Let battle commence! [Ashes 2017-18 thread]
Dec 29th, 2017, 07:55 PM
#81
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Ian Botham reckons Cook can play on until 2021 so you might see him annhig.
Kevin's luggage was left behind in Dubai despite his being a platinum member and flying first class . Did Anderson tamper with the ball with his finger nail? Will Khawaja be dropped ? - it's the banter and stories that keeps me going on cricket some days !!!! Why is it taking so long for the CPS to charge or not Stokes?
Interestingly it bucketed the same day last year at the G.
Watching SS on 94 - looks like a draw .
Kevin's luggage was left behind in Dubai despite his being a platinum member and flying first class . Did Anderson tamper with the ball with his finger nail? Will Khawaja be dropped ? - it's the banter and stories that keeps me going on cricket some days !!!! Why is it taking so long for the CPS to charge or not Stokes?
Interestingly it bucketed the same day last year at the G.
Watching SS on 94 - looks like a draw .
Dec 30th, 2017, 01:24 AM
#82
yep - a draw it was. congrats to SS on his ton - he showed the sort of grit and determination that we could have done with earlier on the tour though TBF the wicket was as flat as pancake. Why do they prepare wickets like that?
I'm sure that Ben Stokes would like to know why they are taking so long to make their minds up. Probably because it's a high profile case, no-one wants to make a decision so they keep putting it of while they are "reviewing the evidence". If he were on bail they would have to make their minds up a lot quicker as a 28 day time limit was introduced back in April '17 but I infer from the fact that he went to NZ and that no decision has been made that he isn't. So they could keep delaying it forever if they liked.
Thanks for the insider info on the 4th day of the Melbourne test. I'll try to remember not to get a ticket for that day in 2021!
I'm sure that Ben Stokes would like to know why they are taking so long to make their minds up. Probably because it's a high profile case, no-one wants to make a decision so they keep putting it of while they are "reviewing the evidence". If he were on bail they would have to make their minds up a lot quicker as a 28 day time limit was introduced back in April '17 but I infer from the fact that he went to NZ and that no decision has been made that he isn't. So they could keep delaying it forever if they liked.
Thanks for the insider info on the 4th day of the Melbourne test. I'll try to remember not to get a ticket for that day in 2021!
Dec 30th, 2017, 05:22 PM
#83
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I think Cook was the standout this Test. Australia were lucky to come out with a draw,
northie funnily enough all the family in Melb hesitate about going on day four!
No trifle on Christmas Day or for breakfast on Boxing Day. My eldest brother who usually makes it, was sadly in hospital not allowed to eat anything. Of course we all ate enough for him. Ham rolls were a big hit along with a bucket of hot chips for those that went to the cricket.
So today now that we are back home we are having a lovely New Years Eve lunch of Roast chicken, veggies and a passion fruit custard thing for dessert. The meal will be washed down with a nice bottle of Pinot Grigio. Then a nap, and we will watching the Sydney fireworks on TV. They really are spectacular.
Hope every one has a safe and happy New Year and will start counting down till April 19th when we depart for our seven week trip.
northie funnily enough all the family in Melb hesitate about going on day four!
No trifle on Christmas Day or for breakfast on Boxing Day. My eldest brother who usually makes it, was sadly in hospital not allowed to eat anything. Of course we all ate enough for him. Ham rolls were a big hit along with a bucket of hot chips for those that went to the cricket.
So today now that we are back home we are having a lovely New Years Eve lunch of Roast chicken, veggies and a passion fruit custard thing for dessert. The meal will be washed down with a nice bottle of Pinot Grigio. Then a nap, and we will watching the Sydney fireworks on TV. They really are spectacular.
Hope every one has a safe and happy New Year and will start counting down till April 19th when we depart for our seven week trip.
Dec 31st, 2017, 02:18 AM
#84
yes, Cheska, funny that the Aussies were rescued [probably] by rain in Australia.
By now you will have long ago eaten your lunch and will be settling down to watch the fireworks. [it's about 11.30 am here]
So I wish all my Aussie friends a Happy New Year and hope that you "let" us win at least one Test Match in 2018!
By now you will have long ago eaten your lunch and will be settling down to watch the fireworks. [it's about 11.30 am here]
So I wish all my Aussie friends a Happy New Year and hope that you "let" us win at least one Test Match in 2018!
Jan 2nd, 2018, 01:59 AM
#85
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I hear there's a plan for us to win the ashes in England - lots of the players are going to play county cricket instead of IPL and learn how to bowl eg Lyon on the English wickets and I guess other "tricks" as well .
Not sure who's signed up so far except for Bancroft at Somerset .
Will be watching the Sydney test - I have a day's rest - Saturday it's going to be 40 in Melbourne . Good day to stay home and watch .
Not sure who's signed up so far except for Bancroft at Somerset .
Will be watching the Sydney test - I have a day's rest - Saturday it's going to be 40 in Melbourne . Good day to stay home and watch .
Jan 2nd, 2018, 02:45 AM
#86
I hear there's a plan for us to win the ashes in England >>
lol, Northie, you mean that in the last 3 series they didn't have one?
