The Ashes

[Sheva]

Its difficult to see how we can raise our game to the levels that we did last summer. Even making it a close series, say 2-1, might be a decent achievement, but i think its going to be a long hard winter. Anyone think we've got a squeak?

[Injector]

I don't fancy our chances at all.Pretty much the whole teamhappened upon good form last time 'round and coupled with home support and a misfiring Aussie team, we managed tosend them packing. It'll be a different story thistime. Playing in Oz and with several off-formkey members, coupled with an Aussie side who have been licking their wounds for 12 months - they'll be well up for it. Let's just hope that the Warne/Ponting/Buchanan squabbles keep them distracted....

[pawnshop92]

Hate to say it but the Aussies are going to cream England. Having lived there and livinghere now, cricket is on a much different level there :yoda:, even playing recreationally. I would say that the series goes 3-1, bris-aus, adelaide-aus, perth-draw, mel-aus, sin city-aus (check that 4-0).

[Chumpy]

2005 was a good year. Ashes are going back to Oz. I couldn not believe that my Somerset lad Tresco was taken on tour again ...

Good luck Eng. We have the abilities - maybe just not the morale/tummies.

[White Pheasant]

After day 3, it would appear that Australia are favourites to win the first Test match.

[meninblack]

Ponting's decision not to enforce the follow-on shows the utter contempt in which he holds England's batsmen. I'm guessing they'll bat for a session tomorrow then declare again leaving England to bat for 5 sessions needing more than 700 runs.

What a kick in the nuts for Aussie arrogance if we could bat out!

Can't see it though...

[hifiwigwam]

Lets hope we can bat out the day. After a dreadfl day at twickenham yesterday (WHY THE FUCK HAS HE NOT RESIGNED YET?) I could do with some good news. I'll take a draw as it would be such a kick in the nuts for that penis Ponting.

[griffo104]

HiFiWigWam wrote:

Lets hope we can bat out the day. After a dreadfl day at twickenham yesterday (WHY THE FUCK HAS HE NOT RESIGNED YET?) I could do with some good news. I'll take a draw as it would be such a kick in the nuts for that penis Ponting.

Nothing wrong with Ponting Mr Wigwam - class batsman and has been seriously hurt by losing the ashes last year. Wish we had a few more like him in our team. You need to be ruthless with the aussies as they are too good for anything but a 100% England team.

[SSM]

Some of my mates back home had pre-match victory parties.

Federer winning Grand Slams offers more nail-biting suspense.

[meninblack]

A much more promising start to the second test.

Warne 0 for 85 :lmao:

[The Swedish Chef]

for those wanting a slight bias in their ashes history lesson

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/ashes

[pawnshop92]

One day does not a test match make....:yoda:

It looks like PK Petersien is trying to target Warne for a flogging, there is still plenty o' cricket left...

[White Pheasant]

meninblack wrote:

A much more promising start to the second test.

Decent startby England but it just shows the importance of winning the toss and batting first on these 'flat' Australian wickets. Had the Aussies won the toss again, I dare say England would now be in a similar position to the first match.

If we can score 450+, that will put a little pressure on the Aussie batsmen -but thenour bowlers will need a big improvement from last time to take any advantage.

At least we mightactually have a match this time though!

[Chumpy]

Well done so far yesterday/today.

[Glens of Antrim]

England taking a bit of a pasting atm. Still hoping though...

Gilchrist just out to Giles Into the tail now.

Hope I can stay awake until after lunch ;)

GofA

[hifiwigwam]

Well we need to bat all day today, take the draw and go into the next match hoping to win the toss again.

[The Swedish Chef]

HiFiWigWam wrote:

Well we need to bat all day today, take the draw and go into the next match hoping to win the toss again.

i agree, but i think its a real shame that so much influence on the game is based on winning the toss, rubbish state of affairs that.

maybe the loser can pick an extra batsman

[Glens of Antrim]

Wonder if a one-day 50 overs charge would set up a scary couple of sessions for the Aussies.

Btw the pitch is a disgrace. Never thought I'd suffer longeurs during an Ashes match

GofA

[Biscuit]

is it 'exciting' enough now? This was the last thing I expected to see when I got up this morning - sounds like its quite embarrasing out there!

[hifiwigwam]

I sat with my mouth wide open in utter shock. What the fek happened?

Oh yeah, an Enlgand colapse. :raoflmfao::raoflmfao: