The Ashes

[Sheridan]

Personally, I would prefer if he stuck with Ireland because as a nation how will cricket ever advance if our best players opt to play for England.

The game will progress because our underage and domestic club system is capable of producing Test cricketers. That's an extraordinary achievement. What he does to further his own career once he's made a contribution to Irish cricket is his own business. It's infinitely preferable to the football scenario, where kids go abroad at 14, 15, 16 and can hardly be described as "Irish footballers" in any meaningful sense. Ireland's cricketing infrastructure is a shining example of what can be achieved with investment and attention.

Anyone, see the re-run yesterday on SKy of the Sth Africa vs Australia one day game. Amazing. Australia hit a world record score of 434 off 50 overs and South Africa beat it off the second last ball with one wicket left. What a game.

Compelling spectacle, but I wouldn't call it a great game. Watching every ball disappear for four through no fault of the bowlers' is frustrating and pretty dull.

[BobtheDrog]

criciket in ireland can only grow if the national team is doing well this can only happen if the players are playing competitive cricket both at club and country level but the level over here is not strong enough for that so to improve they need to go to england. ed's performances over there have turned the county sides attentions over here and its becoming more common for better young players to go over the likes of william porterfield (mcc young cricketers), boyd rankin (derbyshire), Ackland (northants) and probably our best young cricketer eoin morgan at middlesex. we've seen niall o'brien play regularly at kent although he was released at the end of the season i'm sure he'll find a new county over there irish cricket is getting stronger from this but we need the game to reach a point where playing for england is no longer necessary to play top level international games.

[Sheridan]

That's utter b0llocks. Cricket in Ireland is growing; European champions at every level from under-13 to senior this year. Why? Because we invest time, money and effort into our domestic structures and underage game. Irish cricket is not getting stronger because we're exporting players to England, we're exporting players to England because our cricket is becoming stronger. The national team reflects the strength and health of our game, rather than leeching off another culture. Long may it continue.

[jebus]

Ian Bell has been declared fit for the first test lads, shame as I rate him as one of England's best batsmen and am rooting for the Aussies in this one. Jesus trying to choose between England and Australia in any sporting event is as bad as having to choose who out of Dundalk and Rovers I wanted to finish top of the 1st Division this year!

[CollegeTillIDie]

criciket in ireland can only grow if the national team is doing well this can only happen if the players are playing competitive cricket both at club and country level but the level over here is not strong enough for that so to improve they need to go to england. ed's performances over there have turned the county sides attentions over here and its becoming more common for better young players to go over the likes of william porterfield (mcc young cricketers), boyd rankin (derbyshire), Ackland (northants) and probably our best young cricketer eoin morgan at middlesex. we've seen niall o'brien play regularly at kent although he was released at the end of the season i'm sure he'll find a new county over there irish cricket is getting stronger from this but we need the game to reach a point where playing for england is no longer necessary to play top level international games.

Playing county cricket in England I have no problem with. It's professional "club" level or it's equivalent in the sport.The game over there, like the Premiershi* is full of players from all over the World. But the other nations are not losing their star players to England. I don't see Sri Lankans or Bangladeshi's going to play for England or even that many New Zealanders. Ireland in Cricket is worse off than Samoa is at rugby.
How can Ireland progress at international level at cricket, if the decent players end up being obtained by the giant on the next Island?
In the meantime...Can we sign up another corrupt South African to play for us in time for the World Cup?

[BobtheDrog]

they can't play in england unless they qualify for england unless they come from one of the european countries, denmark, scotland, netherlands and ourselves. they are only allowed have one overseas player from a test nation, it was two but they've brought it back down to one althouigh i'm not sure if that applies to this season.

sheridan underage champions at every level, why? because england don't compete. we regularly have won these tournaments over the last few years but if you look at our performances against english sides its less impressive. I agree that we are exporting players because the game is stronger but we cannot play at the highest level unless our players are playing at a level equivalent to county cricket.

[joeSoap]

Ricky Ponting's 32nd Test century helped Australia dominate England on day one of the first Ashes Test at the Gabba.

After winning the toss and opting to bat first, the hosts' skipper led from the front, ending on 137 not out as his side reached 346-3 at the close.

Michael Hussey provided admirable support with an unbeaten 63 after Justin Langer's quick-fire 82 had got the Australians off to a flying start.

Andrew Flintoff was the leading light on a dark day for England, picking up 2-48 through 16 overs of work.

Ashley Giles claimed the other wicket to fall, his first in Test cricket in 2006, but there was little else to cheer about for the tourists, particularly in the opening session.

In 2005 England set the tone for the summer with an excellent first hour in the Lord's Test. Things couldn't have been any more different in Brisbane in 2006 as they got off to such a woeful start that they were playing catch up for the rest of the day.

Steve Harmison's opening delivery ended up in the hands of second slip although he was not the only bowler to struggle, particularly against Langer.

The diminutive left-hander - who's last Test appearance, his 100th, ended after one ball when he was struck on the head by a Makhaya Ntini bouncer - dominated a stand of 79 with fellow opener Matthew Hayden.

