The Ashes - Page 2

prydey · 24-07-2009, 10:20 PM

no dramas.

Marshall M · 29-07-2009, 01:18 PM

Looking forward to the 3rd test starting on Thursday night.
Johnson out for Clark, Hughes & Hussey to get amongst the runs and we should make it 1 all. C'mon Aussies!!!!

prydey · 29-07-2009, 03:36 PM

hopefully the drainage is good at edgbaston. forecast is not pretty. reports also saying the pitch is flat.

prydey · 30-07-2009, 10:48 PM

i think they might need to borrow some of those high tech suits they're using in the swimming. def. won't be a 5 day match. could be lucky to get 1 in the way the forecast looks.

prydey · 31-07-2009, 11:02 AM

can't believe they got 30 overs in. top effort by ground staff.

well done watto. justified the selectors decision in your first knock. maybe silenced some critics also.

unfortunate haddin getting injured but this is manou's big chance to show what he's got.

can't believe they stuck with the same bowling attack. i guess watto gives them another option but i feel sorry for s.clark. the pressure will surely be even greater on johnson now. hope he copes and finds his way back. when he's bowling well he is very good.

at least we are batting first. england's turn to come from behind.

**FTE217** · 31-07-2009, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prydey

. the pressure will surely be even greater on johnson now. hope he copes and finds his way back. when he's bowling well he is very good.

at least we are batting first. england's turn to come from behind.

Thats what we can't afford though is johnson being hot/cold !
Yep thankfully we are batting first, just hope watto and especially ponting digs in for a big one and we can give them a big target to chase but I'm worried rain delays will ruin the test,hope not though.

prydey · 31-07-2009, 10:13 PM

hmmm, what can i say. after a brilliant first session yesterday, australia have crumbled in this mornings session losing 7-77!! the pitch doesn't look too bad but england have the ball moving around somethng fierce. i can't see us posting more than around 250 if we're lucky. hopefully when our bowlers get the ball, they can get it to speak the same language as the english bowlers or we are toast.

that spotlight must be starting to hone in on hussey now too.

well done punter,on becoming austalia's most prolific test run scorer.

**DJR-351** · 31-07-2009, 10:17 PM

hmmm..... lunch day 2 aussies 8/203, bloody wheels are falling off...

prydey · 01-08-2009, 09:36 AM

9/97 = collapse in any language! D'oh! england finish the day on 2/116.

the swinging ball did the damage. like warnie said in commentary, any batsman will struggle if the ball is swinging, esp both ways. the problem australia has is our bowlers don't seem to have the ability to do it regularly.

**DJR-351** · 03-08-2009, 08:45 AM

England move in for the kill at Edgbaston

The Australians lost captain Ricky Ponting for 5 late in the day as England tightened their grip on the match

Australia has a mountain to climb if it is to avoid a 2-0 Ashes series deficit after England took a stranglehold on the third Test at Edgbaston.

Having made early inroads in a shortened morning session, Australia conceded any impetus in the final two sessions as the hosts edged towards victory with one day to play.

The Australians started promisingly and threatened to fight their way back into the contest with two key wickets to Ben Hilfenhaus in the morning session, but a swashbuckling innings of 74 from Andrew Flintoff powered England to 376 in the first innings and a lead of 113 runs.

Forced to bat out the final half of the final session, Australia lost the crucial wickets of Simon Katich (26) and Ricky Ponting (5) as it reached 2 for 88 at the close, still 25 runs in arrears.View the full scorecard here.

With the pitch beginning to offer plenty of assistance to off-spinner Graeme Swann, Australia's remaining batsmen will have a torrid battle on their hands as England moves in for the kill on day five.

Already Swann (1 for 24) has bowled the ball of the Test, dismissing Ponting late in the day with a classic off-spinner's delivery that drew the Australian captain into a defensive push outside his off stump before turning sharply to bowl him between bat and pad.

Swann's wicket came after Graham Onions (1 for 30) made the early breakthrough by dismissing Simon Katich (26), who edged behind looking to drive across his body.

Katich's opening partner Shane Watson survived the final session to reach stumps unbeaten on 34, with Mike Hussey by his side on 18.

While there is not yet cause for panic, the Australians will no doubt remember the efforts of England's bowlers on day two, where they took 7 for 77 in a session to skittle the visitors in the first innings.

