The Official Ashes 2009 Thread
20 July 2009, 01:35 PM
#121
Pontificating
Really pleased for Swanny as well, especially after Stuart Macgill was saying he'll never get another test wicket or play another test again, the guy is a *****.
Two great tests, this is already living up to 2005
At least I can get some sleep tonight and I cant wait to give it to them tomorrow, and my team is top of the Co Ashes Fantasy league "Pom Domination"
Very tempted to stay up and watch the United friendly on justin.tv, sleep is for wimps
20 July 2009, 04:41 PM
#123
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Check the stats:
Botham
Test record: 383 wickets @ 28.4
First Class: 1172 wickets @ 27.2
Flintoff
Test Record: 219 wickets @ 32.5
First Class: 343 wickets @ 31.4
Nuff said! Still they are both top notch impact performers from different eras.
Botham
Test record: 383 wickets @ 28.4
First Class: 1172 wickets @ 27.2
Flintoff
Test Record: 219 wickets @ 32.5
First Class: 343 wickets @ 31.4
Nuff said! Still they are both top notch impact performers from different eras.
20 July 2009, 09:38 PM
#124
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Flintoff isn't in the same league as Botham. There has never been an all rounder that has come close to Botham. Flintoff right from his early days was always hailed as the new Botham in the making but he has never lived up to that label. He is a class bowler and as Warne says probably the best fast bowler in the World currently but he doesn't get the wickets he should. Only 4 5 wicket hauls is not very impressive for such a front line bowler.
I wish he wasn't retiring and was giving up one dayers and 20/20 instead and carrying on playing test cricket as i'd like to see him improve his career stats to reflect better what an important bowler he has been for us.
I wish he wasn't retiring and was giving up one dayers and 20/20 instead and carrying on playing test cricket as i'd like to see him improve his career stats to reflect better what an important bowler he has been for us.
21 July 2009, 01:51 AM
#125
Pontificating
No contest
Botham by a distance
There have been so many "The new Botham'" down the years the worst would have to be David Capel imo, Freddie has been the most successful since Beefy.
To coin an Aussie phrase, we need a spearhead and if Freddie is injured we could do no worse than look at Harmisson right now, even the Aussie panelists are saying they're bemused but glad he hasn't been picked. Drop Onions and bring in Harmy we can't rely on Freddie all of the time, the poor *******s body cant take it !!.
In my lifetime the best all rounders for me were
Botham
Hadlee
Akram
Gilchrist (I guess I can class him as an all rounder ??)
Botham by a distance
There have been so many "The new Botham'" down the years the worst would have to be David Capel imo, Freddie has been the most successful since Beefy.
To coin an Aussie phrase, we need a spearhead and if Freddie is injured we could do no worse than look at Harmisson right now, even the Aussie panelists are saying they're bemused but glad he hasn't been picked. Drop Onions and bring in Harmy we can't rely on Freddie all of the time, the poor *******s body cant take it !!.
In my lifetime the best all rounders for me were
Botham
Hadlee
Akram
Gilchrist (I guess I can class him as an all rounder ??)
21 July 2009, 09:08 AM
#126
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I would treat whatever Aussie panelists are saying with caution.
My dad, when he was alive, had followed test cricket from 1925 or so. He'd seen all the greats from that time onwards, and had a particular interest in fast bowlers, his favourite being "Lol" Larwood.
He was also convinced that the Aussies used to come here for an Ashes series, play a county side, and allow an unknown fast bowler to skittle them out, usually getting Bradman easily.
What do you know, said bowler was then in the MCC side and was promptly battered all over the ground
He reckoned they'd done it more than once and had names to back up his theory, although I don't remember them.
The Aussies are full of tricks though, but boy do they get mad if they think OTHERS are using them
My dad, when he was alive, had followed test cricket from 1925 or so. He'd seen all the greats from that time onwards, and had a particular interest in fast bowlers, his favourite being "Lol" Larwood.
He was also convinced that the Aussies used to come here for an Ashes series, play a county side, and allow an unknown fast bowler to skittle them out, usually getting Bradman easily.
What do you know, said bowler was then in the MCC side and was promptly battered all over the ground
He reckoned they'd done it more than once and had names to back up his theory, although I don't remember them.
The Aussies are full of tricks though, but boy do they get mad if they think OTHERS are using them
21 July 2009, 09:22 AM
#127
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No contest
Botham by a distance
There have been so many "The new Botham'" down the years the worst would have to be David Capel imo, Freddie has been the most successful since Beefy.
