The ASHES ARE STARTING :D!!!!
rain rain rain
3rd test will be a draw,
then England only needs to win one of the final two matches to secure the series
I was just thinking that if an entire day gets washed out with rain, they should replay that day on the sixth day - would get more results.
Hate to say it but England looks like they’ve got it in the bag. Australia haven’t really been in it since 1st test
come on guys!! need to hang in there
Whilst the batting looked better then their 1st innings effort, the Aussie top order has certainly shown some weakness to the swinging ball. If the balls start to move in the air at Headingly, its all over for the aussies. Although Watson scored 2 x 50’s, his selection seems to be more of a band aid solution then a long term one. What does Stuart Clark have to do to get a game in this Aussie XI? I don’t think Australia’s best XI is taking to the field right now.
Whilst the batting looked better then their 1st innings effort, the Aussie top order has certainly shown some weakness to the swinging ball. If the balls start to move in the air at Headingly, its all over for the aussies. Although Watson scored 2 x 50’s, his selection seems to be more of a band aid solution then a long term one. What does Stuart Clark have to do to get a game in this Aussie XI? I don’t think Australia’s best XI is taking to the field right now.
Definitely agreed kort, especially on the Stuart Clark point - unfortunately (for him at least) Mitchell Johnson bowled much better this test, so him being replaced by Clark seems less likely now…however there is a case for Clark to replace Hauritz for the next test, and go with the 4 quicks + Clarke & Katich as part time spinners…
Watson is definitely a part-time fix - he did bat alright, but does not look anything more than a 50-60 run opener, which unfortunately is just not enough at the moment…plus his 3 overs wouldn’t have been out of place in club cricket…slow, lacking any venom whatsoever, just took the pressure right off of Flintoff especially, and undid all the fantastic work that Johnson and Hilfenhaus had done that morning…
But that’s just me not liking Watson all that much…
I also think Manou did a bang-up job as stand in keeper - unlucky in the first innings batting-wise getting out to a ball that would have got most top order batsmen out, but his glovework was certainly above-par, and I personally think it would be cruel to drop him for the next test if Haddin has appropriately recovered…but again that’s just me…
anyway I am going to catch up on the sleep I lost last night while watching it, and having to wake up at 5.30 for uni today, so I will probably be on later…hope all are well 
Best result of a draw considering our earlier position
Stuey Clark should definately make the team. He gets criticised for being like McGrath (I don’t see how that can be a criticism)
Watson did surprisingly well.
Siddle needs to take a hike - Brett Lee or Clark should step in.
I think Bracken is far and away our best bowler of the past few years, but he never makes the test team (stamina issues?)
Definately agree that we have big problems with the swinging ball - is pretty similar to last time we lost the ashes….
Stuey Clark should definately make the team. He gets criticised for being like McGrath (I don’t see how that can be a criticism)
Watson did surprisingly well.
Siddle needs to take a hike - Brett Lee or Clark should step in.
I think Bracken is far and away our best bowler of the past few years, but he never makes the test team (stamina issues?)
Definately agree that we have big problems with the swinging ball - is pretty similar to last time we lost the ashes….
If you’ve ever watched Bracken field in the one days he definitely has some issues in that aspect.
I’d guess you’re right with stamina/endurance when it comes to bowling him in tests. I’m with
you on how well Shane Watson went, I wasn’t expecting much from him as an opener.
And finally, yes, swing is definitely an issue overall but when it does we’re picking up wickets
(like Mitchell Johnson’s on day (2?). Beautiful wicket
I would def. put Clark in over Brett Lee for a couple of reasons:
* Lee is an out-and-out quick, in a similar mould to Johnson. Clark is more of a containing bowler in the McGrath mould. It seems Johnson is staying put in the starting XI, which I guess mean Siddle/Hauritz will probably go. I feel Clark provides more variety then Lee. If Johnson has another off test (very possible) and Lee has a off test/re-injures himself (very possible as well), Australia will be in strife
* Lee’s fitness is no guarentee. How many times have we heard him say “I am fitter then I have ever been” only to break down again.
