THE ASHES IS ON AGAIN! After 5-0 white wash at home, can we win it again in England ?

[AHLUNGOR]

After a great start with 3 for 43, Joe Root went on to make 134, and amply supported by 61 from Ballance and 52 from Stokes, England was 7/343 at Stumps on Day 1. It's going to be very tough from here for the Aussie to win the first test. The job may be easier if we can limit the Poms to under 400 in the first Innings.

Mitch Johnson needs to lift big time, the lost of Ryan Harris may be a lot deeper than we first thought.

Day 2 tonight, can't wait.

Last night the country may be divided, but now we should all united behind the Baggy Green and cheer for Clarkey and the boys.

Go Aussie !!


:smile:

[Oneonone]

We need to take out catches dropping Joe Root before he scored cost us at least half the runs the poms scored yesterday.

Catches win matches and we need to lift our game if we want to win.

[AHLUNGOR]

We need to get those three wickets this morning and bat really well, like 500!

[Oneonone]

So far we have been out played in both bowling fielding and batting!

Whats up with the Aussies might be time to get some new blood in the team.

We can't even bowl line and length!

The poms are in front and deserve to be.

[AHLUNGOR]

Steve Smith and Michael Clarke are supposed playing well against spins, both went out on Ali, and the manner they went out were both poor shots but brilliant catches !!

The commentators were right, we are missing Ryan Harris big time with his more consistent line and tight bowling, may be recall Siddle ? Johnson is clearly out of form at the moment ! May be he could bat well tonight !

[Oneonone]

Why do we keep playing Watson he is useless out again for 31 this time.

And lets not go for either of the two Marsh boys they are usless when the going gets tough they can both score a lot when there is no pressure on but when its time to stand up and be counted you wont find them anywhere to be seen.

We got to have some more good young bats in Australia.

Poor Brad Haddin they are expecting him to save us again.

[Oneonone]

The poms bowled beautifully this morning and so the Aussies are all out 122 behind.

Hadden got 22 but 18 or 20 of them were off the edge???

We will have to bowl a lot better in the poms second innings to get back in the game with a slim chance.

And even if we bowl well we still have to bat well in the second innings.

Looks like test lost to me need to make some changes for the second innings we need a bowler that can bowl line and length and then an all rounder to replace Watson.

The big disappointment was Clarke and Smith both getting out in the 30 s to spin.

Vogues is on thin ice needs to prove himself and Watson should be gone.

[Oneonone]

One other point I don't think the poms dropped a catch we dropped one at least that one cost us 134 plus what they scored at the other batsmen so close to 200 runs the lead is only 122 so there you go you cant afford to drop a batsman of any class.

[Oneonone]

Whats the Aussie bowling coach doing he should be getting on to the bowlers to bowl line and length and the captain should take them off if they don't.

Only problem is none of them are bowling line and length so I guess Clarke is a bit up the creak without a paddle.

[henry]

Sadly the Aussies are as weak as piss at the moment. They are being done over by a smug English team who are not actually that good. Time for Watson to be sacked. Done nothing for so long yet they persist.

[AHLUNGOR]

Any reason why James Faulkner or Maxwell are not called into the squad ??

Both are good all rounders and has that X factor !

[Oneonone]

411 needed to win 10 wickets in hand there was a time we would have been a chance but not this team.

[henry]

Agree. They certainly have the talent but they don't handle pressure. They are front runners only and don't seem to be a team of fighters. Clearly I would love to be proven wrong tonight

[kuntous]

Any reason why James Faulkner or Maxwell are not called into the squad ??

Both are good all rounders and has that X factor !


Maybe you should read more then you'd know James Faulkner got busted DUI in England!

Maxwell isn't a test player!
X factor don't mean $$!@ in a 5 day game!
Read more! post less!

[AHLUNGOR]

411 needed to win 10 wickets in hand there was a time we would have been a chance but not this team.

411 is certainly not Unachievable !!

We need more than the 95 from Rogers in the first inning ! All those batsmen who went out after making 30's, we need at least two of them to go on and make a big 100!

Test one is so important, lost this one, it will be a long way back, Warner, Smith, Clarky all need to dig in and bat for two to three sessions at least!

Btw I heard something that it's a four day test ?? Is it not 5 days ? Because if it is 5 days, we have plenty of time !! Even if it is 4 days, if we lost early wickets and do not look like winning, we should bat for time and force a draw ! Just don't lose it !

Go Aussie !

[AHLUNGOR]

We were 1 for 97, last over before lunch , looking good and Warner and Smith looked set, Warner just made his 15th Test 50's

In comes Ali and Warner out !

Then after lunch Smith, Clarke and Voges all went cheaply and quickly !

Bloody hell! Another collapse ! Losing 4 for 9 runs !

We are now 5 for 115 !!

Watson and Haddin at the middle , can they put on a 250 partnership and win the first test for us !

If Watson can get us home here, he will silent ALL critics and proved that he deserved to be in the side !

C'Mon Aussie !


Ps, any rain forecast on the way? We need a big Welsh rain storm !

And fast !

[henry]

We are playing like such a bunch of faggots. Heroes in Australia and zeroes away from home. England were shown to be pretty ordinary recently by NZ and they are giving these overrated dickheads a cricket lesson. They better pull their finger out or they will face humiliation yet again.

[Oneonone]

We were 1 for 97, last over before lunch , looking good and Warner and Smith looked set, Warner just made his 15th Test 50's

In comes Ali and Warner out !

Then after lunch Smith, Clarke and Voges all went cheaply and quickly !

Bloody hell! Another collapse ! Losing 4 for 9 runs !

We are now 5 for 115 !!

Watson and Haddin at the middle , can they put on a 250 partnership and win the first test for us !

If Watson can get us home here, he will silent ALL critics and proved that he deserved to be in the side !

C'Mon Aussie !


Ps, any rain forecast on the way? We need a big Welsh rain storm !

And fast !

The only rain storm came from the English bowlers they pissed all over us!

First we get thrashed in the State of Origin and now in the Cricket!

Not a good time to buy a lottery ticket? May be couldn't do any worse?

[harmony]

Hey bro A
I have been busy the last few days
I am a patriotic guy
But...
If I had known Australia were batting last, and were chasing a big total, its usually best to bet against Australia
Particularly if away from home

For the last 20 years, the Australian batting order in Test Matches has usually lacked the ticker to show consistency
Note how many times it is the tailenders having to chase the totals

Again, Im not a betting man, but I would never bet to see Australia win in the fourth innings, if its a substantial target
Its during these times, when batsmen show their true worth

Unfortunately, it is usually the Australian bowlers that show up the Australian batters (see my post below)

There are some similarities between the NSW Origin team 2015 (crumblers) and the Australian batting order. But NSW Origin lost by a record margin, so they win the prize for top crumblers

Nevertheless, go the Green And Gold Ashes Team !!!
After all, Michael Clarke has never been in a winning Ashes team in England !
The champion has a big challenge in front of him this year !
Lets go !

[harmony]

This is usually what we see
An Australian bowler, showing the Australian batsmen how to score runs
Anyone else remember this Australian teenager, setting the example, in 2013 ?
He scored 98 runs. What did the senior batsmen score ?
Look at the scoreboard below ...

Ashton Agar the Ashes hero: debutant saves Australia with record Test innings


12 July 2013
Ashton Agar, 19, scores 98 from 101 balls on day two of the first Test.


NOTTINGHAM: Not even falling two runs short of a century on debut could dim the smile on Ashton Agar's face, and England spent the evening session at Trent Bridge trying to recover from seeing the teenaged No.11 whisk away control of the first Test.Agar will forever be part of Ashes folklore for his knock of 98 from 101 balls, which surpassed the previous world record for a last man in, set by West Indies fast bowler Tino Best against England last year.

http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/2/p/t/n/s/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.2ptlj.png/1373584904587.jpg


It was a game-changing stand and possibly a life-changing one for Agar, who twice hit Graeme Swann down the ground for six and pulled anything short from the quicks with confidence.
Hughes played a tough, skilful innings of 81 not out, by far his best innings in six difficult matches against England.
When the pair came together the score was 9-117 and Australia's first innings was in ruins. James Anderson was swinging the ball both ways at one end and Graeme Swann was spinning it at the other.






