The Ashes 2009

Where are you, Steve?!!

No Old Trafford or Trent Bridge but Cardiff. Is this part od some kind of master plan like when the Aussies went to a bush camp before thrashing us down under?

It's upset them. The first test is usually Lords and we usually lose there. Good move if you ask me.

Hard series to call this.

Both sides have a feeling of vulnerability, a few players either out of form or who are more journeyman than real stars.

I have a worry about the England batting lineup. Collingwood/Prior/Flintoff/Broad is flaky if we lose 2 or 3 quickly at the top. I think we have a bowling attack to make the most of good English conditions but Ponting will be hungry for revenge. If Mitchell Johnson and Brett Lee find form I think Australia have the edge.

First game has set the tone for the last two series, we may have lost it in 2005 but the agression and intent was evident from Day 1.

Wednesday is my day off so I'll have the radio welded to my ear!

Bruce

quote:

Originally posted by Yo-yo Master:

Wahey, there you are! Good to have you on board to help document the thrashing of the Aussies, Steve.

Brett Lee has a rib injury and misses the 1st Test. It's possible he will miss the 2nd test as well. What rotten luck after bowling so well in the last warm up game

quote:

Brett Lee has a rib injury and misses the 1st Test.

Yes, like all England fans, I was very sorry to hear Brett would miss the first test; injuries like this can be problematic and I think it is important that Brett does not rush things and takes plenty of time to recover - say about 2 months to be on the safe side.

quote:

Originally posted by ROTF:

quote:

Brett Lee has a rib injury and misses the 1st Test.

Yes, like all England fans, I was very sorry to hear Brett would miss the first test; injuries like this can be problematic and I think it is important that Brett does not rush things and takes plenty of time to recover - say about 2 months to be on the safe side.

I'll do him a sick note

Mind you-does anyone want to bet that Flintoff does not last the series?

Bruce

Freddie chatting to a couple of ducks before his first over

Listening to great new elpee by the Duckworth Lewis Method for the fourth time today. Superb track about meeting Javed Miandad. This is great listening from The Coin Toss until The End of the Over - album to win series by in my score book.

Come on Steve, shall I do it for you......?!!

And you lot certainly deserve to be eaten by a shark too after all those nasty and hurtful remarks about the unfortunate injury to one of our fine gentlemanly player/ambassadors

Just watched the highlights and the game is in the balance. A few of the Engalnd players gave away their wickets cheaply when they were in the groove and they could have been a few wickets better off at the end of the day.

If they can squeeze out 400 tomorrow, there should be some movement in the pitch for the bowlers tomorrow. Should be interesting.

Shame to see Simon Jones in the crowd, though, and not on the pitch.

Not following it at all this time, think it's totally wrong is only available on pay-tv. Dare say many will still be taken in by the hype though.

quote:

Originally posted by Calum F:
Not following it at all this time, think it's totally wrong is only available on pay-tv. Dare say many will still be taken in by the hype though.

Calum,

The highlights are available on Channel 5 after each days play @ 7.15pm.

A very poor consolation to what used to be on the BBC live. Only the greed of the ECB means they're not anymore.

Sooo , Australia not struggling then !

A timely reminder from Katich/Ponting to the England batsmen to value their wickets. Many of ours were given not taken!

Bruce

They'll be all out for under 300, mark my words!

I hope you are right. Needs to be a quick job to avoid a draw.

On the other hand the atmosphere from this new venue is fantastic on the radio!

ATB from George

Today's play has shown the beauty of Test Cricket. When two teams are closely matched, fluctuating fortunes are guaranteed.

I watched this mornings session, scarcely beleiving my eyes. The controlled aggression shown by the tail scored 99 in about 75 mintues. Again it was our poor shots rather than canny aussie bowling that finished us off. It was great entertainment though.

We then had 35 mins to rattle Hughes & Katich but bowled badly. Hughes showed he has a very good eye and the Broad/Anderson combo dished up regular 4 balls. After lunch Freddie was electric and really got the crowd going. Hughes got a 90mph inside edge from Freddie and things looked good, but... Ponting came in and was determined to stick around (like Steve Waugh) and turn the game in his favour. You have to admire that kind of attitude and Katich supported his captain admirably. Our bowlers must bowl better tomorrow if we want to avoid having to save the game instead of winning with our 'superior' spinners

This series may show both sides have inferier bowling attacks to dominate and force results. I think the series winning margin may only be 1 test and hopefully England.

You'd think Katich and Ponting would let somebody else have a bat - surely they should realise the test match is not all about them.

I mean supposed you had spent hours learning the words to Colling Wood, Colling Wood, Riding through the Glen - what chance would you have to sing it.

Just as the Aussie wickets were starting to tumble they were saved by the rain - oh well looks like a draw now.

Aussie wickets tumbling... you are having a laugh! The rain has saved England from the defeat they and their boorish supporters deserve,