Just a few ramblings


Australia doing ok against South Africa at the moment but I still fear we are not far away from one of our dreaded 2nd innings disasters where we get less than 100 total. The Proteas have the attack to do this.




Mitchell Johnson has brought along his "A" game for 6 Tests in a row now. Must be some sort of record for him.




Who do you think will and/or should be the next English coach? Will he be his own man or a YES man to the ECB??



Australia are amongst the lowest in the T20 rankings but so many Australians are playing in the IPL. Many for big bucks as well. Thought it strange that no-one picked up James Faulkner though.





:cheers:

Who do you think will and/or should be the next English coach? Will he be his own man or a YES man to the ECB?

:cheers:

Good couple of questions Baz that few people know the answer to.

The preferred option is Gary Kirsten, but they are having a real problem getting him to do it. Big money is being offered, but so far he is resisting. There is no plan B or C, so it could end up with plan Z which is Ashley Giles. There are no current English born county coaches who fit the bill. If they give up on Kirsten a plan B might be Jason Gillespie, although that is just my thoughts, I have not heard that from any cricket circles.

The yes man question is really about would the new man be a yes man to Paul Downton. Because he is new to the job it is not clear what his management style is. By appointing Gus Fraser to the selection committee I would suggest Downton is not looking for yes men.

tend to think whoever gets the job is taking a poisoned chalice as many of his options have been reduced already

tend to think whoever gets the job is taking a poisoned chalice as many of his options have been reduced already

Good point Phil. It will certainly not be easy, especially without any quality slow bowler and a few batting places up for grabs. I think the seam bowling options look ok with Stokes and Onions hopefully coming through. It will also be interesting to see who the stumper is. I would go back to Prior and give him another go.

Its astounding how English International cricket has gone completely to dog shit in such a short space of time. Trott and Swann chucking it in mid tour, coach subsequently sacked and Pietersen told his international career is over.

I nominate Alec Stewart for the coach job. No real logic to that. Just liked how he went about the game as a player.

I nominate Alec Stewart for the coach job. No real logic to that. Just liked how he went about the game as a player.

No chance Frankie, Stewart needs numerous cupboards to keep all his skeletons in. Some of them quite serious.

No chance Frankie, Stewart needs numerous cupboards to keep all his skeletons in. Some of them quite serious.

Sounds like he should become a Politician or join the Catholic Priesthood.

Sounds like he should become a Politician or join the Catholic Priesthood.

We've got a couple like that :smoke::smoke:

Aussies could do with some decent, consistent batsmen at the moment.

Watson & Hughes back for the next Test???




:paranoid:

Crikey!!

Went to bed Australia were 144/1


Thank fuck I did not see the carnage that followed




:sad:

Aussies could do with some decent, consistent batsmenat the moment.

Watson & Hughes back for the next Test???




:paranoid:

Clarke is the one out of form. Can't see him getting dropped.

I see WG Grace is back playing for England tonight/today in Antigua









http://high-grade.smugmug.com/photos/i-sRWRf6N/0/M/i-sRWRf6N-M.jpg


http://high-grade.smugmug.com/photos/i-Q4q3BJh/0/M/i-Q4q3BJh-M.jpg






:unionjack:

The Sheffield Shield might be coming home again.



:grinnod:

To Sheffield?:playing:

To Sheffield?:playing:




Definitely not to Victoria or Queensland


:yay:

Back where it belongs. The WACA lads were lucky the likes of Clarke, Warner, Watson, Haddin, Starc & Bollinger etc were unavailable. Still it needs a better system to decide the winner. The home team will always play for a draw which is very un-Australian.

Peter Moores has been appointed as England's new Head Coach. Again. I think his lack of international experience, both as a player and coach, could be a big disadvantage. Not least because any England player can throw it back at him. Could have been a lot worse though. Ashley Giles could have got the job.

Although with Pieterson gone for good the main source of dressing room anarchy might have been removed.

Future does'nt look good to me. Pieterson gone, Trott teetering on the brink and worst of all Swann having chucked it. Lots of opportunities for good young cricketers. But can they step up this season and perform consistently at Test level?

only time will tell Frankie but better to let them try, than to carry on with things how they were.

I hope that Peter can sort out the shambles that is English cricket .

Oh dear!!!!


The Chucker is now an Australian bowling coach



The Chucker (http://www.espncricinfo.com/pakistan-v-australia-2014/content/current/story/753457.html)





:ohno:

For one silly moment there I thought you were referring to West Indian Charlie Griffiths

Just showing my age

For one silly moment there I thought you were referring to West Indian Charlie Griffiths

Just showing my age

Standards around chucking have fallen so much that Charlie Griffiths action would not even be looked at today. The game is much poorer for the lax attitude to an important part of cricket.

Arise Sir Jimmy Anderson the Burnley Lara strikes again (for the first time). Aided by a top innings from Joe Root.

But what was Dhoni thinking about? No strategy or even a basic game plan. Seemed to me he was waiting for something to happen and what a long wait he and his team had.

It made for watching a great first session this morning though, didn't it ?

We are starting to see the down side of the installation in recent years of drainage systems on English grounds. Three test matches so far and three dead decks.

Frankie, you are spot on with Dhoni, very poor leadership and by leaving Ashwell out, poor selection an'all.

It made for watching a great first session this morning though, didn't it ?

Your right there J. I thought it would all be over in the first few balls. Then I thought maybe get the lead down to under 100 runs, possibly 75 runs. But to be runs ahead and batting into the afternoon session was amazing. Plus keeping India in the field for 2.5 hours in the morning + + + all the other stuff.

An amazing morning session, with records broken from what was a desperate situation.

We are starting to see the down side of the installation in recent years of drainage systems on English grounds. Three test matches so far and three dead decks.

Frankie, you are spot on with Dhoni, very poor leadership and by leaving Ashwell out, poor selection an'all.

I will spout on about Anderson but when tailenders are weighing in so heavily with the runs in the same Test match there has to be an issue with the track. It seems numerous grounds have installed super fast drainage systems that have withdrawn too much moisture resulting in lifeless wickets. Easy to bat on but will result in the team batting first putting on a good score with the opposition then doing likewise as the bowlers cant get any assistance. Result, loads of drawn Tests that wont interest paying punters.

Couldnt understand what Dhoni's thoughts were in the morning session. Started with seamers, that didnt work but kept going with it anyway. Result Anderson settled in and Root, as he should be, was in control. Couldnt understand why Dhoni didnt revert to spin at one end after 8 overs or so, then rotate the seamers from the other end. Plus let one of the batsmen bowl some flighted filth and see if Anderson would have a dip. Mix and match, change things to try and upset the batsmens rythm. But no.

Holding summed it up best on commentary with "Whats the defintion of madness? Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result each time. Well thats what Dhoni is doing".

Well Jimmy got Man of the Match, well deserved IMO as without his batting effort Root would have been left high and dry and England would have been facing a big first innings defecit.

India could have then applied some preassure and with England's ability to capitulate, Cook out of form anything could have happened.

Cook has to step down .Hes clueless and field placings,and its had a massive down turn in form.

Cook has to step down.

Its looking more like that as every innings goes by without a score.

Anyway on to Lords. After the dead wicket Test at Trent Bridge a green track is served up. I bet Cook was bricking himself when the coin was spinning. England win toss, put India in and fail to bowl them out on day one on a wicket ideally suited to seam bowling.

IMO at the end of Day Two India are ahead on points as well as runs.

Third Test starts tomorrow. More of the same I think.

Third Test starts tomorrow. More of the same I think.




As I keep reminding our mate Flacky


"Remember Rorke's Drift ... just when you think all is lost ...."



:unionjack:




In Australia we say "never forget Steven Bradbury!!"


It ain't over till it's over .....




fAADWfJO2qM





:ausflag:

the turning point, we are back, world beater..

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/28514338


My arse :(

As I keep reminding our mate Flacky

"Remember Rorke's Drift ... just when you think all is lost ...."

:unionjack:

In Australia we say "never forget Steven Bradbury!!"

It ain't over till it's over .....

:ausflag:

Thats true Baz and Cookie came good today and at last the team got off to a decent start for what seems like the first time for decades. Even though Cook missed out on a ton he passed Pieterson and Gower in the leading English Test run scorers.

