Well done to the boys, it was a fantastic performance in this test, all the more so on the back of the drubbing in Perth but damn it, well done to Ponting too for taking it on the chin like a man. Boy, could football managers learn from his example.
The Ashes are ours, the Aussies are routed, but Ponting has ensured that Australian cricket has retained its dignity.
13 comments:
Couldn't agree more. Accepted his side were 2nd best and well beaten. A great day to be a Pom down under I can tell you. They were all bleating happily after the Perth test but he who laughs last laughs best and man am I laughing!! Also made a nice tidy profit on an England team for once!!!
kevin in manchester writes...
Yeah Ashes...whoa whoa.. back in 1989 when supposedly the worst aussie team to come to these shores whooped us 5-0 .. I was fortunate/unfortunate to be reporting on the sorry debacle for IRN.. every time we win the feeling is all the sweeter as I remember the despair. I have to say love to beat Australia but always have time for Ponting- always gracious in defeat and, this series aside, an awesome batsman - felt privileged to see him live at the one dayers in Durham last year ..especially as it was the only one we won.
Hi M2C, good to see you still looking in. I was deeply envious watching the Barmy Army going mad!
Now let's win the bloody series!
I was up to gone 5 the night before and past 2 last night and like you say was totally envious of all those that had travelled across. I aim to be following the team over there in 4 years and would dearly hope to see a repeat of those fantastic scenes.
England’s preparation has been spot on and they seem to be getting the crucial selections right. I was pretty surprised to see them leave Finn who was the leading wicket taker out and replace him with Bresnan. Turned out to be a great pick and his spell when he removed Watson, Ponting and Hussey was crucial and it was fitting that he took the final wicket. I was also surprised when we put them in after winning the toss but how right did that turn out to be.
It will be interesting to see what team we pick for Sydney. It is normally favourable to spin so as we seem to be picking horses for courses what about Monty? I would maybe consider bringing him in for Colly who has hardly done anything with the bat and Prior has found some runs so could bat at 6. We seem to like picking 6 batsmen though so will they go for it. They should and how good would it be to wrap it up 3 – 1?
You are right re Ponting and he was gracious but how would you describe him the day before?
Been a good few days with the Hammers picking up a few points as well but we need to beat Wolves on Saturday.
I will be down there with you mate! Three more years and I'm done. Then winters are in hot climates, ideally following the England cricket team. I may even buy a pad in Oz and New Zealand. You can stay over if I do!
I don't think Sydney will be a spinner's paradise this time around. That would be playing into our hands wouldn't it? Unless Warne comes out of retirement!
As the "experts" said last night, Broad is the key to playing five bowlers. Get him fit and batting properly and then it becomes possible. Mind you, it is going to be hard to shift Tremlett from the team now. He looks like our McGrath!
I would drop Collingwood and bring in Morgan for the last test as a step towards the future. We will miss Collingwood's fielding but his batting has been woeful. I like the guy but his days are numbered.
Is it just me or do you see a likeness between Cook and Tomkins? Hopefully Tomkins will "come again" in exactly the same way as Cook has done! He is playing so much better this season. The signs were there in the Oxford game when he looked the best player on the pitch. He is still lacking in pace which means his positional play has to be spot on, but he marked Cahill very well yesterday and I loved the way he was having a go at the ref because of his persistent fouling. Future captain, like Cook!
You might not allow this to be printed Fanno but it might make you laugh!!
A lady walked into a Police Station and the desk Sergeant said "Can I help you?"
"Yes" she said, "I'd like to report a case of sexual assault".
"Where did it happen?" the Sergeant asked.
"In the park just down the road" she replied.
"Can you describe what happened?"
"Yes, I was walking along the footpath in the park near the trees when a man jumped out of the bushes and dragged me in there, removed my underwear then he dropped his pants to his knees and had his way with me".
"Could you give me a description of him?"
"Yes, he was wearing white shoes, long white trousers, a white shirt and he had these two big long pads from his feet up to and over his knees, one on each leg".
"Sounds to me like he was a cricketer, most probably a batsman", said the Sergeant.
"Yes", said the lady, "He was an Aussie Cricketer".
"That's very observant", said the Sergeant, "You worked that out from his accent?"
"No", she replied. "I worked it out because he wasn't in for very long".
Why? What did Ponting do? Don't support him HF, he's a c*nt.
"I would drop Collingwood and bring in Morgan for the last test as a step towards the future. We will miss Collingwood's fielding but his batting has been woeful. I like the guy but his days are numbered."
I said this to you at the beginning of the tour but you disagreed! Morgan ain't a bad fielder either HF. I would go as far as saying that he is as good as Cauliflower...if not better because he's more mobile.
And no, Tomkins' face is symmetrical. Cook's ain't.
LOL And I thought his bails were going to fall off as soon as he was in her crease!
Morgan is a great out fielder, Collingwood is in the top two or three in the world in the slips and gully Stani. Two of his catches this series have been close to unbelievable!
I know I defended Collingwood earier and I still think the decision to pick him was right. He has grit. But with the Ashes retained and confidence high, I would now risk Morgan's flair.
The England selectors have a problem regarding our bowling attack but what a good problem to have. Are we so blessed in the batting department though? I agree re Colly and he has held his place far longer than I ever thought he would. With sheer determination and character he turned himself into a very decent cricketer who somehow still manages to average 40+. Is Morgan the answer though? A very good one day player and may turn out to be a good test player but I remain to be convinced. Broad’s batting is improving but it needs to become consistent and that also applies to his bowling which can be erratic and costly at times.
3 Years eh you lucky sod, I’m looking at probably another 9 or 10years at the moment but still have 3 to shift from the house yet so that might add on a few more!!
My oldest is keen on making the trip and even the youngest will be legal to enjoy a drop of the amber nectar by then. Blimey where do all the years go?
Cook and Tomkins are both good Essex boys and I would love to see Tomkins captain the Hammers in the future along with earning an England cap where I could claim a bet from an old friend of yours!!
LOL He would never pay up. He has very deep pockets and, as we know, VERY short arms!
Where is Grumpy? In fact where is del? They even seem to have abandoned the Org! Shame.
Lol Dave is very well and I of course will pass on your regards. Unfortunately like me he has grown disillusioned with the org but we still have plenty of good banter between us especially over Tomkins.
I do miss the org though and even though I contribute a bit on KUMB (just put up a thread) it is not the same. Kumb gets some massive hits on its threads but I prefer the intimacy that the org once had. You never know it may pick itself back up and with that some of the banter and intelligent debate might return though I am being harsh on some of the good lads that remain on there.
I'm not saying Collingwood's a bad fielder but you cannot have someone in the team just for fielding. And so far, I'm afraid that's all Collingwood's done.
Morgan has grit too HF. But to go with that, he has class. The Irish and the Aussies have this similar kind of determination. It's an ingredient seen in winners. It's a quality us English don't have a lot of, which is why I think it's important to get this guy in. He will have a fixed placed for sometime to come once this Collingwood favouritism by the selectors wears off.
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