The Ashes

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by NBC

^ Most of the pundits think that this is England's test for the taking. Clarke's late dismissal changed things. Now the Oz tail is only 3 wickets away and the new ball is due to enter into service very soon in the morning session. Not many think that they have the batting line-up remaining to see this through. Unlike the Gabba, this wicket is deteriorating and there should be something on offer for the bowlers, especially the spinners (Pietersen, Swann) and Collingwood's cutters.

Odds are on for an England win.

As you said. It's going to rain.

[Da_Chief]

English should be able to get the last few wickets barring rain. Hussey will really dig in, loves the pressure.

[Da_Chief]

English on the verge here, 8 Aussies are down with Siddle and Doherty batting. All but over. Swann gets one through Siddle to hit the stumps but the bails don't fall. Aussies with no resistance.

[GirlySports]

England win by an innings and 71 runs.

That's just embarrassing for Australia.

[tendulkar23]

Famous victory for the English, big lead going into the next test. IMO Ricky is just not the reliable batsman he needs to be with this new Aussie side. He's definitely due for a big knock and it should get the Aussie's going again.

[NBC]

Calypso Collapso!

Epic win. Great to see the diggers get hammered on home soil.

I think that the punter's biggest failing is as captain. Poor captain all around - world class with the willow though.

Broad rules out with a torn abdominal muscle. Shazad, Bresnan or Tremlett to replace. Too bad, he has the ability to take wickets and deliver runs at no. 8.

[Da_Chief]

Broad is rubbish.

I think Tremlett will likely replace him.

On the other side, expect few changes.

Katich is out so Hughes will open with Watson.
North continues to fail but likely will keep his spot.
Expect one of Smith or Hauritz to replace Doherty (who was reallly reallly abysmal).
Hillfenheus should come back likely replacing Siddle or Bollinger.
Johnson might also come back, again replacing Siddle or Bollinger.

Of note, Shezad could replace Broad and Khawaja could replace North, which would mean 2 players of Pakistani origin facing off in the Ashes. Could be an interesting story line.

Oh ya and good win by the English, that was a beat down. Aussies will likely call on all their former greats to come in slap the current team around and get em ready since Ponting has no clue.

[NBC]

Disagree on Broad. Can bowl some nasty spells and is a v. good bat at 8. Most here think he is too good to be batting at 8.

The OZ attack is in absolute shambles. Ponting is largely clueless when it comes to anything other than batting and sledging. I think he is the only digger Captain to lose 2 Ashes series. Here's hoping for a 3rd Punter.

[Da_Chief]

With an average of 27 do you really want him batting any higher? He is very easy to rattle when things dont go his way, stepping on the ball in South Africa, throwing the ball back at a Pakistani player, etc. He bowls too many bouncers even though thats not his strength. On this tour in nearly 60 overs he managed 2 wickets. He's a decent bowler but there's no way he should be part of an opening attack.

[Da_Chief]

Test 3:

Aussies call on Warne's recommendation and select Beer! Michael Beer, total of 5 first class matches with an average of 40 gets the call. Haurtiz has to be wondering wtf? North though finally got dropped. Smith is good with the bat so he gets to spin the ball and an attempt to score some runs.

12 man squad: Shane Watson, Phillip Hughes, Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Clarke, Michael Hussey, Brad Haddin (wk), Steven Smith, Mitchell Johnson, Ryan Harris, Peter Siddle, Michael Beer, Ben Hilfenhaus.

Johnson will replace Bollinger who has been dropped.
One of Siddle or Hillfenhues(likely) will be the 3rd paceman.

Aussies in shambles, who would've thought that Harris would be the mainstay of the Aussie quicks after first 2 matches.

England still mum on Broad's replacement. England XI are playing a 3 day test vs Victoria and will likely pick the best bowler from there.
http://www.espncricinfo.com/the-ashe...ch/446954.html

Tremlett and Shahzad havent leaked many runs but Bresnan has the wicket. Day 2 will likely determine who gets the spot.

[tendulkar23]

Anyone here interested in the India v South Africa series? Should be a good contrast to the lopsided Ashes this year. It will definitely prove the legitimacy of India's no.1 test ranking. It also never gets old seeing the little master bat away, especially in the form that he's currently in.

On another note, Australia is off to another terrible start. Ponting has only one 82 runs in 5 innings, with a high score of 51* which he scored in an inevitable draw with no pressure on him.

[GirlySports]

So the English win the toss and choose to field on a batting surface. They're just taunting the Aussies now. Australia are 65/4 at lunch.

[Da_Chief]

Originally Posted by tendulkar23

Anyone here interested in the India v South Africa series? Should be a good contrast to the lopsided Ashes this year. It will definitely prove the legitimacy of India's no.1 test ranking. It also never gets old seeing the little master bat away, especially in the form that he's currently in.

On another note, Australia is off to another terrible start. Ponting has only one 82 runs in 5 innings, with a high score of 51* which he scored in an inevitable draw with no pressure on him.

India is gonna have a hard time on bowling pitches and with Saffies tossing short balls. Lets see how they perform away from home.

As for the Ashes, why no Beer?

[tendulkar23]

Originally Posted by Da_Chief

India is gonna have a hard time on bowling pitches and with Saffies tossing short balls. Lets see how they perform away from home.

As for the Ashes, why no Beer?

Yup, India always has a tough time on those Proteas pitches. Going to really be a big test for them. They've had lots of success in the past couple years, but it's been largely due to all of the home series they've played. I think the two players that could make or break the match are Steyn and Sehwag. Either of those two could single-handedly win a match.

As for Beer, I don't understand it at all. Why go out of your way to include him in the side and then not utilize him in the one match where he could really make a difference? Maybe they weren't satisfied with his play in the practice sessions prior to the match?

[Da_Chief]

With the English batsman in form, Smith will be under the scope. The young spinner can be shredded to pieces and lose any confidence he might have. But its about winning and Smith gives them the best chance.

Btw, don't expect to see Haurtiz anytime soon, he sold his kit and said "I don't play for them anymore" them being Australia. This is Smith's chance and a chance for English to destroy Aussie cricket for few years.

[NBC]

The diggers are in an absolute shambles. Poor selection, poor batting and very poor bowling. Talking about utilizing a rotation policy in an Ashes series is ridiculous. The selectors, the captain and the players are completely bereft of ideas.

I love this.

[tendulkar23]

Originally Posted by NBC

The diggers are in an absolute shambles. Poor selection, poor batting and very poor bowling. Talking about utilizing a rotation policy in an Ashes series is ridiculous. The selectors, the captain and the players are completely bereft of ideas.

I love this.

Yea, it is really refreshing to watch this especially after the years of dominance by the Aussie's. Great time for cricket because there is a pretty level playing field in the game today.

[GirlySports]

speaking of india.

they're getting crushed early!

http://www.espncricinfo.com/south-af...ch/463146.html

[tendulkar23]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

speaking of india.

they're getting crushed early!

http://www.espncricinfo.com/south-af...ch/463146.html

Did you get a chance to watch the match at all? With all of the morning the rain, the pitch had a lot of bite to it. Really nice to see the battle between bat and ball. Going to be an intriguing match, especially if there is still some moisture left for the Indians to exploit.

[Da_Chief]

Moisture or not, expect Amla to continue his great form.