Swann, too, will prove a handful as the pitch continues to deteriorate, while Onions and his fellow pacemen will look for more of the lethal inswing they relied on in the first innings.

Flintoff fires...

Playing in his last Test series before retiring, Flintoff displayed the kind of brutish batting that made him so often the thorn in Australia's side in 2005.

The 31-year-old delivered a commanding innings of 74 from just 79 balls after lunch to once again swing the momentum in the hosts' favour after Hilfenhaus shone early.

Flintoff feasted on some innocuous bowling to blast 10 boundaries and a six before falling caught behind off the bowling of Nathan Hauritz (1 for 57) shortly before tea.

The all-rounder looked set for an even bigger day out right up until his final ball, which fell into the hands of Michael Clarke at slip after fizzing viciously out of the rough and feathering the Englishman's glove.

Flintoff struck his boundaries on both sides of the wicket and was particularly savage on Watson, who was quickly pulled from the attack after conceding 23 runs from three overs.

Flintoff combined with wicket-keeper Matt Prior (41) for an 89-run partnership off just 93 balls, and shared a 52-run stand with Stuart Broad (55) to frustrate the visitors after they started the day with promise.

Hilfenhaus strikes early....

After yet another rain delay in the morning, Australia took the honours in the abbreviated morning session as Hilfenhaus (4 for 109) dismissed danger man Andrew Strauss (69) and all-rounder Paul Collingwood (13) before lunch.

England went to the interval 4 for 159, still trailing Australia's first innings total of 263 by 104 runs, but dominated the extended middle session to leave Australia with a mighty task ahead of it.

After the third day was called off without a ball being bowled due to the persistent Birmingham rain, players were again stuck in the pavilion early on day four as the outfield remained wet.

Despite clear skies, umpires Aleem Dar and Rudi Koertzen ruled the ground unfit to play on in the morning, before finally giving players the green light to resume at midday local time (9:00pm AEST).

It took Australia 35 minutes to make the breakthrough, with Hilfenhaus dismissing Strauss as the skipper edged behind to wicket-keeper Graham Manou.

The Tasmanian swing bowler followed up six overs later with the wicket of Collingwood, who was coaxed into a rash drive wide of his stumps which he edged to Ponting at second slip.

Both Hilfenhaus and Mitchell Johnson (2 for 92) exhibited plenty of movement with the ball to trouble the England batsmen early, but were blunted by Flintoff later in the day. Peter Siddle finished the innings with figures of 3 for 89.

prydey · 03-08-2009, 05:27 PM

this is hussey's chance to stand up and prove his worth. we are only 25 behind. if we can bat most of the day we should hold off for a draw. runs will take care of themselves. its going to be very tough but not as bad as the media is making out.

this is australia's chance to give england a taste of what we went through at cardiff. they've dominated the test and probably deserve a win but hopefully we can deny them that.

can't believe ponting didn't use watson more. sure he got hammered in his first stint but once flintoff was gone why not try him again? unless he is still underdone and mainly in the side to bat!

HTCURRY · 03-08-2009, 06:27 PM

I know Australia is struggling a bit, and this is a real transition period. But some of us have forgotten what this team has lost in the last 7-8 years...

so ill remind ppl off the top of my head

Steve Waugh
Mark Waugh
Matthew Hayden
Justin Langer
Damien Martyn
Adam Gilchrist
Shane Warne
Jason Gillespie
Glenn McGrath

to a lesser extent
Michael Kasprowicz
Andy Bichel
Darren lehmann
Andrew Symonds
Stuart McGill(poor guy 200+ test wickets, any other era/team he goes down as a legend, but now he will simply be a footnote)

N finally Brett Lee being injured so often in the last couple of years.

There are nations that in the last 40 years havent had this much talent, and Australia had it all in the same team, and lost it all in the space of a few years.

We just need to be patient.

prydey · 03-08-2009, 06:36 PM

don't forget this team went toe to toe with south africa. after 6 tests (3 in each country) we were 3 a piece.

we dominated in cardiff and had some very unlucky calls at lords. the weather has plaed a major part here at edgbaston with the ball moving around on day 2.
its not over yet.

**DJR-351** · 04-08-2009, 06:15 AM

Clarke, North save Aussies at Edgbaston

Michael Clarke and Marcus North combined for a record fifth-wicket partnership to force a draw in the third Ashes Test at Edgbaston that keeps the series well and truly alive.

