I was wondering if by the faintest of chances England might defeat Australia in the coming series. With the shortage of warm up matches these days I am a little concerned that the boys may be underdone. I hear that you are so strong there is a reluctance to pick some new young colt whose name escapes me.
Now that bespokes a rude confidence.
Only hoping it is at least close mind.

Just had a browse through the possible squads on the BBC website. "My" team would have seven Aussies & four Poms, and I don't believe the "underdone" stuff. You can win the one-dayers if we can have the Ashes back. Deal?

Kev.

quote:

Originally posted by Berlin Fritz:
But Do they know that Major Tom's a Junkie ?

So you do listen to music after all, good taste also sir Frötz!

All keyed up for Rugby Leauge state of Origin tonight. Now in its 25th year with 35 wins each and 2 draws.
Queensland the cane toads and NSW the cockroaches, obviously terms of endearment.
I think you get it through pay over there. If you like a game full of passion and intensity don't miss it.
As my mother-in-law who came from Europe used to say "Ian, They're falling down again."

Lomo,

I fancy you'll still be a bit strong for us, but if England play to their full potential and the Aussies are a bit 'underdone' we may at least be able to put a bit of pressure on and then see what happens from there.

I'm really looking forward to the series, but will have to watch a chunk of it from Darwin where I'm going on my hollies at the end of August.

What a great game. Qld 24 Nsw 20 in extra time.
kevj, thanks for the comments. Don't know if you've been to Darwin before but you should enjoy everything about it.
A sweet spot to be in August. Try to get to a Rugby League game at Harvey Norman Oval and ask for Ron Gatley an old footie mate of mine and a top guy. He's lived in Darwin since the 60's and is a legend up there. Just say Ian Lomas sent you.

Straight between the eyes, didn't see it coming

I reckon Hayden and langer will struggle, they have not been as effective of late. Ponting has this new spaceage bat and he uses it like those new trampolin drivers and so far seems its legal. Martin has been going like the clappers and Gilcrist just gets better and better. Suggest on your small grounds you get out the crash helmets. A good pace attack that is certainly on its last Ashes tour but still doing the job. Just need to stay fit so no nobbling mind. Young Clarke is a newie and could go one way or the other over there. Should be a close and entertaining series , especially if the Aussies drop catches as they have been of late..

Lomo,

Unfortunately, your guys seem to enjoy coming over here to rediscover their form - I very much think that at least one of your openers will come back to their best during the tour.

I think Gilchrist is the best cricketer in the world, bar none. There's certainly no-one I'd rather see wielding a bat (although Shahid Afridi has been quite entertaining of late). I only hope that he plays in the one dayer against Bangladesh in Cardiff - 'cos I've got a ticket!

Will McGrath & Gellespie get some more runs, that's what I'd like to know??

England seem to have been a bit unsporting against Bangladesh, and maybe should have put in a few 16 year olds.

To compete against Oz, England will have to use combination of David Steele guts and mouthy aggression.

Hostilities now under way with a typical Harmison performance - a bit of real venom.

England's openers now seem to want to revive some old traditions (the collapse and the ability to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.)

Over to the young guys...........

Unfortunately the "young guys" don't seem to be up to it either - McGrath is unstoppable at present.

A not very cheery...

Jon

I went off to bed a little unhappy at lunch[sorry to all non-cricketing nations] and turned on the news at first light to hear" Australia in a commanding position"!!!
Is it the wicket, apparantly not. Just extremely good bowling.
Whatever happens in the future it is extremely unlikely that this will be a dull series.
I suspect that the selecters would like to have Mike Hussey on hand to boster the Australian opening positions.
I have as a Queenslander been a longtime Hayden fan but he has been struggling for a year or more and it is time for a change.

Test Cricket. What a boring game, no future etc etc.

I taped a lot of the afternoon and watched it later-gripping stuff. Toe to toe. Glen McGrath just bowls the same ball all the time-shame it is an unplayable one.

So Pietersen is a blocker after all! Have to give him credit for playing pretty maturely. he might have to let fly this am though before he runs out of partners.

Ponting dropped in my estimation when he appeared to go directly up to the crease as Vaughan came into bat and just give him a load of verbals. It looked pre-meditated and unnecessary to me.

Bruce

As not Aussie, the secret of my enjoying yesterday's cricket from Lord's was to watch every ball of the first 2 sessions (Oz should have been out for about 90) and switch off TV/avoid scored etc and watch highlights to catch up with inevitable.

2 good sides - there will be lots of ups & downs for both this summer.

quote:

Is it the wicket, apparantly not. Just extremely good bowling.

17 wickets on day one, the wicket is definitely pretty suspect. If England hadn't bowled so many lose balls the Aussies would have lucky to make 100. England batting was pretty dire (how many times did ball make it between bat and pad and send the stumps tumbling? To be fair when the ball pitchs short and hits the half way up the stumps batsman don't have much chance.

Here's hoping Pietersen can put on another 50 or so and put the Aussies in on this rather overcast London day, might still be an interesting match. Maybe they should send the England top-order off to Boycott for a bit of blocking training!

Matthew

I watched some of 1st session on 2nd Lord's day. I have watched none of 2nd. Next time I watch will be when Oz are again under pressure.

Bruce , Quote : looked pre-meditated and unnecesary to me .

Mate , so did Ponting getting smashed in the face . That is why it is called TEST cricket , you are supposed to be TESTED .

Riveting game though , could go either way . Pietersen has impressed me - just needs more catching practice .

Peter.



Peter.

A pity if we get rain interruptions. It will just prolong the agony.