Justin Langer played at Somerset [may explain why Bancroft is going there], Warne was at Hampshire [where he is still very popular] and I'm sure there were others. So it's been tried before. But you can't legislate for the unexpected - Stokes being an idiot, [I posted something else then deleted it] Glenn McGrath rolling his ankle just before the match started, and somehow those things matter so much more on an away tour than on a home series.
But good luck to you if you can do it.
I'll be watching and listening to the Sydney test too - hoping for at least one win. If Starc is playing again, I'd say that the odds on that just lengthened considerably.
lol, Northie, you mean that in the last 3 series they didn't have one?
Justin Langer played at Somerset [may explain why Bancroft is going there], Warne was at Hampshire [where he is still very popular] and I'm sure there were others. So it's been tried before. But you can't legislate for the unexpected - Stokes being an idiot, [I posted something else then deleted it] Glenn McGrath rolling his ankle just before the match started, and somehow those things matter so much more on an away tour than on a home series.
But good luck to you if you can do it.
I'll be watching and listening to the Sydney test too - hoping for at least one win. If Starc is playing again, I'd say that the odds on that just lengthened considerably.
Jan 3rd, 2018, 02:58 AM
#87
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annhig- I was tongue in cheek about the plan but the "journalist" seemed to be serious . I had wondered what he thought has been happening over the years when our cricketers play county.
My son played cricket in Yorkshire - not county - they were so excited when he arrived to play - he only played university cricket here but they loved him and had high expectations of him because he was an Aussie - it was so funny .
I'm deciding whether to go to the T 20 or the ODI. I'd rather the ODI but it's a long day for me . I hate the loud music at T20 - cause I'm old - LOL . Decisions !
My son played cricket in Yorkshire - not county - they were so excited when he arrived to play - he only played university cricket here but they loved him and had high expectations of him because he was an Aussie - it was so funny .
I'm deciding whether to go to the T 20 or the ODI. I'd rather the ODI but it's a long day for me . I hate the loud music at T20 - cause I'm old - LOL . Decisions !
Jan 3rd, 2018, 03:28 AM
#88
Ah northie, I should have guessed that you weren't entirely serious. Journos have to find something to write about and I suppose that blaming the planning for a lack of success is as good as anything. I wonder what our lot will be blaming this particular fiasco on. At least we haven't had people retiring mid tour which is an improvement on the last one.
Yes there are lots of overseas players in non-country cricket, especially the Lancashire League and its Yorkshire equivalent. I think that's where Basil D'Olivera started so it's been going on for a long time. I was surprised though when I came across a kiwi who was employed as club pro by a cornish club - I hadn't realised that it was that widespread.
I can't help with your T20/ODI dilemma. I know that an ODI can be a long day, and no-one wants to go home before the end. I also know that a T20 can be noisy but I bet no noisier than the ones we went to in Sri Lanka - as well as the official disc jockey, there were two bands, one either side of the ground so you couldn't escape and it seemed that everyone in the crowd had some way of making a noise.
Enjoy whichever you choose - let me know and I'll look out for you.
Yes there are lots of overseas players in non-country cricket, especially the Lancashire League and its Yorkshire equivalent. I think that's where Basil D'Olivera started so it's been going on for a long time. I was surprised though when I came across a kiwi who was employed as club pro by a cornish club - I hadn't realised that it was that widespread.
I can't help with your T20/ODI dilemma. I know that an ODI can be a long day, and no-one wants to go home before the end. I also know that a T20 can be noisy but I bet no noisier than the ones we went to in Sri Lanka - as well as the official disc jockey, there were two bands, one either side of the ground so you couldn't escape and it seemed that everyone in the crowd had some way of making a noise.
Enjoy whichever you choose - let me know and I'll look out for you.
Jan 4th, 2018, 02:20 AM
#89
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Well rain delayed today and guess who won the toss ?
Boycott getting much negative feedback about his comment that any batsman who got out on the Melbourne pitch should attempt to hang themselves ! Not very pc!
Boycott getting much negative feedback about his comment that any batsman who got out on the Melbourne pitch should attempt to hang themselves ! Not very pc!
Jan 6th, 2018, 05:45 PM
#91
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50 degrees c out in the middle. Glad I’m watching this in the comfort of my house with aircon. Should be doing the ironing while watching the cricket but can’t be bothered. Feeel sorry for all the players.
Jan 6th, 2018, 10:01 PM
#94
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Yes, and Australia's declaration coincided nicely with the easing of temperatures so that they get to enjoy it 10C cooler on the field than what the Poms had to put up with. Now waiting for the sea breeze and/or a real change here just across the bridge.
Jan 7th, 2018, 01:55 AM
#95
Yes, we haven't even been able to organise the weather to our advantage. Were it not for the rain in Melbourne, I think that my prediction of 4-1 would have been correct but we couldn't even manage that.
But going beyond the actual results Ed Smith made a very good point on TMS when he said how boring most of the series has been. Very few sessions have been exciting and whilst it must be nice for the Aussies to see their lads sticking it to the Poms, it's hardly riveting. Our fault entirely - we just haven't been good enough. As the football fans sometimes chant "You're better than us"!