Australia 1st innings
R
M
B
4s
6s
SR



SR Watson (http://www.espncricinfo.com/the-ashes-2013/content/player/8180.html)
c Root b Finn
13
15
14
3
0
92.85



CJL Rogers (http://www.espncricinfo.com/the-ashes-2013/content/player/7388.html)
lbw b Anderson
16
70
37
2
0
43.24



EJM Cowan (http://www.espncricinfo.com/the-ashes-2013/content/player/4531.html)
c Swann b Finn
0
1
1
0
0
0.00



MJ Clarke (http://www.espncricinfo.com/the-ashes-2013/content/player/4578.html)*
b Anderson
0
12
6
0
0
0.00



SPD Smith (http://www.espncricinfo.com/the-ashes-2013/content/player/267192.html)
c †Prior b Anderson
53
98
79
7
1
67.08



PJ Hughes (http://www.espncricinfo.com/the-ashes-2013/content/player/272364.html)
not out
81
222
131
9
0
61.83



BJ Haddin (http://www.espncricinfo.com/the-ashes-2013/content/player/5560.html)†
b Swann
1
3
2
0
0
50.00



PM Siddle (http://www.espncricinfo.com/the-ashes-2013/content/player/7898.html)
c †Prior b Anderson
1
5
5
0
0
20.00



MA Starc (http://www.espncricinfo.com/the-ashes-2013/content/player/311592.html)
c †Prior b Anderson
0
6
5
0
0
0.00



JL Pattinson (http://www.espncricinfo.com/the-ashes-2013/content/player/272465.html)
lbw b Swann
2
5
8
0
0
25.00



AC Agar (http://www.espncricinfo.com/the-ashes-2013/content/player/505120.html)
c Swann b Broad
98
134
101
12
2
97.02



Extras
(lb 15)
15








Total
(all out; 64.5 overs; 294 mins)
280
(4.31 runs per over)







http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/ashton-agar-the-ashes-hero-debutant-saves-australia-with-record-test-innings-20130711-2ptlj.html

[Oneonone]

I am the first to admit the Australian batsmen did not do their job.

But lets not let the bowlers off the hook they were poor just look at how the English bowlers performed.

And our fielding was not up to standard

And Haddin didn't have his usual high standard behind the stumps.

In all a poor no not poor vey poor performance from Australia yet look at the end result if Haddin had taken the catch to dismiss Root when he was Zero we would have won the game!

[harmony]

Brother, to discuss this Australian loss properly, we need to review the actual scorecard
Numbers speak louder than opinions ...
1st Ashes Test, 2015
Australian Second Innings:



C.J.L. Rogers (http://www1.skysports.com/cricket/player/19104/chris-rogers)
c Bell b Broad
10
28
2
0
35.71


D.A. Warner (http://www1.skysports.com/cricket/player/9361/david-warner)
lbw Ali
52
86
6
1
60.47


S.P.D. Smith (http://www1.skysports.com/cricket/player/19668/steven-smith)
c Bell b Broad
33
49
6
0
67.35


M.J. Clarke (c) (http://www1.skysports.com/cricket/player/2030/michael-clarke)
c Stokes b Broad
4
13
1
0
30.77


A.C. Voges (http://www1.skysports.com/cricket/player/2808/adam-voges)
c Buttler b Wood
1
16
0
0
6.25


S.R. Watson (http://www1.skysports.com/cricket/player/2461/shane-watson)
lbw Wood
19
58
2
0
32.76


B.J. Haddin (http://www1.skysports.com/cricket/player/2952/brad-haddin)
c Cook b Ali
7
20
1
0
35.00


M.G. Johnson (http://www1.skysports.com/cricket/player/2953/mitchell-johnson)
c Lyth b Root
77
94
9
2
81.91


M.A. Starc (http://www1.skysports.com/cricket/player/16027/mitchell-starc)
c Lyth b Root
17
38
3
0
44.74


J.R. Hazlewood (http://www1.skysports.com/cricket/player/15126/josh-hazlewood)
c Root b Ali
14
17
2
0
82.35


N.M. Lyon (http://www1.skysports.com/cricket/player/18286/nathan-lyon)
Not out
0
5
0
0
0.00


Extras
1nb, 4b, 3lb
8






Total
All Out, 70.3 Overs
242




I draw attention to the parallel performances of lower innings Australian batsmen
Mitchell Johnson in 2015, and Ashton Agar in 2013 (see previous post)
If I wanted, I could find at least 10 other examples, of the Australian batsmen being humbled by the scores of a few of the Australian bowlers

[AHLUNGOR]

The next test is at Lords on Thursday, last time the Aussie team played at Lords, the Poms trashed us by 347 runs !! We were all out for 128 in the first innings !

Michael Clarke is the most experienced current test players and he had played three tests at Lords and his records were actually not too bad:

11/91

1/136

28/51 in 2013 !!

So, if they don't improve on what they did at Cardiff, the Ashes will be as good as over. However, there are some positives!

Rogers, played well in first innings and no shame on his 95

Warner was looking at his dangerous best in the second innings until he carelessly got out in the last over before lunch which started the collapse

Smith will need to lift, may be Lords with a bit more pace will suit him better, he just lost his No. 1 ranking as the World's Top Test Batsman, there will be plenty of motivation for him to find his old form in the past 10 months

Clarkey - this could be his career defining moment, if he can win this Ashes Series, he can retire a happy man. He needs to be more patient. Expecting a big score from the Captain this time.

Vogeus, not sure if he will be there

Watson, Mr LBW ! enough said, again, won't be surprised if he is "rested"

Haddin, clearly not the same batsman he once was during the 5-0 trashing of the Poms when he kept saving the team. Does he have one more big innings in him ?

Johnson, whenever he bats well, he will bowl well !! I hope history will repeat itself, 77 was pretty good from him, but we need him to take more wickets instead.

Starc, if he is fit enough, he will play at Lords but need to bowl better line and length and be more economical !!

Siddles - don't mind if they bring him back, he should be ahead of Cummings ! Can he do a Ryan Harris for the Captain's call !

Hazelwood is improving all the times and looks dangerous, Cardiff would have done him the world of good, can do better at the faster pitch at Lords.

Lyon, English still can't get him out..............lol, may be he should bat much higher...................haha


We need to win that toss and put on 400+ and we will have a good chance in levelling things at Lords.

Go the Aussie


:shout:

[wilisno]

The next test is at Lords on Thursday, last time the Aussie team played at Lords, the Poms trashed us by 347 runs !! We were all out for 128 in the first innings !

Michael Clarke is the most experienced current test players and he had played three tests at Lords and his records were actually not too bad:

11/91

1/136

28/51 in 2013 !!

So, if they don't improve on what they did at Cardiff, the Ashes will be as good as over. However, there are some positives!

Rogers, played well in first innings and no shame on his 95

Warner was looking at his dangerous best in the second innings until he carelessly got out in the last over before lunch which started the collapse

Smith will need to lift, may be Lords with a bit more pace will suit him better, he just lost his No. 1 ranking as the World's Top Test Batsman, there will be plenty of motivation for him to find his old form in the past 10 months

Clarkey - this could be his career defining moment, if he can win this Ashes Series, he can retire a happy man. He needs to be more patient. Expecting a big score from the Captain this time.

Vogeus, not sure if he will be there

Watson, Mr LBW ! enough said, again, won't be surprised if he is "rested"

Haddin, clearly not the same batsman he once was during the 5-0 trashing of the Poms when he kept saving the team. Does he have one more big innings in him ?

Johnson, whenever he bats well, he will bowl well !! I hope history will repeat itself, 77 was pretty good from him, but we need him to take more wickets instead.

Starc, if he is fit enough, he will play at Lords but need to bowl better line and length and be more economical !!

Siddles - don't mind if they bring him back, he should be ahead of Cummings ! Can he do a Ryan Harris for the Captain's call !

Hazelwood is improving all the times and looks dangerous, Cardiff would have done him the world of good, can do better at the faster pitch at Lords.