Hopefully a corner has been turned and at least some level of batting consistency can be anticipated. Bells been short of runs recently and he needs to weigh in tommorrow as well.

They are not too far away. Need to sort out who opens with Cook, Robson's not a test opener and may never be. Not sure Butler is good enough as a keeper and obviously we need a spinner. I will be interested to see how Patel the Middlesex slow bowler develops, he is the best prospect I have seen this season.

They are not too far away. Need to sort out who opens with Cook, Robson's not a test opener and may never be. Not sure Butler is good enough as a keeper and obviously we need a spinner. I will be interested to see how Patel the Middlesex slow bowler develops, he is the best prospect I have seen this season.

IMO Robson is too fond of poking at balls that are outside the line of off stump.

Buttler: With his keeping I cant decide if he is quite capable and understated or if he has never been put under any real pressure. One day keeping does not compare to Test level. Anyway we will find out if he plays a couple of Tests. Hopefully he can also consistenly score runs at Test level.

On the subject of keeping. MS Dhoni. He fumbles and blunders through a Test match but seems to hang on when it matters as with his leg side catch of Cook when standing up. But his clumsiness when dealing with basic throws from fielders is unbelievable. Blocks with pads and often spilling the ball. Theres no tidying up, he has the ability to make good fielding look piss poor.

Plus I think his captaincy is often poor, tends to cruise along waiting for something to happen. Today Ashwin is not picked, yet again, but Dhoni then has spinners operating from both ends. IMO Dhoni exists on his impressive IPL expolits which mean very little in Test match cricket.

England spinners. Cant answer that one. Think its on a wing and a prayer, or on the piss with Monty Pannesar.

Oh Dear....

http://www.theage.com.au/sport/cricket/kevin-pietersen-joins-melbourne-stars-20140728-zxrdc.html :pity:

name that guy.

England filled their boots on Day 2. I knew they would come good. Maybe.

We need some new bowlers .Broad needs a rest hes not a 100% fit.Better display today ,but we are only playing a india attack that most teams would beat.

We need some new bowlers .Broad needs a rest hes not a 100% fit.Better display today ,but we are only playing a india attack that most teams would beat.

Think you are right foz, interesting to see who they go to. Maybe back to Finn, although I've only seen him on tv he looks to have got his pace back. Completely left field would be Footitt of Derbyshire. He has some raw pace when he gets it right and is a left armer which gives a bit of variety.

C'mon England!!.Knock over the rest of the batsmen quickly today



:unionjack:

C'mon England!!.Knock over the rest of the batsmen quickly today



:unionjack:

No ploplem.

Baz, I put the win down to your Rourkes Drift post above inspiring the English team on to victory. Keep up the good work especially when we are next in battle with our colonial convict cousins.

Finn recalled for the Manchester test. Robson given another (last?) chance.

Finn recalled for the Manchester test. Robson given another (last?) chance.

Will be interesting to see how Finn bowls. Hopefully he has worked on and improved his game. No more hand clipping the stumps.

As Robson played in a winning team he has probably kept his place on that basis. Would rather see Taylor in the team, on an extended run, and try him opening or Root. Might not work but both are more talented than Robson.

Hopefully the team has now turned a corner, confidence has returned and we wont have to rely on the late middle order and tail to post a competitive score.

Will be interesting to see how Finn bowls. Hopefully he has worked on and improved his game. No more hand clipping the stumps.

As Robson played in a winning team he has probably kept his place on that basis. Would rather see Taylor in the team, on an extended run, and try him opening or Root. Might not work but both are more talented than Robson.

Hopefully the team has now turned a corner, confidence has returned and we wont have to rely on the late middle order and tail to post a competitive score.

I think Root would have to go back and open, with Taylor at 5. I don't think Taylor has opened since his Leicestershire seconds days. If he has a weakness it would be judging length against quick bowling and the new ball may find him out early on.

Wonder if they will ever go for tiron mills,fastest/on target bowler ive seen in a England shirt. But never gets mentioned ,he must off done something wrong

Great days play at the Test today. Had everything. Just as well it was wrapped up today as unlikely there would have been any play tomorrow and possibly Monday.

No idea what the Indians or Dhoni were thinking about. What's Dhoni's/Indian selectors problem with Ashwin? Gets left out and when picked hardly gets a bowl. Didnt bowl until the 105th over in Englands innings. He even weighed in with the bat but does not seem to be rated by Dhoni/Indian selectors. Very strange.

India steamrollered again. Think England have now turned the corner and can start to prepare for next years Ashes.

India steamrollered again. Think England have now turned the corner and can start to prepare for next years Ashes.



Watched it in Metro last night. Every time we looked up while chatting another wicket had fallen. Lovely to see India getting flogged. Let's hope that the Aussies can do the same thing in the upcoming summer. Only 4 Tests though and they dodged a bullet due to no Perth Test this year.


If the real Mitch Johnson turns up in England, you will be in trouble . Notice how much better he plays since he has become a West Australian and no longer a mongrel Queenslander.


dancing





Watch out if young quickie Gurinder Singh Sandhu (good Aussie name that one :ausflag:) gets a berth. He cant be too far away from Test selection

To stop Johnson and any other Aussie quicks getting a head start we will make sure the Trent Bridge groundsman prepares the first few wickets. Using 500 year old Nottinghamshire Red Marl clay it will make the last Trent Bridge wicket look like the WACA in the 1970's.

Once they are shagged out and injured and on the big bird back to Oz decent tracks will then be prepared as the Ashes will be in the bag.

251 runs off 40 overs


Now that is how you play Test cricket



:ausflag:

Been watching the big bash bazza putting in my mornings on a weekend over here

Nicked this from Cricinfo after Friday's ODI. An interesting stat considering that England has played one dayer's since the start.





Ian Bell is 65th on the all-time list of ODI run-scorers but, remarkably, that is sufficient for him to be England's leading run-getter in the format. When he drove a single down the ground to move to 98, he passed Paul Collingwood's record of 5092. Bell finished on 5136, still well short of the record holders from every ICC Full Member except Bangladesh. Even Zimbabwe has three men - Andy Flower, Grant Flower and Alistair Campbell - with a higher run tally than any England player.





One Day Batting Records (http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/83548.html)




Still can't work out why Bell did not get the Man-of-the-Match award even if he was in a losing side. It's not like it was a final or anything.




:clueless:

Still can't work out why Bell did not get the Man-of-the-Match award even if he was in a losing side. It's not like it was a final or anything. :clueless:

Have to agree - His innings was all class.

What a finish to the Big Bash final last night.

The Perth Scorchers needed 1 run from the last 3 balls.

Brett Lee took wickets with the next 2 balls and was on a hat trick.

So down to the last ball, the Scorchers batsman gets bat on ball and they head off for the run.

The Sydney Sixers fielder fires a return in to the bowlers end but the fielder over the stumps fails to take the ball cleanly and the Scorchers win.

Brad Hogg still playing at nearly 44 years old




:trampoline:

Pinched from the BBC website


I like this line about Michael Clarke


"He's captain of Australia, the second most important position behind the prime minister and as such, we need our captain playing well," Lehmann said.



Sad to say, but when we have a absolute clown like Tony Abbott running the country, the Australian cricket captain might even be the MOST important man in the country.


I come from the opposite side of politics and although I did not agree with their policies and agendas (especially the union bashing), previous Liberal party (Conservative) prime ministers in Malcolm Fraser and John Howard still had my respect. They were both statesman. This bloke Abbott comes across as a fool. The sooner he is gone, the better IMHO



Plus he is the federal member for Manly Warringah in Sydney. I was born in the Sutherland Shire and and have followed Cronulla Sutherland RLFC since their beginnings in 1967. Lets just say that Many & Cronulla supporters don't get along too well.

:malletfight:





Plus Abbott married a Kiwi, is a practicing Tyke and was born in London.


Not much to like about him.



dancing

Pinched from the BBC website


I like this line about Michael Clarke


"He's captain of Australia, the second most important position behind the prime minister and as such, we need our captain playing well," Lehmann said.



Sad to say, but when we have a absolute clown like Tony Abbott running the country, the Australian cricket captain might even be the MOST important man in the country.


