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Broad was instrumental in winning one of the tests

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Four down now lads.

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Cook out of ideas again :(

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l have never rated him as captain pure and simple.:td:

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3 wickets in the first test, 1 in the second test. Not my idea of being instrumental at all...

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With the bat

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Well at the moment its Australia in the driving seat and England need to make changes for the next test as this side is becoming stale and complacent in my humble opinion.

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Agree. Cook seems to have no other mode than defence. Whilst I agree test cricket is a marathon not a sprint, when it takes someone over 100 balls to hit 50 runs there is something wrong.

For instance, it took Cook 164 balls and just short of 4 hours to pick up 51 runs. In contrast, Rogers got 101 runs from 233 balls yesterday. A vastly superior strike rate to Cook.

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Indeed and Joe Root seems to be just as bad lately in scoring runs at a snails pace.

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I'm hoping that if we can get Rogers out fairly quickly today, Aussie might fall apart. Knowing our luck, Rogers will go on to score 200 runs before Aussie declare.

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Yes we need wickets to fall quickly this morning to have a chance to still win this game.

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Think it's cloudy, so ball should move a fair bit. If Aussies get 100 ahead we're stuffed :( Seems strange to say with England being 2-0 up but they've been poor for me this series

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I've seen plenty of people on Twitter and Facebook saying Cook needs to be replaced as captain ASAP. For me, Vaughan was the best captain England have had in the 21st Century.

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l agree Henke because in my mind we have been firing at 50% so far in this series and we will need to up that if we are to retain the ashes this winter.

---------- Post added at 10:33 ---------- Previous post was at 10:30 ----------

Indeed Vaughan was excellent but the finest captain we ever had was old Mike Brearley.

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Don't know of him. I only know England cricket from the era of Atherton as captain onwards. Looking at Wiki, since I've been born there have been 16 captains of England.

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Mike Brearley never had a very good batting average as England Captain but as a captain l thought he was superb.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Brearley

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:D Get in there!

Edit: Next 3 should topple over

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Excellent news, looks like my pessimism was unjustified earlier. COME ON ENGLAND!

Sorry for caps, but I was meant to shout there.

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Up to the batsmen here. England haven't posted a big total all series. One is overdue and bat the Aussies out the game

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That **** captaincy is working ;)

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Still two wickets to get yet and we all know Australia bat right down.

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One wicket to go now. And yes, I'll give Cook his due with the bowling side. He seems to be better at planning a bowling attack than a batting attack.

---------- Post added at 12:17 ---------- Previous post was at 12:06 ----------

Apparently a storm brewing 10 miles North West from Durham. Great.

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One wicket down already.:(

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Need to bat until lunch tomorrow at least to get a win.

Edit: Cook that was awful :(

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Well l can't see that happening as yet again Cook and Root fail.:td:

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Can't see how this is going to be an England win. Sorry den, but even you must surely be struggling to remain optimistic over the current score. Reckon this could be done by tonight. Then 2 whole days for SKY to fill with rubbish.

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The same batters have failed again and again in this series and praise be him above that we have already retained the ashes.

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Yes that is a blessing indeed.

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Come on England put the pressure on.

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Ian Bell's third century of the series helps England reach 234-5, leading Australia by 202.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/23652886

That's better.:)

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Man of the series by a mile :) The test is very much in the balance though.

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Yes we need to bat as long as we can tomorrow and try to get at least another 100 runs and yes Bell has been superb.

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England did much better in the afternoon and evening sessions. Congratulations to Bell, and agree he has been the best England player all series by a mile.

Aussie's best player has to be Lyon. Showed on Thursday why he should have been called up to play first 3 test matches.

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Sticking to my England have to bat until at least lunch line.

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Well that's looking unlikely now Henke.:(

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:(

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Australia coasting at the moment bud.

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England need something to happen quickly :(

---------- Post added at 16:33 ---------- Previous post was at 16:21 ----------

finally a wicket about time England

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We need to have them 5 down at least by the end of the night Dave.

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yes agree Den 3 down now

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They are still strong favourites with Clarke still there.

