I'd have loved it, just fecking loved it, if Healy had've had to call the last over of this match.
I hate him with the collective vengance of 12 angry Gods.
England v Australia - Fifth Ashes Test - The Oval
- Thread starter gaffs
- Start date
I'd have loved it, just fecking loved it, if Healy had've had to call the last over of this match.
I hate him with the collective vengance of 12 angry Gods.
There's not that much fun watching this Aussie team lose. They're a very average team. Actually there doesn't seem to be a standout test nation right now, everyone seems to be average.
Is that a serious question?
EDIT: Why don't you google the history behind it before you disregard it as a 'meaningless' head-to-head. Silly comment.
I think the fact that there is no standout team is a good thing.
All the top team can all beat each other and the results have shown that.
South Africa are going to be a tough test for England. Our batting has to improve and its not going to be easy to find a quick bowler to replace Flintoff and possibly Harmison.
I think they'll be an excellent team again within the next 12 months. Loads of talent in this team.
They're only short of a spinner.
But they're certainly not short of spanners!
lulz
Australia are one spinner away from being a very, very good team.
Absolutely quality batting line-up and a very good bowling unit, when Johnson's not spraying all over.
But the thing is, there doesn't appear to be any spinner for them.
Ponting's said in the press conference that he'd like to return in 4 years and try make amends. I'd love it if he returns in 4 years and gets absolutely tonked. That'd be brilliant.
I have not seen Hauritz before the Ashes, but i thought he did a good job in the first 3 tests. In 3 matches (5 innings) 10 wickets at 32.10 - not too bad.
Swann took 14 at 40.50 in 5 matches (9 innings).
Hauritz surely would have taken at least 5 or 6 England wickets at the Oval.
Swann took 14 at 40.50 in 5 matches (9 innings).
Hauritz surely would have taken at least 5 or 6 England wickets at the Oval.
Gaffs, the problem is our selectors are too fecking gutless to make any hard decisions.
They were at a pains to pick Hauritz to begin with, and only did so becaue there was a huge public inquiry (of sorts) for a spinner. But being the nutsacks they are they drop him as soon as Clarke was fit, I guarantee Lee would've been picked in his (Hauritz's) stead had he been fit earlier too.
Then as soon as young Hughes, the future of our National side, showed signs that he was struggling with the short ball he was ousted for Watson. Though I do suppose Watson did a good job as opener and deserves a chance to prove himself after all his injuries... But why drop the future of our side, the player who could do with the experience the most, for a player who will (most likely) be in-and-out of the side for various reasons in the future?
Brad Hodge should've been in the side for the under-performing Hussey, even his brother (David) was more deserving of a spot after Mike's continuous form-slump.
They're fecking gutless. They'd much rather look backward than forwards. I bet they're making their way over to Warne, Gilchrist, McGrath, Langer and Hayden's houses right now...
They were at a pains to pick Hauritz to begin with, and only did so becaue there was a huge public inquiry (of sorts) for a spinner. But being the nutsacks they are they drop him as soon as Clarke was fit, I guarantee Lee would've been picked in his (Hauritz's) stead had he been fit earlier too.
Then as soon as young Hughes, the future of our National side, showed signs that he was struggling with the short ball he was ousted for Watson. Though I do suppose Watson did a good job as opener and deserves a chance to prove himself after all his injuries... But why drop the future of our side, the player who could do with the experience the most, for a player who will (most likely) be in-and-out of the side for various reasons in the future?
Brad Hodge should've been in the side for the under-performing Hussey, even his brother (David) was more deserving of a spot after Mike's continuous form-slump.
They're fecking gutless. They'd much rather look backward than forwards. I bet they're making their way over to Warne, Gilchrist, McGrath, Langer and Hayden's houses right now...
But really, they should have picked the best swing bowler in the world; the great Dirk Nannes.
Twats.
Twats.
Cesc, you seem to say they are gutless for dropping Hughes, and also for keeping faith with Hussey. Surely it just shows it's a fairly thankless task, especially if you end up losing.
For what it's worth Watson did (as you acknowledge) play well when he came in for Hughes, and if Ponting or Clarke had stayed in with Hussey, the Aussies might even have had a shout for winning the match yesterday.