I come from the opposite side of politics and although I did not agree with their policies and agendas (especially the union bashing), previous Liberal party (Conservative) prime ministers in Malcolm Fraser and John Howard still had my respect. They were both statesman. This bloke Abbott comes across as a fool. The sooner he is gone, the better IMHO



Plus he is the federal member for Manly Warringah in Sydney. I was born in the Sutherland Shire and and have followed Cronulla Sutherland RLFC since their beginnings in 1967. Lets just say that Many & Cronulla supporters don't get along too well.

:malletfight:





Plus Abbott married a Kiwi, is a practicinig Tyke and was born in London.


Not much to like about him.



dancing

Baz you mean he's a like a tight Yorkshireman? Bit like Boycott, a batsman that did'nt like scoring runs but took a long time over it. Would'nt give anything away.

Baz you mean he's a like a tight Yorkshireman? Bit like Boycott, a batsman that did'nt like scoring runs but took a long time over it. Would'nt give anything away.

I suspect Bazza has concerns regarding the Honourable Member's allegiance to the Church of Rome.:MyEmoticons-com__po

As opposed to the Westminster religion followed by Her Madge and other members of the Court of St James.:riverdance:

Read this on Cricinfo regarding the World Cup



England seeded at #1!!!!


World Cup Groups (http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/page/817521.html)





Wondering if England was the number one ODI side when the pool groups were sorted??



:dunno:

Maybe the seeding was done using the Duckworth Lewis method?

Anyway it will be sorted in the near future. Starting tommorrow.

I hope they've got the covers sorted. Monster deluge last night, still bucketing down this morning,

I hope they've got the covers sorted. Monster deluge last night, still bucketing down this morning,


Must have been a half decent storm coz Moonee Valley races were called off last night due to the presence of lightning in the area


Anyway, back to the cricket. The big bet is on for tonight's Poms vs Aussie game. I won a lottery ticket off Adam after the Australians won the recent ODI series final. Being of generous mind, I gave him double or nothing which he accepted. This is serious stuff. :haha:



Actually might make some money here betting against the Aussies when they play against the better sides especially from the quarter finals onwards. Australia will start favourites in every game they play so the good value in the opposition. A win/win situation. Of course I want Australia to win. Bragging rights for the next four years but if they do get beat my sadness will be tempered by a few extra bob in my pocket.

:yay:



Off to Betfair now to have a look at the odds




:cashtoburn:

Well that was close. England only lost by 111 runs. At least Taylor made a good impression at International level.

What were the umpires doing at the end? Anderson ran out after Taylor was given out LBW? The LBW decision was rightly referred and overturned, but doesnt alter the fact that once a batsmen is given out in live play the ball is dead. Unbelievable that so called "elite" umpires could make such a stupid decision. Didnt affect the result but probably robbed Taylor of a well deserved ton.

Well that was close. England only lost by 111 runs. At least Taylor made a good impression at International level.

What were the umpires doing at the end? Anderson ran out after Taylor was given out LBW? The LBW decision was rightly referred and overturned, but doesnt alter the fact that once a batsmen is given out in live play the ball is dead. Unbelievable that so called "elite" umpires could make such a stupid decision. Didnt affect the result but probably robbed Taylor of a well deserved ton.

Have to agree with everything you say - Can't believe how they got it so wrong.

Looks like the Poms have a team to follow now in the Indian Premier League.

KP, Ravi Bopara (Capt Jack's favourite cricketer) and Eoin Morgan all due to play for Hyderabad.



Sunrisers Hyderabad Squad (http://www.espncricinfo.com/indian-premier-league-2015/content/squad/833007.html)




With David Warner and Moises Henriques also in the team, I wonder if they will have a few beers down the pub after the game.

:malletfight:




Royal Challengers Bangalore should also be a fun team. With that mouthy prick, Virat Kohli as captain and the likes of Aussies Mitchell Starc, Sean Abbott and Nic Maddinson all in the same team, I hope Kohli sledges the opposition and not his own team "mates".



Big money brings on strange bedfellows.





:haha::haha::haha:

Hey Fork Handles, did you see this?


NSW vs Victoria Feb 15 (http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia-domestic-2014-15/engine/match/754917.html)



Look who got all the wickets!!!




The Blues must have prepared a dodgy pitch just like the Poms used to do back in the 70's for Derek Underwood




:unionjack:

Yeh, I was getting scores through on the radio when I was driving.

Hat trick to Doug the Rug and Lion Nathan cleaned up.

Hey, Wanking Wodger, Penetrator, Foz, Ferocious, Simie, Jake......


YOUR BOYS COPPED ONE HELL OF A BEATING! :sheepshag: :flyswat:

We took the option Of keeping our beaten run going. Total utter shite!

Hey, Wanking Wodger, Penetrator, Foz, Ferocious, Simie, Jake......


YOUR BOYS COPPED ONE HELL OF A BEATING! :sheepshag: :flyswat:

...and Mankeyspanner:guitar3:

Hopefully England will improve by at least 50% in the few games that will be left in the World Cup. After all losing by a mere 55 runs or 4 wickets would be a 50% improvement.

I watched the highlights of the England v. NZ game today. It wasnt all bad. Woakes took 2 for 8. Mc Cullum didnt hit every ball for 6 some only went for 4. Hopefully the fourth top run scorer on the day, Extras, pulls his finger out and puts some big scores together. Apart from the batting, bowling and fielding England played OK. I reckon we will beat Afghanistan, not too sure about anybody else though.

A Win!!!!!!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/31581609

On the way now watch us take the cup

Was Mel Gibson in their team?:twirl:

Another set back for England. Batting did well but the bowlers served up the usual shit, as they did against Australia and NZ, and got hammered. Never seen such a one dimensional "attack". Seems like a game plan is set (the wrong one) and stuck to no matter what.

Never mind could have been worse a 10 wicket defeat is worse than a 9 wicket. Not by much though. Anyway Bangladesh and Afghanistan are next up. Should beat Afghanistan but dont know about Bangladesh. Shows the current state of English ODI cricket.

At last England get their act together and hammer a country. Pity its only Afghanistan. Plus the defeat to Bangladesh was not exactly impressive, but at least it was by a narrow margin.

In summary a totally inept and unacceptable performance in this World Cup competition by England on all levels. Complete and utter shite.

Good luck to the Kiwi cuzzies in the WC final today.


Of course I want the Aussies to win, but if they do lose, I could not think of a better opponent to lose to. They are, after all, our brothers in arms.


For those that don't know, Google the word ANZAC.



So many of my bessy mates are my cuzzie bro's from the Land of the Long White Cloud and as they have won sweet fuck all on the international stage in cricket, who could begrudge them.


Everything is in the Aussies favour. Home ground advantage and if every Australian plays to their maximum skill level, the Kiwis will not get within coeee of us. There is a reason the Aussies are $1.40 to win and the Kiwis $2.80 with the bookies.



Still cricket is a funny game. May the best team win. I hope I don't choke on my oysters at the Mantra tomorrow. There will be plenty of Poms there to give me a hard time if the Aussies lose





:ausflag:

I hope NZ wins ,, by 11 wickets ,,,,

Australia has named their 17 man West Indies and Ashes Test squad


Only 9 NSW players so we could be in trouble :angry:


Test squad

Michael Clarke (capt), Steven Smith (vice-capt), Fawad Ahmed, Brad Haddin, Josh Hazlewood, Ryan Harris (Ashes only), Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Peter Nevill, Chris Rogers, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc, Adam Voges, David Warner, Shane Watson.



FFS why do they keep picking Sean Marsh??? He is useless. And surely Siddle, great servant that he has been, is past it??


Thought there would have been a spot for Gurinder Sandhu and Pat Cumminns (both NSW players naturally :supporter1:). However both are on the Australian A tour to India. Sandhu would have been great in England as being of Indian heritage, he'd have got a lot lot of those Indians that we hear the Poms moaning about, coming to the games to support the Aussies :haha:



Still on a bright note, we now have a wicket taking leggie back in the Test squad and even better, there is only one Queensland player in the squad and even he was born in NSW!!!




Go 'Straya!!!




:ausflag:

Bazz, although Siddle is in the touring squad, he has not been given a CA contract. Means he'll only get match payments, unless he plays 3 tests, in which case he must be given a contract, but on the lowest pay scale.

The thinking seems to be that that they'll burn him up in the WI and tour matches to protect the two Mitch's, then say so long when he's no longer needed.

Harsh treatment for a loyal servant. And not just a Victorian, but a Dandenong boy to boot!