A plethora of short balls resulted in 37 runs from the first six overs and an out-of-sorts Harmison bowled just 12 deliveries before being taken off.

It came as something of a surprise when a wicket did fall, Flintoff getting the breakthrough when he had Hayden caught at second slip for 21.

The all-rounder also ended Langer's 98-ball stay at the crease when a wide delivery that was slapped straight to Kevin Pietersen at cover.

However, the double strike, which came either side of lunch, did little to slow Australia's march towards a substantial total.

After suggesting he was struggling for form before the match, Ponting looked in sublime touch from the moment he came to the middle.

He shared a 57-run stand with Damien Martyn, who became the final wicket to fall in the day when he cut Giles - picked in preference to Monty Panesar - straight to slip Paul Collingwood.

That wicket fell in the 48th over. By the end of the 90th Australia were still only three down as an unbroken stand of 148 left England already facing a tough task to stay on level terms in the series.

Ponting's celebrations at reaching three figures - his sixth in Ashes battles - showed just how much it meant to him as helped Australia get off to the perfect start they so desperately desired.

Australia 1st Innings Runs Balls 4s 6s

J Langer c Pietersen b Flintoff 82 98 13
M Hayden c Collingwood b Flintoff 21 47 2
R Ponting not out 137 206 16
D Martyn c Collingwood b Giles 29 62 2
M Hussey not out 63 133 5

Extras 3W 5LB 6NB 14
Total for 3 Wickets (90.0 Overs) 346


Bowling Overs Maidens Runs Wickets econ

S Harmison 12 2 52 0 4.33
M Hoggard 16 2 62 0 3.88
J Anderson 18 4 88 0 4.89
A Flintoff 16 2 48 2 3.00
A Giles 18 2 51 1 2.83
I Bell 1 0 12 0 12.00
K Pietersen 9 1 28 0 3.11

Fall of Wickets 1-79 (Hayden) , 2-141 (Langer) , 3-198 (Martyn)

[WeAreRovers]

I don't see Sri Lankans or Bangladeshi's going to play for England or even that many New Zealanders. Ireland in Cricket is worse off than Samoa is at rugby.

Kevin Pieterson, Graeme Hick, Andy Caddick, etc etc the list is huge.

KOH

[pete]

Cricket may be improving in Ireland but will soon reach the height of its potential. I view it a bit like Rugby where taking players off developing countries ensures there will always be an elite top level & no chance of anyone else joing that list. Sure its the way they like it.

I presume height of Englands ambition in Test 1 now is a draw.

[endabob1]

Kevin Pieterson, Graeme Hick, Andy Caddick, etc etc the list is huge.

Of the current side apart from Pietersen & Joyce
Andrew Strauss is also South African
Geraint Jones was born in Paupa New Guniea to Welsh Parents

[OwlsFan]

Another good days for the Aussies. Declare at 602-9 and leave England floundering on 53-3.

[OwlsFan]

Watching every ball disappear for four through no fault of the bowlers' is frustrating and pretty dull.

That's like saying a game of soccer which ended 7-6 was pretty dull because of all the goals. Scoring runs is what cricket is about. I thought it was great and to go to the 2nd last ball with one wkt left. What more could you ask for? You're a hard man to please

[pete]

How many runs do "England" need in 1st innings to avoid the follow on. I would think if they can avoid the follow on can get a draw?

BTW who watches Test cricket in the middle of the night.

[Sheridan]

The follow-on point in Test cricket is set at the opponent's total - 200. So in this case, England need 402 to avoid the follow-on.

I watched until "tea" last night/this morning (found a few dodgy streams) and will make an effort tonight, since Warne will be bowling.

[Aberdonian Stu]

Care to PM me those streams Sheridan?

[pete]

So in this case, England need 402 to avoid the follow-on.

I siuppose not much chance of rain then.

I don't know much about the teams form but I think England will lose 3-0 overall.

[Dodge]

Care to PM me those streams Sheridan?

One of the Asian sports channels on TVU was showing it last night. if you don't have that PM me

it might be available on Sopcast too

[Sheridan]

Damn, I didn't know it was on TVU, that would have been a lot simpler. Don't suppose you remember which channel?

(Although everytime I use TVU, I get distracted by the Italian soft porn on Telecapri.)

[Dodge]

Honestly no... I was flicking around looking for the NFL network. Ms Dodge was watching a film and decided it was rubbish so freed up the sky sports for me. Then fell asleepa nd didn't see any of either the cricket or the Broncos/Chiefs

[dfx-]

Anyone, see the re-run yesterday on SKy of the Sth Africa vs Australia one day game. Amazing. Australia hit a world record score of 434 off 50 overs and South Africa beat it off the second last ball with one wicket left. What a game.

Damn. Didn't know it was on. Watched it at the time and was going to buy the DVD of the game available in Cape Town this year and didn't. Exciting game - wouldn't say the best cricket, but exciting.