The Ashes

**Aberdonian Stu** · 08/08/2005, 1:33 PM

With 50 runs to go I was convinced the Aussies would win, it had that air of inevitability about it and with 2-0 looking likely I was getting quite depressed as the series would most likely have quitened down considerably.

Then came the drop, and I "knew" the Aussies would win.

Then came the wicket and I was glad that I didn't know what I was talking about

1-1 should make for some cracking cricket

**razor** · 09/08/2005, 7:46 AM

Brett Lee was admitted to a Birmingham hospital with a knee infection last night.
Could make for an interesting 3rd Test.

There was talk of the Aussies playing a 2nd spinner in McGill, they might have to now.

**Stuttgart88** · 09/08/2005, 8:28 AM

I thought it was really striking how Flintoff & Lee consoled /
congratulated each other after the Test. The Independent here
contrasts this rspect in the face of intense competition to exhibitionists & repugnant people like Peter Kenyon in football.

Hear Hear

http://sport.independent.co.uk/crick...icle304677.ece

Can't wait for the third test!

**stickyjoe** · 09/08/2005, 8:47 AM

any word on Lees injury?
aussies will be stuck for options without lee and mcgrath. although warne can do a decent enough job on his own.

anybody see his ball that got strauss out on friday evening? it must of turned atleast 2 feet

different class he is.

**Pat O' Banton** · 09/08/2005, 9:11 AM

I've been watching footbball far too long, if I was Ponting I'd have been going bonkers about Harmison being given not out despite being blatently lbw (hit shin high, middle stump) think Ingerland added 10 or so runs after that, and all the difference it made.
It shows that at least there is some ability, in cricket to accept personal resonsibility for mistakes, (Ponting admiting he should have choosen to bat first) whereas as in a game of football it appears that everyone is to blame when a manager makes a mistake apart from the manager.

**Clifford** · 09/08/2005, 9:20 AM

Superb stuff last weekend, Warne was on fire, Freddie was awesome, all round gripping stuff. And I won a nice wedge by backing Eng at 3-1 on Thurs morn.

This weeks one is going to be amazing, I've got a ticket for Friday as I'm in Manchester for the start of the Prem at CoMS. Should be a cracking weekend.

**patsh** · 09/08/2005, 10:12 AM

Originally Posted by Pat O' Banton

I've been watching footbball far too long, if I was Ponting I'd have been going bonkers about Harmison being given not out despite being blatently lbw (hit shin high, middle stump) think Ingerland added 10 or so runs after that, and all the difference it made.
It shows that at least there is some ability, in cricket to accept personal resonsibility for mistakes, (Ponting admiting he should have choosen to bat first) whereas as in a game of football it appears that everyone is to blame when a manager makes a mistake apart from the manager.

Ponting can't give out about anyone, he more than most is to blame for the Aussies defeat.
Crazy decision to put England in to bat, and then himself being out for a duck, when a 4 from him would have won the game, means he can't look at anyone but himself.

**razor** · 09/08/2005, 10:24 AM

Originally Posted by patsh

Ponting can't give out about anyone, he more than most is to blame for the Aussies defeat.
Crazy decision to put England in to bat, and then himself being out for a duck, when a 4 from him would have won the game, means he can't look at anyone but himself.

But when you look at the 5 balls he faced for that duck, any batsman in the world would have struggled with Flintoff in that vein of form. He was torn inside out, brilliant to watch.
I think Vaughan would want to look at his perfomance with the bat.

**patsh** · 09/08/2005, 11:56 AM

Originally Posted by razor

But when you look at the 5 balls he faced for that duck, any batsman in the world would have struggled with Flintoff in that vein of form. He was torn inside out, brilliant to watch.
I think Vaughan would want to look at his perfomance with the bat.

All he needed to do was bide his time, play defensively, not bother about runs...
Easy for me to say, I know, but you would expect more from him.

**Stuttgart88** · 09/08/2005, 12:46 PM

Originally Posted by patsh

but you would expect more from him.

I'd actually have expected more from several of the other leading Aussies too, especially Gilchrist & Hayden.

**patsh** · 09/08/2005, 3:13 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

I'd actually have expected more from several of the other leading Aussies too, especially Gilchrist & Hayden.

Yep, they should have got more runs, but you would expect the captain to be able to hang on at the wicket for a few overs at least, especially when they were 2 1/2 days still for play.

**OwlsFan** · 09/08/2005, 5:04 PM

Originally Posted by PEOPLESREPUBLICOFCORK.COM

Any sham who hasn�t the balls to climb up on the railings and jump into the sacred waters below, regardless of whether they can swim or not, is definitely queer and will most likely move to Dublin to play cricket or be an actor when he grows up.

Saw that on the above website

I'd love the person who wrote that to face just 6 deliveries from Brett Lee at full pace and see whether it's a poof's game or not

**razor** · 10/08/2005, 7:41 AM

Originally Posted by OwlsFan

Saw that on the above website

I'd love the person who wrote that to face just 6 deliveries from Brett Lee at full pace and see whether it's a poof's game or not

Even with an infected knee i'm sure Lee would hurt him real bad.
There is a grain of truth as Corks better cricketers have usually had to move to Dublin to play as the standard is better up there.

**razor** · 10/08/2005, 7:44 AM

Originally Posted by patsh

Yep, they should have got more runs, but you would expect the captain to be able to hang on at the wicket for a few overs at least, especially when they were 2 1/2 days still for play.

Its not always as easy as that, you go out with the best of intentions but it doesn't always work out especially with Freddie in that form. The same could be said for Vaughan on Saturday morning and he didn't last 5 minutes.

**drinkfeckarse** · 10/08/2005, 2:02 PM

Vaughan IMO would/should have been dropped from the side a long time ago had he not been captain.

Since obtaining the captaincy he has offered very little in terms of runs and leadership.

**stickyjoe** · 11/08/2005, 10:30 AM

poor start. strauss is gone already. I think its time Vaughan took a hold of an innings and knocked up a decent score today

mcgrath and lee both passed fit. i wonder how fit mcgrath really is

**Stuttgart88** · 11/08/2005, 1:09 PM

Originally Posted by stickyjoe

poor start. strauss is gone already. I think its time Vaughan took a hold of an innings and knocked up a decent score today

mcgrath and lee both passed fit. i wonder how fit mcgrath really is

Vaugahn & Trescothick both well over 50. England 151-1.

McGrath bowled brilliantly earlier but Gilchrist dropped 2 very catchable catches and McGrath clean-bowled one of the batsmen only for a no-ball to be called! England dealt with Lee & McGrath very uncomfortably early on but are well bedded in now & looking at a big score.

**Stuttgart88** · 11/08/2005, 1:28 PM

Trescothick just gone for 63 I think. Warne's 600th Test Wicket.

England 163-2.

**razor** · 11/08/2005, 1:37 PM

Originally Posted by stickyjoe

poor start. strauss is gone already. I think its time Vaughan took a hold of an innings and knocked up a decent score today

mcgrath and lee both passed fit. i wonder how fit mcgrath really is

Now 175/2, Trescothick just gone for 63, Vaughan still there on 87, Bell on 1