Deano, will he have to learn to speak Brummie???




McCullum to be a Bear (http://www.espncricinfo.com/county-cricket-2015/content/story/857621.html)






dancing

Good signing that by the Bears. McCullum should add some spice to the T/20.

How good is this bloke??

Amazing!!!

England should elevate him to the top side :terrific:


Go Liam!! (http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/cricket/32376031)


In the Aussie Press (http://www.theage.com.au/sport/cricket/liam-livingstone-scores-world-record-350-in-oneday-match-20150420-1mol6c.html)






:unionjack:

One to watch out for hopefully.

Here we go again



Breakaway Rebel Cricket League (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-05-01/michael-clarke-david-warner-offered-contracts-rebel-cricket-lea/6436692?section=sport)





You would want ALL the money up front with these dodgy bastards





:toot:

Sounds like a right load of bullshit and just an attempt to drive revenue into some TV companies bank account. Offering Pup a 10 year contract worth $50m is complete bollocks. Doubt Pup's body will endure another 2 years of international cricket.

Good low scoring Test ended in Bridgetown yesterday with a win for the WIndies, or should that be WIndies B team as most of their top players are playing in the IPL. That drew a Test series that England should have really dominated and won 3-0. It was claimed on Sky that one of the selectors had openly stated if England did not win the series convincingly then “heads would roll”. Could be the usual media bullshit or maybe something will be done as it needs to be.

What goes on with the England team defies belief at times. England were all out just before lunch, resulting in the WIndies openers having to face 1 over before lunch. No opener fancies that. So Cook then sets a field that only includes 3 slips. WTF? Typically straight on the defensive from the off.

Two part-time spinners in Moeen and Root bowling. Broad not bowling too well but his batting has gone completely to shit. Buttler bats so far down the order that he ends up batting with the tailenders. Trott? Maybe his time has gone but he has just announced his retirement from International cricket.

NZ next then the Ashes. I can’t see England doing anything what so ever other than being whitewashed.

I think we've got the tools if we can put it together .. Seems the only head to roll was Trotts and he cut his own head off

It's not the players to blame it is the idiots coaching and running things, until that is swept clean and a new start then things won't change.

At least the rain stopped a potential banana skin against the Paddies today.

Moores is gone.

Reminds me of the Aussies two years ago getting rid of the "homework" coach


dancing

So the quote in the media was true heads (or at least a head) did roll.

I liked this bit of analysis and agree with it:

"We have a cautious captain and coach (Moores), they are not going to change. They don't have any imagination. If Andrew Strauss is the new ECB director, it will stay the same. He likes Cook. We'll keep on with the same people and things won't change."

However, it was made by that ultra aggressive attacking batsman Geoffrey Boycott.:hoho:

So the quote in the media was true heads (or at least a head) did roll.

I liked this bit of analysis and agree with it:

"We have a cautious captain and coach (Moores), they are not going to change. They don't have any imagination. If Andrew Strauss is the new ECB director, it will stay the same. He likes Cook. We'll keep on with the same people and things won't change."

However, it was made by that ultra aggressive attacking batsman Geoffrey Boycott.:hoho:

Chances of a KP return ?

Chances of a KP return ?

I suppose there could be. Assuming that he plays regularly in the County Championship and scores a few runs.

To me the big problems at the moment are who is going to open the batting and who will be the main spin bowler. A couple of players could have been put in the side against the WIndies and see how they fared. But instead it was decided to play the strongest team available, adopt a defensive strategy and draw the series. Missed a big opportunity, gained nothing and now have to hope whoever is selected in those roles to hit the ground running in two tough Test series against NZ and the Aussies.

Well KP hit 326no today for Surrey let's see if he gets the nod for the NZ tests

I heard he's been told not to bother packing.

Sounds about right he gets told to score runs at county level to be considered , duly obliges then gets told to fuck off !! I bet there is some people in the ECB that would rather lose the ashes than have Pieterson back in the team

Sounds about right he gets told to score runs at county level to be considered , duly obliges then gets told to fuck off !! I bet there is some people in the ECB that would rather lose the ashes than have Pieterson back in the team




Seems like Strauss is one of them, Reg



KP We Dont Want You (http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/cricket/32699465)





Maybe Mr Boycott is right. Under Strauss it all going to stay the same. Nothing will change



Which will be good for the Kiwis and Aussies


And if any Aussie accepts the English cricket coaching job, he should immediately be strung up from the nearest tree. No trial needed. The penalty for treason.


:hanging:




The Don and Richie would turn in their graves


:rip:

First visit of the season to the County Ground in Hove for me, Sussex v Middlesex

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v516/tony6499/IMG_0086.jpg

Looking forward to New Zealand game at Chester le Street next month

Seems like Strauss is one of them, Reg



KP We Dont Want You (http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/cricket/32699465)





Maybe Mr Boycott is right. Under Strauss it all going to stay the same. Nothing will change



Which will be good for the Kiwis and Aussies


And if any Aussie accepts the English cricket coaching job, he should immediately be strung up from the nearest tree. No trial needed. The penalty for treason.


:hanging:




The Don and Richie would turn in their graves


:rip:

Too True Baz. Under Strauss's captaincy his policy was not to enforce follows on and set record breaking second innings targets that wouldnt be chased. Leaving little time to bowl the opposition out. He blew a Test series in the WIndies using those tactics. Looks like nothing will change as Cook seems to follow the same policy.:MyEmoticons-com__sm

I've just bought Sir Geoffrey's new book which as ever I'm sure will be a good read.

20/20 started last night but I've no time for it

The internet is alive with the story that Trevor Bayliss has got the English coach's job.


I always hated that prick!!!


And the shame with it all is that he comes from New South Wales!!!



:bigfinger:bigfinger:bigfinger

First Test England v. New Zealand at Lords.

When England were 30 for 4 on the First Day my fears about being whitewashed looked about right. Then the Young Guns stood up and England posted a reasonable total of 389. Kiwis responded positively with 523. Second Innings England were under the cosh at 74 for 3 until Cook and Root started a comeback, then it happened. Root was out for 84 and Stokes came in and went on a rampage of 101 runs off 92 balls fastest ton in a Test at Lords. Cook went on and weighed in with 162. End result was England all out for 478 which was a good thing as Cook would have probably batted on until the lead was around 500 runs and declared at 4.45PM.

Bowlers responded brilliantly and had the Kiwis 12 for 3 which was a turnaround as they were 0 for 2 at one point. Kiwis were on the backfoot, the run chase was never on, especially when Stokes got McCullum first ball.:surrender:

This was a great Test Match that had everything and a great turnaround after such a lacklustre performance against the WIndies in the Caribbean. So the only whitewashing in this mini Test Series will be done by England. Still some issues for England to address but after this win its BRING ON THE AUSSIES!!:maddance:

Great assessment frankie and I figure this could be a turning point for England they were fired up today !! Watched the first session at home before driving back down south and managed to catch the end of the game down here

Bayliss confirmed as the new coach, interesting to see how that works out.

Next test starts in a couple of days and we need to keep momentum up ready for the Ashes

This one looks set up to be a good test too , runs , wickets and rain on the first day was more like a one day innings by the kiwi's

This one looks set up to be a good test too , runs , wickets and rain on the first day was more like a one day innings by the kiwi's

Aye. It’s now the end of day 2. The Kiwi tailenders threw the bat early this morning and posted a decent total of 350 all out especially considering the mess they were in at the start of the innings. Then Lyth and Cook dominated with the bat, but once Lyth was out for a maiden ton of 107, down to a stupid run out, the Kiwis took control, got the new ball and dominated. England were 215 for 2 when Lyth was out but at stumps are 247 for 5.

So England trail by 97 runs with 5 wickets in hand. Kiwis ahead at this stage after spending long periods toiling in the field today. England could struggle here if they don’t get a decent lead and it’s always difficult batting last at Headingley. But the weather forecast predicts rain tomorrow morning so that may be the deciding factor in the outcome of this Test Match.

I was quite impressed with Lyth today after he struggled at Lords. IMO the best candidate to open the batting with Cook since Strauss’s retirement, early days yet though. Ballance is struggling but still averages 50+ so no need to panic yet.

