[MTS]

That was...interesting

[Cougar]

I've learned that only a fool starts to gloat this early.

[MTS]

We're not gloating Cougar, simply...observing the facts.

This post has been edited by Mappo's Travelling Sack: 07 August 2009 - 12:18 PM

[Cold Iron]

I thought he was talking about the general english gloating over the past 2 weeks.

[Impirion]

I predict a defeat by 30 runs.... for Australia! (1985 anyone? )

[Cougar]

Cold Iron, on Aug 7 2009, 01:22 PM, said:

I thought he was talking about the general english gloating over the past 2 weeks.

Actually I was. You'd have to be a right mug to openly gloat in text before victory is assured, it always comes back to bite you in the ass

[Hinter]

Shocking stuff! Our top scorer was an indifferent wicky who had a "back spasm" an hour or so before play started, and now the radio is blaming it all on a 4am fire alarm in the England hotel. By Christ why can't we get this relatively simple game right! Grrrr!!!!

[MTS]

Well that's that. An innings and 80 runs. I must say, credit where it's due: Prior, Broad, Swann and Harmison did a very good job wagging that tail. To score over 150 runs for 4 wickets when your top order couldn't hit water if they fell out of a boat (barring Strauss) was phenomenal. After that performance I think you should invert your batting order

Also, why isn't Prior further up the order? Put Prior in Bopara's position (or even no. 2) and chuck Bopara down to 5 or 6 and you'd have a much more stable order.

I'm looking forward to who Australia picks for their bowling line-up, and whether Hussey is in the team still. The guy is hopeless. Has only scored 1 century in the past 20 Tests. I'd prefer him being replaced by Hughes, or even his brother. He's decent with the bat, and is a spinner as well. Solves both problems. Don't think he's in the squad though.

This post has been edited by Mappo's Travelling Sack: 09 August 2009 - 01:50 PM

[caladanbrood]

If Bopara is still in the team for the last test I will be horrified. What's his average so far this series, 5?

[MTS]

Well, from what I've seen, he's simply not a first drop batsman. He might do okay further down the order, but he simply doesn't have the skill to bat where he is now. Who would replace him do you think?

[Cougar]

I think I said earlier in the thread I was expecting it to be 2 average sides playing average cricket and I think the last 4 tests have proved me correct. Although I think England would be flattered to be described as average after the last 3 days.

That said, the Aussies have an immeasurably superior batting line up, even though they couldn't hold a candle to the 2005 side. England are far too fragile and you feel that once one of Strauss or Cook goes there is little chance of Bell Bopara or Collingwood making scores. Realistically neither Bopara or Bell are test batsmen, Bell has shots but not the mental game, Bopara simply isn't good enough in any sense. Actuly though if you look at the alternatives England just don't have anyone to bring in, maybe Key? Ramps is probably the best batsman in the country game but selecting him would be a dead end.

Put simply Englands bowling was abject, it beggars belief that not one from Harmison, Anderson or Onions could change their line and length to suit the Headingly pitch. Clark was a great choice for the Aussies, great consistent line pitched up slightly full of a good length making the batsman play.

[MTS]

Not a bad start for you Poms. 10 overs: 41-1 is fair decent.

[Cold Iron]

I'm gunna go ahead and call that bouncer that clearly hit Bell's glove out. But tough call for Billy so no beef. Good start for the spectators i would say.

[Cougar]

Cold Iron, on Aug 20 2009, 11:51 AM, said:

I'm gunna go ahead and call that bouncer that clearly hit Bell's glove out. But tough call for Billy so no beef. Good start for the spectators i would say.

Definitely out but so was Clarke when he gloved it on 0 the other week. Just got to get on with it.

[Cold Iron]

One session in and it's not looking good for Australia. With a degrading pitch we definitely don't want a big chase.

[MTS]

The bowlers need to step up today or this will be a tough game, for sure. I'm hopeful Hilfenhaus will pull out some magic.

[Cold Iron]

Well I just caught up on yesterday's highlights and I have 2 things to say.

1. How the hell was Collingwood not given out off that clear nick?

2. After 42 tests Simon Katich you have just cemented your position in the team for me. What a runout!

Good game so far, will take some class batting for us to pull off a win.

[Traveller]

131 for 8 - australia are having a really bad afternoon!

[Hinter]

Aussies 160 all out, England 172 run lead. This is not good. A little spark of hope has ignited in my heart, but so often before that spark has been doused by a bloody great English bucket full of piss!

[Cougar]

What a great day of cricket, I've rarely seen such a compelling afternoons play. England I would say slightly hold the advantage being what 230 to the good. If, and it's a massive if, the conditions remain fairly constant and the pitch deteriorates at the same rate then anything over 200 will be a match winner for England I would say. But the conditions and pitch will have the final say here.

Huge pressure on Trott now, he must anchor the innings for minimum 50 runs.

This post has been edited by Cougar: 21 August 2009 - 07:31 PM