Congrats and here's hoping we can turn it round next time.
But going beyond the actual results Ed Smith made a very good point on TMS when he said how boring most of the series has been. Very few sessions have been exciting and whilst it must be nice for the Aussies to see their lads sticking it to the Poms, it's hardly riveting. Our fault entirely - we just haven't been good enough. As the football fans sometimes chant "You're better than us"!
Congrats and here's hoping we can turn it round next time.
Jan 7th, 2018, 03:20 AM
#96
Obviously disappointed (but not surprised) by the result of the Ashes. A full strength England side was always going to lack the bowling attack to win - and without Stokes it has been pitiful. Well done Australia.
Has cricket become like professional wrestling in that it all seems set up for the home fans.
Australia and India are virtually unbeatable at home
England are very difficult to beat in England.
South Africa, in South Africa - ditto.
England vs New Zealand might be a close series
South Africa in Australia, or visa versa might be interesting (because the strengths of both sides are similer)
Overall, Test Match cricket is quite predicatable.
Has cricket become like professional wrestling in that it all seems set up for the home fans.
Australia and India are virtually unbeatable at home
England are very difficult to beat in England.
South Africa, in South Africa - ditto.
England vs New Zealand might be a close series
South Africa in Australia, or visa versa might be interesting (because the strengths of both sides are similer)
Overall, Test Match cricket is quite predicatable.
Jan 7th, 2018, 04:26 AM
#97
Overall, Test Match cricket is quite predicatable.>>
it certainly seems to be at the moment, willit, but it's not that long ago that the Windies were carrying all before them wherever they played. I can see Steve Smith's team doing the same thing against most other teams even outside Australia.
I think that the best we can say about Root's England team is that they are a work in progress.
it certainly seems to be at the moment, willit, but it's not that long ago that the Windies were carrying all before them wherever they played. I can see Steve Smith's team doing the same thing against most other teams even outside Australia.
I think that the best we can say about Root's England team is that they are a work in progress.
Jan 7th, 2018, 03:41 PM
#98
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<we haven't even been able to organise the weather to our advantage>
One consolation is that while it's been 'a bit warm', we haven't been getting the prolonged build-ups, so that for some at least it has not been as uncomfortable humidity-wise as it might have been.
<Has cricket become like professional wrestling in that it all seems set up for the home fans.>
Might appear that way, but remember that between these two countries there's been a tradition of up and coming players turning out 'off season' in the other's domestic competition. And with that bloody Barmy Army and half of the UK's gap year brigade in Australia for summer, home fans often seem in the minority at the ground.
<Overall, Test Match cricket is quite predictable.>
May seem the case, but it's the ebbs and flows and twists and turns that do it for test cricket purists (and others like me) who are not attracted at all to the theatricality of the pyjama versions of the game.
<I think that the best we can say about Root's England team is that they are a work in progress.>
Yes, all genuine sports fans know that the wheel turns... if sometimes more slowly than they'd like.
Fwiw I don't think there's much between these two teams, mainly that extra bit of pace and, finally post-Warne, a more reliable spinner (to left handers at least). The England batsmen all look the goods and, for mine, much classier stroke makers than the Australians, with Root magnificent, if prematurely burdened by the captaincy (as things have played out perhaps there may have been a case to have kept Cook on as captain or not at all).
In the end it's just a game, and at least Joe Root is now smiling out in the middle and may even get to pull off a Dunkirk without his drip.
One consolation is that while it's been 'a bit warm', we haven't been getting the prolonged build-ups, so that for some at least it has not been as uncomfortable humidity-wise as it might have been.
<Has cricket become like professional wrestling in that it all seems set up for the home fans.>
Might appear that way, but remember that between these two countries there's been a tradition of up and coming players turning out 'off season' in the other's domestic competition. And with that bloody Barmy Army and half of the UK's gap year brigade in Australia for summer, home fans often seem in the minority at the ground.
<Overall, Test Match cricket is quite predictable.>
May seem the case, but it's the ebbs and flows and twists and turns that do it for test cricket purists (and others like me) who are not attracted at all to the theatricality of the pyjama versions of the game.
<I think that the best we can say about Root's England team is that they are a work in progress.>
Yes, all genuine sports fans know that the wheel turns... if sometimes more slowly than they'd like.
Fwiw I don't think there's much between these two teams, mainly that extra bit of pace and, finally post-Warne, a more reliable spinner (to left handers at least). The England batsmen all look the goods and, for mine, much classier stroke makers than the Australians, with Root magnificent, if prematurely burdened by the captaincy (as things have played out perhaps there may have been a case to have kept Cook on as captain or not at all).
In the end it's just a game, and at least Joe Root is now smiling out in the middle and may even get to pull off a Dunkirk without his drip.
Jan 7th, 2018, 04:10 PM
#99
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Update - Root has his 50 and it's noticeably muggier in Sydney today and a good chance of a shower or storm according to the Bureau, with its weather radar showing a bit of activity from the north west but fizzling out at this stage before it heads south of the harbour... in the direction of the SCG.
