35 replies to this topic

[Alias]

I don't think anyone besides Wizard or myself will care, but may as well post it anyway.

While the Australian side is fairly shaky, we're at home so we have the natural advantage.
The English had a very shaky start today at the Gabba, getting completely bowled on the first day, with Siddle taking a beautiful hat-trick on his birthday. Doherty is proving to be a good choice as well, getting rid of stubborn Bell.

I think it's quite likely Australia has this game down, although this is cricket, so anything can happen. The Poms do have an awful record on the so-called 'Gabbatoir', however.

Discuss.

[Wizard]

Disappointed in the start we've made quite frankly, but it's only the opening day. Sad to say I missed it (forgot to sky + it) just like the Yids match last night and I am away this weekend in France so this test is going to go over my head pretty much.

Not impressed with anyone now, despite I decent pre-tour form. Let me watch a few days and I'll give you a better response. Right now, upper hand in test 1 to you guys

[Mbob61]

I care
We had a pretty disappointing start but lets hope our bowlers can pull it back tonight

Mike

[Raven]

Im not from AUS or ENG but I do follow the ashes. Eng were the clear favorites at the beginning. But Aussies played well on first day and they themselves are in a spot of bother right now. It would be a great series for a neutral like me.

[Alias]

While we didn't have the best day today, we definitely did better than the Poms. Katich and Hussey are currently in form and I'm betting they'll make up a fair amount of our runs across the series.

Not sure why the selectors picked North over Cameron White or Steven Smith, who are far better players overall. North either gets single digits or a century, which isn't too useful.

[Mbob61]

Agreed about North. I reckon Cameron White deserves a chance to prove himself.
Its evenly matched at the moment. Should be an interesting third day

Mike

[Alias]

Hussey's just got his hundred, with Haddin with a half-century. Brilliant batting by these two, some great but unlucky bowling by Anderson as well.

[Mbob61]

I had a feeling Hussey would make a big score.
He often pulls out the big scores when he needs to.
Anderson's performance is somewhat surprising given how he normally likes to swing it. I would think Finn and Broad would be doing better.

Mike

Edited by Mbob61, 27 November 2010 - 02:18.

[Alias]

And Haddin just got his century off a massive six. Beautiful shot.

Haddin may not be Gilchrist, but he's the best wicketkeeperp-batsman we'll get for a while.

Edited by Alias, 27 November 2010 - 03:17.

[Mbob61]

Is Paine close to getting into the side?
He has been playing quite whilst Haddin was injured if i remember rightly.

Mike

[Alias]

We will probably need Paine after the next four of five years as Haddin is in his thirties. He was doing fairly well too, but like North he isn't the most consistent of batsmen.

Anderson just dropped Haddin, shocking. Feel for the man considering he bowled his heart out earlier. Hussey just hit 150. Aaand there's the 400. Two briliant fours by Haddin. Haddin and Hussey's partnership has now exceeded England's first innings total.

I think it's fair to say we have this one in the bag. Australia has not lost a test at the Gabba for more than 20 years.

Edited by Alias, 27 November 2010 - 04:15.

[Raven]

Its highly unlikely that AUS will lose this, but England would fight to the finish in the 2nd inns. They will fight to survive and they have the batsmen to do it. It'd be an interesting contest. Wish I can watch it live :(

[Alias]

Yeah, it's been a pleasure to watch all day. Brilliant bowling from Anderson and brilliant batting from Hussey and Haddin.
You're really missing out. ;_;

Partnership just hit 300 on top of Hussey achieving his highest test score. Considering the form Hussey was in a few months ago, you wouldn't of dreamed he would be playing this good.

Haddin just caught by a lovely catch by Collingwood in slip.

Hussey caught for 195, so close to 200. Today has probably been one of the best Australian innings I've ever seen, certainly the best since the 2006-2007 series.

Edited by Alias, 27 November 2010 - 05:41.

[Mbob61]

Finn apparently had a good little spell of bowling with easily the best ending figures of any of our bowlers.
Its a shame Hussey didn't make a double century but it was still a damn good knock.
It does look a little grim to see us -202 for 0

Mike

[Mbob61]

Great session for England 135-0 is a lot better than I hoped for.
Maybe we aren't so out of this game.

Mike

Edited by Mbob61, 28 November 2010 - 02:02.

[Alias]

Some brilliant batting by Strauss and Cook this morning. If they keep this up and their middle order doesn't collapse England might have a chance to draw.

Considering how Johnson is normally good at fielding that was a shocker. I guess that's karma for how many times Haddin was dropped.

Edited by Alias, 28 November 2010 - 02:08.

[Mbob61]

If Strauss stays in all day and we continue to bat in this fashion, we could end up with quite a considerable lead.
Also Karma for Hussey's first ball. How that would have changed this game if he had been out for 0.

Mike

[Mbob61]

Strauss has his 100
It sounds like he has been a bit lucky but everyone deserves their fair share i guess

Mike

[Alias]

Yeah, that was a beautiful century. A real treat to watch.

Lovely recovery by the English today. Definitely goes down to being one the best tests of recent years. I don't foresee this ending in anything other than a draw though, unless we manage to pull some quick wickets at the start of play tomorrow morning.

Edited by Alias, 28 November 2010 - 07:34.

[Mbob61]

200 for Cook. Great innings
You never know, if you guys lose some early wickets we could actually win. I reckon we could potentially do it in 50 overs although it is unlikely.

Mike

Edit - 100 for Trott as well

Edited by Mbob61, 29 November 2010 - 01:59.

[Raven]

Eng seems to owning the Aussies atm. A good declaration would be a great thing to watch. I mean give AUS target to chase with a Require RR above 5 and we'll have great game on our hands. But since its the first match I doubt Eng will take that risk. They have the psychological advantage now .

[Alias]

I must say, that was the most entertaining draw of recent years. Not one of the shitty English draws where the reason for the draw was the pitch being flooded for four days. Brilliant batting by both sides, pretty safe captaining from Strauss too (he isn't too much of a risk taker). Ponting was on fire for the brief amount of time he was in.

[Alias]

A shocker of a start for us, once again it was Hussey and Haddin bringing the stabilisation, although for far less time than at the Gabba. All of Anderson's luck from the Gabba seemed to be bottled up for this, lovely bowling in the morning.

Will be interesting to see how the Poms go tomorrow.

[Mbob61]

It should be an interesting nights batting.

Mike

[Mbob61]

Given Harris' injury problems, he seems to be bowling pretty well. Probably the best Australian so far. Doherty on the other hand seems like a bit of a mistake.
England are going pretty well right now. Cook is breaking batting records left right and centre and now Pietersen has 150.
Good times to be English

Mike