2013 Ashes Part I
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Peter Fenwicke (45)
Congrats on the maiden ton Steve Smith. He and Watson have really stood up and shown why they should be apart of this team. It's a real pity it is a couple of tests too late and the series is over, nonetheless momentum and confidence for next time around, maybe also some stability. I thought the two of them played real quality knocks. Smith is such a pure timer of the ball it was great to see him bring up the ton with a maximum shot, he really played well with the lower order. Watson was more composed and assertive, really dominating the debutants and blasting his way into form whilst his partners struggled to score.
Only bloke in the batting order lacking a real significant contribution this series is Warner now. He has been solid enough and shown enough in recent innings to suggest we should perserve for abit longer but Cowan is breathing down his neck. Fortunately, for now it appears the batting order could be settled for the return leg. Ryan Harris needs to be promoted up the order probably to 8, he can really time the ball and score quickly. Faulkner and Siddle also contributed nicely at the end in a tail that really wagged.
It should be interesting to see if we can take 20 wickets on this pitch. 500 runs is a great start but every time Australia has attempted to assert dominance it has been quelled by rain. If the weather stays away we are in with a great shot this test, that being said it looks a fantastic batting track so early wickets are crucial.
Only bloke in the batting order lacking a real significant contribution this series is Warner now. He has been solid enough and shown enough in recent innings to suggest we should perserve for abit longer but Cowan is breathing down his neck. Fortunately, for now it appears the batting order could be settled for the return leg. Ryan Harris needs to be promoted up the order probably to 8, he can really time the ball and score quickly. Faulkner and Siddle also contributed nicely at the end in a tail that really wagged.
It should be interesting to see if we can take 20 wickets on this pitch. 500 runs is a great start but every time Australia has attempted to assert dominance it has been quelled by rain. If the weather stays away we are in with a great shot this test, that being said it looks a fantastic batting track so early wickets are crucial.
The_Brown_Hornet
John Eales (66)
I said earlier in the series that this Ashes could be the making of Steve Smith and maybe it has. Now that he's focused on just being a batsman the standard of his cricket has improved considerably. I hope he can kick on from here because we really need some of these young guys to lay down a marker and really own a few of these slots in the batting order. I still don't know what to do with Watson, but at least he's made some runs in the series and could be considered in the best six batsmen in the country.
We need to start taking some wickets, and lots of them, soon otherwise this Test will peter out into a tame draw.
They are listening to me as Cook falls to Harris c Haddin for 25. Soapies now 68/1 after 31 overs.
Root on 35 to be joined by Trott.
Lets have a few more and soon.
Root on 35 to be joined by Trott.
Lets have a few more and soon.
Flat batting track. Just can't see 26 wickets being taken in the remaining 2 days.
Soapies seem to have rediscovered the Geoffrey Boycott go slow Test batting technique and could very easily bat for the next two days dropping a couple of wickets and scoring about 200 runs for the draw.
Is there any reason for them to risk going for the win?
Soapies seem to have rediscovered the Geoffrey Boycott go slow Test batting technique and could very easily bat for the next two days dropping a couple of wickets and scoring about 200 runs for the draw.
Is there any reason for them to risk going for the win?
Brumby Runner
David Wilson (68)
Optimistically, only need 16 wickets and some extra runs. Pitch will need to break up I suspect, but there is enough time (weather permitting).
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Peter Fenwicke (45)
Win, lose or draw there are a few things we can take from this test. Boof has plenty to think about.
Positives.
- England can't score quickly. Don't expect them to chase down large totals on the final few days in Aus.
- Nathan Lyon is starting to look like a quality spinner.
- Steve Smith, if his batting continues to improve he will be our most important player no doubt.
- Our batting order is looking solid and capable of scoring runs.
- Haddin has been great behind the stumps and good with the bat
- Alistair Cook has looked dreadfully out of form
- English spin bowling stocks look to end at Swann
- Harris and Siddle have been excellent, Starc starting to show promise.