Australia lost this test & series when they decided to pick and unchanged team.
For fecks sake, the bowlers were absolutely murdered in the 2nd innings of the 4th test by a bunch of tail enders. Call it a loss of motivation or what ever you want, the like of McGrath, Lee and Warne, would never allow such situations to occur. They would bowl like they were bowling to the top order.
fecking disgrace, and its no wonder Australia are now ranked 4th.
In the summer, it needs to be a bowling attack of Lee, Clark, Hilfenhaus and spinner.
Johnson is absolutely piss 'everybody can see that', and Siddle needs to go back and work in the domestic league for a year to polish his bowling.
As for the Batting line up. Hussey did enough last night to warrant one more chance. He held strong while Australia fell apart.
The optimum XL for the summer.
Katich
Hughes
Ponting
Hussey
Clarke
Watson
Haddin
'Spinner'
Lee
Clark
Hilfenhaus
For fecks sake, the bowlers were absolutely murdered in the 2nd innings of the 4th test by a bunch of tail enders. Call it a loss of motivation or what ever you want, the like of McGrath, Lee and Warne, would never allow such situations to occur. They would bowl like they were bowling to the top order.
fecking disgrace, and its no wonder Australia are now ranked 4th.
In the summer, it needs to be a bowling attack of Lee, Clark, Hilfenhaus and spinner.
Johnson is absolutely piss 'everybody can see that', and Siddle needs to go back and work in the domestic league for a year to polish his bowling.
As for the Batting line up. Hussey did enough last night to warrant one more chance. He held strong while Australia fell apart.
The optimum XL for the summer.
Katich
Hughes
Ponting
Hussey
Clarke
Watson
Haddin
'Spinner'
Lee
Clark
Hilfenhaus
Still can't quite believe we did it 
Chuffed to bits for Strauss. He's a good friend of mine, doncha know?
Chuffed to bits for Strauss. He's a good friend of mine, doncha know?
Monty hanging on at Cardiff to earn the draw was great I think. Turned out to be vital in the end. So pleased for him. And Strauss too, he was immense in this last game.
Turned out to be vital in the end. So pleased for him. And Strauss too, he was immense in this last game.Easy to say who should have been there after the event. If David Hussey or Brad Hodge had failed, there would have been crys for Mike Hussey, who is a class player - hes just out of form, though he may be back in form after yesterdays knock.
Sticking with the team you have picked is a good thing - there were times when Hayden and Langer were well off form but Cricket Australia stuck with them.
Remember, its not just the selectors. Ponting has a huge say.
Taking Hughes out was a good move though - the English bowlers had his number from day one. Watson did a great job.
Its a mystery why Hauritz wasnt picked. I think Australia like sticking with a winning team.
Monty hanging on at Cardiff to earn the draw was great I think.
It would have been a very different story had it not been for Monty, Anderson and Collingwood in the first test.
Strauss has been great with the bat - he scored more than Cook and Collingwood put together.
I see what you're getting at there, but they're gutless in the sense they will ALWAYS go for the 'tried and true' over the younger, less experienced players. Even if these tried and true players are clearly dragging the side down.
They were too gutless to drop Hayden, Langer and Gilchrist when they were underperforming, same too Lee. And now Clarke will most probably play on well past his expiry date.
Though I did think I understated Watson's efforts. For the record I actually rate him, the problem is he can never keep fit long enough to show his worth - and unfortunately half his worth is in his bowling, which he can't do because he always breaks down. A vicious circle.
If Mike Hussey is to stay in the team he needs to be dropped back down the order, and put Clarke up to number four. Age-wise he's probably got a few more years left, but it seems to me as if he's finally burnt out. I suppose it was bound to happen sooner or later for someone supposedly that obsessed with Cricket.
It's about time the 'future Captain' (which, I suppose un-surprisingly I don't particularly rate, though I must admit he's started to win me over these last few series) got given a bit more responsibility. I maintain any single batsmen worth his salt at any level can bat at number five.
Hopefully this loss will cause a huge shake-up. The media and the supporters are really getting on the back of everyone involved now, and they should count their lucky stars it's bloody Winter (and subsequently) Aussie Rules season... So our interest in the Cricket is at much more of a minimum than it would usually be... If it was summer there'd be some indian-style effigy burning shite going on.
