- Apr 5, 2014
- 25,909
Of course, feel free to continue the wailing and gnashing of teeth on the 2nd Test thread, but they are coming thick and fast.
July 6th is a significant day in Ashes history. Especially for me. In 1981, whilst off school with sinusitis, I settled in the front room that warm sunny day. I had never really paid much attention up to that point but having a cricket mad teacher at St Luke’s, and playing ‘continuous cricket’ (a rounders type game but based on cricket) even in deep winter, I had little choice. One of my best friends was also a cricket devotee. I was gently, or forcibly, being pushed towards the alter of the great game.
That afternoon England were batting. I wasn’t really sure of the match situation, but Ian Botham came to the crease. Shortly after he left, having attempted to sweep Ray Bright first ball and being bowled behind his legs. The television fell silent and as Botham walked up the pavilion steps the members were hushed. He later said that the walk was like taking two steps forward and one step back. His captaincy was over. My love of cricket had started.
In fairness to Botham, his spell in charge had spanned two series against the West Indies. But it was probably more the Ashes he was judged on. His form had waned. This, of course, was the start of the fairy tale. Mike Brearley came back and with some Botham and Willis heroics, some help from a few others, and a good old fashioned dose of luck and fortune, the rest went into history.
The third Test of this series is also at Leeds. If you don’t know the result of the 1981 match you are probably here by accident. But in a similar way England need some action. In the first Test, as in 1981, England’s fielding let them down. And, as in 1981, England could well have won. In fact, it would not be a freak of sport for them to be 2-0 up here. But, as many of us have suggested on the previous thread, they often have only themselves to blame.
Enough of the comparisons though. The first debate is whether they stick with the same team. And much would depend on the surface. Headingley is not the green top of yesteryear. But should Wood return ? Will Anderson take a break ? Is Pope fit to play and should he anyway ? NSC will take on the debate and the summer Ashes threads will run like those games of continuous cricket.
I forecast a tight Australia win in the first Test, and another win in the second, marking out England’s approach as a problem. I hoped to be wrong. Whilst I think the toss (and possibly the weather) will play a role in Leeds, I’m hoping to be right on this occasion. I think England are scorned and angry at their own failings.
Forecast: England victory.
July 6th is a significant day in Ashes history. Especially for me. In 1981, whilst off school with sinusitis, I settled in the front room that warm sunny day. I had never really paid much attention up to that point but having a cricket mad teacher at St Luke’s, and playing ‘continuous cricket’ (a rounders type game but based on cricket) even in deep winter, I had little choice. One of my best friends was also a cricket devotee. I was gently, or forcibly, being pushed towards the alter of the great game.
That afternoon England were batting. I wasn’t really sure of the match situation, but Ian Botham came to the crease. Shortly after he left, having attempted to sweep Ray Bright first ball and being bowled behind his legs. The television fell silent and as Botham walked up the pavilion steps the members were hushed. He later said that the walk was like taking two steps forward and one step back. His captaincy was over. My love of cricket had started.
In fairness to Botham, his spell in charge had spanned two series against the West Indies. But it was probably more the Ashes he was judged on. His form had waned. This, of course, was the start of the fairy tale. Mike Brearley came back and with some Botham and Willis heroics, some help from a few others, and a good old fashioned dose of luck and fortune, the rest went into history.
The third Test of this series is also at Leeds. If you don’t know the result of the 1981 match you are probably here by accident. But in a similar way England need some action. In the first Test, as in 1981, England’s fielding let them down. And, as in 1981, England could well have won. In fact, it would not be a freak of sport for them to be 2-0 up here. But, as many of us have suggested on the previous thread, they often have only themselves to blame.
Enough of the comparisons though. The first debate is whether they stick with the same team. And much would depend on the surface. Headingley is not the green top of yesteryear. But should Wood return ? Will Anderson take a break ? Is Pope fit to play and should he anyway ? NSC will take on the debate and the summer Ashes threads will run like those games of continuous cricket.
I forecast a tight Australia win in the first Test, and another win in the second, marking out England’s approach as a problem. I hoped to be wrong. Whilst I think the toss (and possibly the weather) will play a role in Leeds, I’m hoping to be right on this occasion. I think England are scorned and angry at their own failings.
Forecast: England victory.
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