The Ashes 2010/11 'down under'

Almost over.

It has not been a great series with nail-biting ebb and flow, for the most part England have been good and stayed good, Australia have splutterred and perhaps got worse. I do not think England are yet a great side but the way they have adapted to the conditions and the requirements of Test Match cricket in Australia as a unit has been most impressive.

It is fun to look back at early posts in this thread and my nervous pre-tour predictions as below:

"I'm predicting a 2.1 or 2.0 England win but not very confidently. I do think the Ozzie bowling attack is not as shabby as it has been portrayed, and home advantage is a big plus. I also think that Anderson will not get much swing/joy. And Ian Bell only ever scores runs against weak opposition, never when it counts. And Pietersen may just implode. Cook has dodgy technique. Finn too inexperienced and not quite quick enough...."

Well done Bruce, incorrect in almost every respect.

Bruce

quote:

I do not think England are yet a great side

They will be when they can go to India & South Africa & come home with convincing wins
They might just be getting close, even with the weaknesses you were fearful of (and not totally wrong about)

Bruce,

I don't think England are a 'great' side, but they are closer than they have been for some time. Make no mistake, some of that Australian side can get big scores. The fact that they didn't was down to a bowling attack that exceeded expectation. For the most part, they bowled superbly. I was nervous about the extra batsman being included but they proved such fears unnecessary.

Australia really lost it with the ball. That is without doubt the most woeful Aussie attack I have ever seen. They sent down some real rubbish at times and their urgency to get a spinner into the side after Warne is misplaced, until they find one that can actually bowl a line (Smith) or spin the damn thing (Beer).

Anyway, enough about them. Just enjoy. We were in their position for far too long.

Joe

3-1.

Time to gloat.

What do you call a world class Aussie cricketer...?

Retired.


A class of primary kids were having a lesson about different occupations. One by one the teacher got them to stand up and explain what each of their parents did. 'My name is Mick and my Dad is a fireman, he helps save people etc etc'. One kid was looking embarrassed at the back and trying to avoid doing his speech. The teacher noticed this and insisted he spoke. Shuffling with humiliation he got to his feet and began 'My name is Shane, my dad is an exotic dancer. People pay him money and he takes off his clothes. If they pay him lots of money then they get to have s...' 'Enough!' she stopped him and rather hastily brought the lesson to a close. On the way out she collared little Shane. 'Was that really true about your Dad?' she asked. 'No miss. He's actually an Aussie cricketer but I was too embarrassed to say so'

Bruce

Wonderful - it should be a national holiday - having to get up for work is not easy.

Good Game - Good Game

The last 2 games especially - wining by an innings & something - really demonstrated they are a good team - emphasis on team.
Like I said yesterday, they will be a great team if & when they can go to India & win, beating India in England this summer does not do it - for me anyhow.

In the meantime they are probably the best team in world right now.

BARMY ARMY - BARMY ARMY

Great stuff. A once in a lifetime drubbing on their patch. Now for some decent sleep.

Until the ODIs....

Where are all the congratulations from our Aussie friends on the forum.



Joe

Ok Joe, congrats to England for a comprehensive flogging of what was, for the most part, a pitiful Aussie outfit. Personally, I'm just glad the whole ritual humiliation is over.

Jimmy Anderson is the most improved bowler I've seen for a very long time & Goober looked like he'd been doing it all his life. Makes you sick.

Not interested in the one dayers, boring repetitive rubbish about as interesting as basketball.

Only two and a half years to turn it around. Sigh.

Got my timing wrong. I was at the Sydney Cricket Ground 4 year ago to watch the Aussie team finish us off and pick up the Ashes. I bet it was fun out in Sydney round Circular Quay and The Rocks last night. Wish I could have been there and bought you a beer or two to celebrate Bazz.

quote:

Originally posted by bazz:
Ok Joe, congrats to England for a comprehensive flogging of what was, for the most part, a pitiful Aussie outfit. Personally, I'm just glad the whole ritual humiliation is over.

Good man Bazz, we have had plenty of that in our time. Some of your guys with Test averages over 45 don't suddenly become bad players overnight. Beware the over-reaction, it's not a good side. But you have had a once in a lifetime pool of players for so long - then most of them suddenly went.

The likes of McGrath and Warne don't come around but every 50 years - let alone stay fit.

England went years producing some great players in ordinary sides. Seldom quite enough of them at any one time. This is unfamiliar territory for England to be able to lose good players to injury and be able to put in someone of comparable ability. Timing can be everything. For example if Swann had been around when Warne was bowling it might have reduced the advantage a little, when all those turning wickets were being lined up.

Agree about ODIs and 20/20 being a poor substitute for Test Cricket.

Joe

quote:

Originally posted by JamieWednesday:
3-2 to us I fancy. Maybe 4-1.

Just looked back to my prediction...Close!

Aahhhh, lovely!

Well done England. Clearly a vastly better team at the moment. The Eng v India series should be a cracker.
Interesting than when a team is doing well people start describing them as "we" as in "we murdered them", "we rule!" etc
Same team out of form immediately become "they" as in "they suck", "they need shooting" etc.

I'll do the honours:

Thanks Steve. I think Elizabeth Hurley had something else in mind, though, when she heard how well hung the Aussie cricketers were!

quote:

Wish I could have been there and bought you a beer or two to celebrate Bazz

Me too Adrian, come on over, the weather's fine. We could nip in and annoy Harry

Here you go Aussies! Clearly, this is why England won!

That explains why you do the sprinkler dance.