Poor cricket at the end by England, threw away a good position

End of Day 3 now and it’s all to play for. Kiwis lead by 338 and looks like they will set England a record Headingley score, or close to it, for England to chase. Another day of ebb and flow. Good to see Broad make a comeback with the bat. The England tailend played shots and outperformed the middle order. England ended up matching NZ's score of 350, thing was it took the Kiwis 72 overs and England 108 overs. Speaks volumes about each Captains approach to the game.

Kiwis favourites now but there could be a few more twists and turns before this one is decided.

Kiwi's well on top today and can't see England winning this one

Broad to Henry, SIX, short again, pulled again, six again...Henry dispatches another one deep square leg
90.5
Broad to Henry, no run, fuller and pushed across from round the wicket, a big swing and a miss
90.4
Broad to Henry, SIX, short and hammered! Had his sighter and not dispatches this one over the deep square-leg boundary...Carnage!
90.3
Broad to Henry, no run, falls into space! Sums it up for England. Henry pulls a short delivery and it goes straight up in the air, but there's no one close enough on the leg side and Broad can't get to it either
shadowmancer: "One day Southee will get his Century and that day will be glorious"
90.2
Broad to Craig, 1 run, short and pulled to deep square leg
90.1
Broad to Craig, SIX, that's stunning, was a back-of-a-length delivery and Craig has driven it straight down the ground for six



dancing

England 0/32 at lunch

England 8.80 on Betfair to win


Worth a $20 bet on them. Kiwi's don't have any Test class bowlers


C'mon you Poms!!




:unionjack:

Rain washing out todays play

England saved by the 12th man ......the Bungling British weather ,,,,maybe ?????

WW whats a commie pinko like you doing watching cricket ??? shouldnt you be ranting and plotting trotsky militant tendancy atrocities in the Cowley klub with all your lesbian mates .

England been robbed of a Test match win by rain. I have done my money.

No Hilton for Miss Lek this week now :bazzap:


Can't see them going for a win as England play way too defensive like South Africa do.


If the boot was on the other foot, McCallum would have a go as would Michael Clarke.


Somewhere, some time soon a team will score 400+ on the final day to win a Test match. Smaller grounds with ropes in, batting friendly pitches etc etc


Think it cant be done?


Well this mob scored 721 runs in a day!!


Essex vs Australia (http://www.espncricinfo.com/invincibles/engine/match/352986.html)




Makes you wonder how they managed to bowl 129 overs (8 balls an over) in a day though?




:toot:

Secrets Rain.

It only hung around for a short time.:birdshit:

Well the Poms got beat again. Not very consistent. WLWL last four Test matches.


I like Jonathan Agnew's comment on Test Match Special when he was chatting to several newspaper journalists at the lunch break on the final day at Headingley with England 5 down and expected to lose.




Jonathan Agnew is joined at lunch on the final day by Stephen Brenkley from the Independent, the Sun’s John Etheridge and Gideon Brooks from the Daily Express. With England five wickets down and seemingly heading for defeat, we discuss Ian Bell’s lack of runs, the need for a spinner, problems with slip catching and whether Australia would ever employ an English coach.



"OK, there is problems with Bell, there's problems with a spinner, um .... there is problems with the seam attack being far too expensive, problems with Ballance, problems with slip catching. It's all going quite well, isn't it?"





Sadly, I can't pick up any live BBC cricket coverage here in Pattaya. I really enjoy listening to it especially when they are both bagging and praising the Aussies. I have to wait till the day is over and download the various podcasts.


The BBC say due to a rights issue it cannot be accessed unless you are in the UK.


Hopefully I will pick up the ABC Australia radio live broadcast when the Ashes start next month.


I don't particularly like watching Test cricket in bars here in Pattaya. Yes I love the banter with the likes of Captain Jack but I prefer to watch it at home where I can do other stuff around the house at the same time.


I did manage to pick up the live tv broadcast from Sky Sports 2 on my phone yesterday through an app called Mobdro and screen mirrored it onto my tv but it only lasted about 10 minutes before it died and I could not connect again.

:angry:



http://www.smugmug.com/photos/i-gmPn5Ks/0/XL/i-gmPn5Ks-XL.jpg






Any one have any ideas?



:clueless:

Australia's turn to face the music tonight in a Test match


Horrible away record recently and other than beating South Africa 15 months ago, they have not won an away series since 2012 when they beat the West Indies. Since then they have lost the Ashes in England and been white washed by India and Pakistan.


:hanging:



According to the ABC Australia, this is the likely team for the First Test


David Warner, Shaun Marsh, Steve Smith, Michael Clarke (capt), Adam Voges, Shane Watson, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.


Lots of unanswered questions there.


Many players coming from the 20/20 Indian Premier League straight back into Test Cricket.

About time Watson done something.

WTF is Sean Marsh doing there?? Not just as an opener (Rogers is injured) but in the squad itself?

Steve Smith moved to the #3 position in the batting??

Which Mitchell Johnson will turn up?? He was dropped by his IPL side for not performing recently.

Can Mitchell Starc do it with the red ball??

Adam Voges on debut as a 35yo?? Shades of Bobby Holland.

Is Haddin past it?



It ain't going to be a walk in the park like so many pundits think.




The best bits however is that we are saving our new leggie for the Poms.


Any chance of bringing Mike Gatting back??




NsThkJt83Ok







dancing

SKY Sports cricket coverage is top notch, come to England and sign up

Stories in the media




This is the headline from cricket.com.au, official site of Cricket Australia


Really stupid IMHO



"Aussies dominate day one in Dominica"


First Test First day (http://www.cricket.com.au/news/match-report/west-indies-australia-first-test-windsor-park-dominica-cricket-adam-voges-clake-johnson-smith/2015-06-04)





Ummm..... 3 for 85 is not a dominating position




Better headline here from Cricinfo


"Edge with Australia after 13-wicket day"


Cricinfo (http://www.espncricinfo.com/west-indies-v-australia-2015/content/story/883917.html)







I like this story from Cricinfo regarding Flintoff at Edgbaston in 2005



'It's 1-1, you Aussie bastard' (http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/881539.html)





And this bastard is just asking for it if he keeps talking like this!!



Kohli unimpressed by "pampering" Aussies (http://www.cricket.com.au/news/virat-kohli-unimpressed-by-pampering-aussies-mitchell-johnson-bouncer-adelaide-aggressive-india/2015-06-04)





:toot:

here ya go Bazz....22 years on.

http://www.theage.com.au/sport/cricket/cricket-has-west-indian-legspinner-devendra-bishoo-delivered-the-ball-of-the-21st-century-20150604-ghh5kw.html

So, England were turned over by the Kiwis. Aggers points out the England flaws that are still all too apparent, no further comment needed. Its 5 weeks till the first Ashes Test. Why couldn’t at least one more Test have been played against the Kiwis to balance the series? Fair enough playing only two Tests against the likes of Bangladesh as its going to be a one horse race. Maybe England nick it by a short head?

Aussies v. WIndies. I always like watching the WIndies play Test Match cricket as there’s no telling what will happen. 200 for 1 they will probably be 230 all out. 70 for 5 and they could make 400. There’s absolutely no consistency in anything they do.

As I write the Windies are 216/8. They could make 350 or all out for 230.


As long as the Aussies, batting last on this wicket, don't have to chase more that 100 we should be ok






:toot:

As I write the Windies are 216/8. They could make 350 or all out for 230.

As long as the Aussies, batting last on this wicket, don't have to chase more that 100 we should be ok
:toot:

All out for 216 - Aussies won with 1 for 47 :toot:

All out for 216 - Aussies won with 1 for 47 :toot:




1 down ...... 6 to go





dancing

I was a bit concerned about the England cricket team


Then I seen where Ballance and Stokes were born



It's all good


Long Live the Empire!!



:unionjack:

Any one have any ideas?

Baz you may be able to access Sky Sports by subscribing to Sky Go. Sky Go sends programmes over the internet and is free to all Sky subscribers i.e. those that have a dish installed. Can’t see them sending an engineer out to Pattaya to hook you up, but maybe if you e-mailed Sky and said you only wanted to access Sky Go they may be willing to do a deal.

After looking at the Sky Go website it seems it’s only available to Sky subscribers. But I did have Sky installed but knocked it on the head. Of course the bastards never give up and kept pestering me to join back up and they did mention solely using and subscribing to Sky Go, so it seems to be available. Got to be worth a shot as they can only say no.

