The fact that they have bounced back shows that the team does have character.
I still expect to see a Tweet from KP telling us how silly it is that he is on a beach when he could have been in the side helping us to an innings and 800 run win.
I have been watching the highlights, and cant believe that Steve Smith is No 1 batsman in the world - ABDV is a FAR better batsman than him - even Joe Root. Just think he is a flat-track bully.
I have been watching the highlights, and cant believe that Steve Smith is No 1 batsman in the world - ABDV is a FAR better batsman than him - even Joe Root. Just think he is a flat-track bully.
Steve Smith is a decent batsman but suffers from playing all his formulative years in Australia. He thrives on hard wickets, where the bounce is predictable and high, he can't handle a swinging wicket as easily. Agree wholeheartedly that ABDV is a far better player though.
What a very good day we had. Edgbaston was a cracking atmosphere for Test cricket. I'm quite surprised reading this thread, that people thought we'd lose. It was never in doubt. It was just a question of how much play we saw, before we rapped it up.
I have been watching the highlights, and cant believe that Steve Smith is No 1 batsman in the world - ABDV is a FAR better batsman than him - even Joe Root. Just think he is a flat-track bully.
To be fair, ABdV is head and shoulders above everyone.
What a very good day we had. Edgbaston was a cracking atmosphere for Test cricket. I'm quite surprised reading this thread, that people thought we'd lose. It was never in doubt. It was just a question of how much play we saw, before we rapped it up.
You been on the sauce CE? Usually word perfect but rapped it up? Ha ha :-)
What a very good day we had. Edgbaston was a cracking atmosphere for Test cricket. I'm quite surprised reading this thread, that people thought we'd lose. It was never in doubt. It was just a question of how much play we saw, before we rapped it up.
Agree CE. The wicket looked pretty tame on day 4, although would have had a slight nervous twitch if the Bell chance had been caught. Hard to see we wouldn't get that; particularly when they decided Johnson wasn't going to open the bowling again. Edgbaston is a great venue. Drink and food easy to get; including real ale ( choice of Pedigree, Hobgoblin and EPA - and I didn't even go the real ale bar!). Only downside is its distant from the city centre.
Have day 4 tickets for trent bridge; another great ground!. Hope it goes 4 days this time.
Ha ha. Rapped it up. Brrrrraaaaaap. I was a bit busy, had just got back from Edgbaston and was almost straight out again.
We jumped on a 501 shuttle bus, from New Street & it dropped us, literally, right outside our turn style.
PS, yes, I forgot to mention, that I thought it was staggering, that they waited until the game was lost, (something like 47-2), before they brought on Mitch Johnson & had Lyons bowling almost immediately.
They only had one chance of winning that game & that would have been, if Johnson had opened the bowling and cut us down to something like 30-4. Not overly likely, but far from impossible. Bizarre decision.
CE, can we have a translation please for first paragraph !
Its certainly a great atmosphere at Edg - the best ive ever experienced at a cricket ground. Were you in Eric Hollies? Must admit, i was starting to get a bit worried when they started to extend their lead beyond 100, and seemed to be getting runs at will, with no real problems - had visions of chasing 150+ which would have been tricky (memories of 2005) - but, as you say, not bringing on Johnson to open was a mistake.
We were opposite Eric Hollies in The Raglan Stand. If we go again, I'd sit in Eric Hollies.
When I booked up 6 months ago, it was to see a Test outside of London & because I knew Edgbaston had a good atmosphere. But I didn't know back then, that Eric Hollies, had the best atmosphere. They were singing before the start.
I love Lords because it's special like Wembley, Wimbledon, Aintree etc, but it's all very civilised, what what.
We were opposite Eric Hollies in The Raglan Stand. If we go again, I'd sit in Eric Hollies.
When I booked up 6 months ago, it was to see a Test outside of London & because I knew Edgbaston had a good atmosphere. But I didn't know back then, that Eric Hollies, had the best atmosphere. They were singing before the start.
I love Lords because it's special like Wembley, Wimbledon, Aintree etc, but it's all very civilised, what what.
I agree,Lords is special, i always get the hairs on the back of my neck stand up every time i walk thru the North Gates - an absolute amazing sporting venue. I was in Eric Hollies in Ashes 2009 when Swann bowled Ponting thru the gate and the noise and banter was amazing for a cricket match - there was a block of about 50 Aussies at the front who 'got it' the whole day, with songs,insults, objects - so much so, that a lot of them got up and walked out - though it did help that England were taking them apart on the pitch. Loved it- nothing better than giving it to Aussies.
Not sure if it's been mentioned yet but I think the standard of umpiring in this series so far has been very good, and compared to 2013 absolutely brilliant.
Not sure if it's been mentioned yet but I think the standard of umpiring in this series so far has been very good, and compared to 2013 absolutely brilliant.
Been no mention of DRS whatsoever - stupid Indians!. In 2013 there were several incidents including the Khawaja 'catch'.
Jimmy Anderson will be such a miss at his favourite Trent bridge where he's done so well over the years. Peter Siddle, thou not the fastest could be dangerous there. This series is still in the balance. I can see in the last test the batsmen on both sides dominating, resulting in a draw. 2-2 or 3-1, what's it to be ?
