MERGED - The 2010/2011 ASHES tour thread...all Ashes related chat here please!
- Thread starter Sassy Colin
- Start date
Well there goes all the momentum.
Ponting is averaging 16 in this series.
Ponting is averaging 16 in this series.
Ricky Ponting, once, twice, three times a loser and we looooooooove you.
[PQUOTE=Ubik;9047802]We were mocking him all ends up recently! Now he scores 62 (outscoring any of our batsmen) and goes 6/38! Hubris![/QUOTE]
Not me. I did say he wad their most devastating bower when he's firing. But he's like that...hit or miss.
Not me. I did say he wad their most devastating bower when he's firing. But he's like that...hit or miss.
If they can get 220/230, which shouldn't be much of a problem I would have thought, we're going to find it very hard to win this.
300+ in the 4th innings surely must be a tough ask?
300+ in the 4th innings surely must be a tough ask?
Clarke 
Stupid bastard
64/3
Stupid bastard
64/3
Couple more before stumps boys...
Next couple of partnerships are huge for the Oz here. Hold on they can win drop a couple of cheap wkts and we probably beat 'em
massive point in the match
..........although we're shipping runs at an alarming rate atm
massive point in the match
..........although we're shipping runs at an alarming rate atm
Well good day for the Oz - well played them
They really went for it from a desperate situation and series losing position at 78 - 0 and showed a gutsy fighting spirit we thought they'd lost
Can't see us getting back into this unless we get three quickish wkts in the morning. Otherwise we'll be chasing 350 /400 + and then we'll get roundly beaten
Definitely a result in this and its all on the first session in the morning
They really went for it from a desperate situation and series losing position at 78 - 0 and showed a gutsy fighting spirit we thought they'd lost
Can't see us getting back into this unless we get three quickish wkts in the morning. Otherwise we'll be chasing 350 /400 + and then we'll get roundly beaten
Definitely a result in this and its all on the first session in the morning
If the wicket continues to flatten out and the Watson/Hussey partnership can take the lead over 260-ish, then hopefully we can see some fireworks from Smith, Haddin and Johnson. Ideally I'd want us to bat for all of tomorrow, but any lead which is 350+ would be excellent.
How rubbish is Pontings batting these days, hes become a bunny for most decent bowlers around the world lately, bit of a walking wicket at number 3.
England had their first bad day of the series for a while there, still they'll be confident of chasing anything 350 or below for me, this track looks like it will flatten out as the game goes, Australia dont have any spinners of note, and if the ball doesn't swing then i dont see much to fear in the aussie attack, most wickets today came via Johnson finally doing something with the ball via the aid of late swing, history shows hes very up and down more down than up, if he dosnt swing second time round England wont have much to fear chasing anything below 350.
Indeed South Africa chased down over 400 on this very wicket 2 years ago and won the game getting 414-4 in the last innings, its not a wicket thats going to crumble and go low especially as we've only just finished day 2, this match could well be over inside 3 and a bit days.
England had their first bad day of the series for a while there, still they'll be confident of chasing anything 350 or below for me, this track looks like it will flatten out as the game goes, Australia dont have any spinners of note, and if the ball doesn't swing then i dont see much to fear in the aussie attack, most wickets today came via Johnson finally doing something with the ball via the aid of late swing, history shows hes very up and down more down than up, if he dosnt swing second time round England wont have much to fear chasing anything below 350.
Indeed South Africa chased down over 400 on this very wicket 2 years ago and won the game getting 414-4 in the last innings, its not a wicket thats going to crumble and go low especially as we've only just finished day 2, this match could well be over inside 3 and a bit days.
Match scorecard at the end of day 2, seems an awfully busy scorecard for 2 days of a test match:
BBC SPORT | Cricket Scorecard
BBC SPORT | Cricket Scorecard
Because of the 23 wickets in 2 days, we can at least be sure of one thing...this match won't finish in a dull draw. There definitely will be a winner.
Johnson. Where did that come from.
Fair play to the Aussies for fighting back. I didn't think they had it in them but they have a great chance of leveling up the series. England will struggle to chase anything above 300.
Fair play to the Aussies for fighting back. I didn't think they had it in them but they have a great chance of leveling up the series. England will struggle to chase anything above 300.