Here’s the link. http://www.sky.com/shop/tv/sky-go/

Bazza - Go and ask Dennis at the metro how he gets the cricket - I'm sure he streams it over the internet.

First one dayer against the Kiwis on Tuesday, day night match so will be evening start in LOS

I've lost an hours overtime to get in to watch the kiwi's try to chase this one down

I've lost an hours overtime to get in to watch the kiwi's try to chase this one down

More chance of Bazz having a happy time tonight then the Kiwis getting 400

Warner fails again.

Glad we've got Smithy.

Warner fails again.

Glad we've got Smithy.



Saving himself for the Poms





:accordian:

That's me sorted for 4th day of 3rd test at edgebaston

4th day?

Bit optimistic. I wouldn't bother packing a lunch. :out:

I've come to the conclusion this could be the day we win the series

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a316/cmtltd/429E740E-14F6-4EDB-A3D7-84918C9B2B3F.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/cmtltd/media/429E740E-14F6-4EDB-A3D7-84918C9B2B3F.jpg.html)

I've come to the conclusion this could be the day we win the series






Didn't realise that you were Australian!!



:ausflag:




Or are you another Pommy optimist in the same mould as Captain Jack



:unionjack:





dancing

I think I was in my 20's the last time Australia won the ashes here .. I'd just turned 30 actually 14 years ago

I've come to the conclusion this could be the day we win the series

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a316/cmtltd/429E740E-14F6-4EDB-A3D7-84918C9B2B3F.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/cmtltd/media/429E740E-14F6-4EDB-A3D7-84918C9B2B3F.jpg.html)

Nearly as much as I paid to see Duran Duran in December dancing

I was at the 5th ODI against New Zealand last week at Durham. Great finish to a game that was threatened by 2 hours rain

I just hope we can take that sort of team spirit into the Ashes

At least George Bailey playing for a decent team now

Things are looking up Essex giving the convicts a hard time

Things are looking up Essex giving the convicts a hard time



Yep they did. Got to within 169 runs of us with two men down.


Happy to see Starc & Hazelwood settling in ok. Both are big, strong, fast and now coming on as class Test bowlers.



http://high-grade.smugmug.com/photos/i-gD2BQpx/0/L/i-gD2BQpx-L.jpg


http://high-grade.smugmug.com/photos/i-Mf7xr2S/0/L/i-Mf7xr2S-L.jpg





And if they don't get you, this bloke is looking forward to reacquainting himself again. He lubs Pommy batsmen



http://high-grade.smugmug.com/photos/i-n7wdpf6/0/L/i-n7wdpf6-L.jpg






It will be interesting to see how they all go in England under Test match conditions




Roll on Wednesday!!!




:ausflag:

Johnson ok in Australia, last time here he got clobbered all over the country. I'd have Starc as top wicket taker not Johnson

Good days cricket that I'd put it about even but our tails must be up after that start England need some sunshine to speed that pitch up

Good days cricket that I'd put it about even but our tails must be up after that start England need some sunshine to speed that pitch up

Dry but cloudy forecast tomorrow but a warm sunny day for Friday, which is handy as that's when my tickets for :thumbsup:

Dry but cloudy forecast tomorrow but a warm sunny day for Friday, which is handy as that's when my tickets for :thumbsup:


Just remember it's the England & Wales cricket board

Don't have a nationalist moment and shout for the Australians

Told you Johnson wouldn't be any good

Still pretty even for me couple of early wickets tomorrow (Watson and haddin) might put us in the box seat

Still pretty even for me couple of early wickets tomorrow (Watson and haddin) might put us in the box seat

Bazz still in Cherry tonight drowning his sorrows, hasn't noticed the 50 SML bills Hammers put in his bin either

Good start. Roasting in Cardiff and I forgot to bring sun cream so if there's a red glow coming from the corner of the river end later on that'll be me.

Good start. Roasting in Cardiff and I forgot to bring sun cream so if there's a red glow coming from the corner of the river end later on that'll be me.

Did you forget your camera :photo: ?

Did you forget your camera :photo: ?

Didn't bring one mate, don't have a long enough lens to do it justice. Besides, keeps my hands free for the Stowford Press :thumbsup:

Won't last 3 days at this rate

Well the Convicts need 412 runs to win, in 2 days, on a wicket that is starting to deteriorate and showing signs of variable bounce. Could get very difficult by tomorrow afternoon. Always think it’s a massive psychological advantage when a side has to score more runs in their Second Innings than they achieved in their First. It’s England in the driving seat now.

Thought the coverage was good on Sky especially with Ricky Ponting (cunt) being the Tourist teams commentator. He gave some great insights and excellent analysis.

Just started raining in Cardiff, be interesting to see the difference it makes to the pitch tomorrow as it was looking dust bowl dry this afternoon.

The Ashes puzzle explained


Ever wondered why we are having 3 Ashes series within 2 years? I did and asked everybody I talked to about cricket but nobody knew the answer.

Now I do and here it is.



Historically Ashes series are held 4 years apart in each country

In England in the last 20 years, this was 1993, 1997, 2001, 2005, 2009 & 2013

These were followed in Australia about 14 months later with the First Test starting in November usually in Brisbane. 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006 & 2010.

All was going well until when the 2014 series was due in Australia. Australia was awarded the World Cup for early 2015. That made it near impossible to schedule in a 5 match Test series before the World Cup so the powers that be brought it forward one year to November 2013.

November 2013 became the new benchmark and future tours to Australia will be held in 2017,2021 etc etc

With the benchmark now set, the Ashes series in England should have been started about 16 months beforehand. The problem is that means the next English Ashes series would have been held starting July 2016 clashing with European Football Championships, Olympics etc. As the cricket authorities did not want that clash, they brought the Ashes series in England forward a year.

Thus we are playing cricket right now and 2015 is the new benchmark for English Ashes series. Future England series will be held in 2019, 2023 etc etc




Clear as mud I know but I think I understand it.


:cheers:

More like there are very few test matches that make money now so they've added more in and if they're not careful they will kill it off , used to be great waiting for 4 years for revenge as there was the W.Indies , India, Pakistan etc and some good cricket but now it seems 1 day rules the roost

Aussies doing an England this afternoon

I think the IPL big bash etc have made the test format less appealing look at the w indies when they played us couple month back half their team was in India earning big bucks

I think the IPL big bash etc have made the test format less appealing look at the w indies when they played us couple month back half their team was in India earning big bucks

I think it would be better to schedule Test Match cricket so that it avoids the period during which the IPL is played. Obviously players want to be in the IPL as that’s were the big bucks are. Mind you the IPL seems to drag on forever, I sometimes watch some of the early games but never retain enough interest to last until the final. It all gets very bland and repetitive.

Anyway what happened to the Aussies at Cardiff? A close game that England won by 169 runs. Jobs a good un!:rubhands:

We got flogged, Frankie. Life here with Captain Jack, Mirkwood, Hammer etc will be bad for a few days. Until the Lords Test anyway.

Hope they get rid of that Queenslander Watson who gets out lbw and wastes reviews all the time.

Starc injured, Johnson can't do it on English pitches so it needs one of the others to step up to the plate at Lords.

No surprise here I seen enough against West Indies and the kiwi's earlier to know we were good enough to beat Australia it's just if we can keep it up that concerns me but if we do can only see us winning the ashes back .. Scoring runs and quickly too plus the bowlers looking good with possibly the best seamer in the world in there

I might have a trip to lords next weekend :cheers:

Finally England seem to have learnt that nudging and blocking is obsolete now, attack is the way forward and when in front press home the advantage like they did in the second innings

Starc injured, Johnson can't do it on English pitches so it needs one of the others to step up to the plate at Lords.

Sky put some stats up showing Johnson's Test wickets haul. He performs far better in Oz and South Africa with his performances in England and India being comparitively poor.

Finally England seem to have learnt that nudging and blocking is obsolete now, attack is the way forward and when in front press home the advantage like they did in the second innings


For me the one day/20-20 teams have inspired the test team and the same as football it's always better to play to your strengths and express yourself I'm not getting carried away we could still get beat 4-1 in this series but the ozzies will be scratching their heads right now knowing they are staring defeat in the face already I think it's 15 of the last 17 teams to win the first test have gone on to win the series

Sky put some stats up showing Johnson's Test wickets haul. He performs far better in Oz and South Africa with his performances in England and India being comparitively poor.

