Ashes

[TassieSaint]

might be getting neglected in the light of St Kilda's season, but the ashes are back! (how good would it be if saints won the flag and aus won the ashes btw? perfect sporting year)

Early days yet, but I'm ready to make some calls already:

1. those of you who have been watching may have noticed Hilf currently has Australia's best figures at the end of day 1. Wouldn't have got a gig if Lee wasn't injured and a controversial inclusion ahead of Clark but I always thought he should play from the start, looks right at home on English pitches and has been getting consistent swing what a champion.

2. Bopara is shit and watching him cop one in the chin from Siddle was the highlight so far (second to Hilfy's wickets). Has NFI and it's an injustice Siddle didn't get him earlier.

3. Hauritz looks like he is about 11 years old. Nathan please reach puberty then learn to bowl, cheers

4. Australia 5-0

thoughts?

 

[HoldenMCaulfield]

Why am I not surprised to see this thread opened by a certain Saint from Tassie ?

1. Hilfy is on fire - Lee and / or Clarke may have a "Maguire experience" this summer...

2. Siddle certainly is exciting (and Victorian... ) - too early to comment on Bopara

3. Hauritz is not Shane Warne, but at least doesn't give up a lot of runs...

4. of course

 

[TassieSaint]

3. Hauritz is not Shane Warne, but at least doesn't give up a lot of runs...

you would have to think that is his one redeeming feature, and yeat first over this morning...

there is only one picture to correctly sum up my feelings (don't usually attempt these things but you gotta feel for punter right now):

 

[StFly]

Very meh test for mine, Ashes in '05 you had reverse swing and it was close, there was atmosphere. '07 Aus reclaimn and there was venom. South Africa, the ball was dancing circles around people and now you have a silent crowd, droning commentary and a very bleh game thus far.

 

[TassieSaint]

Very meh test for mine, Ashes in '05 you had reverse swing and it was close, there was atmosphere. '07 Aus reclaimn and there was venom. South Africa, the ball was dancing circles around people and now you have a silent crowd, droning commentary and a very bleh game thus far.

yeah I think the crowd doesn't help, dunno why they had it in cardiff. ridiculous looking ground and boring crowd.

 

[HoldenMCaulfield]

time for another edit of the Fuuuuuu man, TassieSaint ?

 

[CHBench]

That is an amazingly good coat of arms on that last baggy green there Tassie.
I don't really pay attention to pitch reports or anything, but 435. Good, bad or par?

 

[TassieSaint]

time for another edit of the Fuuuuuu man, TassieSaint ?

I would update it to include hilfenhaus' frustration at the sheer injustice that hauritz ended with more wickets than him, but the last one took me far too long to make (as you can tell I am not exactly an artisté)

 

[StFly]

That is an amazingly good coat of arms on that last baggy green there Tassie.
I don't really pay attention to pitch reports or anything, but 435. Good, bad or par?

Rather good, Aussies would have been hoping to contain them to less than 350 initially as the pitch is only going to crack and become more conductive to spin later (England have 2 spinners) so for the English to get over 400, they're in the drivers seat.

If the Australians can not lose a wicket today and get about 150 though, draw is more likely as it's likely to rain at least one day of the test. Because it wouldn't be England if something wasn't flooded.

 

[Plugger35]

I would update it to include hilfenhaus' frustration at the sheer injustice that hauritz ended with more wickets than him, but the last one took me far too long to make (as you can tell I am not exactly an artisté)

Yeah it doesn't seem right that Hauritz finished with more wickets than Siddle & Hilfenhaus. Two of Hauritz's wickets were from batsmen getting themselves out with stupid shots and the other one was Monty Panesar who is a walking wicket.

Good partnership from Ponting & Katich last night, if they can keep going today we could end up with a decent first innings lead and put the Poms under pressure on the last couple of days. Apparently there is rain forecast tomorrow though, so a draw is probably the favoured result.

 

[CHBench]

3 runs...Are you srs MEK Hussey? What has happened to you?
Used to be the most reliable on the team, never threw away his wicket. But now...

