OFF TOPIC: box rec official ashes thread

[EddieShredder]

Getting nervous now...... 269/7..... need three wickets

Its crunch time now - Warne and Pointing in. They could make a stand, if one of these goes out soon I think its game set and match England.

Yeah.... 20 odd overs left, get one of these and we should do it - HOWEVER.... Warnes given us the most difficulty this season, and now Ponting's been in so long, he's probably seeing the ball like a football by now.

only a few overs until the new ball.... need Freddie fired up

[nickd]

Jesus, another nail biter. This has to be the best Ashes series in a long time, these sides are pretty well matched. I'm sure I just saw 5 slips and 2 gully's when Flintoff was running in to bowl - not seen anything like that in a test in a long time.

Ponting was magnificent, if they get a draw now he has to be man of the match. There have been other good performances with the bat but not under that sort of pressure.

[nickd]

That was a shit last over by Harmison - 3 balls down the leg side is ridiculous in that situation.

You have to give the Aussies credit but without the rain they would have got an arse kicking and a half.

Ponting was brilliant today.

[stujones]

Oh well, all over - great match.

Warne was my Man of the Match, his first innings kept the Aussie's in it when all the more recognised batsman failed.

[states]

I was there today, I really thought we'd do it at the end. Amazing atmosphere though. I recommend getting to one of the tests if you can.

[bollox]

Getting nervous now...... 269/7..... need three wickets

Its crunch time now - Warne and Pointing in. They could make a stand, if one of these goes out soon I think its game set and match England.

Yeah.... 20 odd overs left, get one of these and we should do it - HOWEVER.... Warnes given us the most difficulty this season, and now Ponting's been in so long, he's probably seeing the ball like a football by now.

only a few overs until the new ball.... need Freddie fired up

1-1 hmmmm

[J]

dont matter, england are taking the momentum to the next test, they will be initially dissapointed not to have won and by such a narrow margin but this test was MORE emphatic than the edgbaston victory,. Aust didnt win a session and England were all over them.

Minor critisism is i wouldnt have taken the new ball so early, the ball was reversing for hoggard and hjones and another couple of overs could have seen a different result but thems the breaks.

make no mistake the series may be level but the cricket wasnt in this test, but for the rain that would have been an england victory, comfortably.

England have to just keep on doing what they have its the aussies with the backs to the wall here.

well played England and well played Pontin Warne and Mcgrath. The rest look decidedly average. But i expect them to come back firing but i now feel the ashes are there for the taking.

Cricket is a psycholigical game, and the damage has been down over the past two tests, you dont shake it off as easily when you are 30+ and the aussies batting must improve if they are to stand a chance.

[Sweet P]

dont matter, england are taking the momentum to the next test, they will be initially dissapointed not to have won and by such a narrow margin but this test was MORE emphatic than the edgbaston victory,. Aust didnt win a session and England were all over them.

Minor critisism is i wouldnt have taken the new ball so early, the ball was reversing for hoggard and hjones and another couple of overs could have seen a different result but thems the breaks.

make no mistake the series may be level but the cricket wasnt in this test, but for the rain that would have been an england victory, comfortably.

England have to just keep on doing what they have its the aussies with the backs to the wall here.

well played England and well played Pontin Warne and Mcgrath. The rest look decidedly average. But i expect them to come back firing but i now feel the ashes are there for the taking.

Cricket is a psycholigical game, and the damage has been down over the past two tests, you dont shake it off as easily when you are 30+ and the aussies batting must improve if they are to stand a chance.

I have to disagree Ponting has finally hit form and i think some of the English players might think they let it get away in this test and will get a bit of negativaty in there game.

[J]

of course you are going to say that mate, your an aussie id be very concerned if you didnt

[EddieShredder]

I was most concerned about Harmy's final over. Fair enough.... you don't really expect him to take the wicket..... but to not even trouble the batsman is not good enough IMO. 2 Balls wide down the legside, and one wide on the offside.... he wasted half the over. Not being funny, but a guy touted as one of the best fast bowlers in the world, should be able to produce a better final over under pressure than that one.

[bollox]

I was most concerned about Harmy's final over. Fair enough.... you don't really expect him to take the wicket..... but to not even trouble the batsman is not good enough IMO. 2 Balls wide down the legside, and one wide on the offside.... he wasted half the over. Not being funny, but a guy touted as one of the best fast bowlers in the world, should be able to produce a better final over under pressure than that one.

Yes he wilted under the pressure...........that the Australians were under

[J]

it was poor agreed, he hasnt fired since Lords, however it was pleasing to see him so keen to get the ball when jones went off with cramp.


