The Second Investec Ashes Test, England v Australia, Lords

[Pavilionaire]

215, 375, 361 - that's an average of 317, so hardly "really poor". People now expect England to get 400+ every time they bat. Take a look at some of the scorecards from Ashes series gone by - getting 350+ against the Aussies is no mean feat.

Bell is batting the best I've ever seen him, Trott looks in good nick and you know it's just a matter of time before Pietersen comes to the party. We're doing OK.

 

[Mellotron]

215, 375, 361 - that's an average of 317, so hardly "really poor". People now expect England to get 400+ every time they bat. Take a look at some of the scorecards from Ashes series gone by - getting 350+ against the Aussies is no mean feat.

Bell is batting the best I've ever seen him, Trott looks in good nick and you know it's just a matter of time before Pietersen comes to the party. We're doing OK.

This is an average Aussies side though, and a strong England one. That's why people are expecting more.

 

[Sarisbury Seagull]

I said last week that if we won the first test, when we always seem to be at our worst, then we would win the series 5.0 (weather allowing).

The Aussies are so poor. The only reason the first test was close was because of a freak innings by that kid on debut that he will probably never repeat and he should have been out earlier anyway.

 

[Titanic]

I'm loving England's repeated use of a specialist fielder! Just hope he runs out Clarke

 

[Taybha]

Im lost , so a bloke who has retired from playing cricket is now fielding for England in a ashes test match ?

 

[Pavilionaire]

Leaving Agar aside, look at the bowling averages of the Aussie quartet of Harris, Pattinson, Siddle and Watson - 22.75, 26.08, 28.71, 30.58 respectively. And then there's Clarke with 30 wickets at 37.43 apiece. The stats suggest this is a decent Aussie bowling attack.

The batting, however, is pretty poor. When your second most reliable batsman is your wicketkeeper you know you've got problems.

England don't need to bat at their best to beat the Aussies, they just need one hundred and a couple of fifities each time to post a decent total and Jimmy and co will do the rest. I expect that once we've established ourselves as on top in the series some of the batsmen who've hitherto missed out will then come to the fore.

 

[Mellotron]

I said last week that if we won the first test, when we always seem to be at our worst, then we would win the series 5.0 (weather allowing).

The Aussies are so poor. The only reason the first test was close was because of a freak innings by that kid on debut that he will probably never repeat and he should have been out earlier anyway.

This.

 

[empire]

This is an average Aussies side though, and a strong England one. That's why people are expecting more.

dont agree they are average tbh,maybe on paper but that goes out of the window,i agree that we arent playing our best,still think it will be tight

 

[Beach Hut]

Wicket

 

[Titanic]

Swann STRIKES again... good sharp catch at short leg by Ian Bell, always difficult coming forwards.

86-5

 

[Pavilionaire]

Cricinfo: "It's fair to say that Australia's next rung of batsmen aren't exactly knocking the door down at the moment. Australia A are currently 151-8 against Zimbabwe. David Warner made 11 to add to his first-innings 6."

I fancy Darren Lehmann needs to see if there are any South Africans with Aussie passports he might be able to squeeze in.

 

[Basil Fawlty]

Swanny is causing mayhem, great catch Ian Bell. Come on England!!!!

 

[hybrid_x]

half an hour a ago i got EVENS on the ozzies "not to get to 270 runs in the 1st innings"......candy from a baby

 

[Sarisbury Seagull]

What also seems really apparent to me in this series is the difference in mentality and the switch that has happened between England and Aus.

During the 90's and early 2000's, if we ever looked like we might get into a position to potentially win the game, you just knew we would throw it away and the Aussies would turn it round to win. We walked out expecting to lose whatever the situation. I now think its completely the other way around and we expect to win from any position. The Aussies look mentally fragile these days as well as poorer technically.

 

[Titanic]

half an hour a ago i got EVENS on the ozzies "not to get to 270 runs in the 1st innings"......candy from a baby

Clarke trying hard to prove you wrong! Looks like shit or bust.

 

[Mellotron]

I don't see why. Leaving Agar aside, look at the bowling averages of the Aussie quartet of Harris, Pattinson, Siddle and Watson - 22.75, 26.08, 28.71, 30.58 respectively. And then there's Clarke with 30 wickets at 37.43 apiece. The stats suggest this is a decent Aussie bowling attack.

The batting, however, is pretty poor. When your second most reliable batsman is your wicketkeeper you know you've got problems.

England don't need to bat at their best to beat the Aussies, they just need one hundred and a couple of fifities each time to post a decent total and Jimmy and co will do the rest.

You almost disagree with yourself in that post. As you say, if Jimmy's on form we will skittle them out time and time again.

 

[Titanic]

Clarke trying hard to prove you wrong! Looks like shit or bust.

And Clarke has GONE!!!! LBW to Broad.. Oh yes!!

91-6