They been reading my posts on here

My prediction is that the ''convicts'' will be really angry and pissed off and will put their best thinking and sledging attitudes on for this weeks test , and that ingaland , will return to form and fuck up ,

whatever happens it will be a good contest and enjoyable .

My prediction is that the ''convicts'' will be really angry and pissed off and will put their best thinking and sledging attitudes on for this weeks test , and that ingaland , will return to form and fuck up ,

whatever happens it will be a good contest and enjoyable .

Or it will piss down with rain and be washed out

Or it will piss down with rain and be washed out

Yes thats always a possibilty,,,, i hope the convicts win or this board will be in trouble, Bazzup ,Forkhandles and all the other Aussie guys will kill themselves in misery and we will need a new influx of talent . because unlike us English they are not used to faliure ,,, they cant handle it in a gentlemanly way ,, after the last game the spunrned a post match beer .... sore losers

Harris now haddin !! Will they still have a squad by the 3rd test ?

Harris now haddin !! Will they still have a squad by the 3rd test ?

Bazz on his way to Lords as I type

Bazz on his way to Lords as I type


My first ever time I went to a Test at the WACA was in 1988 against the West Indies. With my brand new WACA membership, I took a few mates with me.


One of the lads had a backpack. When questioned what were the contents, he opened it up. FFS!! He had a full set of creams. "Just in case I am needed " he says. "But I will have to borrow a baggy green". The silly prick was dead serious too. Naturally we near pissed ourselves laughing.


Even with Geoff Lawson getting his jaw broken by big Curtly, he was not required. Viv Richards got 140+, Merv Hughes got a hat trick but spread over 3 overs (work that one out) and Australia got flogged. The Windies rarely lost at the WACA with their awesome fast bowling talent in the 70's and 80's.


:cheers:

3 overs and 3 days if I remember right.

i reckon the current Oz team could be beaten by Thai ladies 2nd 11 ,

i reckon the current Oz team could be beaten by Thai ladies 2nd 11 ,

Beaten and whipped.


For a small fee.:jumprail:

I'm predicting Alastair Cook to get a knock in this test :please:

I think that rain will help one team escape embarrasment and frustrate the other ,, but which team??????

I'm predicting Alastair Cook to get a knock in this test :please:


If we get to the crease :MyEmoticons-com__fi

If we don't start taking some wickets soon I'm moving this thread to the troll tank :flipa:

Is that our worst ever day at the Ashes? Can't remember a 300+ for 1.

Fair play Aussies.


Cunts.

Whoever prepared that pitch and let the Aussies win the toss needs shooting, all that's left now is 4 days of runs and few wickets

Seen the reports on the pitch before the toss and Australia have reaped the reward for winning it.. One thing is certain England won't win this test

Is that our worst ever day at the Ashes? Can't remember a 300+ for 1.

Fair play Aussies.


Cunts.

1990s. Mark Taylor and Geoff Marsh I recall. 0/300 stumps day one.
The Good Old Days.:bigfinger

Seen the reports on the pitch before the toss and Australia have reaped the reward for winning it.. One thing is certain England won't win this test

If this had been Sydney or Melbourne Clarke would have used a doubled sided coin to win the toss.

Us Englishmen have too much honour to cheat although just once this time wouldn't have hurt.

England team asked for a slow wicket and the groundsmen prepared just that but they and everyone else at the ECB and lords told the team it was a bad idea ......doh!!!!! as Baldrick said ''I have a Cunning plan '' hmmmm,,,,,

Pray for rain ha ha ha ha

1990s. Mark Taylor and Geoff Marsh I recall. 0/300 stumps day one.
The Good Old Days.:bigfinger

I waz wrong.

It was 1989, and it was 0/301.:bigfinger

Worth reading the article for the line about D I Gower.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/cricket/the-ashes/great-ashes-moment-no7-mark-taylor-and-geoff-marshs-record-breaking-opening-stand329/story-fn5k3dtc-1226674883150

This is an Old School Test Match. Aussies win toss, bat first, score a load of runs while England have to field for over 5 sessions. Bowlers then well up for it as they have been sat around for almost 2 days. Opening batsmen have a 10 minute turnaround to adapt from fielding to batting, concentration poor, bowlers steaming in, almost inevitable what happens next. Second days play ends with England on 85 for 4. Which is a massive improvement as they were 30 for 4.

Cook and Stokes will have to bat for most of tomorrow if England are going to get anything from this Test. 85 for 4 not totally unexpected as in the last 7 Tests England’s highest score, for the loss of 3 wickets, has been 52. So England batting slightly below par so far.

End of day 3 and it’s the Aussies Test to lose. It will take either a spectacular England batting performance or divine intervention for England to get anything from this. Lythe, Ballance and Bell will have to really pull their fingers out Second Innings, no matter what the result is, otherwise questions will start to be asked about their long term involvement in the England set up.

absorbing to watch , Aussies are not putting a foot wrong ,, only the weather can screw it for them ,,, main England top order batsmen need a kick up the arse ,,,,,we also need another real devious spinner ??????

Plenty of devious spinners on Soi Bobby Moore

Absolute unacceptable performance by England. The wicket was described throughout as being flat and lifeless yet England manage to get bowled out twice losing a total of 20 wickets for 415 runs. I can just about accept the bowlers struggling, given the wicket, but the batting overall was abysmal. First innings 30 for 4. Second innings all of the front line batsmen gone and its 64 for 7. Fuck me the tailenders outperformed the recognised batsmen with Broad top scoring with 25 so batting could not have been that difficult.

For the next Test I would persevere with Lythe opening, drop Ballance and tell Bell he has to weigh in heavily at Edgbaston or his England career is over. Move Root to 3 and bring Taylor into the side.

Bite the bullet and bring back KP




:yay:

KP ??? thats a brand of snacks ain t it ?????anyway KP aint a No1 or 2 Man he aint got the patience brilliant at 3 or 4 and he can bowl a few spinners too.

Read this in the paper today - A tweet from KP:

Deep in thought right now ... Ridiculous that I'm lying on a beach when I should be prepping for the 3rd test! So silly really! Sad

Read this in the paper today - A tweet from KP:

Deep in thought right now ... Ridiculous that I'm lying on a beach when I should be prepping for the 3rd test! So silly really! Sad




Sounds like he is working his arse off keeping fit just in case the unthinkable happens and he gets recalled to the Test side




dancing

Read this in the paper today - A tweet from KP:

Deep in thought right now ... Ridiculous that I'm lying on a beach when I should be prepping for the 3rd test! So silly really! Sad


Have your press suddenly realised that cricket exists again ?:bravo:

draft some birds in from the England ladies team , they seem more competant .

Ballance dropped and Bairstow in. Bairstow's scored a load of runs recently in the County Championship, but he was in the England set up a couple of years ago and couldnt cut it at Test level. Hopefully his technique has improved, otherwise his selction will make little difference to the piss poor batting performances.

Very true but apart from Bairstow who else could they bring in ? Shame Bell didn't get the boot too

Very true but apart from Bairstow who else could they bring in ? Shame Bell didn't get the boot too

I would have went for James Taylor who IMO should have been given a longer run in the Test set up than he had. I reckon he has as much ability as Root. But there's nothing better than seeing a player dropped, go away improve their technique, come back and weigh in heavily. Gooch comes to mind. Hopefully Bairstow has upped his game and proves it.

I would have went for James Taylor who IMO should have been given a longer run in the Test set up than he had. I reckon he has as much ability as Root. But there's nothing better than seeing a player dropped, go away improve their technique, come back and weigh in heavily. Gooch comes to mind. Hopefully Bairstow has upped his game and proves it.

Hard to think of an Aussie batsman that hasn't been through that. Makes them appreciate having a test berth. Look at Justin Langer. Dropped more times than a pair of knickers on soi 6, then scored more tons than Ian Chappell or Mark Waugh.

