The Ashes

[Da_Chief]

4th test underway and Aussies all out for 98. That makes me laugh. Seamers ripped right through the Aussie batting, Clarke with a high score of 20. Finn was out and Bresnan took his place and bowled very well.

Its not the pitch but the Aussie batting that lead to their lowest score against England at MCG since 1877 (cricinfo tidbit). English still have half a day to take the lead and bat comfortably for a good period.

Across the waters Pakistan is visiting Kiwis, who won their first T20 easily due to couple of bad umpiring decisions (Umar Akmal's wicket that gave Southee a hat-trick was a clear inside edge but the Kiwi umpire decided to give it an out anyways). But in the end it was a batting collapse as usual from Pakistanis that lead to another defeat. Kiwi's youngest T20 debutant Milne was hit hard but he did bowl well, he was unlucky not to pickup a wicket.

India and Saffies will be playing their 2nd test starting tomorrow morning. Zaheer Khan will be back and Indians will need him to take some wickets. Indians can't afford another bad bowling performance. In the first test, all Saffie batter who came out to bat at least made 50s, 3 of them hitting centuries, one hitting a double century, safe to say Indians will have their hands full with the very talented African side. Saffies will also have a decision to make in terms of their bowling. Parnell, who has been out of form or Tsotsobe, who was hit hard in the first test but otherwise is in form.

Lotsa cricket with the world cup not far away.

[NBC]

98 all out. I never thought I'd see the day. Oz could potentially be headed for their second innings defeat in a home Ashes. I wonder if that has ever happened?

Wow.

[NBC]

On course to wrap this up sometime before lunch I'd think. WHo would have ever thought that England would retain the Ashes in Australia on day 4 of the Melbourne test? I've got friends here that have not seen the likes of this their whole lives.

Good to see Punter and his merry band of idiots get a right good pasting.

[Da_Chief]

Originally Posted by NBC

On course to wrap this up sometime before lunch I'd think. WHo would have ever thought that England would retain the Ashes in Australia on day 4 of the Melbourne test? I've got friends here that have not seen the likes of this their whole lives.

Good to see Punter and his merry band of idiots get a right good pasting.

He's lost it especially after arguing with an umpire when a review didn't go in their favor. The sad thing for Aussies (only) is there is no one ready to take over after they remove him. Clarke was the heir apparent but he's really struggled as well. Hussey is probably the best option.

But yes this should end early tomorrow morning.

In Africa, Saffies surprisingly struggled and only managed 131 in their first inning. They trail India by 215 who have 4 wickets left in their 2nd inning. This is only day 3, so another cracking match that should end by day 4.

In NZ, Kiwis put up 185 against Pakistan, with great cameos from McGlashon and Scotty Styris. Guptil also played very well. Pakistan at the moment are struggling having lost 5 wickets now, are trying to score and keep wickets. Not going good for them. 96 for 5 with 7 overs to go so unless Umar Akmal and Razzaq go ballistic the Kiwis should win the t20 series.

Cracking cricket, gotta love it.

[NBC]

^ I agree. Problem with Hussey is that he's a bit old now - 35 - to become captain. Word on the street is that none of the players actually like Clarke. The Diggers are in real trouble. Would love to see another win in Sydney.

Anyone know when the last time Oz lost 2 home Ashes tests by an innings?

[GirlySports]

So looks like @theashes girl is getting a trip to Sydney to learn cricket!
Too bad it's going to be a dead rubber.

[Da_Chief]

Ashes
Well English hammer Aussies in the last match and win innings and some runs. Aussies have soul searching to do. Cook wins the match of the series, he was in form. Nice comeback by Cook, from almost being dropped to winning the MOM in Ashes. Collingwood retires from Test cricket which only makes English stronger as Eoin Morgan will take his spot and do much better then he has in last few series. English has also found few quickie options with Bresnan who can also be relied upon now. Tremlett also performed and Swanny and Jimmy Anderson have in some sort of nice form for sometime now.

Congrats to England as they are the best side in World Cricket at this moment. Winning T20, beating Pakistan, winning Ashes. Take a bow boys.

India in South Africa
This test series has concluded with both sides winning one match and the last match ending in a draw. Kallis wins the Match of the Series for his exceptional batting. Indian phast bowlers have to do some soul searching, as they remain terrible. Harbajhan Singh called out his quicks for not enough support in the 3rd match where Singh took 7 of the 10 wickets. Sreesanth, who used abusive language towards families of Saffies was disciplined by Indian Captain Dhoni which made Sreesanth break down in tears AGAIN.

Congrats to both teams on a hard fought series.

Pakistan in New Zealand
First day of first test just ended with Kiwis at 260 for 7 wickets down. At one point Kiwis were 177-7 but a tremendous stand between Williamson and especially Tim Southee has led to a 83 run 8 wicket partnership. Pakistan really seem to be missing their actual pace battery of Asif-Aamir (who of course are suspended in the spot-fixing scandal, their hearing along with formet captain Salman Butt has started, could be a long ban on the trio). Gull bowled well but was unlucky, but he should really be the first change instead of opening the attack.

Pakistan will try to hold the Kiwis under 300 tomorrow and start batting tomorrow.

[NBC]

I don't think that a home side has ever lost three matches in a series by an innings. The thought that the diggers would be the first to 'achieve' this would have been mind-boggling a few years back.