Originally posted by spurs73No way! Some of the best test cricket I've watched had Australia lose the series - eg. the 2005 Ashes and the 2001 series vs India. Bring that on! Magnificent stuff.
will u be saying the same about test cricket after you lose the ASHES?
😵😵
england---england...england....
So what is it about Englands form that makes you so confident about reclaiming the Ashes? I must admit, I was more fearful of South Africa over the last summer.. But we shall see when the Ashes start! 😀
Well, it's coming down to the quarter finals and while I wasn't a fan of T20, I've warmed to it and started to appreciate it too. I guess it helps when my team (SA) is doing well. I also appreciate that there's a lot of skill involved - no longer the biff, bang, whallop of the early days. Some of the big name teams haven't come to terms with the skills required of T20 - and I think these are general, all round abilities ie a well balanced team that is excellent in all departments. With the result that some of the big names - England, India, Australia have fallen out.
Right now, I think it's going to come down to a South Africa - Sri Lanka final. SA have been totally dominant in all their games while Sri Lanka have really looked good.
Originally posted by AussieGBatsmen are on top a lot of the time, but I don't think it's that simple. Look at Sri Lanka - some good batsmen, but the real reason they're doing so well is Murali/Mendis/Malinga. Similarly, South Africa have an excellent, well-balanced, bowling attack.
hence my point of it just being a batsmens game
Originally posted by CrowleyChokers maybe, but it wasn't nearly as amusing as the 1999 semi final! Fancy getting run out with the scores tied and two balls to go😀
Too bad SA has that World Cup Chokers monkey on our back... 😞
Ah well, we are still currently the top cricket squad in the world, so that will have to do.
Originally posted by CrowleyNot in test cricket - the best and the toughest form of cricket. And regarded as the form of the game that you'd want be number 1 in.. (well, here anyway!)
Too bad SA has that World Cup Chokers monkey on our back... 😞
Ah well, we are still currently the top cricket squad in the world, so that will have to do.
Originally posted by MarcusrYeah, that was magnifcent! That was a HUGE choke! They didn't need to run then.. Kleusner was trying to smack a boundry.. he only needed 1! It seems to be a trend of the South African teams over the years.. talented but seem to lack the mental toughness of other teams.. like the Aussies 🙂
Chokers maybe, but it wasn't nearly as amusing as the 1999 semi final! Fancy getting run out with the scores tied and two balls to go😀
Originally posted by AussieGAll versions of the game.
Not in test cricket - the best and the toughest form of cricket. And regarded as the form of the game that you'd want be number 1 in.. (well, here anyway!)
Australia are still 'officially' ranked 1, but that includes older tests. This should be rectified as the new season gets underway...
Originally posted by AussieGMagnificent? Personally I prefer to win games right off the bat, not on technicalities.
Yeah, that was magnifcent! That was a HUGE choke! They didn't need to run then.. Kleusner was trying to smack a boundry.. he only needed 1! It seems to be a trend of the South African teams over the years.. talented but seem to lack the mental toughness of other teams.. like the Aussies 🙂
But that's just me...
Anyway, our mental toughness overall is fine, we just get ourselves tied up in technicalities and BS:
'92 rained out against England, 22 runs off 1 ball. Pah!
'99 the tournament format helped Aus through.
'03 a brain-fart with the D/L system cost us. Damn rain AGAIN!
Originally posted by AussieGwe shall indeed
No way! Some of the best test cricket I've watched had Australia lose the series - eg. the 2005 Ashes and the 2001 series vs India. Bring that on! Magnificent stuff.
So what is it about Englands form that makes you so confident about reclaiming the Ashes? I must admit, I was more fearful of South Africa over the last summer.. But we shall see when the Ashes start! 😀
Originally posted by CrowleyLOL how can u say that- its all part of the 'modern' game of cricket and it works both ways
Magnificent? Personally I prefer to win games right off the bat, not on technicalities.
But that's just me...
Anyway, our mental toughness overall is fine, we just get ourselves tied up in technicalities and BS:
'92 rained out against England, 22 runs off 1 ball. Pah!
'99 the tournament format helped Aus through.
'03 a brain-fart with the D/L system cost us. Damn rain AGAIN!
Originally posted by CrowleyYes, magnificent! Sure, I'd rather win too but if we can't, to go through in those circumstances was magnificent. And probably equally un-magnificent if it went the other way.. but lucky it's in the history books now.
Magnificent? Personally I prefer to win games right off the bat, not on technicalities.
But that's just me...
Anyway, our mental toughness overall is fine, we just get ourselves tied up in technicalities and BS:
'92 rained out against England, 22 runs off 1 ball. Pah!
'99 the tournament format helped Aus through.
'03 a brain-fart with the D/L system cost us. Damn rain AGAIN!
South Africa were indeed screwed in '92 - how on earth did the administrators come up with 22 of 1 ball?? SA were looking like they were going to win and then it comes to that???
I don't have so much sympathy in '03 though.. if they were good enough, they would have progressed regardless of the rain - by winning other matches. I could use the same argument in '92 by saying if the Pakistan/England game was NOT washed out (as England was only chasing 70 odd and would have won), Australia would have made the semi-finals.. but quite simply, we weren't good enough.
Good, tough teams won't get caught up in technicalities.