* Lee’s record in England is WOEFUL. 29 wickets at an average of 45.44 with an economy rate of 4.22 speaks for itself. Whilst Clark has not bowled in a test in England, his form in the first class match before the 3rd test was good. Lee has no recent form.
re: Bracken, it appears he has been pigeon holed as a ODI or T20 specialist. Not sure if this is truly justified, as his movement in the air and off the pitch would be quite useful in England
re: Watson is he REALLY a long term opening solution? My thoughts are “no”. I felt Hughes was a bit hard done by, and replacing a specialist opener with an injury prone all rounder seems a big risk. He certainly exceeded batting expectations at Edgbaston, but his bowling was pie-thrower at best-he was supposed to bring “balance” to the team by being an extra bowler, but being an opening bat and having to bowl 10-20 over is tough work - his past injury record suggests this new role is going to be incredibly tough on the body.
re: Watson is he REALLY a long term opening solution? My thoughts are “no”. I felt Hughes was a bit hard done by, and replacing a specialist opener with an injury prone all rounder seems a big risk. He certainly exceeded batting expectations at Edgbaston, but his bowling was pie-thrower at best-he was supposed to bring “balance” to the team by being an extra bowler, but being an opening bat and having to bowl 10-20 over is tough work - his past injury record suggests this new role is going to be incredibly tough on the body.
I agree that they needs to persist with Hughes or another talent out there. The Australian squad
is undergoing finally) some new players entering the side. To be honest I think Ricky Ponting is
not a great captain in a developing side, some of the field (most likely not purely because of him)
in this last test was lackluster. Just my opinion though and he still is a great batsmen.
I agree that they needs to persist with Hughes or another talent out there. The Australian squad
is undergoing finally) some new players entering the side. To be honest I think Ricky Ponting is
not a great captain in a developing side, some of the field (most likely not purely because of him)
in this last test was lackluster. Just my opinion though and he still is a great batsmen.
Noone could argue against Ponting being a great BATSMAN - his ability to accumulate runs quickly and dominate bowling attacks consistantly is without question. However his CAPTAINCY is average at best. He seems to be out of ideas quickly and appears frozen to the spot when the opposition starts to get the upper hand. His confrontational manner against umpires does make him look a bit “whingey” at times also. I too was questioning his field placements in the previous tests…...
The Flintoff debacle (dropped catch that was paid) made him look very whiney blaming most of that game purely on that. Although
it was a definite disadvantage to Australia they still did not play very well. In one day internationals he seems to be a good captain
but when it comes to tests and Australia slips behind I totally agree. Frozen to the spot just hoping a wicket will come Australia’s way.
well, if there was any time a dramatic turn-around needed to occur, it was this test, and what happened?
England just looked like lemmings following their leader off the edge of a cliff - Strauss edges one to slip, suddenly 7 other batsmen forget that if it’s not on the stumps you CAN actually leave the ball (shock and horror!), and the other two decided to keep Katich awake by hitting it to him…
Then they came out and bowled short for 3 1/2 sessions and let us cruise along at 4 an over, until we were 340 in front and North had outscored them by himself…
We bowled well on the first day, but not 102 well…it did however look a completely different and refreshed attack with Clark back in - seemed to almost release the other bowlers when Clark is down one end taking 3/18 and throwing a few maidens in there…Siddle came back and carved up the tail which was good for him, especially when it almost looked like he might be the fall-guy to get Clark back in the team, had they opted to play Hauritz instead…
Unfortunately for Hughes, with the bionic man (held together by sheet metal and screws) Watson making another “solid” 50 I think he has seen his last match time for this series, however they do have a few training sessions between the end of this test and the next one, and if Watson forgets one of his bubble-wrap appendage protectors there could be the potential for a strong gust of wind to ruin the rest of his series…
I’ve stopped watching today, but hopefully we will be able to bowl them out at SOME stage in the next 3 days…maybe a bit sooner with a few early wickets to start the tumble again…then to the Oval for the decider :D
yup talk about a turn-around alright!
Stuart Clark paid dividends very nicely, and Johnson is getting some rhythm although I still have my doubts (I must be a hard taskmaster!). Although Watson scored another 50, I still don’t think he is a long term solution.
Interesting who the will select for the final test - dunno if 4 quicks is the right “balance” at the Oval - its been a bowler’s graveyard this county season (like most seasons) so who knows!
Well we got this one and it all comes down to the last test. Stuart Clark definitely paid off. Mitchell Johnson finally looks like
he’s got his head in the game. Here’s hoping for a thriller 5th test (hopefully no rain - although we’d keep the ashes).