HILDICH (or should I say dickitch) OUT.
Edit: BTW regarding Hughes, yes, the bowlers seemed to have him covered with the shorter balls. BUT, he's going to have to work through it sooner or later, and he did impress in the first test (I think it was). They should have stuck with him - Look at Broad, he struggled early but the selectors stuck with him and that one spell single handedly won you back the Ashes.
On that note I echo Melbourne Red's sentiments. The kid's going to be a star, and I have to admit I get excited watching him play.
Assuming you mean Clarke(which you surely must), he's averaged 50 over his career, and 56 over the last 2 years and is in brilliant touch. I'm not surprised that you don't rate him at all. You don't seem to like anyone who is good at cricket and want them all dropped.
So where are the spazzers who thought this Aussie side was going to haul in 545 at the Oval?
Exactly. In many ways, Monty hanging on to claw back the draw was absolutely vital for the whole Ashes. We'd have drawn 2-2 if not for that, meaning the Aussies would have retained them! I know there were lots of brilliant performances from a lot of the team over the 5 tests but that draw at Cardiff and Monty clinging on was the most important part for me. He's not a batsman and he took everything the Aussies threw at him for 45 minutes to stop them winning.
I didn't rate Clarke when he first came onto the scene. Everyone was celebrating him like he was the second coming of Jesus, it was like I was the only one watching him make a flashy 30 then sky a simple catch. I'm just not an idiot that buys into all the (media) hype.
He has a shitload of talent and is really putting it to good use now, but for the first few years he really flattered to decieve. But now he's got his game together he should be in a position, as a player and a potential-leader to really stamp his authority on games. It's no good for anyone to keep practically shielding him like this as he's got the ability to bat at no.4, which would in-turn leave no.5 vacant for another player to be eased into the side.
Mind you if Brad Hodge was actually picked like he should've been he'd have taken the no.4.
Anyway, in short I just don't particularly like the Australian Cricket team as I've explained earlier.
BTW: How'd Johnson go this series? And how'd he go minus the dicky-wickets, which seems to be all he gets thesedays?
I was spot on
But, were you ever worried when Ponting and Hussey were batting needing 340 to win with 8 wickets?
You can't not be worried when Ponting is looking on song, he was damn well up for the challenge too. Shame he got caught out ball-watching.
Your logic for not rating Clarke(who has been a world class performer for more than 2 years now) is that he was not very good starting out at international level? What about all the things that happened after he started out(which was 5 years ago)? Are you stuck in a time warp?
And as for your opinion about Johnson, it was completely baseless again seeing what he did over the past 8 months, proving that he has what it takes to bowl against top opposition. Again you sound like you're stuck in the past.
Exactly. In many ways, Monty hanging on to claw back the draw was absolutely vital for the whole Ashes. We'd have drawn 2-2 if not for that, meaning the Aussies would have retained them! I know there were lots of brilliant performances from a lot of the team over the 5 tests but that draw at Cardiff and Monty clinging on was the most important part for me. He's not a batsman and he took everything the Aussies threw at him for 45 minutes to stop them winning.
Me may not have bounced back at all if we had lost in Cardiff.
Hussey maybe just needs a break - hes a brilliant player of both forms of the game. He showed how good he is yesterday.
Im sure Clarke could bat number 4. I think he will end up at 3 once Ponting retires.
Do you need a big shake up? You failed in two innings which is what lost the Ashes. All the stats say you were the better team (i.e. 13 of the 16 top scores in the series) - you just lost the key moments.
HILDICH (or should I say dickitch) OUT.
You seem to be advocating the backing of players, i.e. Broad and Hughes, but not Hussey and Katich? I would always rather back the men with years of test experience
As for Hughes and dealing with the short stuff, an Ashes series is not the place to learn - let him learn in the nets or in domestic cricket. His top score was a quick 36 in Cardiff with an average of 19.
You mean Broad - im still not 100%. Hes got to decide the kind of bowler he is going to be. He should learn from Glenn McGrath and Stuart Clarke.