Lyon, English still can't get him out..............lol, may be he should bat much higher...................haha


We need to win that toss and put on 400+ and we will have a good chance in levelling things at Lords.

Go the Aussie


:shout:
Maybe the poms should come on Syd99 to brag about their win ? ;) ;) ;)

[AHLUNGOR]

Haddin is off the second test at Lords

Peter Neville has been called in !!

[harmony]

Great analysis brother A
I dont think its very common for any country, in any Cricket series around the world, to lose the First Test, then come back and win a Test Series
Obvoiusly Australia have some match winning players in their team, but lets be honest, its usually Brad Haddin that saved the day in a lot of the past Ashes Tests

The fact that we have lost perennial high scorer Haddin is a bad omen as far as I am concerned
He was the glue that literally held together a LOT of Australian batting innings

Again Im not a betting man, but I would put my money on an English Ashes series win in 2015
A radio commentator today claimed that Shane Watson would be hard done by if he is dropped (which he will be)
The same commentator claims that Shane Watson has made nearly the same number of runs in the last calendar year as his captain, Michael Clarke

The problem is that Michael Clarke isnt in fantastic form

So the captain not in great batting form, Steven Smith yet to find his feet, and Brad Haddin to not play the Second Test for personal reasons

We will know after this Second Test if Australia can claw back this series from the "Ashes"

Go Australia !

[AHLUNGOR]

Finally, we won a toss and batting first at Lords!!

Apart from the loose shot from Warner who got out unnecessarily ! Rogers and Smith are doing a good and patient job in the middle ! 1 for 191 at Tea!

Looking good !

C'mon guys. Let's hold it together till stumps tonight !

Go Aussie !

[AHLUNGOR]

Steve Smith got a Ton at Lords and goes on to the honour board !

His 10th century in 30 tests !

Well done boy !

[AHLUNGOR]

Now Rogers got his ton as well!

His 5th century !

Congrats !

[harmony]

Wow, amazing news Cricket Reporter Brother A

I have been too busy to catch up with the cricket, so thanks for breaking the big news

What a turn around from the first test

It would be a joy to see Australia batting order post two strong innings in the same Test match

I nominate Brother A be the official AUS99 Cricket Correspondent, and that we all contribute towards getting Brother A over to England for the duration of the series

We want photos back, of the games, but also of the London nightlife

Cheers !

[AHLUNGOR]

1 for 337 AWESOME !!

And Jason Day is 6 under after the first around in the British Open, just 1 shot behind the leader

C'Mon Aussies, do us proud !!


:shout::shout::shout:

[Oneonone]

Warner will be kicking himself throwing his wicket away like he did but full credit to Rogers and Smith what a great position lets hope we can bowl well and get a result at the end of the day. Our bowling was poor in the last match.

[harmony]

Congratulations Steve Smith
Maiden 200, scored at Lords, England !

http://www.foxsports.com.au/cricket/the-ashes/ashes-2015-stats-show-steve-smith-is-our-best-batsman-since-sir-donald-bradman/story-e6frf3gl-1227446364612

STEVE Smith has made a maiden Test double hundred at the same sacred ground where he made his debut as a blond leg-spinner five years ago.

It’s the fist double hundred (215) scored by an Australian overseas in nine years and the first at Lord’s since 1938, only enhancing the run-scoring phenomenon’s standing as the country’s best product since Sir Donald Bradman.


It’s the first time an Australian has passed 200 away from home since unlikely nightwatchman Jason Gillespie did it against Bangladesh in 2006.
On day two Smith turned his overnight hundred into another massive landmark as Australia surged beyond 500
His double ton featuring 25 fours and one six marking the fourth time he’s gone beyond 150 in his career.

http://resources1.news.com.au/images/2015/07/18/1227446/596633-b6e75244-2c8f-11e5-a754-a63f13c4fffa.jpg

All hail the new King !

[Oneonone]

A great knock by Steve Smith well supported by Rodgers and so far so good with the ball.

Lets hope we can go on and win this game.

[AHLUNGOR]

A great knock by Steve Smith well supported by Rodgers and so far so good with the ball.

Lets hope we can go on and win this game.

I knew Mitchell Johnson will come good after he making 77 in the 2nd innings in Cardiff !! It's how amazing history keep repeating itself, when Johnson bats well, he takes wickets !!

4 for 85 !! we could not have asked for a better position after two days of play and with runs on the board too !!

I hope I wasn't the only one staying up late to watch Steve Smith making the double century !! As Brother Harmony pointed out, his high score in Lord's by an Australian Batsman is now only behind Sir Don, how good is that ??

Go Aussie, let's finish the job and level the series !!

:shout:



ps. How good is Peter Neville on debut ? was a bit impatient got out at 45 but looks composed and can get in quick to make runs !! and great catch on the second ball in the first over !! Good replacement for Haddin !!

[Oneonone]

I unlike you bro didn't stay up late enough to watch Australia bowl so have still not seen Peter Neville in action but he is a good keeper so I hope he does well and look forward to seeing a replay of his catch.

[AHLUNGOR]

What to watch tonight ?

Day 3 of the Ashes, Aussie clearly is on top, got to watch this !

Then Sydney Swans is playing the Hawks at home, the biggest AFL game of the round ! Another grand final preview ? Can Buddy get his 700 goals tonight ?

The remote will be working over time !

What ! Real Madrid playing Roma at the G ! Live on free to air !

Tour de France anyone ?

But wait, how about the Wallaby vs South Africa in Suncorp !! Cooper, Genia, Matt Giteau and Izzy at the back ! There could be try's galore tonight !

And I thought I just throw this one into the ring ! Jason Day and Adam Scott are both in contention at the British Open !

I need at least 4 TV in my lounge room tonight !

[Oneonone]

What to watch tonight ?

Day 3 of the Ashes, Aussie clearly is on top, got to watch this !

Then Sydney Swans is playing the Hawks at home, the biggest AFL game of the round ! Another grand final preview ? Can Buddy get his 700 goals tonight ?

The remote will be working over time !

What ! Real Madrid playing Roma at the G ! Live on free to air !

Tour de France anyone ?

But wait, how about the Wallaby vs South Africa in Suncorp !! Cooper, Genia, Matt Giteau and Izzy at the back ! There could be try's galore tonight !

And I thought I just throw this one into the ring ! Jason Day and Adam Scott are both in contention at the British Open !

I need at least 4 TV in my lounge room tonight !

Spot on bro its either a feast or famine is Tour de France on also?

[Oneonone]

Cant stay watching too late tonight as I have a booking with one of my new up and coming favourites at 533 there are so many great girls at 533 at present.

[Oneonone]

Lets hope we can get the job done against the poms tonight!

[Bigfoot]

is it just me or you know in the past. Australia be it one day or test, we lost the first match. Do you think we have gone back. I mean we didn't do it after we lost for a bit but I remember in the 90's we did it bit. play crap first game - and then cream away.

[Oneonone]

A great win by the Aussies much improved batting and bowling a great team performance.

[AHLUNGOR]

A great win by the Aussies much improved batting and bowling a great team performance.


I think after the massive innings by Smith and Rogers, the Aussies have to go on and win !

And didn't we all know it, Mitchell Johnson was back to his brilliant best !! After making 77, I knew he was going to deliver with the ball!

And Marsh was stepping up at the right time, taking Stokes and Cook - the biggest two wickets on the England side, Cook in particular was on 96, who knew what would happen if he went on and did a Steve Smith as well !!

Great team effort !

Now that we have Johnson , Starc, Hazzelwood, Marsh and Lyon all firing! A solid top order in Rogers, Warner and Smith plus very quick scoring Marsh and Neville in the middle and Johnson and Starc who could bat very deep, this is a very good looking team to go on and win the series in England for the first time since I can't even remember !

One thing though, winning the toss somehow seems so vital in the UK condition :

England won the toss in Cardiff, they bat first and beat us convincingly !

We won the toss at Lords and we smashed them !!

Going back in 2013 when they won 3-0, all three matches they had won the toss !

The two drawn tests we won the toss and was in a position to win but then the rain came !!!