 

[StFly]

Now he goes fishing and gets hooked, and was lucky he chopped it onto his back foot instead of the base of middle stump before that. Mr Cricket needs to reinvent himself to Mr Batsman it seems.

Although I was more worried to watch that last over before lunch, Clarke faced all 6 deliveries, I thought his chances of remaining at the crease were 2% maximum.

 

[CHBench]

Pup survives the last over jitters again. Amaze.
I will be so pissed if rain affects this test, it will though. They're overdue. (Not a single drop of rain during Wimbledon)

Found it funny, the English tabloids keep yapping on about the 2005 ashes fluke win, but conveniently forget 2006 whitewash. Freddy even called on the spirit of 05 to rally the demoralised English team after Australia's 2nd day total. Time to let it go me thinks. It's getting embarassing.

Im curious, do we have any Saints supporters on here brave enough to admit they're pommy?

 

[StFly]

Pup survives the last over jitters again. Amaze.

Spoke too soon, 3rd last over of the day's play and Pup = GORNE

Im curious, do we have any Saints supporters on here brave enough to admit they're pommy?

My mates parents are, well one of them at least. Her accent is absolute killer. About as close as I get to being one is knowing one.

 

[TassieSaint]

dissappointing, I would have liked to see Broad go wicketless. In the spells I've seen him he's been absolutely useless.

 

[StFly]

dissappointing, I would have liked to see Broad go wicketless. In the spells I've seen him he's been absolutely useless.

He has some promise, just needs to make it more than an effort ball. Freddy was useless for mine, first spell everyone was raving at him consistently bowling 90+ miles (145ish) and yet all yesterday he barely got over 85 (135ish) with all his antics and huffing and puffing.

I mean christ, it took Collingwood to show England what the wicket can do. That's some issues there especially from Mr. "That was definitely out I was robbed" Swann.

 

[TassieSaint]

watched most of last night and England's bowling attack looked incredibly limp. Didn't look like taking a wicket, even with Hads just going the slog every ball. And yet within 5 overs we take 2 wickets (ok Bopara was very unlucky but he was still beaten all ends up and Hilf + Johno were doing more than the poms did all day).

I think Mo was spot on about their spirit as well, joking and laughing around about conceding 100+ for a wicket each? they should be ashamed with their effort but they don't seem too concerned. Barring a miraculous 2nd innnings turn around from their bowlers I'd think they'd be looking at major changes. Starting with Broad.

 

[CHBench]

This is going to be a draw.
Totally undeserved.

 

[TassieSaint]

sometimes I hate test cricket. so much injustice in that draw

 

[Plugger35]

Frustrating to get so close and miss out on the win.

Credit to the England tailenders for holding on but I still can't understand why Ponting bowled Hauritz & North at the end there and not the fast bowlers. Surely they would have been more likely to knock the tailenders over than the spinners.

 

[StFly]

Yeah as soon as they went for tea I thought it was going tobe a draw so decided screw that I'm going to sleep. Credit to the English for boring everyone to death though.

 

[Plugger35]

One advantage of living in WA is that the cricket finishes earlier (around 1am) than it does in the Eastern States.

Must be tough for you guys trying to stay up until around 3am to watch it.

 

[StFly]

One advantage of living in WA is that the cricket finishes earlier (around 1am) than it does in the Eastern States.

Must be tough for you guys trying to stay up until around 3am to watch it.

Plus delays, I've often been going at closer to 4 from the comfort of my bed. But yeah, yesterday was just blatantly obvious what with Siddle having a 10 minute over because Swann decided to get twice and call for the physio twice then dawdle around a bit.

 

[TassieSaint]

yeah I called it a night early last night, too frustrating. I reckon Hilf could have reaped havoc with the tail end given more oppurtunity, bit disappointing but I don't think you can blame Ponting too much. Fact is his bowlers let him down, particularly disappointed by Johnson. Almost the best bowler in the world after SA, but has been down a bit this tour.

 

[CHBench]

God we are embarrasing.