---------- Post added at 18:30 ---------- Previous post was at 18:05 ----------

Six down now.:cleader::cleader::cleader::cleader::cleader:: cleader:

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7 down Den :cleader::cleader::cleader::cleader:

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Broad more like his old self now steaming in to bash those Aussies.:hyper::hyper:

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8 down come on England lets finish this tonight :cleader::cleader::cleader::cleader:

---------- Post added at 19:15 ---------- Previous post was at 19:02 ----------

9 down 10 wickets in match for Broad :):):):)

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Broad with 10 wickets in the match.:D

---------- Post added at 19:41 ---------- Previous post was at 19:16 ----------

England win the Ashes.:cleader::cleader::cleader::cleader:

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England win and are 3-0 up 1 test to go another great test match :cleader::cleader::cleader::cleader::cleader:

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Like i said before, its good to see Broad finally turn up (doing his primary job ;) )

Well done England, some great cricket this evening.

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Yaaaaaaaaas! :D

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Whilst I'm chuffed England won, I still think something needs to be done by Cook. Australia went out attacking every time they batted, whereas Cook and Root seem to be happy to take 200 balls to get a half century.

Something needs to be changed pronto.

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No it doesn't, you don't understand test cricket if you think that is the case.

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Well what a nice surprise that was and what a great result. The first time I checked their score today the Aussies were over 100 without loss and thereafter I got so engrossed in the garden that I didn't check back until late this afternoon to hear they were 5 down. I decided not to check the score again but wait for the highlights which I've just watched and back. That really was some fight back by our bowlers after yet another very mixed display by our batsmen and some very poor shots. Still I'd have bitten the hand off anyone who'd offered me a 3-0 lead after 4 ashes tests. :D

---------- Post added at 21:16 ---------- Previous post was at 21:14 ----------

:tu: Test cricket is about strategy not smacking the ball around the park. We have enough of that sort of thing in the modern game and I very much hope that the 5 day version never gets 'dummed' down.

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Australia reach 112-1 at lunch against an England side containing Simon Kerrigan and Chris Woakes.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/23774949

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Shane Watson puts Australia in charge of fifth Test.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/23785798

Not a good day to say the least.:(

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Australia declare on 492 for 9 :(

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Oh dear, anyone would think the cricketing world was coming to an end judging by the way some commentators are slamming England's response to a huge first innings total by Australia. Odd how the very same people who've been banging on about our top/middle order batting frailties and the lack of anyone able to grind out an innings to save the day are now condemning England for doing just that.

This sort of play isn't dramatic but it is does represent what's required sometimes when the chips are down. Frankly, in recent years, quite a few of our so called top batsmen have become used to giving their wickets away and it's great (if not pretty) to see, at last, some real grit and determination. God only knows we'll probably need it in future tours with this side. It might not be pretty, but given the rather odd team selection, preventing Australia winning a match they were massive favourites in after their first innings will be a very good result even if it's not quite what most of us hoped for.

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Yes l quite agree Osem and its amazing that even though we are 3-0 up there will always be the moaners in this country.

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I agree. It was always going to be difficult after losing the toss, batting first was a big advantage, so England are well within their rights to play the way they have done. They've done the hard work, played the good cricket in the previous tests, now they are showing they can grind out results and not lose.

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64 to win from 10 overs come on England

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And we have just lost a wicket.:(

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Amazing how the Aussies, who've been whining about how negative England have been, are now when it suits them doing virtually everything to end a game they'd lost. Nothing like a bit of hypocrisy eh?

The game's over now down to poor light so England win the series 3-0. :D

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No common sense in the laws of the game.:td::(

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yes very disappointing end to a very good ashes series

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That was bang out of order by those umpires. Great chance to make it 4-0. Massive thumbs down for umpires for that decision.

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Its not the umpires fault, they have to follow the laws of the game. Its the ICC's fault for not allowing any flexibility in the laws.

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Suppose, but it was still a let down. From what I gather, the Aussies and umpires were both booed at the end.

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Could you imagine if the Ashes depended on that? I think there would have been a riot! The ICC really need to look at changing the rules.

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To be fair if it hadn't rained for a day and a half England would have been in deep trouble. Fair play to Clarke for making a game of it, can't really blame them for doing what they did at the end.

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Quite - which is why I'm only criticising their hypocrisy. After slating England for negative tactics they did exactly the same by slowing down the over rate, bowling wide balls, etc. etc. etc. when it became clear that Clarke's decision to declare had badly backfired. It was they who needed the result to restore some shred of credibility to their tour so the declaration wasn't some sort of generous or magnanimous sporting gift to the fans - it was their only chance of winning the game. Had they been 1-0 up in the series you can bet Clarke would've batted at a snail's pace and done pretty much anything to drag out proceedings and stop England winning - to hell with the fans and the 'spirit of the game'.

