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 15:15 (twenty years ago)

no doubt that Gilchrist has been better but despite that both sides dropped catches which goes against marsh's point.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 15:18 (twenty years ago)

I don't suppose Tatenda Taibu's got an English granny, has he?

― Matt (Matt), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 15:19 (twenty years ago)

Posing with Tony Blair has taken the gloss of a bit. ick.

― jel -- (jel), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 15:54 (twenty years ago)

oh yeah, and talk about OTM:

2-1 to England.

-- jel -- (freeduni...) (webmail), June 14th, 2005 8:38 PM.

― jel -- (jel), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 15:57 (twenty years ago)

Haha, great picture Steve!

Well done, England. As much I I enjoyed watching KP falling all over the place at the crease, the sight of Andrew Flintoff falling all over the place today was just as pleasant. Also, the trophy had a dent in it! Perhaps they gave it to Shane Warne to hold.

― Ally C (Ally C), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 16:48 (twenty years ago)

i love you in bating you and michel vaghn are my favourite players in the england team I enjoy you hiting sixes its my dream to meet you

― taleb khar, Wednesday, 14 September 2005 09:25 (twenty years ago)

hmmm, wonder what search brought us up...

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Wednesday, 14 September 2005 09:37 (twenty years ago)

Googly

― Raymond Douglas Dadaismus (Dada), Wednesday, 14 September 2005 09:38 (twenty years ago)

**i love you in bating you and michel vaghn are my favourite players in the england team I enjoy you hiting sixes its my dream to meet you **

How long has anthony been into cricket?

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Wednesday, 14 September 2005 09:43 (twenty years ago)

Every time I look at this thread I see the first page of answers whilst the rest loads and think "ooh, I'm glad they're all wrong"

I liked the pic of Flintoff on the front page of today's Guardian.

― Forest Pines (ForestPines), Wednesday, 14 September 2005 09:46 (twenty years ago)

I love how all the tabs really care about is that the team have been on a long drinking binge. Cor! Booze! Now here's a picture of Flintoff's missus!

― Matt (Matt), Wednesday, 14 September 2005 10:06 (twenty years ago)

the pic on the guardian needs the caption "I drank THIS MUCH bouze!"

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Wednesday, 14 September 2005 10:18 (twenty years ago)

I love how all the tabs really care about is that the team have been on a long drinking binge. Cor! Booze! Now here's a picture of Flintoff's missus!

erm what else would you talk about?!?!?!?!


what i like it how it's all reported as "awww, silly freddie all drunk bless him"

had it been say an england football player, it'd have been "OMG WTF WHAT WHAT WHAT WHAT WTF"

― ken c (ken c), Wednesday, 14 September 2005 10:20 (twenty years ago)

although if they win the world cup (haha lol rofl etc) they would probably be excused.

― ken c (ken c), Wednesday, 14 September 2005 10:21 (twenty years ago)

erm what else would you talk about?!?!?!?!

"Victorious sports team go drinking: nothing else has ever happened"

― Matt (Matt), Wednesday, 14 September 2005 10:29 (twenty years ago)

squad for pakistan announced

udal (!) is going, read loses out to prior, and that is a shame. Fletcher must have no confidence in him whatsoever.

Hopefully we can put the ashes out of our minds, put out the defence of it in 15 months time and just concentrate on beating pakistan. two more wins and vaughan beats peter may's record for most eng wins.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 19 September 2005 13:15 (twenty years ago)

Udal was on the Ashes tour in 1994! I think he could play a test this time around. Loudon is a good call - sounds like a much improved player in 2005. Prior for Read is a disappointment. I'm sorry not to see Shah or Key, but I guess Collingwood has moved ahead of them now.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Monday, 19 September 2005 13:57 (twenty years ago)

Concurrence ahoy. A specialist wicketkeeper is v necessary in the subcontinent, no? Read not going is a mistake. Loudon is a good idea though, possibly Udal is there in a mentoring capacity? Tremlett better buy a tray and start practising, he'd get murdered on those pitches.

― Matt (Matt), Monday, 19 September 2005 14:53 (twenty years ago)


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