Re: Cricket
 

I don't think this series has been a good advert for cricket, 'self respect' may be redefined by a draw, or even a win, but the average result says it has been too one sided........

Re: Cricket
 

Whoops, The game begins tonight :blush:

Anyway.....

I get this feeling if we are batting first, then, when I get up tomorrow we will be bowling :dozey:

And if we are bowling first, Australia will be something like 320 for 1 :(

This has been an awful series for England, who imo were unprepared, poorly coached, and are of the mindset that "Isn't it great to miss an English winter". Well, that's how it seems to me anyway

Time for major changes methinks, perhaps we should employ an Aussie coach :Yikes:

---------- Post added at 22:39 ---------- Previous post was at 22:38 ----------

Spot on Gaz.........see above ^

Re: Cricket
 

What like Troy Cooley ;)

Re: Cricket
 

Why not !!!!!!

He left in Dec 2005, I seem to remember we won the ashes that year.

Source

Re: Cricket
 

He left because the ECB 'hesitated' in offering him a new deal, I read a Guardian sports writers blog quite a while ago that was quite scathing in criticism, that he was allowed to leave, I had a look for it for you, without luck

Re: Cricket
 

Whitewash not far away now.

Hey, why is the cricket team called England? Surely it would better known as the "Pre-1922 British Empire", seeing as how they have players from India, Ireland and Rhodesia?

Re: Cricket
 

Because it's based in England and represents the people of England and Wales, it makes no difference to me where the players come from as long as the eligibility requirements have been met

ps 234-4 isn't a bad start imo

Re: Cricket
 

Wouldn't it be more competitive if they just dissolved the England team, and had a World XI play Australia?

And while they're at it, only a World XV should be allowed to play the All-Blacks.

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It all seems a bit of a forlorn gesture now as England try and restore a little piece of pride, but what the heck.....
After the first day of the final test in this Ashes series in Sydney.......

Let's hope they can restore some pride with a respectable first innings total, lets say 500? haha.....then bowl the aussies out for about 180 :D, well I can only dream I suppose.
I am of the assumption that England were ill prepared for this series to retain The Ashes. Cooley's exit didn't help matters, no doubt that would be the fault of the "Old School Tie Brigade" sitting in the "Long Room" with a sherry or two. :rolleyes:

Re: Cricket
 

England did actually beat them in 2005 2-1 and when McGrath and Warne retire after this test is should get a little bit more competitive.... hopefully :disturbd:

They did actually do that a couple of years ago i think and the World XI still lost, probably because they didn't have much time to practice together.

Link They lost 3-0 :rolleyes:

Re: Cricket
 

There was also a one off test that Australia won.

The only World XI players to do any good were Flintoff, Pietersen and Harmison as they came into this series straight after the 2005 Ashes win.

The other World XI players were coming in after their close seasons.

Re: Cricket
 

I was going to stay up and listen to TMS for a couple of hours, alas, it would seem I might be in bed prior to midnight .... FIFTH TEST, SYDNEY, DAY FOUR - England 291 and 122-8 v Australia 393

Australia are a fantastic cricketing side without a doubt.

Re: Cricket
 

Well just on my way to work and the not unexpected whitewash has happened. Australia are one of the best sides I've had the pleasure of watching for a few years and compare well to the Windies sides of the 80's with Sir Viv in his prime.

England? what can you say? nothing really and are there any better players out there to take their places. I don't think so Vaughan,Jones and co will come back but the big mistake I think was making Flintoff captain.

Strauss made a good job of it during the summer and must have felt a bit miffed to see it given to Flintoff. I think Strauss would have stood up to Fletcher a bit more in team selection as regards Monty over Giles and Read over Jones. Read can't be blamed too much having no practice before hand and then be expected to save the day in the Fourth test

I think they rested on their laurels a bit after 2005 which tends to be a British trait for some reason e.g. Wales after the 1987 rugby world cup,England after winning it in 2003. I think losing Troy Cooley was a bigger blow than Fletcher would admit to and just down to the fact he wanted a 2 year deal rather than a one year he was being offered

Re: Cricket
 

I think that late 70's early 80's Windies side would trounce todays Aussie side with plenty left over in the tank.
To see an opening pair of Desmond Haynes & Gordon Greenidge was enough to make any opposing side gulp with fear, then if you get lucky and get one of them out, Viv Richards makes his way to the wicket, only to be followed by Clive Lloyd.....dear oh dear, how I would love to see the likes of those players again.

For me the Flintoff captaincy resembles the Botham captaincy, both good cricketers, but are just not up for the job...get Vaughn back !!!

Agreed :tu:

Re: Cricket
 

See they all make out Warne is the greatest player ever but Gary Sobers was and always will be the greatest for me as he could bat and bowl and not just offspin he could bowl leggies and medium pace


Warne is the greatest bowler ever and has been a pleasure to watch the infamous "Gatting" ball as one example but greatest cricketer it's Sobers every time for me