To coin an Aussie phrase, we need a spearhead and if Freddie is injured we could do no worse than look at Harmisson right now, even the Aussie panelists are saying they're bemused but glad he hasn't been picked. Drop Onions and bring in Harmy we can't rely on Freddie all of the time, the poor *******s body cant take it !!.
In my lifetime the best all rounders for me were
Botham
Hadlee
Akram
Gilchrist (I guess I can class him as an all rounder ??)
Botham by a distance
There have been so many "The new Botham'" down the years the worst would have to be David Capel imo, Freddie has been the most successful since Beefy.
To coin an Aussie phrase, we need a spearhead and if Freddie is injured we could do no worse than look at Harmisson right now, even the Aussie panelists are saying they're bemused but glad he hasn't been picked. Drop Onions and bring in Harmy we can't rely on Freddie all of the time, the poor *******s body cant take it !!.
In my lifetime the best all rounders for me were
Botham
Hadlee
Akram
Gilchrist (I guess I can class him as an all rounder ??)
Kapil Dev was also a good all rounder, a bowler who could bat but he certainly batted well once he got himself in! I always enjoyed watching Akram playing, very entertaining when either bowling or batting. Imran Khan was another reasonable all rounder too.
I could watch Richard Hadlee bowl all day long along with Walsh, Ambrose and Akram. Superb bowlers the lot of them
All this talk of Botham and the Ashes, i'm going to have to watch Botham's Ashes again while waiting for the 3rd test to come round!
Last edited by Bravo2zero_sps; 21 July 2009 at 09:24 AM.
22 July 2009, 03:23 PM
#128
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Noooooooooo
KP ruled out for the rest of the Ashes.
Even worse guess who his replacement is........ even if you were drunk and out of your mind on acid would Bell be your next choice? Yes, you guessed it Ian Bell is the replacement for KP. Only in his mothers dreams would you mention Bell and KP in the same breath.
KP ruled out for the rest of the Ashes.
Even worse guess who his replacement is........ even if you were drunk and out of your mind on acid would Bell be your next choice? Yes, you guessed it Ian Bell is the replacement for KP. Only in his mothers dreams would you mention Bell and KP in the same breath.
22 July 2009, 11:07 PM
#130
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bad planning on my part, off on holiday tomorrow so will miss the start of the next test 
Still, not a lot will happen on the first day anyway
Still, not a lot will happen on the first day anyway
23 July 2009, 12:37 AM
#131
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I wouldn't lump Gilchrist in there as for me an all rounder has to bat and bowl. Gilchrist is the best wicket keeper batsman I have seen and quite possibly the best there has ever been?
Kapil Dev was also a good all rounder, a bowler who could bat but he certainly batted well once he got himself in! I always enjoyed watching Akram playing, very entertaining when either bowling or batting. Imran Khan was another reasonable all rounder too.
I could watch Richard Hadlee bowl all day long along with Walsh, Ambrose and Akram. Superb bowlers the lot of them
All this talk of Botham and the Ashes, i'm going to have to watch Botham's Ashes again while waiting for the 3rd test to come round!
Kapil Dev was also a good all rounder, a bowler who could bat but he certainly batted well once he got himself in! I always enjoyed watching Akram playing, very entertaining when either bowling or batting. Imran Khan was another reasonable all rounder too.
I could watch Richard Hadlee bowl all day long along with Walsh, Ambrose and Akram. Superb bowlers the lot of them
All this talk of Botham and the Ashes, i'm going to have to watch Botham's Ashes again while waiting for the 3rd test to come round!
I'd agree with you about Gilchrist too, I would imagine I'm not the only one who breathed a sigh of relief when he finally retired
23 July 2009, 12:54 AM
#132
Pontificating
Calm down girls 
Look at Ding Dongs average for this season i'ts in the 80's and look at how poor KP has been in the Ashes, he did nothing in either test, no point in carrying a crip is there ?
Maybe Bell can get past the 40's against this Ozzie side, even if he doesn't it would be no worse than KP's efforts, one good inning since he lost the captaincy, battered ego and battered achilles. Got to give Bell one more go at it feel the love Chris
Better still, Bopara wont have to bat at 3 woohoo
Look at Ding Dongs average for this season i'ts in the 80's and look at how poor KP has been in the Ashes, he did nothing in either test, no point in carrying a crip is there ?