We must go one up in the next test to have some safety net on the English weather .

Go Aussies !

[rooter]

Pretty much agree with you bro A.
And Watson should never play international cricket again.
Johnson is almost an all rounder now and Marsh has a lot of potential.
There is no place for Watson in the team.

[AHLUNGOR]

Pretty much agree with you bro A.
And Watson should never play international cricket again.
Johnson is almost an all rounder now and Marsh has a lot of potential.
There is no place for Watson in the team.

I love the look on Ali's face when Marsh hit him for two Sixes in a row ! First time any batsman hit two 6's this Ashes series !!

As for Watson, he was a good player on his days but those days unfortunately were over a long time ago ! Time to make room for the next generation !!

On that subject , would this be Captain Clarke's last Ashes Series? Hope he goes out a winner by winning back to back Ashes !

Go Clarkey !

[Oneonone]

Watson was always an all rounder he was never a top batsman more of a bowler that batted a bit.

He had trouble with his back and so didn't want to bowl so they tried to make him into a batsman but he did not have the technique particularly for a no 3 in a test match.

He was a big strong guy with a good eys so was succesfull to some degree in limited overs.

On the test seen the teams and bowlers worked out his weakness and so the rest is history.

The Australian selectors kept him on as a batsman far too long lets hole he doesn't play test cricket again he may still have something to offer the one day game although I would prefer to see us develop the younger players.

[harmony]

Well done Australia

But as Brother Ahlungor so eloquently states:
"One thing though, winning the toss somehow seems so vital in the UK condition"

This is a shame. It appears the English have deliberately prepared the pitches to be flat and lifeless, to hamper the bounce of Mitchell Starc and Mitchell Johnson

We need to hope Australia win more tosses they they lose

An even Ashes series, with Australia probably still in the box seat !!!

[harmony]

We may not see Shane Watson or Brad Haddin in Test uniforms again
And the Australian team looks a lot fresher

Brad Haddin is a loss, but if Steve Smith continues to fire, it will be a case of Brad who ?

[AHLUNGOR]

Haddin is named to play the tour match this week, so likely he will be back for the third test ! Bad luck to Neville who had a great start ! 45 and 7 catches !!

But Haddin has contributed so much to the team and deserved to go out an Ashes series winner and in his own terms !!

I hope the Aussie is up 3-1 when they play the fifth test at the Oval , then they may even recall Watson so that Shane, Michael and Brad can all play one last test together and retired an Ashes winner ! A perfect world ?

[AHLUNGOR]

Will England recall Kevin Pietersen ??

May be not in the third test, but if England's batting order collapsed again and went behind 2-1 in the series, they may upset Cook and bring back KP to save the series !!

:cool2:

[AHLUNGOR]

I think England has to drop Ian Bell from the third test, he is clearly not in form and no where near the batsman he once was when England won 3-0 at home:

The contrasting performances of Bell in the two series are astonishing:

Bell's scores 2013 2015

1st Test 25/109 1/60

2nd Test 109/74 1/11


317 runs vs 73 runs !

[AHLUNGOR]

We won the toss but lost three early wickets!

Warner, Smith, Clarke all went cheaply !

3 for 37 or something like that, then the rain delay ! Now Rogers and Voges have steady the ship a bit, 3 for 78 at lunch and Rogers looking solid at 35!

We need to see him do a Lords here!

Go Aussie !

[AHLUNGOR]

We are in deeper trouble now !

7 for 99 and another rain delay!

[AHLUNGOR]

We were all out for 136 only!

England batsmen did much better and they were 3 for 133 at stumps.

Probably will be heading towards 200 to 250! Long way home from here for the Aussies !

Jimmy Anderson back to his brilliant best and took 6 wickets ! Who can stop him ??

[Oneonone]

Another disappointing day with the bat only Chris Rogers did anything. If Warner and Smith fail then the others never do much.

Why Marsh is in the side has me beat both he and his brother only ever score runs when someone else scores a big hundred they never do it when it counts or they are needed.

[rooter]

Australia will win this test!
Put whatever money you have on it now at very good odds!!!

[kuntous]

Marsh is a better bowler and batsman then Shame Watson who has been given years to prove himself



Another disappointing day with the bat only Chris Rogers did anything. If Warner and Smith fail then the others never do much.

Why Marsh is in the side has me beat both he and his brother only ever score runs when someone else scores a big hundred they never do it when it counts or they are needed.

[rooter]

Wickets, pitches and balls are a major factor in Ashes tests.
It's not making excuses, its just the facts.
If Australia were playing against the Derbyshire under 12s girls then sure, they could be playing on a concrete pitch with a golf ball and the Aussies would still win.
But where you have two good professional teams, things like wicket and type of ball can be the deciding factor ...

[Oneonone]

Marsh is a better bowler and batsman then Shame Watson who has been given years to prove himself

I have to agree with you but he has yet to prove himself when the chips are down. He cant perform under pressure.

[kuntous]

Give him half the chance Whatson had and Marsh will be the best all rounder the aussies have seen for a while.

[Oneonone]

Give him half the chance Whatson had and Marsh will be the best all rounder the aussies have seen for a while.
l
Lets hope your right bro I agree he bowled fairly well in the last match but what we need is an all rounder who can perform under pressure be it with the bat or ball as yet he has not done that so now is his chance.

[harmony]

Aussies collapsed in the first innings, despite batting first
When are we ever going to see a reliable batting order ?

The reason we scored so poorly is that we didn't see a wicketkeeper or bowler score a quick fire 70 - that is usually the only thing that saves Australias batting

Bring back Langer and Haydn - now we are talking

[Oneonone]

Aussies collapsed in the first innings, despite batting first
When are we ever going to see a reliable batting order ?

The reason we scored so poorly is that we didn't see a wicketkeeper or bowler score a quick fire 70 - that is usually the only thing that saves Australias batting

Bring back Langer and Haydn - now we are talking

We need to learn to bat to the conditions we need a batsman or two that are prepared to grind out an innings when the going gets tough!

[Oneonone]

Root gone for 63 or something thank good ness he was the big threat now we are in with a chance to get the poms out for a reasonable score great bowling by the Ausies this morning.

[harmony]

I don't remember a recent Australian batter who was reliable to score runs consistently under pressure

I thought we had found our man, with Steven Smith, but he has to score more runs now in England to cement his reputation

Previously very reliable batsmen who serve as the role models (apart from the incomparable Bradman), include Matt Haydn, Justin Langer, Ricky Ponting at his prime, Stephen Waugh, Michael Bevan in the 50 overs format (wasn't he reliable !) and the finest exponent of power hitting, Adam Gilchrist

Adam Gilchrist
If there was a stronger batsman, who could wins games more quickly, and who won Cricket World cups, better than Adam Gilchrist, then I havent seen him

http://media1.santabanta.com/full1/Cricket/Adam Gilchrist/ada8d.jpg

[Oneonone]

We need to restrict the poms to a lead of 100 so come on Aussies a good start so far this mornign

[AHLUNGOR]

We need three more wickets after lunch !

Can Johnson, Lyon and Starc get one more each ?

[rooter]

The Poms have cloned W G Grace! WTF!!!

[AHLUNGOR]

7 down and with only a small lead of 23 runs, I don't think we can make it! Even if we bat out the next 25 overs tonight, the best we can hope for is to put on another 100 runs without further lost!

But can you see a 100 runs partnership in Neville and Starc ? Say they did it, how long can the boys survive the next new ball ??

I think with 3 days to go and no rain in sight, we need at least 150 on the board to have any chance saving this match ! Just can't see that happening the way Finn and Anderson are bowling ! So lethal !

But in the spirit of the late Phil Hughes and Ashton Agar, we should not give up easily ! BTW, in the second inning in Trent Bridge, from memory , Haddin and Starc put up a big fight and nearly won the match !

We have Neville and Starc this time, can we see some efforts from the Aussie tail ??

C'mon boys !

[AHLUNGOR]

Well, no fairy tales there but both Neville and Starc had made 50's

120! Is that enough !!

We know when Johnson bats well he bowls well, hope for the same from Starc !