Jones and flintoff are our most dangerous bowlers at present if the rest can contribute then thats all that is needed.


dont be on harmy too much, he like strauss will come good.

the pitches coming up (especially the oval) will suit big steve.

He may end up leading wicket taker yet.

[bollox]

They did a story on Jones here last night during a break - he was a 90mph+ bowler before an injury ? Doesn't look big or strong enough to be a flat out speedster

[J]

DUDE SCHOOLBOY ERROR.

he got injured at the gabba after clocking up 94 mph and getting a wicket on the last ashes tour!

he is the strongest man in the england side, bloke is built like a light heavy boxer, benchpresses more than flintoff.

[bollox]

You serious? He certainly doesn't look that big. Anyhow, is he a skinhead?

[J]

well im only telling you what freddie told me on july 30th.
(reiterated by Gus fraser)

met him at a charity cricket tournament.

dont think so he just shaves his head.

[jamesmcdonnell]

I'm no cricket expert, but I felt they should have left Flintoff on. Harmison is a bit flaky and seems to take longer to get into the groove.

Simon Jones is deceptive, doesn't look very powerful or intimidating but generates wicked pace and pretty good bounce for a guy who is not that tall.

[J]

I'm no cricket expert, but I felt they should have left Flintoff on. Harmison is a bit flaky and seems to take longer to get into the groove.

Simon Jones is deceptive, doesn't look very powerful or intimidating but generates wicked pace and pretty good bounce for a guy who is not that tall.

flintoff was bowling at the other end james.

[DavidPayne]

I said before the series Jones is very under-rated. He reminds in build, size and suprising pace of Malcolm Marshall, which on the face of it is heresy but I'll stick with the comparison.

Harmison's last offer was embarassing.

out of six balls Geraint Jones struggled to reach two down leg.

Fkking awful.

[woe31]

Wow! Just stumbled across this today and have had a good read. This has been without a doubt the most entertaining ashes series since the great moustaches of Boon, Hughes, Gatting, Gooch and co were roaming the fields. A few thoughs on the series so far:

- Pietersen and Flintoff seem to be the real deal. Flintoff looks like a more aggressive version of Jacques Kallis and Pietersen looks to be a Gilchrist type of batsman. I look forward to seeing them both live in two years time on Boxing day.

- I was totally wrong about Strauss.... I though McGrath would dominate him in the series and it turns out it's been Warne. Still, his century on the 4th day of the last test could be a sign of things to come.

- The Aussie batting has been atrocious in this series besides Warne. I agree with Ben that Gillespie must go, especially when we've got Kaspa playing well behind him. Katich also needs to be dropped with either Hussey or Hodge being given a go. I'd keep Hayden for the series though, if he pulls his finger out we're in good shape.

- Hopefully McGrath, Lee and Clark are all back at 100% for the fourth test so we can get a definitive winner of the series.

[nickd]

I cant wait until next thursday now, seems like ages away but little over a week! Wish it was starting tomorrow!!

[stujones]

Slightly off topic:

Who remembers Ian Botham's lad Liam. He was a young starlet on the field playing top class county cricket at 17 or something like that.

He chose to play Rugby, was one of Cardiff's best players for 3 years was asked to represent Wales, but chose England and shortly after signed for Newcastle. He made a few England A appearance but never enjoyed his time at Newcastle and eventually (I found out today) played Rugby league for Leeds and then Wigan.

Well today, he has announced his retirement at only 27 from Rugby due to a neck injury. I wonder now if he will try to get back with Cricket. He was a HUGE talent there and perhaps he can cope with the less demanding Cricket.

It would be a remarkable achievement for him to fulfil his old Cricketing potential - but if he does return, he could be a great assest to England.

[bollox]

I remember when he came on the cricket scene then decided to go with rugby. Probably a good move. The pressure of being a second generation Botham playing cricket and not living up to over the top expectations would have been overwhelming. The press alone would have crucified him

[stujones]

I remember when he came on the cricket scene then decided to go with rugby. Probably a good move. The pressure of being a second generation Botham playing cricket and not living up to over the top expectations would have been overwhelming. The press alone would have crucified him

That was his reasoning, he did seem to be more naturally talented in the Cricket but was an exceptional Rugby player when playing for Cardiff anyway.

There would be a lot less expectations if he came back now, cause of the injury and his built isn't designed for Cricket anymore.

[J]

YEAH READ ABOUT THIS TODAY, HE SEEMS TO THINK HE MAY PLAY CRICKET BUT ONLY AT LOWER LEAGUE LEVEL.

he mentions golf.


think he like his father is one of those annoying people who is so talented he can do anything to at least semi pro level..