Maybe Bell can get past the 40's against this Ozzie side, even if he doesn't it would be no worse than KP's efforts, one good inning since he lost the captaincy, battered ego and battered achilles. Got to give Bell one more go at it
feel the love Chris Better still, Bopara wont have to bat at 3 woohoo
26 July 2009, 09:58 AM
#133
News that will make Millamber's day.
Sky Sports | Cricket | News | Bell back for Edgbaston Test
I know how much you rate him
Sky Sports | Cricket | News | Bell back for Edgbaston Test
I know how much you rate him
28 July 2009, 04:56 PM
#134
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Seems he's coming in as a straight replacement for Pietersen 
I think I would have preferred to see him back in at 3, Collingwood coming up to 4 and Bopara dropping to 5
Here's hoping he has a good one, he should at least be able to do better off Johnson than he used to manage off McGrath & Lee
I think I would have preferred to see him back in at 3, Collingwood coming up to 4 and Bopara dropping to 5
Here's hoping he has a good one, he should at least be able to do better off Johnson than he used to manage off McGrath & Lee
28 July 2009, 05:03 PM
#135
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anybody know how much the tickets were for Headingley? Bro in law has a couple spare for the Sat @ £50 each. Just thought that was quite expensive for up there but obviously with it being the Ashes to be expected.
28 July 2009, 11:25 PM
#136
Pontificating
Seems he's coming in as a straight replacement for Pietersen
I think I would have preferred to see him back in at 3, Collingwood coming up to 4 and Bopara dropping to 5
Here's hoping he has a good one, he should at least be able to do better off Johnson than he used to manage off McGrath & Lee
I think I would have preferred to see him back in at 3, Collingwood coming up to 4 and Bopara dropping to 5
Here's hoping he has a good one, he should at least be able to do better off Johnson than he used to manage off McGrath & Lee
29 July 2009, 01:40 AM
#137
Scooby Regular
Either that Funkii, or they're worried he'll collapse p!ssing himself at the current standard of the Aussie bowling attack, and putting him in at four will give him the chance to regain his composure before walking out to face it
30 July 2009, 03:01 PM
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31 July 2009, 01:16 PM
#145
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I'm back. Eventually.
Due to fly out of Majorca 30 mins after ETA blow up a police station on the island. All flights were then cancelled
Apparently they hand out vouchers for drinks if you are delayed BUT they whisper this over the tannoy and only in Spanish and even then only in an annexe to the airport which is closed to the public. £2-00 for a TWIX anyone?
Mobile down to 1 bar and it wasn't looking great whenever I checked yesterday.
Wake up today and WAYHAY
Due to fly out of Majorca 30 mins after ETA blow up a police station on the island. All flights were then cancelled
Apparently they hand out vouchers for drinks if you are delayed BUT they whisper this over the tannoy and only in Spanish and even then only in an annexe to the airport which is closed to the public. £2-00 for a TWIX anyone?
Mobile down to 1 bar and it wasn't looking great whenever I checked yesterday.
Wake up today and WAYHAY
31 July 2009, 02:32 PM
#149
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I'm back. Eventually.
Due to fly out of Majorca 30 mins after ETA blow up a police station on the island. All flights were then cancelled
Apparently they hand out vouchers for drinks if you are delayed BUT they whisper this over the tannoy and only in Spanish and even then only in an annexe to the airport which is closed to the public. £2-00 for a TWIX anyone?
Mobile down to 1 bar and it wasn't looking great whenever I checked yesterday.
Wake up today and WAYHAY
Due to fly out of Majorca 30 mins after ETA blow up a police station on the island. All flights were then cancelled
Apparently they hand out vouchers for drinks if you are delayed BUT they whisper this over the tannoy and only in Spanish and even then only in an annexe to the airport which is closed to the public. £2-00 for a TWIX anyone?
Mobile down to 1 bar and it wasn't looking great whenever I checked yesterday.
Wake up today and WAYHAY
Holidays - who needs them! Cricket has been a joy to watch this morning
31 July 2009, 02:41 PM
#150
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I've just got back too, flight was delayed into Gatwick last night, finally landed at 00.25 when it should have been back at 8 and then had to wait 2.5 hours for only 10 baggage handlers to get off their ar$es to unload 5 delayed planes whilst a small riot took place in the baggage reclaim lounge with armed police protecting the airport staff. Finally got home at 5am Holidays - who needs them! Cricket has been a joy to watch this morning
Holidays - who needs them! Cricket has been a joy to watch this morning What a coincidence
We took off about midninght