C'mon boys

You can do it !

[harmony]

Thanks brother A for the update
Once again it is demoralising to see the Australian wicketkeeper and batting tailenders scoring big runs, showing up just how poor the Australian batting lineup perform
And this is after Australian won the toss and were able to bat first !

I heard on the radio that the morale in the Australian team is down, because Brad Hadden wasn't selected for this game
Apparently this implies that if personal circumstances intervene for an Australian player, and they have to miss a game, there will be no loyalty shown, and you may not regain your place in the team when you are able to return
I beg to differ. As a professional sportsman, you need to perform both individually as well as perform as part of a team
In addition, you must use every emotion you experience to motivate you further
If emotionally you are too down to perform, then you need to stand yourself down for the good of the team
The consistency of the Australian batsmen in this series so far has been terrible

The time for excuses is well and truly over

[AHLUNGOR]

I didn't stay up to watch the run chase, too depressed after the Hawks got beaten by the Tigers and coincidentally, the Storms were smashed by the West Tigers too, so there goes all my weekend multiple bets in both afl and nrl !

I didn't think 120 was nearly enough, but I had a check on the score when I got up to pee (don't laugh , you will all get old one day ). And it was 1/11, Starc just bowled Cook in the 4th over! I thought you beauty, keep going boys ! And I went back to bed hoping !

Yeah then this morning I woke up and it's all over, Ian Bell had found form and Root just gave us the usual root and we are down 2-1!

Is there a win and a draw left in our boys ?? They lost Andreson , which just balance out our lost of Harris !

Can we repeat the Lords efforts??

Individually , the top three all have some forms , but we need more than one person to go on and make a big score !

Rogers was by himself in the first test and it wasn't enough!

Warner was also alone in the third test and no partnership to go with him! Imagine if he had made a 150! It would be a different outcome !

Lords was what we need to do when Smith and Rogers basically won the match on day 1!

Can we drop Voges in the next match, surely we can't keep him after a pair of ducks ! Keep Neville on at 5 as a batsman and recall Haddin for the wk!

C'mon Clarkey, make a Captains call ! Pull the team together and get the next one !

[harmony]

"Can we repeat the Lords efforts ??"

Only if Steve Smith, and Warner, wake up from their batting hibernations

I heard we also had a few other batsmen playing, a guy called Clarke, and we have another opening batsmen I think

Missing in action

All the months of training, and absolutely nothing to show for it
What do these guys actually do at training, I ask ?

Im sorry. The Australian batting line up has no backbone

[Oneonone]

"Can we repeat the Lords efforts ??"

Only if Steve Smith, and Warner, wake up from their batting hibernations

I heard we also had a few other batsmen playing, a guy called Clarke, and we have another opening batsmen I think

Missing in action

All the months of training, and absolutely nothing to show for it
What do these guys actually do at training, I ask ?

Im sorry. The Australian batting line up has no backbone

That's the problem bro everything falls on Warner and Smith what about Rogers well to admit he has not been too bad but then Clarke, Marsh and Voges have done nothing our batting in the middle order is hopeless, the middle order all think that they are playing on a 20 over pitch they don't know and are not capable of batting on a test wicket where it requires a bit of skill and picking the right ball to hit.

The selectors need to go back to basics and pick some batsmen who can bat to the requirements or wicket presented.

[AHLUNGOR]

That's the problem bro everything falls on Warner and Smith what about Rogers well to admit he has not been too bad but then Clarke, Marsh and Voges have done nothing our batting in the middle order is hopeless, the middle order all think that they are playing on a 20 over pitch they don't know and are not capable of batting on a test wicket where it requires a bit of skill and picking the right ball to hit.

The selectors need to go back to basics and pick some batsmen who can bat to the requirements or wicket presented.

Looks like Clarke will drop himself down to 5, Voges is out and Marsh comes in at 4th. On battng, we should keep Neville !

May be we can rest Starc and recall Peter Siddle? He bowled ok last time in England and we need the consistency from one end ! Like a Harris ! Btw, he took out Ian Bell many times too !

[AHLUNGOR]

This is it !

Thursday night at Trent Bridge !

The forth test, basically it's the grand final for Michael Clarke and his team.

Lose again the the Ashes is gone ! Don't think Clarke will have another Ashes series in him !

People often said you can't keep a champion down for too long , I really hope to see Clarke make a big score there and won the series and go out in his own term - an Ashes winning Captain in England !!

C'mon Clarkey you can do it ! Even Ian Bell had made some runs !

Btw, I think if Rogers, Warner and Smith can all chip in and put 250+ on the board before Clarke goes out it would help too !!

[AHLUNGOR]

Any chance bringing back all the old guards for one last effort ?

Watson, Haddin and Siddle !

[Oneonone]

Any chance bringing back all the old guards for one last effort ?

Watson, Haddin and Siddle !

Don't think Watson is the answer but then again neither are the two Marsh brothers. we need someone who can play test cricket.

[harmony]

I agree Oneonone
The very poor batting effort of the Australian top order this series, is just not up to standard
And Michael Clarke should be leading from the front, being captain
Its all well and good leading the team when you are fielding, making the field placement decisions etc
But a batsman is being paid to bat

Very disappointing
Again, I ask, what is all the training good for, if it results in absolutely no convincing results on the batting scoreboard

[AHLUNGOR]

Don't think Watson is the answer but then again neither are the two Marsh brothers. we need someone who can play test cricket.

Well, Michael Clarke was the worlds no 1 test batsman a couple of years ago and Steve Smith the current no 1.

Rogers is an England specialists and he has his moments !

David Warner is so damaging and can win the test match for us in two sessions.

Shane Marsh has two centuries in local county games!

Can one or a couple of the above mentioned top order please stand up tonight and keep the Ashes alive ??

[harmony]

"Can one or a couple of the above mentioned top order please stand up tonight and keep the Ashes alive ??"

Well said brother A
These Australian batsman either have to stand up, or be stood on

I wouldnt be putting any money on relying on the Aussie batters to show some resilience
They are overpaid and underperforming

And I am a long standing Australian supporter

Australia are away from home, but as you say, Steve Smith is the number 1 batsman in the world
As for David Warner, he is less hit, and more miss

The mark of a champion batsman, is that he wins matches. Its as simple as that

Im not a sledger, I have mentioned past great Australian batsmen who stood tall and won matches
These include the incomparable Don Bradman, as well as Adam Gilchrist, Kepler Wessels, Steve Waugh, Matt Haydn (for so long underestimated and kept in the Sheffield Shield and not the national team), David Boon, Geoff Marsh, Ricky Ponting in his prime

So Im not getting pleasure putting people down

Any batsman can score runs on an inconsistent basis, or score runs when there is no pressure

But when the country really asks you to stand and deliver .... lets see just who has the calibre and quality to stand and deliver this week

The cream will always rise to the top !

[AHLUNGOR]

Time for the real Steve Smith to stamp his supremacy in this series !

He is , after all , the Captain in waiting and the only person to score a double century so far in this series - from both teams !

And Davy Warner is due for a TON !

I can just feel it coming !!

C'Mon Aussies !

[harmony]

Brother A

The performance pay system of the Australian batsmen needs to be changed

How about the Australian cricketing public, (through their ticket sales actually pays for the team), demand the following:

Continue to pay for the teams food, accommodation, transport and support staff to the various venues around the world

Zero match payment if the batsman scores less than 20 runs on average for the one / two innings they play in a test
45% match payment if they score less than 40 runs for a test

Full match payment if they score an average of 40 runs or more for the innings that they play

Bonus if they score 100 runs in one innings

Bonus for all team members, if the series is won

[harmony]

Brother A, I always give credit where credit is due
And I have an idea

If only we could replace the Australian batting lineup, with a team of champions, who know how to get results

Just a thought ...

http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/h/5/2/w/l/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gh8b36.png/1432634294355.jpg

[Mr Bastard]

We lose the first test, the media and public say we are duds, flog them in the 2nd test and the same critics say we are championms, get absolutely flogged in the third and we are duds again ! I can only hope the tide turns once again ? And we all sing praise forour Aussie cricketers once more. Surely Clarke can pull a massive innings from somewhere ? Is he due in this test? Or do u think he is a few, if any innings in the forseeable future away from his scoring heroics of two to four yrs ago........

