The Ashes 2009

Another wicket down already!

Broad and Swann a ton each?

'81 again?

More seriously tho', whatever changes are made for the Oval we have to keep Anderson for his batting - guaranteed to get a couple every time

Nah, Flintoff. Pieterson. Vaughan. Botham. Hobbs...

And where's Boycott when you need him?

quote:

Originally posted by avole:
Drop Bell, Bopara down to 6, Ramps in at 3. Drop Harmison, bring back Monty.

See Ramps got another ton today, but he's like Hick, I think, playground bully...not the same player when facing test bowlers. I would drop Bopara altogether, though. Maybe Ramps does deserve another shot.

Ramprakash has been an obvious choice for some years now on a statistical basis.

I wonder if it has occurred to the selectors at any point over those years, to ask him whether he would be interested in, say, a guaranteed 3-match run to see if his reworked technique can now work its magic at Test level..

He may have been approached informally and declined. A one-match offer in the hothouse conditions of a 'must win' test may not be attractive to him. I would still make him the offer if it hasn't been done before. Otherwise, why not go for 3 openers at the top of the order? How about a recall for Tresco - just on a home Test basis, of course, in view of his past problems?

Fraser

quote:

Originally posted by Fraser Hadden:
Ramprakash has been an obvious choice for some years now on a statistical basis.

I wonder if it has occurred to the selectors at any point over those years, to ask him whether he would be interested in, say, a guaranteed 3-match run to see if his reworked technique can now work its magic at Test level..

He may have been approached informally and declined. A one-match offer in the hothouse conditions of a 'must win' test may not be attractive to him. I would still make him the offer if it hasn't been done before. Otherwise, why not go for 3 openers at the top of the order? How about a recall for Tresco - just on a home Test basis, of course, in view of his past problems?

Fraser

BECAUSE of his past problems, which could no doubt reoccur, I think it would be the worst possible time to recall Trescothick. The guy simply cannot handle stress and to put him into the pressure cauldron of the Oval test would be madness. he'd refuse anyway.

Sister xx

It's really good sitting back here on neutral ground, happy in the thought that both sides have experienced a boring draw, the joys of a win and the associated inflated ego, and the bitterness of a defeat.

Actually quite a heart warming experience

You just dislike both!

Compared to 2005 these are two mediocre sides, although one appears to be getting better whilst the other lurches along. Despite being a notorious sporting pessimist I still think the Aussies have the potential to be almost as brittle as we were at Headingley, more with the ball than the bat maybe.

After months of expectation my Ashes 'day' was 2 sunny hours at Headingley this Sunday but we were at least treated to a very amusing spell of Swann and Broad biffing it all over the park. The crowd (packed despite the game situation) lapped it up and the Aussies managed to have their savoir faire seriously (but briefly) dented.

If England can make a good start at The Oval and get the crowd baying for more I think they can pull off a win.

I also think they should send Bopara down to play for Essex next week and stick with him, but batting at 5 not 3. Harmison for Onions with panesar or even Rashid the alternative. We started the series with the idea that spin might win us the Ashes-time for The Oval groundstaff to get the hot air blowers on that pitch!

Bruce

IF freddy plays - we win - simple.

Good luck for the lads tomorrow. I hope this is an epic last test and with an England win of course

Ian.

Barmy Army....Barmy Army....Barmy Army...oops, hope Nick from Suffolk's not looking!

I'm hoping that Freddie will make a (positive) statement considering this will be his final Test appearance.

To be honest, it could go either way, BUT (!), I really think that England may just pull it together.... Fingers crossed!

quote:

Originally posted by Bruce Woodhouse:

.... Despite being a notorious sporting pessimist I still think the Aussies have the potential to be almost as brittle as we were at Headingley...

If England can make a good start at The Oval and get the crowd baying for more I think they can pull off a win....


Bruce

I'd just like to point out these bits of my previous post Come on England, a lead of 172 after the first innings!

Bruce

yeah but the aussies aint happy unless they are whingeing.....big pussies.!

Brits are cheats ‘cause we ordered a Chennai wicket, err egh ?? whats that about ??, when I played the home team ordered the pitch, grass cut, the first roller and the pre match covers.
Whingin' ozz's going on about the pitch, sorry guys, oz’s whinge far better than pommes, we are mere amateur moaners and except to loose, oz expects to win and do it by any means.

The game ain’t over yet. England are less than impressive with the bat - done and said all 58-3 is not something to be proud of, and I don't hear much of that being banged on about amongst the jingoistic bowling hoorah.
A few quick wickets this morning and the game turns 180 degrees, then Oz have 2 days to slug out a win.

Great game in progress, let’s enjoy the moaning & whinging & the cricket in all its glory
I am lined up with a few Speckled Hen - unfortunatly only on TV - and look forward to what could be a classic.

I'm really not convinced we had any idea what wicket we were preparing. If we expected a real 'turner' then why did we not pick Panesar or even Rashid? The aussies clearly had no real idea either, or surely they would have picked Hauritz?

Bruce

We also didn't know the pitch was a 3-day one, at best. If the game runs its expected course and England win, the toss appears to have decided the Ashes.

Fraser

england WILL win the ashes no problem.

564 to win easy we'll bowl 'em out, shit 56-0 already!!!!

dont panic "H"

I think Strauss should have carried on batting. The Aussies still have two days to bat it out and could defiantly rack up a big total with the right mindset, if they get bedded in.

Records are there to be broken, after all. Just ask Usain Bolt.

Oops. 2 wickets down already. Not what the Aussies would have been hoping for!