2013 Ashes Part I

[Scotty]

Rogers can Watson can't.

I have said it before but Watson is not a not 5 or 6 bat, let alone opener. He is a manufactured batsman that doesn't know where the ball is half the time!

He is more valuable to us as a bowler.

 

[light]

WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!


wtf is wrong with test cricket.

Khawaja's dismissal was appalling.

Not even sure how to react because I am not surprised. There has been something seriously wrong with the third umpire this entire series.

 

[vidiot]

This DRS thing is working well.

 

[vidiot]

Haven't we been here before?

 

[Scotty]

What the duck is going on. How can the 3rd umpire keep his job for the rest of this game. That is appalling.

That is bad enough to suggest more than incompetency.

 

[Scotty]

How does a young guy trying to make his way cope with that.

It is like we are playing in Pakistan in the 70s.

 

[light]

That is bad enough to suggest more than incompetency.

Is he blind, deaf and stupid?

That seriously does not make sense.

Love that Warnie is ripping into the ump.

 

[AngrySeahorse]

I'm glad I'm just sticking to updates on ESPN & on here. I've given up watching it live.

 

[vidiot]

There is no point in the Australians asking for a review of caught behind decisions against them. They are not being overturned.

 

[light]

Scratching my head, seriously that is confusing.

I hate complaining because we will be labeled as whingers but Aussies are getting some really interesting calls.

We should just appeal every delivery and see what happens, these umps are incompetent.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

FFS, why do we have the DRS if this is going to be the outcome? Surely if the replay shows that in all likelihood the batsman didn't hit the ball then he is *not out*!

 

[Nusadan]

Just noticed that the 3rd umpire is from the same country as the match referee...Sri Lanka, very wrong!

 

[Scotty]

Why does the drs seen to work much better in oz than in England?

 

[light]

Hmm. No longer talking about DRS, Warnie has summarised my feelings pretty well. KRudd also chipping in with a tweet!

Regardless, well done to Rogers on the 84. Lost concentration at a vital time when a century looked likely, disappointing because Swann didn't deserve it.

Meanwhile Pup brings up yet another half ton.

3/163 and I'm heading to bed. Let's hope these two are still at the crease when I wake up.

 

[No4918]

3/163 and I'm heading to bed. Let's hope these two are still at the crease when I wake up.

What a call - 303/3.

Watson is the most overrated player in the country. Drop him immediately and let Hughes open. Other than that the rest of the team looks as good as we can field and should be persisted with.

 

[Scotty]

What a call - 303/3.

Watson is the most overrated player in the country. Drop him immediately and let Hughes open. Other than that the rest of the team looks as good as we can field and should be persisted with.

My view is that Watson is worthwhile as a bowling all rounder. If he isn't bowling then he is dropped. I would still have him ahead of Smith at the moment, but neither should bat higher than 6. In fact Haddin is a better bat and should be at 6 with smith/Watson at 7.

 

[The Red Baron]

Our batting order looks totally different when Clarke fires. When he hits the go button, he seems to inspire the other boys to stick around. It is unfortunate, but our chances of winning matches depend on whether Clarke scores runs or not. Although Steve Smith is looking increasingly comfortable at 5 or 6. He was one of the only batsmen to show up in India, and he is starting to chug along quite nicely here. I really hope he comes out and scores that ton tonight.

The best part of the day for me was when the poms took the new ball. Smith smacked Anderson for 4 on the first ball, and Clarke gave Broad the same treatment the very next over. They really dominated the bowlers, and it was most telling with Broad's demeanor. Even Botham and Hussein were commenting on how much Broad was whinging and carrying on!

Bit rough on Hughes to be dropped, I would suggest that he come in for Watson in the next match. Hopefully we can kick on and post a huge 1st innings total.

 

[Scotty]

Rogers set the tone last night. When Anderson is attacked he gets put off and makes him much less dangerous. It was back to the old tactics against him when Hayden and Langer were around. Good stuff.

 

[The Red Baron]

Rogers set the tone last night. When Anderson is attacked he gets put off and makes him much less dangerous. It was back to the old tactics against him when Hayden and Langer were around. Good stuff.

Agreed. Anderson looks distinctly average when a batsman goes after him.

 

[light]

Can't even describe how happy I am right now. About bloody time.

The English bowlers looked average yesterday and Clarke gave them a masterclass. Smith was lucky but now England is learning how much of a b*tch DRS can be. That's cricket.

Fingers crossed we get 500+ and Pup makes another double ton.