Test The Ashes Fourth Test December 26-30 1000hrs @ The MCG

[RandB]

English cricket has a problem with class and race and there's a nagging feeling in the back of my head that we could be following them.

Listening to Harmison the other day, he said Test Cricket is basically for the upper class in England - primarily due to the small capacity grounds. Exclusivity of membership/seats means 'everyday Joes' have no hope of affording it.

 

[rdhopkins2]

Disappointing to hear that Archer has strained his drinking arm.

 

[Cleavy]

Disappointing to hear that Archer has strained his drinking arm.

if it's really a side strain, a pillow will come in handy

 

[MagpieArmyChronicles]

Carse Atkinson Tongue and Jacks does not pose any threat, how on earth are they gonna take 20 wickets to win the game??

And the pommy pundits were spruiking up the first three all year

 

[010203]

Very good viewing. Watching Key get grilled by Nass and Athers and offering up mealymouthed answers is satisfying.

He mastered the art of saying a lot but saying nothing.

 

[010203]

We used to take eskies in, absolutely full of piss as we were at the end of the day. $17 for a beer??!!

 

[010203]

Carse Atkinson Tongue and Jacks does not pose any threat, how on earth are they gonna take 20 wickets to win the game??

They've already won*













Morally.

 

[MagpieArmyChronicles]

I'm dubious about this tbh I've heard Nasser, Athers & others say the Australian first class set-up breeds tougher cricketers which in part would explain why we are so successful considering our small population.

Smaller concentration of teams in our setup probably breeds a tougher comp you would think I'm just musing though.

Ive heard Nasser mention that in his aussie grade cricket days he observed his teammates kicking the footy around and being taken aback at how robust they were. Makes one think that for 150 years our test players have been playing footy and rugby in winter from young, it breeds a tougher , more rugged body perfect for the rigours of five days in the sun. Just me, ive always perveived the poms as a bit tentative and weak, compared to us, with a few exceptions like Beefy and Flintoff ofcourse.

 

[Matera92]

Archer Out - Pulled Heartstring.

 

[Adelaide Hawk]

I heard Michael Atherton speak about this at some length and he said the IPL was the slow release death pill of test cricket which you can understand when you look at the money it generates and the players that get absolved into it. I hope he’s wrong because **** T20

Yes, sadly the lure of IPL will certainly weaken the standard of Test cricket, but there will still be players who want to "test" themselves in the longer form of the game. If players are doing nothing other than T20 matches, they will become stale very quickly.

I agree with Gideon Haigh who once said in order for the shorter form of the game to thrive, it needs a code that it is actually "shorter than". The alure of T20 for many people is it is a shorter version of the game. Should they ever consider terminating Test cricket, the game won't survive.

 

[sabso]

You dropped this.

Here ya go:
View attachment 2501169

Mine is still burgundy suckers

 

[Adelaide Hawk]

He mastered the art of saying a lot but saying nothing.

Translated: We have disrespected Australia by thinking we can play like a bunch of clowns and beat them.

 

[brutus76]

Joffra isn't injured.

He wants to be first in the queue 9am at Myer or Harris Scarfe for the Boxing Day sales so he can load up on pillows the soft****

 

[sabso]

Joffra isn't injured.

He wants to be first in the queue 9am at Myer or Harris Scarfe for the Boxing Day sales so he can load up on pillows the soft****

Somewhere must sell chunky gold plated jewellery for him too

 

[MagpieArmyChronicles]

Come on Christmas Day get on with it. Just want to see us bowl first and Bolo to give us the annual superspell

 

[grumbleguts]

Mine is still burgundy suckers
View attachment 2501230

How many catches do YOU drop per day?

 

[sabso]

How many catches do YOU drop per day?

I’m the bowler mate. Actually not bloody likely, I was born in England

 

[Tigerat2020]

It's a pity that they have ruined the MCG as a stadium. No history or character, just an homogenous concrete cliche.
The MCC should follow Adelaide's example instead of being obsessive about getting a 100,000 capacity stadium.

 

[Gough]

Happy Boxing Day eve, may your day be on a good length outside off.

 

[troybe]

Carse Atkinson Tongue and Jacks does not pose any threat, how on earth are they gonna take 20 wickets to win the game??

Just remember shit get wickets. Unfortunately most of the time it’s down to batsman error.

 

[cats_09]

 

[t_94]

Ive heard Nasser mention that in his aussie grade cricket days he observed his teammates kicking the footy around and being taken aback at how robust they were. Makes one think that for 150 years our test players have been playing footy and rugby in winter from young, it breeds a tougher , more rugged body perfect for the rigours of five days in the sun. Just me, ive always perveived the poms as a bit tentative and weak, compared to us, with a few exceptions like Beefy and Flintoff ofcourse.

It is more of a mental thing. Cricket is far more of a mental sport than football. Take pujara from India, was always carrying a few extra but would just bat for days even when he was playing poorly, cop them on the body.

 

[Maddo11]

Happy Boxing Day Eve.

Carey could take a record from Gilly in the next few days. Incredible year and series so far.

 

[Sonny Hayes]

Carse Atkinson Tongue and Jacks does not pose any threat, how on earth are they gonna take 20 wickets to win the game??

No chance that bowling line up can take 20 wickets here, however there is a chance our batsmen gift 20 wickets still.

 

[MarcMaverick]

Makes sense, we do carry Sherrins and Steedens with the lugagges.