| iGSM 16.12.2006 01:46 |
I'm suprised there has been no topic before hand on The Ashes especially seeing as it's two tests down. Anywho, I thought I'd do it seeing as I went to the Test on Thursday and Friday, saw Panesar take his 5 wickets, bloody great performance. Didn't get sunburnt or have to clip any Poms around the head. Anyone else watching 'em? English or Australian alike? Yipee! |
| Banquo 16.12.2006 04:42 |
What a difference 15 months make! Quite frankly I hope England win or draw at least one match. I don't want a whitewash but it sure looks like its heading that way. I know its obvious but the blame falls squarely on the England selectors and Duncan Fletcher. I can sort of see the reasons why a fully fit Ashley Giles would be picked ahead of Panesar because of his batting. But why pick Giles when he hasn't played first-class Cricket for 11 months! Its ludicrious that Panesar was ignored for the first two tests here is a spin-bowler on fire and all he is useful for is bringing out the drinks. Apart from Panesar, Collingwood and maybe Pieterson the team is lacklustre and badly needs a leader. I like Flintoff he comes from my home town but fuck me as a Captain he is useless. As soon as Vaughan comes back the better. Freddie was only made Captain because of media pressure. Strauss was the far better option but hey why let such a boring indivdual however good a captain he is get in the way of a media darling?? But congratulations to Australia and to Ponting his determination to completely humiliate England is admirable and shows that the Crims are still the best team in the world by a country mile. |
| iGSM 16.12.2006 10:31 |
You're from Preston? Awesome. Too right. The bowling attack today looked like nothing than a pop-gun attack. Gilchrist absolutely hammered the shit out of Panesar and the rest of the England team. Also you've a point about Ashley Giles but I felt Panesar was just being polite when he saying 'Oh, when I get a chance to play I'll be happy' when in reality he was meaning to say 'I'll take more wickets in my first innings than Giles has in the last 2 matches'. I like him. He bowls quite flat but gets an arse load of spin especially off the WACA pitch Managed to see Michael Vaughan tonight at a Noel Gallagher/Gem concert. He tried to sneak in there quite secretly but that lasted about 3 seconds until someone yelled out 'MICHAEL FOOKIN' VAUGHAN'. Bloody Lancastrians :) |
| Banquo 17.12.2006 03:52 |
That is the first time anyone has proclaimed coming from Preston is awesome! Maybe this time next year when I am living in the States I shall look upon it with fondness. At the time of writing England are playing "Test" Cricket. In these days of Twenty20 and ODI it seems everyone wants runs and they want them now. England are playing intelligently. Exciting it may not be but if we can scrape a draw out of this I would be happy. |
| iGSM 17.12.2006 04:02 |
Funny because I just expected Australia to decimate the England team. I was actually yelling at the television yesterday when Gilchrist was batting. So, so good! I've always been a fan of Freddie since his early days playing for the Lancs. My gran was from Salford so I've got fairly strong ties there. Same with Jimmy Anderson. What's your opinion on Twenty20? The couple of matches I've seen over here have been generally quite good. I think it's a good way of getting the younger generation back in to cricket. I am hoping that tomorrow night the series will read 3 - 1 :) Joshin', eh? |
| Banquo 17.12.2006 04:24 |
I love Twenty20, its one of the best things to happen to Cricket in a long time. Players like Pieterson, Flintoff and Gilchrist all big-hitters thrive in it and its exciting to watch. That's why Cricket is such a fascinating game you have so many variations and different ways to play it. |
| iGSM 17.12.2006 23:36 |
So long Ashes :) |
| Banquo 18.12.2006 03:51 |
Well we didn't have them long did we!!!??? But I am a good loser when we lose to superior opponents. And believe me Australia were far, far superior to England. Surely its time for all your old men to retire now? I'm looking at you Warne and McGrath. Why does Ponting look like George Bush? |
| iGSM 18.12.2006 05:19 |
15 months. Not too long. Unlike a lot of Australians, I was quite gracious in defeat last year. It was a well contested series and, like this one, has been thoroughly enjoyable. Warne's bowling AND batting was a highlight of the series. Sadly, now, Australia is required to lose a test in the dead rubber. Probably at Sydney like they did last time. I'll be glad to see the end of the 'Tonk a Pom' advertisements. Although I did find the 'lack of a moustache being the reason we lost the Ashes' VB ads quite amusing. True though. Thanks too for the replies. You seem to be the only English chap on the board taking notice. Cheers. |
| Banquo 18.12.2006 09:25 |
I seem to remember Eggy was a big Cricket fan. I remember years ago we had a great discussion on Flintoff. This was in the days when Flintoff was a fat, drinking idiot. He had played for England but not much. I defended him purely on the strength that he played for Lancs! I thought as Eggy did little did I realise that he was to become the great player he is. Anyway I'll watch the rest of the Tests just to see if Jones will be dropped. Please God. |
| iGSM 18.12.2006 10:08 |
Cripes, that must've been...about 1999? Bleedin' 'eck, that's a while ago. I dare say Jones will be dropped. I assume by now you've seen the run out of him in the second innings? Fairly disgraceful but it's a dash up between Jones and Read, innit? Didn't Trescothick do some wicket keeping for the England ODIs? Mahmood however was a waste of space for me. No penetration factor what so ever and his nose...it's too big. I feel fairly sorry for Jimmy Anderson although he was in the same boat. Two Lancashire lads out on their ear. Is there no one else in England who can bowl? No one comes to mind where as I'm sure that Australia could replace our 5 bowlers with someone of equal talent or slightly below. Hopefully I'll be over in 2010 (that's the next Ashes series in England, right?) for The Ashes. Hooray. I'll use this as The Ashes thread from now on. 'ooray. :) |
| iGSM 20.12.2006 18:23 |
Well Warne and McGrath certainly won't be part of the campaig. Bloooooooody hell! |
| Banquo 21.12.2006 03:10 |
As a spinner when I was at school I know how difficult it is but the fact that Warne makes it looks so easy is one of the reasons why he remains one of my favourite Cricketers to watch. And that's from an Englishman! I'll miss him playing other teams, and at least he'll still turn out for Hants. I hope now the 'Sikh of Tweak' Panesar takes his mantle to become the best spinner in the world. The ODI's.............I was going to say we have a chance to restore some pride but Jeez 2 tests to go and God knows how many ODI and Twenty20 matches we are going to get stuffed. Happy Christmas though anyway IGSM you're right it has been interesting getting the Aussie point of view. You seem pretty restrained though compared to other Aussies. And from what I've seen on TV they are all gracious in victory. Not! Must be your Lancashire roots, we are known for our humility. |
| iGSM 21.12.2006 08:06 |
Likewise. Geez, it's almost here, innit? Come on Monday! Hope you get all the best presents. Argh, I wish I were over there right now. I'd love more than anything to be over in good ol' Manchester saying 'Fuck, I hate this rain. I wish I were over in Australia'. I'd give my left and right testicle to be over there. I wonder how painful hormone replacement is? It has been very interesting series. I suspected from the first ball that things might be a little unusual (absolute shocker from Harmison) but I have enjoyed the series very much. I know I will miss Warney. I managed to meet him a couple of times - twice at book signings and once at a cricket clinic where he came along to advise a group of us on legspin. Too bad I can't. All I do is bowl the good ol' wrong 'un. Deadly is my art. I like Panesar. HIS BEARD IS SO GOOD...and he is a decent bowler. Those 5 wickets I saw him take were 5 of the best I've ever seen at the WACA Ground. Waiting for boxing day! |