Well it all starts again in 5 days.

I Can't imagine for one minute it will be as exciting as 2005 but let's hope so.

Monty is looking good to get that spinners slot in Brisbane, good figure from the game against South Aus today, Hoggard and Anderson have looked OK but a little concerned with Harmison, time he toughend up.

M J Hoggard 13.0 4 40 3
J M Anderson 14.0 4 46 1
A Flintoff 12.0 2 34 1
S I Mahmood 15.1 1 57 0
P D Collingwood 1.0 0 1 0
M S Panesar 22.0 7 54 1
K P Pietersen 4.0 1 13 0


Anyone predict the series score?? 2-2 or 2-1 either way, nothing like sitting on the fence, but it is the Ashes after all and anything can happen.

Roll on next Wednesday night, on a late shift Thurs and Fri, result

 

Really enjoyed it last year as it could have gone either way. If Glen McGrath stays fit as well as warne can only see the Aussies winning.

 

Finally it's obviously dawned on Jones that his position is under threat, he made 3 good catches yesterday. Personally I'd drop him and give Reed a chance. It's all well and good having a wicket keeper who can make 30+ runs with the bat, but if his **** ups are costing you 150+ runs per game then the sums don't add up in your favour

Conversely, I think Monty's only in with a chance of holding down a place if he gets as good as Giles with a bat & in the field.

I think it's about time we nominated a new nightwatch too, Hoggy's OK, bt he doesn't wake up until around 11 in a morning, by which time his wicket's usually gone Fair play though, he did better than Tresco normally manages against Tait

 

They gave Read a chance and didn't take it, that said Jones is in because they want runs as low down as possible and they consider him to be the better batsman at present, I certainly don't think Jones costs us 150+ runs a match, that's a bit extreme.

One Jones we do miss is Simon, the most exciting England bowler IMHO, I just hope he gets fit and stays fit, can't wait to see him in action next summer.

 

OK I'll grant you 150+ is a bit on the extreme, but at least two howlers he made in the last ashes resulted in the escapees going on to make big numbers, and to be fair KP spilled some more costly ones

I agree with you about Simon Jones I've a funny feeling he could be a big miss over the next few weeks, especially if Harmy doesn't stay fit

 

Oh well a few hours left at work, then......

Pub,
Chinky,
Ashes,
Sorted

Late shift tomorrow

 

Plans for this evening : Retreat to sofa until lunch , tivo the rest.

I've already generated some late work for tomorrow so I can be *paid* to watch some of day 2.


Agree that S.Jones will be the most missed. Win the toss and bat tomorrow, don't do a Nasser

 

I was reading that Jones' Father, also a professional sportsman, also had a career full of injuries, must be genetic

 

Thought we had some good news yesterday, what with Bell getting injured, but unfortunately he's made a recovery. More dropped catches to look forward to then.......

 

Predictions please

I really haven't a clue this time around, so many pros and so many cons

2-1 either way but if im pushed I'd have to say to Australia im affraid

Prove me wrong boys!!

 

Beating Australia over here was difficult enough, beating them over there will just be impossible I fear.........

As you say, prove me wrong boys..

 

Agreed - think the Aussies will win as over there, embarrassed from last year and no injuries to speak of. Hope I'm wrong but could see them winning by a couple.

 

given the lack of draws in current tests I'm heading towards 3-1 . 2-1 will be a decent result (imo)

Key ( and not the blobby one ) will be the fitness of the two sets of bowlers.

 

gah , Giles instead of Panesar

 

Aus win the toss & bat.

Early Wickets PLEASE

 

That's bull got to back your batsman to get you runs not 9,10,11 monty can cause real problems to top quality batsman !!

 

Flying out to perth on 6th of december for 3rd can't wait !!

 

Even with hindsight of the 1st day I'm going to for 2-2. Ever the optomist but I did call 2-1 last time

 

Just seen the scorecard after the first day

It doesn't bode well for England, the lad I sit next to at the Toon has gone out to Oz to follow the full tour. Lucky barstool, bet he's not enjoying the performance so far though.

And my mate has flown today for Melbourne, got free tickets to the test.

Still early days

 

2nd new ball was swinging. The 1st one was wasted and from then on they were on the back foot.



~Steve

 

I lasted until 05.10, you're right they wasted the 1st ball, mind you after 7 overs and about 42 runs on the board they were trying to get it changed, Anderson and Freddie thought it was damaged, probably because it had been smashed to the boundary so many times!!

 

Could have been so different if one of the 4 chances that went through 4th slip/gully had gone to hand.

 

Oh dear


Stirling display from Bell again.....

 

It's your fault Milamber you've got the hex on him lol

 

 

A better showing from Mr Bell this morning I'm sure you'll agree it's also rather nice to see KP smacking Warney about the place as well

 

I couldn't make my mind up whether KP was going to settle down and make a big score, or get caught of a careless shot. Looks like it could be the latter You could tell Warne was getting properly p!ssed off with being smacked all over the ground I'm not sure if this is a Good Thing though, a riled Warney tends to get wickets

Just hope Collingwood's nerves don't get the better of him in the morning. Being 2 off has been known to tempt people into playing daft shots

Both of them were treating Clark with an fair amount of caution when the new ball came, KP's got the measure of Brett Lee though That'll be the kiss of death on his batting tomorrow

 

Yep good first day play, hopefully the wicket will start to crack up just as the Ozzies go into to bat.

Not much movement at all and hope 'The Ashington Express' comes into form as well when England come to field

 

There's Collingwood's century.

 

x2