The pair rescued the Test and possibly the Ashes for Australia with a resilient 185-run stand that prevented a determined England from taking an almost unassailable 2-0 series lead with just two matches remaining.

Coming together at 4 for 161 and with the match in the balance at lunch on the final day, Clarke and North batted for more than 50 overs to help Australia reach 5 for 375 when the match was called off late in the afternoon.

Man-of-the-match Clarke notched his 12th Test century with an unbeaten 103, while North was cruelly denied his third ton in just his fifth match when he flashed to gully on 96 off the bowling of Stuart Broad (2 for 38).

The partnership was the highest by any Australian fifth-wicket pair, surpassing the 153-run stand put on by Mark and Steve Waugh in the fifth Ashes Test in 1993.

Needing only to draw the series to retain the urn, the Australians now take some much-needed momentum into the Headingley Test beginning on Friday, while England is left to lament what might have been.

The stark truth is that without the assistance of swing on day five, the hosts managed to take just three wickets as their attack struggled for effect after lunch.

Conversely, Clarke and North could scarcely have been more impressive, batting with the utmost patience and determination in trying circumstances as England pulled out all the stops to steal victory.

Both batsmen were watchful in defence but quick to punish any loose balls, striking 29 boundaries between them to demoralise the hosts after they made a strong start to the day.

Early wickets

Resuming day five on 2 for 88, Australia lost overnight batsmen Shane Watson and Mike Hussey in a tense morning session that left the match England's for the taking.

The visitors moved to 4 for 172 at lunch with England needing just one wicket after the interval to get stuck into the tail.

Fortunately for Australia, Clarke and North dug their heels in against a persistent attack, scoring at a clip over three runs an over and offering just one chance to the English before tea.

That opportunity arose shortly after lunch when England skipper Andrew Strauss put down a regulation chance at mid-wicket as Clarke miscued a pull shot on 38 off part-time bowler Ravi Bopara.

It was the only chance the hosts would get before tea as Clarke and North battened down the hatches to effectively end the contest.

Luck's a fortune

The match finished when Clarke struck his 14th boundary off Bopara to reach triple figures, but not before the vice-captain enjoyed two strokes of luck in the 90s.

Amazingly Clarke saw a ball from Stuart Broad (2 for 38) clip his off stump without dislodging the bails when he was on 92, and four runs later he edged to Jimmy Anderson at second slip off a Bopara no-ball.

He eventually found his way to 100 and the knock took Clarke to the top of the series run-scoring list with 352 from five innings at an average of 88.

Earlier, the hosts would have fancied their chances of ripping through the Australians, with Broad and Anderson (1 for 47) in particular looking dangerous after taking the two wickets in the morning.

Having been held out of the attack for the first hour, Anderson wasted little time in making his presence felt as he had Watson caught behind for 53 in his first over of the day.

Brought on for the first time in the second innings, Broad then claimed the scalp of Hussey, who looked good in reaching 64 before being caught behind playing at a ball outside off stump.

Beginning the day still 25 runs behind England on the first innings, Watson and Hussey added a further 49 runs to take their partnership to 85 before Watson's dismissal left the Australians 3 for 137.

The visitors were no doubt wary of avoiding a similar fate as befell them on day two, when England took 7 for 77 in a single session to skittle them for 263 in the first dig.

prydey · 04-08-2009, 06:29 AM

north was seriously unlucky not to get 100. that was a cracker of a catch by anderson to dismiss him. one of the best i've seen. just launched himself and it stuck.

well done clarke. should earn himself a nice 'man of the match' present from mrs clarke.

i still think the bowling needs a bit of a review. siddle for clark. i'd like to see lee get a gig but thats just a personal thing 'cos i'm a lee fan.

hopefully the aussies get a bit of a boost out of this and are ready to go in headingly.

**DJR-351** · 07-08-2009, 09:47 PM

England lost the plot......63-5

ozfast · 07-08-2009, 10:02 PM

:

**DJR-351** · 07-08-2009, 10:02 PM

Lunch..72-6, oh dear..

vztrt · 07-08-2009, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJR-351

England lost the plot......63-5

I'd say Clarke bowling good line and length.

prydey · 07-08-2009, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vztrt

I'd say Clarke bowling good line and length.

and to think he's been available the whole time

:

Swordsman88 · 07-08-2009, 10:23 PM

now we know why i, and so many others, wanted clark in the side from the start. Even when he isn't taking wickets (which he is) he can tie down one end alomst completely. This puts the pressure on big time and you get cocky at the other end....and you get out.

