The Ashes and Cricket World Cup Discussion Thread

(17-12-2010 11:14 )William H Bonney Wrote:  

(02-12-2010 08:58 )colino Wrote:  Mitchell "wides" Johnson's just been dropped for the 2nd Test.

Shouldn't come as a great surprise to anybody

But now he's back and bowled superbly today taking 6-38 as England were skittled out for 187. Australia close on 119-3 in their second innings, a lead of 200 with 3 days still remaining.

He got dropped for a reason, he was godawful in the first test, and and bowled poorly leading up to it.

A couple of good sessions doesn't make up for well below par bowling for well over a year. If he continues to bowl in this fashion (getting the ball to swing so late) for the rest of the series then fair enough, but that remains to be seen.

Siddle also bowled beautifully for a period in the first test, but did little before it (injuries notwithstanding) and has done equally little since.

johnson reminds mre of glenn mcgrath (not action or class), if you get start to hit mcgrath around the park he will become very expensive bowler but you let him to get on top of you he will get you out, 5+ for few runs. the same can said of johnson put him under pressure from the start he will ineffective and expensive.

the batsmen need patience and application as there are runs in this wicket if you stay in. hopefully the bowlers will get the remaining wickets by lunch.

(17-12-2010 21:44 )bigguy01 Wrote:  hopefully the bowlers will get the remaining wickets by lunch.

No, they didn't even get them by tea. Australia make 309 with a century (116) by Hussey and therefore set England 391 to win. England bat for 27 overs at the end of the day and finish on 81-5.

To be fair the Aussies bowlers have bowled very well on this pacey pitch and i can smell an Aussie victory.

(18-12-2010 22:18 )birdlime Wrote:  i can smell an Aussie victory.

I think that's an understatement as England are being demolished.

next test how about bell in at 4 pietersen 5 and morgan 6. We all new an england collapse was going to happen at some time but at least we will still be level!

They do need the extra seamer.time for Bresnan to come in for Collingwood my xi for next test would be in batting order

Strauss
Cook
Trott
Bell
Pietersen
Prior
Bresnan
Swann
Tremlett
Anderson
Finn

Work the three primary seamers around swann and bresnan in short sharp bursts tying and end up will ultimately how we break Hussey and Haddin

So Australia win by 267 runs after being 69-5 on the first day. Quite a turnaround. So what happens now? I think England may well give Finn a rest for the next match and play Bresnan instead.

It was an comprehensive win for the Aussies and it is now 1-1 its all to play for now and can't wait for the boxing day test match.

I wouldn't change anybody!!

People have to remember that Broad aside (and Tremlett has been fine, btw) this is the same side that got a comfortable draw in the 1st test, and beat the Aussies soundly in the 2nd, why change anyone?

It's the attitude that needs a little adjusting, not the personnel. This team has already proved in the 1st and 2nd tests that it's more than a match for the Aussies if they just concentrate on their own jobs in a team framework, dig in and get on with it.

They tried to "out macho" the Aussies in the last test, and like it or not that's something that just ain't gonna happen, now or ever. A little too much baiting and snarling at them for my taste, the best way to deal with Johnson is to bat him out of the attack, not constantly sledge him and wind him up.

Pietersen and Prior need to be scoring runs, not having little digs at the opposition out in the middle. Besides, what the hell could Prior be having verbal battles about while he's got his bat under his arm, making his way back to the hutch? Trying to have a pop just after you've been sent on your bike is a little poor timing-wise, if you ask me...

Yes, it's the Ashes, so of course it's going to be confrontational. Problem is i think that it does the Aussies far more good than it ever does us, they're always up for that kind of thing. Wind 'em up AFTER we've whipped 'em and won the series, plenty of time for it then.