Ashes Warm Ups

[Skint Gull]

How much can we read into them? Apart from 2 batsmen the Aussies failed against our second string attack, and now can't take a wicket against 2 uncapped openers!

England, although they didn't bat to well either, just bowled Warwickshire out for 102. I appreciate the different quality of opposition and that when it comes to the pressure of the real thing it will be different but there's no doubt the Aussies are nowhere near as good a side as 2005.

I know we're not so good either but i just think our side is not much worse than the last home series, by comparison theirs is dreadful.

 

[CHAPPERS]

I think the Aussies really need to worry about their bowling attack. Johnson is really struggling and has been expensive today and Hauritz just isn't good enough and Lee is past his best. They are one injury away from being f***ed and if it's Johnson or Siddle, well....

 

[Fourteenth Eye]

Im trying not to read too much into these games as the Aussies have a knack of turning it on when it really matters.

They have been poor tho against us & the lions.

In our game we have tinkered with the opening partnership which is interesting. Stauss & Bopara opened with cook @ 3

 

[sten_super]

I think the Aussies really need to worry about their bowling attack. Johnson is really struggling and has been expensive today and Hauritz just isn't good enough and Lee is past his best. They are one injury away from being f***ed and if it's Johnson or Siddle, well....

I concur with this. At the same time the batting hasn't looked too hot either, but they can rely on one or two men to pull them through. It will certainly be a tight series...

 

[Skint Gull]

In our game we have tinkered with the opening partnership which is interesting. Stauss & Bopara opened with cook @ 3

Not sure about that, I suspect after his first innings failure that KP will be in next, Cook got runs in the first innings so best to give others as long as possible at the crease

 

[Taybha]

North looks total pony so he will probably win the ashes single handed for the aussies,harmison looks like a half decent bowler all of a sudden but that said i dont think he should get into the squad if we have a injury,the player that looks total quality from both sides is bopara,just seems to get better and better.

 

[Titanic]

England Two's 171-0
Denly 66* Moore 95*

Hauritz 9-0-43-0 - bowling

 

[Skint Gull]

Hauritz 9-0-43-0 - bowling

M Johnson 12.0 1 66 0

 

[Titanic]

mmm Lee comes back and cleans up Denly... 172-1

 

[Titanic]

and Bell is plumb first ball... 172-2

 

[Titanic]

and Solanki... squirts the hat-trick ball, a 94mph swinging yorker, down to fine leg for 4

 

[vulture]

bell is a cock lets hope he gets no where near the 1st team this summer

 

[NS Herald]

I wouldn't write off this Aussie team just yet.

Remember they lost at home to SA and then went and turned them over on their home patch.

Even when they are down they are not out and players like Lee and Ponting have to be respected. Lee now taken 3 wickets and is an incredibly committed player who ain't bad with the bat.

When we are 3 nil up in the series I will think we are safe

 

[Fourteenth Eye]

I wouldn't write off this Aussie team just yet.

Remember they lost at home to SA and then went and turned them over on their home patch.

Even when they are down they are not out and players like Lee and Ponting have to be respected. Lee now taken 3 wickets and is an incredibly committed player who ain't bad with the bat.

When we are 3 nil up in the series I will think we are safe

make that 4!!!

 

[Taybha]

5 fa 43

 

[Seagull over NZ]

I imagine Bopara opened the batting as come next week if we lose an early wicket he will be out there against the new ball whereas yesterday and today he could have been facing a ball 20-30 overs old so its good preparation for him.

You would expect the experienced players like Ponting and Clarke who haven't really been in the runs to put that behind them but its good to see Hughes and North struggle a bit for runs and that could play on their mind.

But I would be worried about the bowling. Hauritz doesn't look much cop but can they really go into a test match without a specialist spinner? Its a shame Lee got wickets today as he was looking like he may have missed out. Despite his injuries I would rather face a Lee-less Australian attack.

Would be nice to see KP, Colly and Prior get some runs and then we can say its a fairly satisfactory few days practice. Even Monty got some wickets today !!

 

[Leekbrookgull]

Well went to Worcester today,and 170 for 0 England were in command. 40 balls later 209-4-5 all to Brett Lee. On a batting wicket. Only a fool would write Austraila off,and i don't.

 

[Flavor Flav]

Brett Lee, the smile of a rapist

 

[Gwylan]

I think it's a bit early to write Johnson off, this is was his first bowl in a first-class match on the tour.

The lack of a spinner must be worrying them- I don't know why they didn't pick Jason Krejza. He took a heap of wickets in his first test; he's expensive but a wicket-taking bowler is worth the extra runs.

 

[8ace]

Harmison has got Hughes cheaply for the second time in the match.
convicts 24/1