It's a bit like all this guff about Broad not walking. Lehmann and others in the Aussie camp have called him a cheat knowing full well that most of their compatriots, past and present, have at some point done the very same thing. Sorry but I'm not too keen on lectures from the Australians on ethics, morals, the 'spirit of the game' etc. They've long been the masters of sledging and self serving tactics and all that was clearly acceptable to them when they were winning. Now they're getting thrashed they don't like being on the receiving end...

Like certain other world governing bodies, the ICC has all the hallmarks of being an inept organisation which has lost sight of its raison d'etre. They've come up with rules which defy common sense and were bound to wind up in an appalling situation like this, punishing those who pay the wages in the process.

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Aaron Finch hits 156 as Australia beat England in T20 opener.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/23889000

Lets hope England bowl better in the next match.

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Alex Hales inspires England to Twenty20 win over Australia

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/23913838

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Michael Clarke fires tourists to ODI win.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/24010166

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Jos Buttler helps hosts level one-day series.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/24093177

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England are chasing 299 to win the one-day series against Australia.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/24096461

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Shane Watson century seals series win.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/24120183

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England play dour cricket - Australia coach Darren Lehmann

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/24199296

Oh dear big mouth strikes again.

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Gary Ballance, Ben Stokes, Boyd Rankin in England squad for Ashes.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/24205786

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Hot Spot 'dropped for series down under'

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/24465269

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Sachin Tendulkar: India batting legend to retire from all cricket



http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/24476273



One of the true legends of the game.:clap::clap:

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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cri...tair-Cook.html

You would have thought he had learnt to keep his mouth shut, unfortunately not, its starting to get embarrassing for old Shane.

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Lets face it, they had such a long time of superiority over England in cricket so it is bound to be a hard bitter pill to swallow to see us moving into a position to win the Ashes for a long time to come.

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He could not keep his mouth shut even if he tried but l suppose its his way of rallying the Australian public into deluding that they have a chance in this series.

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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/24830569

Early days yet of course but it seems like mighty mouth Warne may just have emulated what his rugby union compatriot Eddie Jones did prior to the 2003 RWC final and done England's team talk for them... :D

Let's hope they can carry this form forward into the Ashes series.

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Ashes 2013-14: Bailey & Johnson in Australia squad

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/24905679

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Ashes start tonight come on England any staying up to watch I will

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Well l will catch a bit in the early morning Dave as this is well past my bedtime.

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I can't tonight, but i will for other days of the test.

I'm going for 2-2 in the series, England retaining the ashes.

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Will be taping highlights if the score is good when I wake up each morning. Just my luck to be working every day of this test so cannot stay up and watch.

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If that is the case then l will be one happy chappie.:)

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Australia win toss and bat first

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Stuart Broad inspires England's attack on day one against Australia at the Gabba.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/24922068

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Stuart Broad takes 5-65 to reduce Australia to 273-8 at the close on day one of the first Test at the Gabba.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/24922068

A bit disappointing seeing we had them at 132 for 6 but nevertheless a good batting performance in the next two days hopefully will put us in a position to win this match.

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Its a really good batting wicket by the looks of it. 273-8 is a very below par score, hopefully we can knock over the last 2 qucikly tomorrow and then bat for a couple of days. That would be nice, but probably wishful thinking :)

---------- Post added at 14:58 ---------- Previous post was at 14:23 ----------

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...2013/11/16.jpg

Won the ashes for a third time in a row?

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Australia extend their lead over 200 after England collapse to 136 all out.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/24967388

Well its pure and simple and that is if we keep batting like we did last summer then we can say bye bye to The Ashes.:(:td:

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Australia declare on 401-7 to set England 561 to win the first Ashes.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/24967488

Oh dear another day but at the moment its all one way l am afraid.:(

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England in disarray against Australia.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/25064570

Well we have lost this test l am afraid and we need to quickly re-gather for the next test and now its time for less talk and reliance on past glories and more of walk the walk instead of too much of talk the talk.

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Was keeping an eye on the score today at work whilst using the baler to get rid of the rubbish. They wondered why I was so keen to do that job, I didn't enlighten them as to why.

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Australia on the brink of victory after England collapse again.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/24967495

And they call this lot test match cricketers because at the moment it is men against boys and if this carries on like this then heads will have to roll and looking at this lot that means quite a few as some are woefully out of form and and some don't want to be here.

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I hope that Cook is already looking to the second test, as I am of the opinion that as the score stands Australia will have us all out by stumps.

I hope this is not an omen of the series, if it is I wonder if Cook will be replaced? But who is there other than KP to captain atm?

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KP is not captaincy material Mark as the last time he was captain it was a unmitigated disaster.