I don't mean this to decry England's efforts in any way as they have (Lords excepted) been great but this is the worst Aussie side I think I've ever seen. Just goes to show how cyclical sport is.
Great article on how Finn and his coaches have completely reinvented his bowling over the last 18 months - on BBC website. What a superb, dedicated effort from the man and those around him. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/33752009
I don't mean this to decry England's efforts in any way as they have (Lords excepted) been great but this is the worst Aussie side I think I've ever seen. Just goes to show how cyclical sport is.
So you watch the 2nd test at Lords and you thought this is the worst Aussie side i've seen ? Who ever gets on top, dominates the opposition. If and a very big If, Michael Clarke rediscovers some form then it's game on.
Its gonna be a tough ask for Oz to come back again at TB - apparently there are rifts within the camp, and to play so poorly twice is going to have some effect you would think. Funny, coz when they were extending their lead beyond 100 at Edg, I thought that if they get a lead of 150+, I was going to have a cheeky bet for them to win the series 4-1 - however, now I think that we could very well win The Ashes back at TB. A lot will depend on who steps up to the plate with Jimmy's absence- and also what type of wicket is produced - if its similar to Edg, then you would expect we would start as favourites. Cant wait, already got my sick note ready for next Monday !
Both Finn and Anderson were brilliant but you've got to give some credit to Bell.
A lot of people were calling for him to be dropped with Ballance before the test. Showed his class in moving up to three, scoring half centuries in both innings and confidently leading the (albeit small) fourth innings assault. They say form is temporary, Bell showed that class is permanent!
Bell had that little bit of luck every cricketer needs when Clarke dropped him when he had 20 odd.
Let's hope he pushes on to dominate the rest of the series. Spot on that form is temporary and class is permanent which is why, despite a lot of people wanting him to be dropped, it was always worth playing Bell in his own back yard of Edgbaston.
Comments
Chris Rushworth and Mark Stoneman could be in line for the Trent Bridge Tests. I would put in Wood for Anderson.
http://www.sport24.co.za/Cricket/Swann-mocks-KP-in-SA-accent-20150801
Just think he is a flat-track bully.
No replacement for Lyth ! - does this mean Moeen opening?, and Rashid coming in? Or does it mean Lyth given *another* chance?
#fuckallelsetopickfrom.
Edgbaston was a cracking atmosphere for Test cricket.
I'm quite surprised reading this thread, that people thought we'd lose.
It was never in doubt. It was just a question of how much play we saw, before we rapped it up.
Edgbaston is a great venue. Drink and food easy to get; including real ale ( choice of Pedigree, Hobgoblin and EPA - and I didn't even go the real ale bar!). Only downside is its distant from the city centre.
Have day 4 tickets for trent bridge; another great ground!. Hope it goes 4 days this time.
We jumped on a 501 shuttle bus, from New Street & it dropped us, literally, right outside our turn style.
PS, yes, I forgot to mention, that I thought it was staggering, that they waited until the game was lost, (something like 47-2), before they brought on Mitch Johnson & had Lyons bowling almost immediately.
They only had one chance of winning that game & that would have been, if Johnson had opened the bowling and cut us down to something like 30-4. Not overly likely, but far from impossible. Bizarre decision.
Its certainly a great atmosphere at Edg - the best ive ever experienced at a cricket ground. Were you in Eric Hollies?
Must admit, i was starting to get a bit worried when they started to extend their lead beyond 100, and seemed to be getting runs at will, with no real problems - had visions of chasing 150+ which would have been tricky (memories of 2005) - but, as you say, not bringing on Johnson to open was a mistake.
When I booked up 6 months ago, it was to see a Test outside of London & because I knew Edgbaston had a good atmosphere. But I didn't know back then, that Eric Hollies, had the best atmosphere. They were singing before the start.
I love Lords because it's special like Wembley, Wimbledon, Aintree etc, but it's all very civilised, what what.
I was in Eric Hollies in Ashes 2009 when Swann bowled Ponting thru the gate and the noise and banter was amazing for a cricket match - there was a block of about 50 Aussies at the front who 'got it' the whole day, with songs,insults, objects - so much so, that a lot of them got up and walked out - though it did help that England were taking them apart on the pitch. Loved it- nothing better than giving it to Aussies.
In 2013 there were several incidents including the Khawaja 'catch'.
I can see in the last test the batsmen on both sides dominating, resulting in a draw.
2-2 or 3-1, what's it to be ?
What a superb, dedicated effort from the man and those around him.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/33752009
Who ever gets on top, dominates the opposition.
If and a very big If, Michael Clarke rediscovers some form then it's game on.
Cant wait, already got my sick note ready for next Monday !
Let's hope he pushes on to dominate the rest of the series. Spot on that form is temporary and class is permanent which is why, despite a lot of people wanting him to be dropped, it was always worth playing Bell in his own back yard of Edgbaston.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/international/theashes/11779739/Ashes-2015-Australia-in-crisis-reaction-to-England-defeat-suggests-Aussie-implosion.html