Negatives
- Cowan, Khawaja, Agar and Hughes. What do we do with them and how do we rebuild their confidence?
- Taking 20 wickets has been a struggle on every slow pitch.
- We lost the series and convincingly.
- Watson bowling looks to be over.
- Ian Bell is a freak
- Off field discipline is still an issue.
- Coach found himself into the war of words. Big error.
- Rogers and Harris won't be around for much longer
- Our bowlers are still made of glass. Pattinson and Cummins in particular
- Not sure what to make of Jackson Bird at this level, or James Faulkner.
Positives.
- England can't score quickly. Don't expect them to chase down large totals on the final few days in Aus.
- Nathan Lyon is starting to look like a quality spinner.
- Steve Smith, if his batting continues to improve he will be our most important player no doubt.
- Our batting order is looking solid and capable of scoring runs.
- Haddin has been great behind the stumps and good with the bat
- Alistair Cook has looked dreadfully out of form
- English spin bowling stocks look to end at Swann
- Harris and Siddle have been excellent, Starc starting to show promise.
Negatives
- Cowan, Khawaja, Agar and Hughes. What do we do with them and how do we rebuild their confidence?
- Taking 20 wickets has been a struggle on every slow pitch.
- We lost the series and convincingly.
- Watson bowling looks to be over.
- Ian Bell is a freak
- Off field discipline is still an issue.
- Coach found himself into the war of words. Big error.
- Rogers and Harris won't be around for much longer
- Our bowlers are still made of glass. Pattinson and Cummins in particular
- Not sure what to make of Jackson Bird at this level, or James Faulkner.
The_Brown_Hornet
John Eales (66)
It's pretty galling that the two test where we've been decisively on top have been ruined by rain. Given that we went seriously close to winning the first game you can't help but think the 3-0 result is a tiny bit unjust. It's really only Lords where we've been blown out of the water.
Sport is a cruel mistress. Unfortunately we need to take the good with the bad.
I am pretty sure that the fickle English weather has saved us in the past.
I am pretty sure that the fickle English weather has saved us in the past.
The_Brown_Hornet
John Eales (66)
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Peter Fenwicke (45)
Well what a dramatic ending to a pretty boring test series. It was exciting and there were moments but all in all it wasn't extremely high quality and too many instances where wrong decisions were costly.
Australia will definitely be looking forward to the return series, the improvement they showed from Lords to The Oval was astonishing. They have some serious motivation now and will back their chances on home pitches, the message they sent last night was clear, win at any cost.
As for the English, they were dominant at times and clinical when they needed to be, held together by a very defiant middle order and a very good bowling attack. I'd suggest that they need to seriously work on their sportsmanship if they want respect from the Aussie crowds and media.
Can I just say; would love to see them try piss on the hollowed turf at the Gabba, MCG or SCG. 50,000+ pitch invaders wanting Stuart Broads head would be rather amusing.
84 days till it all begins again, minus the poor conditions, annoying english press and doctored pitches.
Bring it on!
Australia will definitely be looking forward to the return series, the improvement they showed from Lords to The Oval was astonishing. They have some serious motivation now and will back their chances on home pitches, the message they sent last night was clear, win at any cost.
As for the English, they were dominant at times and clinical when they needed to be, held together by a very defiant middle order and a very good bowling attack. I'd suggest that they need to seriously work on their sportsmanship if they want respect from the Aussie crowds and media.
Can I just say; would love to see them try piss on the hollowed turf at the Gabba, MCG or SCG. 50,000+ pitch invaders wanting Stuart Broads head would be rather amusing.
84 days till it all begins again, minus the poor conditions, annoying english press and doctored pitches.
Bring it on!
mark_s
Chilla Wilson (44)
Nice of the poms doing their bit to dampen the impact of the hot uk summer on their dry pitches.
Maybe we will have a wet spring so that our pitches are conveniently green come end of nov.
Pfitzy
George Gregan (70)
We drew with the Proteas in Brisbane due to shit weather. It could happen again...
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