Come on Aussie Come on, Come on

[rooter]

I put money on a 3-2 Aussie win so I'm still in with a chance.

[Mr Bastard]

Farrrk 3 for 10
Glad it wasn't 10 for 3
Over and Out
Rogers That

[Mr Bastard]

4 4 15 .……

[Mr Bastard]

The only thing Clark pulled was a heartstring

[rooter]

Australia 6/29 WTF !!!!!

[harmony]

My misgivings about the Australian batting lineup were pretty spot on
The batting order has had more changes this series, than a baby with gastro
And none of the changes have worked

The fourth test batting collapse has also taught us 2 things
1)Don't rely on 37+ year old players to hold an innings (such as a certain Australian opening batsman)
2)Don't expect new youngsters, such as the Marsh brothers, to be brought in midseries and perform immediately - IT NEVER HAPPENS

To succeed in an Ashes campaign, you have to bring in reliable batsmen who have solid form leading up to the series
We did have one batsman in definite form - Steve Smith - but when even 'in form' batsmen cant perform, then you are in big trouble

Congratulations to the English bowlers, they also deserve credit for dominating the Australians

Trainwreck is the name of a current movie in the cinemas
Its also what we are seeing this series

I predict that this current Australian Ashes team 2015 batting lineup, will be declared one of the worst ever Ashes teams to represent the country
With the recent catastrophic batting collapses, the likes I have never seen, I expect this headline to be published sooner rather than later. We currently have a respectable squad of bowlers, carrying a group of nonperforming batsmen.

The batting collapses are so common now, you can at least compliment the Australian batting lineup to be showing some 'consistency'

Happy to be proven wrong.

[harmony]

"Australia has lost five wickets in the first 25 balls of the Fourth Test"
http://www.news.com.au/sport/cricket/the-ashes-2015-live-blog-from-the-fourth-test-at-nottingham-australia-and-england/story-fndpt0dy-1227473148402

I havent seen this innings myself, but I doubt it is the English bowlers' pace, line and length that are the principal cause of this batting fiasco

Five wickets in 25 balls. Sounds like a 20/20 game, not a serious Test match

[AHLUNGOR]

All out for 60 runs!

Stuart Board took 8 wickets for 15! He is a champion !

Early night to go to bed then !

[harmony]

Lowest first innings batting score in Test Cricket history
Australia - 7 August 2015
60 runs

Then England show just how reasonable the pitch was for batting, just to rub the salt in the wound

http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/the-ashes/ashes-2015-nightmare-in-nottingham-at-australia-shed-seven-wickets-in-first-hour-20150806-giti1d.html

Ashes 2015: England humiliate Australia on a first day that will live in infamy



"Is this Australia's most humiliating day in an Ashes series?"

While it was officially a question from former England captain Michael Vaughan to BBC Radio's statistician, his tone confirmed he thought it a rhetorical question.



The visitors' collapse in 18.3 overs, for 60, is the shortest first innings of a Test in history
This batting effort, was compounded by the response of England.
Their score of 4-274 was a truer reflection of the pitch in Nottingham than what had been produced earlier by the Australians, whose top-scorer was, humiliatingly, extras with 14.

http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/i/t/i/5/c/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.giti1d.png/1438892575412.jpg

Michael Clarke was the only top six batsman to reach double figures

[Oneonone]

Time to get rid of some of the so called batsmen particularly the ones that think test cricket is a 20/20 game and that's the only way they know how to bat.

Should be good bye Marsh and Voges at least, and I think Clarke has had his day we are loosing anyway so lets get the broom out and pick some fresh young players.

[AHLUNGOR]

When I heard Cook won the toss and elected to field I thought great, let's put some runs on the board ! I had no idea that 60 runs was all we can managed !! 14 of those were extras too !

It's was so painful watching Stuart Board taking 8 wickets and most of the times he had his hand over his mouth in disbelieve , so was I !!

[wilisno]

Still no pommies coming on Syd99 to brag about their win ? Maybe they are real gentlemen after all ? ;) ;) ;)

[kuntous]

Still no pommies coming on Syd99 to brag about their win ? Maybe they are real gentlemen after all ? ;) ;) ;)

Unlike some arrogant qlders bragging on syd99 about the trashing they gave nsw a few weeks ago.
Also didn't notice any Manly supporters bragging about how they mopped the floor with the broncos.
Definitely shows a true persons character when they brag about something that they have nothing to do with the result!

[Oneonone]

Congratulations to the poms their best bowler is out injured and so Stuart Broad steps up and does an all time best for him of 8 wickets for 15 runs.

And then Joe Root goes on to get 124 not out at stumps just to show the Australians how hard batting really is.

[AHLUNGOR]

Australia is now $17.00 to win the 4th Test.

And 36-1 to win or draw the Series, I will be putting some money on the Baggy Greens.

Back to the wall stuff, love it !!

Happy to give up a punt or two to support the boys !!

Go Aussie !!


:shout:

:shout:

[Mr Bastard]

Catches win matches, stolks's slips catch one of the best ive seen......the other catches i witnessed early were beauties also,

What a shame, the Poms were just too good yesterday..........

[Oneonone]

Looks like you wont be punting for a while bro Ahlungor putting your money on a lost cause.

[Oneonone]

Whats Johnson doing he is just bowling the ball in the slot the poms are sitting back waiting till he bowl it where they want it the ausies have not bowled with any fire we have not seen one short ball and one of the batsmen is a night watchman.

Change of bowling and at last a wicket. Thank goodness its Root out.

Come on Aussies fire up if or when we loose at least go down fighting! Don't just go through the motions.

[rooter]

Starc is on fire!!!
It's pie in the sky wishful thinking I know, but I am the eternal optimist.
If Australia can somehow come back from this it will be the greatest comeback in Australian sporting history.
here is some inspiration ...
http://www.pedestrian.tv/sport/home-sport/top-10-greatest-australian-sporting-comebacks-of-a/101966.htm

[Oneonone]

Stark is bowling fantastic but Johnson is so disappointing

[AHLUNGOR]

We now need to bat for three days !!

Make 600 and tried to bowl England out in three sessions or force a draw !!

[pepefirstlove]

Cocky Cook must feel so great being able to declare for once in his life

Looked so smug when he was calling them in

....

How good were Broad...? Those were unplayable. Good cricket that. Just glad that 3 overs went unscathed.

[rooter]

Have faith brothers and stay tuned.
History could be made in the next few days.
Something you will be telling your kids and grand kids about.

[harmony]

This is not the explanation for our poor performance, but I wonder if Healy has a point...
Didn't know the WAGs were supposed to join the Australians ...

http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/the-ashes/ian-healy-blames-wags-for-ashes-disaster-20150807-gitw4r.html

Australian cricketing great Ian Healy has blamed the wives and girlfriends of the Australian players for contributing to the team's calamitous start to the fourth Ashes test.

The former Test wicketkeeper questioned whether the WAGs were a "distraction" on tour, after the tourists' were bowled out for 60 in just 111 balls before lunch on day one, the shortest first inning in Test cricket history.

"All their partners are here and some of the most respected cricketers I played with hated that distraction
They weren't allowed on tour until after the series had been won," Healy said during his commentary of the fourth Test at Trent Bridge for Channel Nine.


"Your mind needs to be completely focused on it. Cricket is a sport that requires complete concentration. You need everything going for you and I'm not sure they're pushing for that hard enough." Healy said.

"Their hearts might not be that strong ... are they together as a team? Do they fragment from here? Do they meet and talk about it tonight? Will they confront it?"


http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/i/u/5/w/f/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gitw4r.png/1438932765338.jpg

Australian partners, back row: Isabelle Platt (Mitch Marsh), Jessica Johnson (Mitchell Johnson), Melissa Waring (Nathan Lyon), Dani Willis (Steve Smith), Kyly Clarke (Michael Clarke), and Kristy Voges (Adam Voges). Front row: Bec O'Donovan (Shaun Marsh), Sam Nelson (Peter Nevill) and Cherie Harris (Ryan Harris) with son Carter

[AHLUNGOR]

The Ashes is gone !