Paxton · 07-08-2009, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prydey

and to think he's been available the whole time

:

And it begs the question, why wasn't he used before?

We finally have the number one bowler we have needed since the first test.

HTCURRY · 07-08-2009, 10:40 PM

stuart clarke has always been Glenn McGrath LITE, it worked for him once he finally got a go in the international arena, but injuries or whatever have conspired to keep him out this long.

Australia and Ricky Ponting as Captain need to realise, all your bowlers cant be smash and grab guys, you need someone steady. Clarke like others have said, even if he isnt taking wickets wont leak runs. Mitchell Johnson/Lee et al, on the other hand, can be very expensive when things arent going their way.

Swordsman88 · 07-08-2009, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HTCURRY

stuart clarke has always been Glenn McGrath LITE, it worked for him once he finally got a go in the international arena, but injuries or whatever have conspired to keep him out this long.

Australia and Ricky Ponting as Captain need to realise, all your bowlers cant be smash and grab guys, you need someone steady. Clarke like others have said, even if he isnt taking wickets wont leak runs. Mitchell Johnson/Lee et al, on the other hand, can be very expensive when things arent going their way.

Well said. For me, i'd be running Clark, Lee and Hilfenhaus as my main bowlers at present. If you have a 4th spot, Johnson or Siddle. Niether of the last two have impressed sufficiently, and even they are taking wickets, are very expensive. If Lee is injured (and at some point will obviously retire first out of those bowlers we have) then Johnson will eventually take over his spot in the side. He just really needs some more experience....its all gone to his head. Funny enough Lee was exactly the same in his early years, very wayward and very expensive.

HTCURRY · 07-08-2009, 10:51 PM

Is Hilfenhaus the new Kaspar, not much there to see, doesnt do anything really really well. But just gets out there and bowls his heart out, doesnt run his gob, and every once in a while gets rewarded.

Someone the casual fan wont/doesnt appreciate, but those in the know, will. Probably the least naturally talented amongst the current range of fast medium bowlers, but through sheer will power gets the job done.

Swordsman88 · 07-08-2009, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HTCURRY

.

Someone the casual fan wont/doesnt appreciate, but those in the know, will. Probably the least naturally talented amongst the current range of fast medium bowlers, but through sheer will power gets the job done.

Which is what matters. Maybe he is the next kasper....we will see. Tell ya what, he can swing the ball and he can keep things pretty tight when asked too. Can't fault that. Good change bowler for me...

vztrt · 07-08-2009, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swordsman88

Which is what matters. Maybe he is the next kasper....we will see. Tell ya what, he can swing the ball and he can keep things pretty tight when asked too. Can't fault that. Good change bowler for me...

He seems to be able to swing it when no one else can, also the leading wicket taker so he isn't there to make up the numbers.

prydey · 07-08-2009, 11:15 PM

hilfy has always been a swing bowler.

eng crumble further - 98/8

to me it looks like siddle has lifted with clark keeping the other end tight. hopefully our batsman handle the conditions better. good chance we'll be ahead by stumps. can't get too carried away though.

ED Classic · 07-08-2009, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swordsman88

Well said. For me, i'd be running Clark, Lee and Hilfenhaus as my main bowlers at present. If you have a 4th spot, Johnson or Siddle. Niether of the last two have impressed sufficiently, and even they are taking wickets, are very expensive. If Lee is injured (and at some point will obviously retire first out of those bowlers we have) then Johnson will eventually take over his spot in the side. He just really needs some more experience....its all gone to his head. Funny enough Lee was exactly the same in his early years, very wayward and very expensive.

Clark is an awesome bowler, hillfanhaus looking good lately but i think going forward i would be looking at johnson over lee as he is our future, and good lefties dont come along all the time. He could easily have had another couple of wickets in this series with the right ump and yoi can bet England studied him more than any of our bowlers

prydey · 07-08-2009, 11:28 PM

well well, a dodgy decision to end the innings but england are gone for 102. australia need to learn from the english batsmen and not throw their wicket away. be patient.

top effort by the aussie bowlers. well done siddle. where was all this 'line and length' stuff earlier?