The Ashes 2009

I am happily stunned by the close of play score line. I am even getting a bit carried away by comparing it to the fun of 4 years ago. We couldn't...could we?

OK - looks like I got it wrong (again).

But, there again, I thought we had no chance of surviving in Cardiff.

Love him or hate him, I like Ponting as a captain. He hates losing.

Sky have got a gem of a commentator in Warne.

I thought not enforcing the follow on was timid. Now we're 500plus in front the test of mettle will be the declaration

Good day for England today although I agree, I think Strauss should have forced the follow on, as it would have really put the pressure on. With a bit of luck and some bad weather the Aussies should force draw now I think.

What I find is odd is the speed of Freddie's bowling. During the Ashes in 2005 he was regularly in the mid-nineties mph. When they toured Pakistan the following year he had dropped to around 85mph and I put this down to injury. He has been around that or slightly higher since, but yesterday he was up to 95mph again. I would have thought English wickets were slower than those in hotter countries. How does that work?

Mark,

I beleive bowling speeds are measured at a given point after leaving the bowlers hand. Once the ball hits the pitch it starts to Decelerate of course. The pitch condition determines what the ball is going to do after the bowler has imparted his magic on it. The batsman can then enjoy a 'tickling' sensation in the meat & two veg area or think about a 'dental' appointment. The Lords pitch is firmer and better condition than the Cardiff pitch was because its more mature, has better drainage etc. This pitch has made a more even contest, allowing the bowlers to have a better response for their efforts and tests the batsman technique, i.e. a Test Match. I'm not trying to teach you to suck eggs here of course, just explaining for others the 'thrill' of having a 95mph cricket ball adjusting ones looks or walk

ATB Denis

Thanks Denis. So why is Freddie so much faster again than he has been since the last Ashes in Blighty?

Oh dear - like others I think we have compromised our chances of a positive result here by batting on.

Yesterday also revealed other negative aspects e.g. the 12th man appearing several times to convey 'messages'. Also KP being off the field for a long time and getting the 12th man to cover.

Sorry, but the umpires should stop this kind of thing and the time wasting it brings. Otherwise these things slide in to wider facets a la 2005, with bowlers leaving the field on a regular basis.

Bah humbug!

Does anyone know whether Australia retains the no.1 ranking in test cricket if you lot win this one?

quote:

Why on earth didn't Strauss enforce the follow-on?

I'm totally baffled too; it might have been all over by now. Still best bat on and set a target of 600+ to be on the safe side.

quote:

Originally posted by Chillkram:
Thanks Denis. So why is Freddie so much faster again than he has been since the last Ashes in Blighty?

I think after the ankle/knee operations he has lost weight and worked on exercises to prevent injury. The trouble with these joint injuries though is the body then finds something else to breakdown whilst you try to 'protect' the first injury. Also Freddie's bio-mechanics might be working better, as his leaner body allows a more efficient bowling action.

Well at 135-5 it's all over bar the weather. Rain dance anyone?

I said Strauss made a good decision putting the Aussies back in!

231-5. Could I have spoken too soon?!!

313-5, bad light stopped play. Clarke has played a blinder and Englnd could be in trouble if they don't get this pair out early tomorrow. They could rue not getting them all out today after such a good start.

Rudi Koertzen's long overdue for the knackery. What a joke. Has any umpire made as many errors in a single Test?

quote:

Originally posted by Yo-yo Master:
Rudi Koertzen's long overdue for the knackery. What a joke. Has any umpire made as many errors in a single Test?

If you ask the Indian team, they will say Bucknor.

They spat the dummy big time, made all sorts of threats, utterly disgraced themselves in the eyes of many and essentially black mailed the ICC and ACB when they last toured Australia.

All of the umpires need a kick up the backside.

Wrongful decisions are going against " ALL " teams that would otherwise have probably done better and a different outcome may have eventuated.

The technology is there use it.

Strauss's 'ugly' catch of Hughes amongst others should have been referred to the video umpire.

That's cricket.

I sense Australia against all odds will win this second Test at Lords.

Perhaps it's just wishful thinking.

It will be a gripping fifth day at Lords.

Looks like we won't get a whole day's play..! Shame

Think I'll start a golfing thread.

Nice one England!

A great reversal from Cardiff, we have been far more disciplined and aggressive with the ball in particular.

Fintoff's last Test? Pietersen injured for Edgbaston?

The Aussies will be back and fighting for sure but this feels good right now.

Bruce

A truly well deserved victory to the English Team. Well done, take a bow, you really do deserve the accolades.

Congratulations on breaking the 75 year old hoo doo. Enjoy the moment, have a good rest and come back fighting.. for the sake of entertainment.

Well done to the Australian team for a grinding but ultimately unsuccessful test match at going 1 up in the series.

Great entertainment for all.

Today,entertainment is what it's all about. These guys get paid massive sums of money to keep us amused when we're not listening to our Naim, which is rarely.

I liked Mitchell batting to 63, hopefully that will lift his bowling for the next test.

The Australians are by no way's finished in their quest to retain the Ashes from the 5-0 beating handed out to the English Team in the previous Ashes series.

And

The English Team will no doubt have other thoughts about letting the Aussies retain the little ' Urn '. Go England..!

Lets see some hard fought, verbal, brilliant batting and bowling displays from both teams.


We are playing for the Ashes.

This is just what I had hoped for.

Sorry, I find the sexist comments in your post vulgar, totally un-neccesary and irrelevant.

Perhaps you'd edit them out and stick to the cricket.


Bruce

quote:

Originally posted by Bruce Woodhouse:
Sorry, I find the sexist comments in your post vulgar, totally un-neccesary and irrelevant.

Perhaps you'd edit them out and stick to the cricket.


Bruce

Lighten up.. It's Summer over there, tennis, cricket, summer showers along with strawberries and cream.

Don't be so prudish.

Political correctness arrived years ago, it's positively boring.. and most of the time over the top. It's having it's time and most people are savvy enough to see it through. It's like the 70's and 80's here today gone tomorrow.

There are probably as many offended as there are quietly laughing readers.

Apologies to the ladies and you.

As for editing because you don't find it humorous, NO....!

Please refer your disgust to the Naim Umpire.

quote:

Originally posted by akseland:

quote:

Originally posted by Bruce Woodhouse:
Sorry, I find the sexist comments in your post vulgar, totally un-neccesary and irrelevant.

Perhaps you'd edit them out and stick to the cricket.


Bruce

Lighten up.. It's Summer over there, tennis, cricket, summer showers along with strawberries and cream.

Don't be so prudish.

Political correctness arrived years ago, it's positively boring.. and most of the time over the top. It's having it's time and most people are savvy enough to see it through. It's like the 70's and 80's here today gone tomorrow.

There are probably as many offended as there are quietly laughing readers.

Apologies to the ladies and you.

As for editing because you don't find it humorous, NO....!

Please refer your disgust to the Naim Umpire.

I'm not a prude. I have no real truck with PC correctness. I just find schoolyard references to women's genitalia in a thread about cricket inapropriate. Perhaps other forumites are rolling in the aisles...

Bruce

Great game - well done Freddie and Swannie - superb performances.

Clarke had me worried for a bit, but my confidence returned as he departed; great effort by the Aussies nonetheless.

This has the makings of another great series.

ATB Rotf

quote:

Please refer your disgust to the Naim Umpire.

I did refer your posting to the Naim Umpire some hours ago. Nothing has happened. I hope this is not the direction this forum is going in. We are missing Adam already.

And yes, I do have a sense of humour, but I am not programmed to burst into convulsive laughter every time somebody mentions genitalia.

Don Phillips