Michael Clarke will retire immediate after the dead rubber in the Oval !

Swans got beaten. Broncos got beaten, the Cowboys got beaten!!

Thank heaven the Wallabies finally have a win over the All Blacks !!

Bring on Eden Park !!

Btw, between the Ashes and the Bledisloe Cup. Which one would you rather win !!!

I think the Rugby! Since we haven't won it for soooooo long !

[Oneonone]

Well done England the better team won.

[harmony]

Yes brother A
Apart from the cricket, where the Australian batsmen are probably the worst lineup in history, the other results were all upsets !!!

Glad Im not a gambler

[harmony]

I have a five step plan for bringing Australia out of the slump they are in
We no longer have highly skilled players (particularly the batsmen) with a RUTHLESS HUNGRY COMPETITIVE edge
Instead we have overpaid overpampered sportpeople, whose senses are dulled by a nonstop international junket of free travel and family life cameraderie

1)No more social media until after a series is over, and only for a 1 month window
The rest of the year should be spent with their minds on improving their skills, not spending their time with their heads up their own arses

2)No more WAGS around during the week before, and during a cricket series
There is plenty of time being with family AFTER a series is finished. The team members are usually given a full 1-2 weeks off from cricket after each series
Believe me, after their retire (usually mid 30s) they will have 50 years to spend with their families
There has been too much press releases of "happy families" - this level of contentment robs these players of the "hungry edge" of competitive sport

3)Drop the Marsh brothers, and anyone else who is given a chance at International level and fails to meet the standard
I remember Matt Haydn literally waiting 10 years on the sidelines, continually scoring centuries in Sheffield Shield
Granted he probably should have been in the Australian team 6 years earlier, but when he finally got in, he was very hungry to prove himself

4)Don't select the team 24 hours before a Test match, as we have seen during this 2015 Ashes series
Select the team a week before the first game, and leave the selections stable, unless injury occurred

5)Change the pay scales. These over paid over pampered players are earning $800 000 - $1 000 000 salaries, and not performing
A lot of them have been lured by the money in the Indian Premier League, and are focusing on T20/20 skills, and forgetting Test standard batting
By all means play these players well, they all retire by the age of 40, and need to set them selves up for life
But they need to be also pay commisurate to their performance
Lose a series, and you lose half your pay for that series

[AHLUNGOR]

Michael Clarke should have retired after winning the Cricket World Cup at the MCG and goes out a winner, and a 5-0 Ashes Winning Captain !!

It's all in the timing !!


http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Sport/Pix/columnists/2015/3/29/1427629917244/Michael-Clarke-009.jpg


http://resources1.news.com.au/images/2014/01/05/1226795/312821-7e77b428-75d2-11e3-ad16-5b01da53a32e.jpg

[kuntous]

Australia is now $17.00 to win the 4th Test.

And 36-1 to win or draw the Series, I will be putting some money on the Baggy Greens.



A fool and his money are easily parted!

[harmony]

That's good to say with the benefit of hindsight Brother A

As you may know however, Michael Clarke has been involved with at least 3 losing Ashes teams in the UK previously, and this was his last attempt at winning the Ashes in England !

He is a champion player, and lets never forget he scored a century on his Test match debut:

Clarke was chosen to make his Test debut against India at Bangalore, in October 2004, despite having a first-class average below 40. He succeeded on debut, scoring 151 and consequently helping Australia to victory, invoking comparisons to past Australian batsmen such as Doug Walters and Mark Waugh (Wikipedia)

Even the Champion Michael Clarke couldn't have predicted his poor form would prove to be a permanent issue, and that the Australian batting lineup would be piss weak
The Marsh twins also proved beyond doubt that they are not up to playing for the national team
Harsh but fair - a bit like Mitchell Pearce playing for the NSWs Blues - not up to the task

[AHLUNGOR]

That's good to say with the benefit of hindsight Brother A


[/B] a bit like Mitchell Pearce playing for the NSWs Blues - not up to the task


I am not a Pearce fans that's for sure, but while he is not Cronk, Thurston or Lockyer, he is Not a bad player, in fact I think he conducted himself quite OK for most of the Origin Games he had played. He just hadn't really been able to deliver a knock out punch in the key moments to lift the Blues team in winning a Series, but he had played well enough to win some odd games here and there. And many of the series that the Blues had lost were very close games and the Maroons were just that little bit better in closing out those games and won the series.

So, if we must use Pearce in a cricket sense, he is not a bad batsman, I think he would qualified to be a consistent batsman, say average 40+ runs, occasionally get a Ton but haven't won a match on his own, but he had not collapsed frequently with many ducks or multiple single digit outs either.

You see the difference ?

[harmony]

No brother, I don't see your point
I have no problem with Mitchell Pearce in general, and he has won an NRL premiership with the Sydney Roosters
The majority of NRL players in history have never even got to play in a Grand Final

I do give him the benefit of the doubt, although there is a lot of doubt

Generally if you are a NRL premiership winning playmaker, you should be able to make the transition to playing well for state and Australia

Countless examples include Peter Sterling, Steve Mortimer (Canterbury), Laurie Daley, Cooper Cronk, Andrew Johns,Jonathan Thurston, Brad Fittler etc etc. All have won NRL premierships, and naturally displayed the same matchwinning skills for their states and countries
Those players dominated the opposition by being able to outwit the opposition defence on a regular basis

Mitchell Pearce doesn't have that domination factor, where the opposition have no idea what play he will come up with next

I am sure part of the problem is that he believes his own hype

The sooner these young sportsmen get their head out of their arse, and disconnect from social media, the better

But probably of more use, Mitchell Pearce needs to be able to break the line, and fine the openings more consistently

In contrast, Brad Fittler would create openings with his prodigious sidestep, Andrew Johns knew how to put people in the gaps, and Cooper Cronk has the ball on a string, and can either create an opening, or chip kick over the defensive line with monotonous regularity
And Jonathan Thurston, he is just a hole opening king, and has an instinctual knowledge of where the opposition defensive line is weakest

That talent cant be taught.

[AHLUNGOR]

Well, the fifth and final test is on again at the Oval tomorrow night !!

Hopefully Captain Clarke can go out a winner !!

In the mean time, let's congratulate the Southern Stars in beating the England Women Team in the Ashes equivalent !!

Can we call in Ellyse Perry to bowl and Jess Jonassen to bat in the middle ??


http://www.cricket.com.au/news/match-report/day-two-womens-ashes-test-australia-england/~/media/0D25CAE8A63640ABB04310F26DA02A1B.ashx


http://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/external?url=http://content4.video.news.com.au/foxsports/prod/archive/2015/08/15/FSD_150815_CRI_WOMENS_ASHES_WIPE_VSV.jpg&width=650&api_key=kq7wnrk4eun47vz9c5xuj3mc


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CMZEs9RWgAEwLZg.jpg

[AHLUNGOR]

Is there one last efforts from Michael Clarke, Steve Smith, David Warner and Co to send the Captain out a winner ??

[kuntous]

Hopefully the new south welsh man Warner and Smith show some nsw spirit for their captain also another nsw brother Michael Clarke!
After the game they can have a beer or two with the dropped QLDER Shame Watson! :) ;) ;)

[imaragingbull]

Unfortunately Watson has had his career deteriorate since leaving QLD! ;-)

Of course, there's little hope for the national team when the Blue Bags dominate selections... How much better that team would be with khawaja and Burns in the side.

Helps selection if your surname is Marsh also

[AHLUNGOR]

Unfortunately Watson has had his career deteriorate since leaving QLD! ;-)

Of course, there's little hope for the national team when the Blue Bags dominate selections... How much better that team would be with khawaja and Burns in the side.

Helps selection if your surname is Marsh also

Mitchell Johnson is a Queenslander too !!

[kuntous]

Mitchell Johnson is a Queenslander too !!


