Originally posted by GrumpyBoyFettThose whom the gods would destroy, first they make proud.
It's not because we are pathetic at cricket? Or is it cause we give support even though we are useless lol
I realise this sounds fickle, but really we should expect these results lol
We like the English because we think alike.
Well what a surprise, before the start of day five I spoke to a mate saying that Australia have the chance of winning this test match, I said it would be Warne that would cause the damage. My mate opposed what I said and that England would bat for most of the day. And what happenned? England choked like they did in Pakistan in the third test and now our chances of keeping the urn is to win two tests and a draw, I am not saying it is impossible, but England must make changes if they are to give themselves a chance of retaining the ashes, remember a draw will retain the ashes.
The biggest talkng point is Monty, Fletcher said after the game that they thought about picking two spinners, but due to the nature of the wicket and its slowness and docile features. They believed that skiddy bowlers would have more success. How wrong Duncan Fletcher was. For people remember Old Trafford when Monty had a very useful wicket to bowl on and ended up with his best figures for a match, Flectcher praised him but told the media that he has not proved him yet, saying that he must bowl on less helpful pitches to prove Fletcher, such as Headingley where the next test was. And what did Monty do? He bowled an absolute pearl of a ball to Younis Khan and bowled him middle stump. After the match once again Fletcher praised Monty in his highest regard.
Then come the Ashes, we have a bowler who could take full advantage of the Australian wickets, and what do we do, we leave him out? It's a guarantee that Monty will play in the 3rd test, remember what I said.
As for Flintoff as captain, what a big mistake. He has no experience or tactical awareness. He kept changing the field every couple of balls, he can't use Giles he has no faith in spinners, remember Lords against Sri Lanka. England should have made Strauss captain for the Ashes series, we beat Pakistan in the home series and he use Monty very well, he has got experience at County level and is possibly a future captain but England would rather go with the short term captain of Flintoff as he has been all hyped up, great bowler, good batsmen. But very shrewd when it comes to talking off the field, a lot of talk but nothing happening on the field. Fingers crossed Vaughan can get in for the 4th or maybe the 3rd test (i heard a rumour) because he is our best bet of getting the best out of all our players.
Originally posted by GalactusNot true Aus did not take 20 but won this test ;-)
I agree on the not batting long enough for draws but more to the point with our weakened bowling attack I think the series was always going to be lost because it doesn't matter how many runs you get, to win a test match youmust claim 20 wickets!
He wouldn't happen to be one of Fletchers players, great (medicore) in all departments of the game, better than an specialist batter or bowler, a person that Fletcher claims can add more value to a team than a world class bowler. It can't be Monty Panesar, apparently (Fletcher claims) he can't bat, and can't field. So whats the use he could be a world class bowler, take wickets, put pressure on the opposition. But nahh, we rather go with someone like.............
Originally posted by howardgeeSo far, so good...my prediction is coming true.
2-2, hence England retain the Ashes.
The bookies are giving 7 to 1 odds on this, so well worth a punt.
I think the Aussies will dominate and win their 2 tests easily with a day or two to spare. England will rely on a couple of outstanding performances (Freddie, Monty, Peitersen and Straus) to sneak their wins with a hard fought draw at the end.
Now we just need Giles to get on a plane by himself, in secret and in disgrace, so that his boyfriend Fletcher can't pick him anymore. Then he has to pick Monty, who will destroy the Aussies with a display of bowling which will make fat-boy cry.
Mahmood coming in for Anderson is a must too, then we will be back to a 4 pronged bowling attack which won us the ashes back.
What a disgrace.
I reckon Fletcher will get the boot after we lose this series and hopefully Flintoff the dimwit will lose the captaincy too.
Fletcher has done great things turning this team around but wants to stick with what has worked in the past not go with what is right now.
Flintoff captains like he bats - without using his brain.
Losing this was worse than losing that Test in Pakistan, although we threw that one away badly as well.
I don't blame the batsmen for capitulating against Warne and Lee on the last day, but whoever decided to declare with only 5 wickets down. Aus didn't declare until 600 in the first Test, why did we think 550 would be good enough for us?
This smacks of Flintoff's brainlessness. Strauss was accused of declaring too late when he was captain and not giving us a chance of victory but a draw close to the beginning of a 5 test series is better than a loss.
The worst thing about this is that we had a real chance in this series, even after the first Test but now we have blown it.