Jumped in my car at lunch (9:45pm here in Poohtown, 3000) to hear England was 120 for one, McGrath was out again and yet another English batsman had been "dismissed" with a no-ball. It's astounding how quickly the wheels can come off. Clown catching, no-balls, impotent bowling, slack batting - what a fiasco.
Time to pray for the rain to set in. Although fuck knows why SBS think I want to watch a replay of the first day from Edgbaston. Probably Channel Four's way of rubbing in Ponting's decision to bowl - as if we'll ever forget.
January 2004.
Australia's attack will weaken over the next few years and the team will struggle with the increased pressure inferred by the expectation of fewer chances. This means that they must firstly remember that "catches win matches" but more importantly that "dropped catches LOSE matches". And do something about it!
July 2004.
I meant to blog that this morning. As I see it, though, The Poms are coming along nicely and we will have to be at our best to beat them next year. Anything less and they will ambush us.
January 2005 (Read the whole post and it's comments)
I'm not 100% convinced England are quite ready for a fully charged Australia and for the Poms to win, Aussie bad management, English bowling and the aforemention luck would have to go their way.
I'll be crossing my fingers they don't, but I'm leaning towards England.
May 2005
Via Mike at Yorkshire Soul. By the way, Mike follows the cricket so it might be worth checking him out during the Ashes. Don't do it if England are winning -- something I predict -- because like all English swine, he would become unbearably smug.
August 2005
Tell me I'm wrong.
Off to watch the last Lost, then. Bugger the cricket!
Who gives a shit about the cricket? The footy finals approach.
Posted by: Scott Wickstein | 26 August 2005 at 00:04
"Although fuck knows why SBS think I want to watch a replay of the first day from Edgbaston. Probably Channel Four's way of rubbing in Ponting's decision to bowl - as if we'll ever forget."
4 have just shown highlights of the ODI in Bristol back in June. Oh happy day! And highlights of the Natwest Series final, which I missed.
In any case, I'd have to say your bowling looked pretty shifty this morning. And Warne is acting like he's on speed or something.
Posted by: edward | 26 August 2005 at 00:06
He's just channeling my anger and rage. There's nothing wrong with me. I just threatened Tony via email with a barrell burial but I am from Adelaide. We can do that sort of thing..
Pommy Bastards. And as for our batsmen....
Posted by: Scott Wickstein | 26 August 2005 at 00:22
Not speed, Ed, diet pills.
No McGrath, no Australia. We better find some bowlers quick sticks.
Posted by: Tony.T | 26 August 2005 at 00:24
And I took him seriously, too, ed. Every street in Adelaide is now called Cromwell Road, and the parks are changing to moors.
Posted by: Tony.T | 26 August 2005 at 00:30
And a faint mist arises...
Posted by: Scott Wickstein | 26 August 2005 at 00:32
And, no, my eyes have not deceived me but Punter has just had Vaughn caught behind !!!! Yes, it HAS happened. 4 Solid overs from Punter, with batters scarcely holding themselves back, keeping an outside off line and finally temting Vaughn to nick a decent one .
The defining moment in this test perhaps ? He was looking set to score a big ton.
Tait is here to stay. I reckon i misjudged the bloke a year ago .
Posted by: Brett Pee | 26 August 2005 at 03:02
A sorry state of affairs when Ponting demonstrates some of the most convincing bowling from the Australians during Day 1...
Posted by: edward | 26 August 2005 at 07:10
Greetings, keystrokers.
Considering this is a "look back" thread, check out what I had to say before they were even tossing names around for this tour.
I am clevarr.
Posted by: Big Ramifications | 26 August 2005 at 15:37
Tait looked fairly good, especially considering how poor he has been in other matches, he was your best bowler on the first day, how many no balls though ? Don't your lads know where to start their run ups ?
Vaughan, what a mare, he was in the territory where he converts nearly all his innings into centuries and he gets out to that plodder.
It all looks fairly even at the end of the first day, Pieterson has played well, nearly resisting his wilder urges, it's pissing it down here as I write so may be more rain down south at TB.
Posted by: Yorkshire Soul | 26 August 2005 at 17:01
"Punter The Plodder" Indeed. But if he travelled to England to play in your club cricket, we reckon he would take 40-50 wickets playing good standard Premier League cricket. Guess that kinda shows the differing standards in cricket.
Flintoff has stroked a 100. I can take that.
BUT Jones made 85 ! Now that does take some understanding.
Posted by: Brett Pee | 27 August 2005 at 00:21
99-5, is there anyone who can save Australia this time around, this might just be it, the Ashes are slipping away.
I hope.
Posted by: Yorkshire Soul | 27 August 2005 at 04:07
What a day! Ahahahaha! Knighthoods all round for the umpires.
Posted by: edward | 27 August 2005 at 04:13
Couple of those decisions there was more wood than pad !! But, hey, that's the game, musn't grumble. Much.
Clarkie was looking good, everything hitting the middle of his bat, until he missed one plumb in front to end the days play. A truly Herulcean performance is necessary now- who would bet against it ?
Posted by: Brett Pee | 27 August 2005 at 05:11
The hideous possibility of an epic Gilchrist-Warne partnership looms large, but otherwise 'hello follow on!'
Posted by: edward | 27 August 2005 at 07:21
It was outstanding performance from England. The side did outclass Australia in every department of the game. I just loved the way Andrew Flintoff boomed Australian bowlers and Brette Lee in particular throughout the series. Ha-ha!
Posted by: Keith | 08 February 2006 at 05:52
Yes. It was all good. Huzzar for old blighty, St George and the MCC. By the way, Keithy, I just removed your URL.
Posted by: Tony.T | 08 February 2006 at 11:20