* * * The Ashes - Official Thread * * *

[brightonmark1234]

if we can get to lunch 1 down still ill be happy but cant see it

 

[ali jenkins]

I think we should keep them in the field aslong as we can. With only 3 days until the start of the 2nd test their bowlers wouldnt fancy 2 days in the fiield with such a short turn-around.

There is no way we can set them an un-beatable target and take 10 wickets all in a day so why not prepare for the next test?

 

[Barrel of Fun]

It would be nice to give them 30 overs or so and, whilst not suggesting another bodyline series, rough them up a bit.

Still, we are only 80 odd runs ahead, so let's focus on avoiding defeat before setting any sort of target. We have snatched defeat from the jaws of a draw or victory many a time.

 

[larus]

We've got 8 players who are handy with the bat and a lead of 88. I hope that we at least try to up the pace a bit during the morning session to give us the opportunity of maybe declaring about 1 hour after luch with a lead of 250 (assume we bat for 3 1/2 hours or say 45 overs gone and a scoring rate of about 4/ov). This should put the game out of their reach and give us the chance to make in-roads into their top-order for a second time.

If we were to start to lose a few wickets, then we could shut-up shop and kill off a bit of time. To win, you've got to be prepared to lose; this is how great teams succeed.

 

[highway61]

quite a good review here i thought
Backs to the wall cricket lights up Ashes opener | The Australian
Mitchell Johnson has no wickets, no runs and no catches at the Gabba | The Australian

and this one about there attack
Great white hype over Aussies | The Daily Telegraph

 

[highway61]

The Aussie HeralsSun website has a really good Ashes section
Ashes | Cricket Australia | Herald Sun | Herald Sun

 

[highway61]

A couple of Aussie postings here
Matt Dee of Katoomba Posted at 9:39 AM Today

Lets give some credit to England folks, they're answering the wonderful innings by Haddin and Hussey in style. I'm thrilled to be watching and listening to test cricket again. Cricket is simply entertainment and it's not entertainment unless there is real competition, I got bored with Australia winning every form of the game. Go you Poms! and I'm an Australian born and bred.
frustrated Aussie of Sydney Posted at 8:49 AM Today

Funny how it all turns around. Yesterday the Aus media jumped at the chance to give it to England's bowlers, despite the fact they actually bowled pretty well and were thwarted by exceptional batting from Hussey and Haddin. 24 hours later it is the Australian's who deserve the same bagging. If we are truly honest with ourselves, Aus bowled worse than England, and have for most of the test, with the exception of Siddle's outstanding spell on day 1. If this is the attack for the next 4 tests, it's bye bye to the Ashes.

 

[Bozza]

Let's be clear - Strauss will not give the Aussies any sniff of winning this test with an aggressive declaration, and rightly so.

England are looking far the stronger here, so why risk going 1 down - there really is no need.

 

[highway61]

Let's be clear - Strauss will not give the Aussies any sniff of winning this test with an aggressive declaration, and rightly so.

England are looking far the stronger here, so why risk going 1 down - there really is no need.

i certainly agree there Bozza. fact is we hold the ashes so no need to take any early risks

 

[jakarta]

Oooh - another drop - bad luck you Aussies!!!

 

[highway61]

Oooh - another drop - bad luck you Aussies!!!

Channel 9 must have shown it again a dozen times! Lovely 4wides/byes from Johnson too

 

[Comedy Steve]

any live video online out there?

 

[Comedy Steve]

No worries - found Live Cricket Streaming - Live Cricket - Watch Cricket Online - Free - works well at the mo.

 

[tonymgc]

439 for 1 fanfuckintastic!

 

[highway61]

439 for 1 fanfuckintastic!

f*** me, I aint the only one watching in Littlehampton then! I am probably only one in Gloucester road area though

 

[jakarta]

Aussie bowlers are serving up pies - game over unless we want to have a dart (very much) later on today?

 

[Jesus Gul]

unlucky Ponting!!

 

[Lady Whistledown]

505/1... Crush them into the ground

 

[Lady Whistledown]

517/1 declared.

 

[Gwylan]

Mitchell "Going to knock Strauss's head off" Johnson finished with 0 for 170 (following his 0-66 in the first innings). Is there anything more pleasurable than a mouthy Aussie getting humiliated?

EDIT: I was confused by the announcement on TMS - Johnson got 0-170 in the match, not innings.

Still, he also got a 0 and dropped a catch - great effort