I think what you Australians need to wake up to is the fact you now have a good team, not a team consisting of 11 of the best 15 or 20 players in World Cricket like you had through the late 80s, 90s and early 2000s.
Hahahaha. Firstly notice the word 'didn't,' regarding Clarke.
Secondly Johnson has had far more shite games than good ones. So he had a hot streak for the series against South Africa, where was he against England just now? Nowhere. He's our 'strike' bowler and he had the new ball taken off him FFS. He's a fecking first/second change bowler. He can't swing it, he doens't do enough off the pitch. It's all just up and down and trying to intimidate the batsmen.
Once he puts in a good couple of years then he'll have earnt the right to be as highly rated.
Just quickly I'm a big fan of Katich, I think you might have meant Watson? Though that wouldn't be right either as I think he deserves a chance to prove his worth after his horrific run with injuries. Though he's not a top line batsman, and half his value comes with his bowling ability - and if he's unable to bowl due to his uncanny ability to break-down then some questions have to be asked.
I suppose you are right re: Hughes. Watson certainly proved competant at the top of the order, without ever really excelling. But then again, if you could get 40-60 out of one of your openers every single match then you'd be laughing. I think he and Katich are good grafters, though I do think we need to bring Hughes back into the side which would mean Watson would drop down the order.
Our side failed to turn up when it counted the most, whether that be a case of bad-luck or something more serious I don't know. But to not be able to get that final wicket in the last hour at Cardiff was almost criminal.
As for the shake-up I mean mostly with the selectors. I (and a shitload of other Australians, now) think they need to go. Our side is good like you say (and being 4th now is underselling them), but we're definately in a transition period... One which the selectors seem to keep fighting.
Cesc, while I agree with you on a few things, your ***-like of Lee is unwarranted. He was FAR AND AWAY the best bowler in the world before the series in the West Indies last season where he started to pick up injuries.
His bowling in the tour matches has been exceptional and Australia made a poor choice in not selecting a fit fast Brett Lee for the 5th test.
You need that level head of experience in your bowling attack and Lee offers just that.
But like you said, the selectors are more content with the the tried and tested method rather then taking a punt. Lee & Hauritz were the punts they should of taken but didn't & look what happened.
His bowling in the tour matches has been exceptional and Australia made a poor choice in not selecting a fit fast Brett Lee for the 5th test.
You need that level head of experience in your bowling attack and Lee offers just that.
But like you said, the selectors are more content with the the tried and tested method rather then taking a punt. Lee & Hauritz were the punts they should of taken but didn't & look what happened.
I don't dislike Lee. He was a very limited bowler when he first came on the scene and was soon found out, he worked on his game and came back to become a fantastic bowler. Can't not admire him for that.
Just now I think it's time we moved on, and arguably have better options in the squad. He'll probably be given another go which he's probably entitled too, as well.
Just now I think it's time we moved on, and arguably have better options in the squad. He'll probably be given another go which he's probably entitled too, as well.
Obviously you're not a cricket fan hence your inability to understand why so many people love the Ashes and why it's so important to a lot of people, including all the players.
Ah, i thought Hildich/Dickich was some kind of nichname for Katich - just looked him up and found out he's a selector.
Re: Brett Lee - i believe he has a history of saying he is fit to play when he is not, then breaking down.
Thats maybe why he didnt get picked.
Thats maybe why he didnt get picked.
Woops, I didn't mean to write that. I didn't rate him for those reasons, and he's made up a LOT of ground over the last two years.
At Cricket fans acting as if this win actually means something.
The England, Wales and South Africa cricket team has beaten Australia in a month long friendly match... how that merits wall to wall news coverage and wild hysteria from the fans is beyond me.
Ah well, at least the CP will cease to exist this time next week.
You're an idiot.
He didn't get picked, because the daft arse Australian selectors were content with bowlers that got smashes around the park in the second innings in the 4th test.
England got themselves out in that first innings, Australia didn't bowl well.
There doesn't seem to be much positive talk about England in this thread. They must have done something right to keep getting that Aussie batting out cheaply. Having 2 young bowlers and a wicketkeeper who can all bat obviously helps England and having a fit KP back will strengthern the top order batting. Fowler has done an excellent job and Id expect England to give SA a run for their money this winter.