In hindsight if KP had been picked doubt we'd be having this debate

Weather forecast not looking too clever this week

From what I've seen it looks not too bad as far as rain goes but it's put a fair bit down the last few days I'm suspecting a dead wicket and winning the toss could be a winner

From what I've seen it looks not too bad as far as rain goes but it's put a fair bit down the last few days I'm suspecting a dead wicket and winning the toss could be a winner


Couldn't have been more wrong about the track !! Anderson taking the plaudits but Finn did a great job of roughing the Aussies up:bravo2:
I'm slightly worried about getting to see any play on day 4

Bell was a fucking idiot getting out

I'm slightly worried about getting to see any play on day 4

Hope you got a plan B:oops:

Hope you get a refund if you only cop an hour or 2's play

I'm meant to be there Saturday but looks like I'm covered


Men’s Investec Test Match Refund Scheme

For days 1 to 4 of the Investec Test Match: If play is restricted or does not take place at the ground on the day for which this ticket is valid, you may claim a refund of only the match ticket value subject to there being: (a) 10 overs or less because of adverse weather conditions or completion of the match - a full refund; (b) 10.1 overs to 24.5 overs because of adverse weather conditions or completion of the match - a 50% refund. In no other circumstances can money

Be over tomorrow now, will kill them making all the refunds for Saturday and losing all the beer sales etc

Ballance dropped and Bairstow in. Bairstow's scored a load of runs recently in the County Championship, but he was in the England set up a couple of years ago and couldnt cut it at Test level. Hopefully his technique has improved, otherwise his selction will make little difference to the piss poor batting performances.And he was piss poor again

Its a massive loop hole in the law on refunds ...
Touts can buy as mant tickets as they want get them sent to a pobox and IF NOT USED FULL REFUND >>>from tick master etc

Well that was good, wish the Aussies would send a team that can make a game of it. Poor old Mitchell Johnson was a bag of nerves at the end.

Should play more tests at Edgbaston

Well that was a piece of piss. Good to see Finn steaming in looks like he has worked really hard on his bowling technique and improved a lot. Anderson's injury would have been a massive problem but Finn's come back has lessened the blow and Wood will probably be back.

Batting? Well we won this one so that can remain as it is. Bell did well so he has claimed a slot. Bairstow? I would like to see him get a big Test score but it doesnt look like it will ever happen.

Despite winning I'd rather see Mirkwood opening than Lyth and word from the Aussie camp is that Bazza is in the running to come in at No.3

i enjoyed it great game , looking forward to England collapse at Brent Bridge and a another England miracle at the Oval

As said above lyth should really be dropped but do you change a winning team ? Bairstow only batted once and got out to an unplayable ball I'd still give him his chance and as for the bowlers wood coming back in is the obvious choice but with the pitch at Trent bridge England could go for an out and out seamer the bloke at Durham rushworth ? Is making noises but with wood doing ok so far doubt England will leave him out

Hope you got a plan B:oops:


Full refund and 10 hours Overtime at work

Aussies are a total shambles, being taught a lesson they won't forget today. No wonder Bazz has disappeared

I think we just edged that as did all the australian batsmen !!! Had the chance of a ticket for the 3rd day pleased I never bought it now

I think we ought to think about letting the Aussies have a 12th batsman or something, can't keep finishing the tests within 3 days

It's hard to take when sundries was the top score in the innings - first time in ashes history!

Well at least the Aussies have managed to last until the Third Day. Just. Bad light helped as well.

I wonder if this is the end of the road for Pup?

Maybe we can play the Ashes against another country now, it is too one sided to be a fair contest now

We won't see Bazz any more on here, last I heard he was jumping off Ayers Rock

We won't see Bazz any more on here, last I heard he was jumping off Ayers Rock

Apparently its not PC to call it Ayers Rock anymore?
Simie.

Apparently its not PC to call it Ayers Rock anymore?
Simie.




Most people I know still call it Ayer's Rock as that is still part of its official name.

The 5 match 1 day series coming up should be a good match up now the way England are playing then a real test of our mettle a winter tour to South Africa

The 5 match 1 day series coming up should be a good match up now the way England are playing then a real test of our mettle a winter tour to South Africa

1 dayers a waste of time, who wants to see such a mismatch ?

Congratulations to England - Sadly we were outplayed in every department

Congratulations to England - Sadly we were outplayed in every department

Very sporting of you KB. But there’s still a lot of pride to be played for. A win at the Oval for the Aussies means it’s a 3-2 loss, which doesn’t look too bad, whereas another defeat makes it 4-1 which is pretty severe by Test match standards. Of course there should be 6 Test Matches played but better not let tradition get in the way of making money.

Hats off to the boys. Not only a fine honour guard for Clarke's final test but now we're even playing as an Aussie tribute side. Sportsmanship at its best :nosepick:

Aussies dominating at the end of Day 2. Can England avoid the follow on? They would have by now if all of Mitchell Johnson’s No Balls had been called.

Seriously WTF is going on with No Balls? Seems Bowlers are only referred for a check for overstepping when a wicket falls. The rest of the time Bowlers can do as they please bowling from 20 yards without feeling restricted.

I see the convicts have tarnished the game of cricket yet again appealing for Ben Stokes to be given out for Obstructing the Field, with the appeal being upheld by the Third Umpire. Disgraceful almost woke some of the MCC members up from their gin and champagne soaked slumbers.

Interestingly Stokes is the first Englishman to be given out in this way. The other cricketers comprise of One Indian with all the rest being Pakistani. Speaks volumes.

FWIW I have no idea what Stokes was trying to do, in fact he almost caught the ball as his hand was cupped but thought better of it. Still you can’t miss a chance to have a dig at the Aussies.

When the ball is coming at you at pace it's pretty natural to get your hand to it to protect yourself.

What a disgrace to far play and sportsmanship. Fuck off Aussies if that is the only way to win.

Lack of premeditation doesn't excuse the act

By the laws, there was every reason to give Stokes out.

The wording is that a batsman must wilfully interfere with a fielder's work by word or deed, and representations for Stokes centred around the word "wilful". If it was a flinch response, how could that apply?

But on the replay, Stokes reached his hand well outside the line of his body and hit the ball away from the stumps. The ball wasn't aimed at him and wasn't going to hit him.

Stokes is a left-handed batsman. He played the drive down the pitch, then took a couple of steps while expecting that it would beat the bowler. Once it didn't, he urgently needed to get back.

He began to turn towards his right, with the bat handle held in his right hand. The throw was also going past his right hand.

At that point, while turning, Stokes reached his left hand all the way across his body, and extended his arm nearly full length. The ball hit his palm, given by this stage Stokes almost had his back to the bowler.

He was looking back towards Starc until shortly before impact.

This was not the act of someone reflexively protecting his body, it was the act of someone reflexively intercepting the ball.

There's every likelihood that the action was instinctive, and it certainly had no time to be premeditated, but that doesn't change its effect or its intent.

Here's the video

http://zippy.gfycat.com/GorgeousRespectfulBlackbird.webm

Exactly right John


Pretty obvious why he was given out.

Typical Poms. They invented the game and its rules and when the rules go against them, its bad sportsmanship by the opposition.


CLepo01Vf5k







If ever England were going to win a one day series against Australia, this was their big chance. Coming off an Ashes series win and top performances against the Kiwis, they should have been full of confidence.


Johnson, Hazlewood, Finch, Faulkner from the WC winning side six months ago are not there. Clarke and Haddin retired as well. In this game, Warner took no part and Watson could not bowl.



And yet, the Aussies continue to win. The machine marches on.





dancing

fair enough if the on field umpire had given it out it was the fact the Aussies went crying with a review

The Aussies wouldn't know about fair play and etiquette of cricket if it came up and hit them with a cricket bat.

I suggest we put Bazza and Bagman in the middle of the Soi and then we throw cricket balls as hard as we can from 18 yards at them and see how they react.

They need to have a word with that fine upstanding sportsman Stuart Broad about sportsmanship.

:bigfinger

it wasn't the Aussies who asked for a review. Starc seemed unsure of what the rule was. Dharmasena called for a review. All of which gave Smith ample time to remember that it was only a one-day match and make a gesture that would have reset the tenor of future games.

Sorry My mistake , starc appealed for out and smith had the chance to withdraw the appeal

Someone in the press box said Stokes is the first non-Indian or Paki given out under this rule.

I'm sure I remember an Aussie handling the ball years ago. Maybe this is a different ruling, or maybe he meant in one-dayers?

Does anybody really think it made such a difference to the outcome ?

We lacked motivation and comittment and were outplayed at all levels. Again

2-2 now. Game on!