England need a few early wickets to regain control of the match. Watson usually gets a good start and then gets out before making his century, so he'll be looking to set that right. Hussey's the prize wicket for England, get him early and they should have the momentum back.
As an England fan I'm kinda glad this is happening. The last thing I'd want is for us to white wash the Ashes and the Aussies state that it was their worst team in 30 years and we won by default.
Theres alot of talent in this Aussie team and it's only right they show it at some point.
My prediction is Australia setting a target of around 400 and England attempting to play for a draw.
Theres alot of talent in this Aussie team and it's only right they show it at some point.
My prediction is Australia setting a target of around 400 and England attempting to play for a draw.
Now we can claim that it is our worst team in 30 years and you still couldn't beat us.
We only need 1 more win out of this test series and we retain the ashes
Johnson. Where did that come from.
He's the Berbatov of Cricket players.
But this is the worst aussie team in 20+ years.
Can you imagine Phillip Hughes and Steve Smith getting a go for Australia at any point in the past 2 decades?
How about Xavier Doherty?
There is talent in the team no doubt, but 2 out of the 3 best batsmen are horribly out of form or dealing with waning powers, Clarke and Ponting. Hussey, Watson and Haddin are the only ones performing anything like their ability.
Can you imagine Phillip Hughes and Steve Smith getting a go for Australia at any point in the past 2 decades?
How about Xavier Doherty?
There is talent in the team no doubt, but 2 out of the 3 best batsmen are horribly out of form or dealing with waning powers, Clarke and Ponting. Hussey, Watson and Haddin are the only ones performing anything like their ability.
We only need 1 more win out of this test series and we retain the ashes
sigh...
looking safe at the moment. These two are in some great form and will be tough to get out. A century from Watson is long overdue.
Such a boring opening session.
Anway kudos to Mitchell Johnson he did well, excellent batting followed by a crucial 6 wicket haul.. however I thought Englands batting display was disgusting, yes there was a fair bit of movement but Johnsons bowling was pretty predictable and people were just giving their wickets away. I thought Harris done really well though, excellent display of line, length and movement.
Strauss needs to utlise Swann more in general.. as it stands England would be lucky to get out of this in a draw.
Anway kudos to Mitchell Johnson he did well, excellent batting followed by a crucial 6 wicket haul.. however I thought Englands batting display was disgusting, yes there was a fair bit of movement but Johnsons bowling was pretty predictable and people were just giving their wickets away. I thought Harris done really well though, excellent display of line, length and movement.
Strauss needs to utlise Swann more in general.. as it stands England would be lucky to get out of this in a draw.
We only need 1 more win out of this test series and we retain the ashes
TBH I'd consider it a loss if we can't beat this Aussie team and have to rely on a drawn series.
Watto fails to get his century....plumb LBW.
95, great innings
95, great innings
Sorry to see Watson not get his century, but oh well this day needed a shot in the arm. Come on England.. give yourselves a fighting chance!
Typical Watson. Bats well and then completely bottles it.
Hussey with yet another half century. He has to get a century though...just has to.
Steve Smith - you idiot.
Well at least it's never boring with him at the crease.
Well at least it's never boring with him at the crease.
i reckon that might be a bit high!
successful challenge!
successful challenge!
feck Hussey still in, good challenge.
Looked a bit dodgy to be honest, that lbw decision. Good referral.
Also agree that Swann needs to have more of a bowl. I would've let him have a crack at Smith for about 20min before lunch, to let the quicks settle down a bit before the break.
Also agree that Swann needs to have more of a bowl. I would've let him have a crack at Smith for about 20min before lunch, to let the quicks settle down a bit before the break.
Aussie's session. Referral system has worked well for them, Hussey is such a key wicket. Smith seems so shaky, got to get him out soon before he can settle.
Going to take a hell of a lot to save this test from here!
Going to take a hell of a lot to save this test from here!
Think Australia already have enough. The WACA isn't good for English batters.
Smith very lucky to escape that referral. That is JUST more than half of the ball not hitting. Just.
Swanny is not having a good test.
Isn't it great to watch?
Meh. He's done you lot many times. He's bound to have an off day.
He was actually pretty average in the last Ashes and again this time. He's had only one good test against Australia and that was the last one..
England right back in it. 350~ is entirely a reachable target..