If anything Mitchell Johnson is on the chopping block as well.
ACB is due for major change up.
Exit Siddle, Haddin, Harris, Clarke, Watson, Voges and Rogers

Out with the old and in with the new.
Qld cricket is no where near as dominant as NSW cricket!

[kuntous]

Cummins/Hazelwood and Starc will be the new opening pair all New south welshman!

[Mr Bastard]

All the best Clarkey and thanks for your service no matter the result,

Come on Aussie Come on, Come on
Come on Aussie Come on

And if you cant do it on the field
Do it in some Pommy Brothels afterwoods

Regards

Mr B

[AHLUNGOR]

So far so good! No lost and lunch !

0 for 82 !

[Oneonone]

The batting has not been pretty so far but it has been more selective, so far so good but with Voges in now and then Marsh we are at a critical stage and could end up with a good score or if we loose a couple of quick wickets it may be all over its time for the middle order to do something positive.

Michael Clarke got out to a fine nick but what a good decision it was by the umpire, he got a very fine nick and difficult decision right a great job by him.

I was sorry to see Clarke out but I have to applaude good umpiring.

[Oneonone]

Smith is starting to bat a bit better since tea, Vogues continues to struggle and has had a bit of luck so far!

Once again its up to Smith to make the big 100.

[AHLUNGOR]

I think patient was the key that put us in the position we are in this morning!

3 for 287! If we would have had the same score line in the past two tests, we would be leading 3-1 in this series !

I have never seen Warner batted so patiently , took him 15 overs to reach the first boundary of the inning is unheard of. Got to 85 after lunch and missed out on making his first ton in English soil !

I think I will give the Bunnys and Dogs game a miss to watch Smith and Voges go on from here !

C'mon Aussie !

[Mr Bastard]

Run Rabbit Run

Up The Rabbitohs
The Pride of The League

[AHLUNGOR]

Run Rabbit Run


Up The Rabbitohs
The Pride of The League


As long as GI is leading the bunnies, I'll support them over the Dogs any time !

So many Queensland players are doing well this season, so my priority will be: Broncos, Storms , Cowboys and the Bunnies !

Cheers

[kuntous]

As long as GI is leading the bunnies, I'll support them over the Dogs any time !

So many Queensland players are doing well this season, so my priority will be: Broncos, Storms , Cowboys and the Bunnies !

Cheers

GI had a shocker!
Best team won and the Bulldogs ripped the bunnies apart!
Boys in blue Klemmer, Hodgkinson, Morris twins and Josh Jackson did their team and state proud! :shout:

[AHLUNGOR]

Congratulations to Steve Smith, another Ton at the Oval !

Captain elected leading with the bat !

Need a few tailenders to stay with him though !

Go Aussie, win some pride back !

[rooter]

Everyone is an expert in hindsight and after the fact.
And every sports journalist (or for that matter political, financial, economic journalist) has two different stories written - one for success and one for failure ready to publish, with wonderful theories and explanations for the success or failure.
The Aussies got smashed and so everyone is an expert; they play too much 20/20, Warner isn't a true opener, Clarke should have retired last year etc. It's all bullshit!
The fact is that in recent years Australian teams have rarely won in England.
Even when we had Gilly, Warney, Ponting etc we still lost .
Shit happens, that's all!

[AHLUNGOR]

Everyone is an expert in hindsight and after the fact.
And every sports journalist (or for that matter political, financial, economic journalist) has two different stories written - one for success and one for failure ready to publish, with wonderful theories and explanations for the success or failure.
The Aussies got smashed and so everyone is an expert; they play too much 20/20, Warner isn't a true opener, Clarke should have retired last year etc. It's all bullshit!
The fact is that in recent years Australian teams have rarely won in England.
Even when we had Gilly, Warney, Ponting etc we still lost .
Shit happens, that's all!


Well, I think it's probably all in the attitude !

May be by Michael Clarke announcing his immediate retirement after the Ashes before the 5th Test - it has really cleared up the future for the team! Steve Smith the new Captain and David Warner the 2IC !! Bang, how the whole team turns around and everyone has chipped in !!

Rogers and Warner set the platform with a 100+ runs opening partnership, Steve Smith lead by example and gets his second century in this series. Voges will do his test future no harm with 76 and what about Mitchell Starc !! A quick half century 58 off only 52 balls !!

And then all the bowlers 8/107 ! may be only one team on the field has something to play for.

I think a lead of 374 should be enough. They should wrap up the two remaining wickets tonight and enforce the follow on with about 350 runs on the board, really can't see the Poms can have a come back from here. Weather forecast is rain for Sunday and Monday, and the last thing England players would want is to have 1 or 2 wickets left and 150 runs behind at stumps tomorrow morning and then have to sit out for two days of rain and get a draw or something.

They would want to have a result on day 3, then for Cook to lift the Ashes and then start the celebrations - if they have not already over celebrated !!

Go Aussies !!

Get a good start for the post Clarke era !!

:shout:

[Oneonone]

So far so good well done Aussies at last the batsmen that scored runs batted as if it was a test match they left the ball alone when they were not in a position to score but why did it take them so long?

Marsh did his usual good job and contributed 3 runs just as well he got 3 wickets cause he sure cant bat!

I didn't see the bowling but looks like we must have bowled well.

Lets hope we can go on now and finish the job.

[AHLUNGOR]

Great to see Steve Smith our Captain in waiting took out the England Captain just before stumps this morning ! With rains coming around mid day tomorrow, the last thing you want is Cook to hang around long enough for a draw !

New ball in the morning should help Starc, Johnson and Lyon to wrap up the tails !

Michael Captain deserved to win his final test !

Go Aussie !

[AHLUNGOR]

That is it for Michael Clarke and Chris Rogers and both go out a winner of their last test match !

England won the Ashes series 3-2

Three of the top five run scorers are Australians :

Smith
Rogers
Root
Warner
Cook

And you would think the Aussie had won the series with the top order!

Not to be and the collapse were more spectacular than the big scores !!

[Oneonone]

Yes a very disappointing series and it wasn't till the last test that the Aussies tried to play test cricket.

An it proved we need an accurate bowler like Siddle in the end he was the difference in the 5th test.

Will be interesting to see who the new opener is going to be. I hope its not one of the Marshes or Watson, its a good chance to move forward and groom some young players.

[rooter]

The Aussies didn't do too bad at the end of the day.
Losing 3-2 in England is pretty consistent with how we have gone the last few Ashes tours.
The only disaster was the 4th Test.
But of course all the experts with the benefit of hindsight will call for radical changes to the team, come up with wonderful theories why this Ashes loss was inevitable, and suggest a radical restructure of Australian cricket etc.
These same experts were proclaiming the Golden Era of Australian cricket just a few months ago when we beat England 5-0 in the Ashes here at home and won the One Day World Cup.

[AHLUNGOR]

The Aussies didn't do too bad at the end of the day.
Losing 3-2 in England is pretty consistent with how we have gone the last few Ashes tours.
The only disaster was the 4th Test.
But of course all the experts with the benefit of hindsight will call for radical changes to the team, come up with wonderful theories why this Ashes loss was inevitable, and suggest a radical restructure of Australian cricket etc.
These same experts were proclaiming the Golden Era of Australian cricket just a few months ago when we beat England 5-0 in the Ashes here at home and won the One Day World Cup.


Do you think Not recalling Brad Haddin into the squad for the third test when he was available for selection had unsettled the team and it continued on for the 4th Test and the spectacular collapse ?? And the conditions to suit England and Stuart Board was on fire too !!

Then Michael Clarke announced his immediate retirement after the Ashes and Steve Smith the new Captain elected !! once the future leadership of the team was cleared and they recall Peter Siddles, They played like a different team - and of course England has already won the series so their intensive had understandably dropped off too !!

[kuntous]

Yes a very disappointing series and it wasn't till the last test that the Aussies tried to play test cricket.

An it proved we need an accurate bowler like Siddle in the end he was the difference in the 5th test.

Will be interesting to see who the new opener is going to be. I hope its not one of the Marshes or Watson, its a good chance to move forward and groom some young players.

As noted by commentators Siddle is experienced and better suited for UK pitches.
But there's still too much could've should've would've!
Time to move on and re group!