Well, that's the worst day's bowling I've seen in a long time. Was there even the remotest chance the Windies would pitch one on and about off stump, AND somewhere approaching a good length, AND manage to keep it there for even the modest target of two or three balls in a row? Nope.
Instead, what do we get? The Windie hacks trundling in all day and feeding Strauss and Key easily paced half trackers and generously plonked half volleys. I would have backed Greg Ritchie to score a ton against these pie chuckers, now, wearing his Mahatma sheet.
Key and Strauss in perfect harmony
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but while Robert Key probably always had it in mind to try to emulate Andrew Strauss's feat of scoring a Test hundred at Lord's as a late replacement for an injured player, he probably had not banked on doing it while Strauss replicated his deed.
I agree, bowling was shithouse. All the same, full marks to Key, taking the pitch back for ugly fat, yobbo sportsmen all around the world.
He's the English Warney...
Posted by: yobbo | Saturday, July 24, 2004 at 12:03 AM
But....Wait there.....The Poms faltered on day 2, granted mate, Key chalked up 221, Vaughan at long bloody last manages to scrape a ton, but after those a procession began-all single figure scores right down the card-probably trying to smash the leather off the ball, but the job had been done by then- 568 is still an impressive score (for the Poms) I don't know a lot about Key- a 25 yr old man of Kent-BUT he does look a bit of a fat cat !! WE will sort him out next year- Pigeon will give his defence a stern examination, i don't think he will pass it.
Ashley Giles takes 3 wickets? Apparently one lbw was a joke- Gayle a yard and a half down the track sweeping, and Lara given out caught off his pads.If Ashley Giles is a test match spinner, then i am Ned Kelly.
And by the way, I am a ugly, fat yobbo sportsman. Allegedly.
Posted by: Brett Pee | Saturday, July 24, 2004 at 04:52 AM
Ray Bright spun the ball more than Ashley Giles. I only saw Key early in his innings, he was chasing wide ones, should've easily been caught at 2nd slip when he was about 15. Law of averages McGrath, Gillespie & Co would have the plonker for dinner. Please god the Poms never win the Ashes back in my lifetime, that 30/40 years, I'm pretty safe.
Posted by: Aubergine.Q.Pulp | Saturday, July 24, 2004 at 10:20 AM
You'll like this the, Yob ...
Key revealed how he needed special medication for cramp.
He said: "The conditions were so humid I started to get cramp in my arms after tea. It just hit me all of a sudden.
"Did I have a cigarette during intervals? I might have had a couple! But the medication I was given worked pretty quickly and I felt fine."
http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,3-2004340391,00.html
That situations kind of like the Aussies, Brett. If you are 3/500, it doesn't matter if you're all out for 555. You're not going to lose. Just get the other mob in. And Giles bowled well. The Poms had a bit of luck though. Gayle and Lara weren't out. Bad decisions. Daryl Harper, I believe.
Hello there Aubergine -- may I call you Eggy, thank you -- anyway, Eggy, turns out Giles bowled OK. Dunno the batting was much chop though. Especially the way Devon Smith got out. And you're right. I'd like to see our boys get stuck into him. Bit of a park slasher. Goes to show the standard of County Cricket these days. His average is over 100 with about seven tons.
Posted by: Tony.T | Saturday, July 24, 2004 at 02:23 PM
County cricket sucks big time Tony. They have got hold of nonentities from our cricket- rejects and never will be's such as Matt Mason, now a 30 year old former man of WA and he is taking stack loads of wickets at Worcester, turns out he qualifies through some obscure Irish connection. Phil Jacques- scores potloads at Northants, now doing the same for the Yorkies, Rogers, Hussey, North et al (and i bet al has scored a few too !) They play on the mediocre county Grind and come up against 'bowlers' who wouldn't make decent grade crick over here. They need to drastically reduce the amount they play and gain some hunger for the game.
Posted by: Brett Pee | Saturday, July 24, 2004 at 06:51 PM
That's been the argument for a long time, Brett, but with Rod Marsh heading up their coaching and addressing the needs of the top few, there must eventually be some improvement on a national level.
Posted by: Tony.T | Sunday, July 25, 2004 at 11:58 AM
Remember key,a bit of a fatso,cracking a quick 50 off 50 at the lilac hil festival match a couple of years ago.
Stinking hot day,key,embarrased and ruddy faced being serenaded by a bunch of pissed perth mates who had played suburban turf cricket with him for the previous couple of years.
Treskothick played with melville for a couple of years under paul terry and went on to become an agressive opener for england.
Perth can be a good nursery for english players,last night a mt lawley player and notts was a substitute fieldsman.
I can remeber david gower and that opener chris fowler playing club cricket here.
Posted by: marklatham | Sunday, July 25, 2004 at 07:00 PM
Or even Graeme Fowler.
Posted by: Brett Pee | Sunday, July 25, 2004 at 07:41 PM
Don't forget Martin McCague. Wonder what he's up to these days.
I'm happy to say I've made a century at Lilac Hill Park, Mark. 1984. 104 in a Grand Final.
"last night a mt lawley player and notts was a substitute fieldsman."
Translation please.
Posted by: Tony.T | Sunday, July 25, 2004 at 09:57 PM
The Poms finished the Windies off on day 5- only Chanderpaul showing the required stomach for the job.Key also showed he had the stomach for Test Cricket-perhaps the Poms are learning and introducing YOUNGER batmen into the team. But, i still reckon we will find 'em out next year.Giles turned a ripper through Lara's gate !! Yes, you did read that correctly.
Posted by: Brett Pee | Wednesday, July 28, 2004 at 02:53 AM
Giles bowled very well. He might test the Aussies who have had their problems against top class off-spin.
Posted by: Tony.T | Wednesday, July 28, 2004 at 08:26 AM