Story Australia Take To Retain The Ashes; England all out for 186 1st day of 1st test

[gutterman]

Australia Take to Retain The Ashes


The Ashes, a long history is set behind this prestigous trophy. It has seen many great victories and losses including the 1930's invincibles team featuring Sir Donald Bradman himself. The battle over the little urn has been vicious and hard fought between the two countries, with most recently the urn has changed hands twice. In 2005 we saw the English take back the urn after 18 years without. It was a series we all thought Ponting's men would take victory, but it proved to be more than we expected. After a disapointing 1st Test match, the English fought back hard in the Second test at Edgebaston to secure a 2 run win. A match that went down in history as one of the greatest wins in English Cricket. The English conditions proved to be too much for the Australians as England crusied to a 2-1 series victory reclaim an 18 year drought. in 2006/2007, we saw a completely different, rejuvinated Australian side and it showed after the first test where Australia Dominated the entire 5 days. England did, however, manage to hit back in the Second test only to lose it on the final day thanks to some great batting by Michael Hussey and Michael Clarke. That Series came to a 5-0 whitewash of the English team. The End of That Series saw the retirement of Legends like Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne and Justin Langer. Now just two and a half years later can Australia repeat the same feat they accomplished in the last series or will the urn change hands again and ignite the rivalry further.


Tune in to find out how Australia will fair this time around.

Something for the Readers​

I will be holding a series of predicta contests, Johnny Walker Trivia Questions from past Ashes Series and There will be a chance for you to review the match and give each player a score ranging from 1-10 with 1 being poor and 10 being superb.
With Predicta Contest and Johhny Walker trivia. Those of you who get the right answer will earn Vcash. So please get involved



Also After every match i will write up detailed stats and scores. These Stats will included how many balls faced averages from the match itself leading wicket takers/runscorers and so forth

 

[Hooper]

Sweeeet man, real sweeeeeeeeeeet.

 

[Biggy]

I don't get the title, but good going.

Hooper, are you high?

 

[Hooper]

Hahahahahahahahahaha.

What? That question is a bit left field!

Why?

Do you get the impression that I am?

 

[Biggy]

Sweeeet man, real sweeeeeeeeeeet.

Was it really that sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeet?

 

[Hooper]

Huh, your replying to the wrong post.

 

[gutterman]

Could we perhaps not spam this thread please feedback would be more appreciated rather than if Hooper was high or not

 

[Biggy]

Could we perhaps not spam this thread please feedback would be more appreciated rather than if Hooper was high or not

There are certain things we need to know though..

What squads will you use? The current ones, or your preferred?

 

[Hooper]

Console? PC?

 

[gutterman]

sorry ill be playing it on xbox 360 and the squads will be from the game

 

[gutterman]

In a series that has been greatly anticipated since the previous Ashes Series Downunder in 2006/2007, Both Captains are fairly optimistic about their chances of winning the prestigious Urn. Sqaud Selections have been giving the selectors headaches for weeks and the players buying for possible selection, have been sending them selves mad to play for their country. In the end the selectors had to pick the best squads for this series.


Australia has gone for a wide array of young and old players with Ricky Ponting still leading the team after speculation that he may lose his captaincy if Australia cannot retain the Ashes. But for now the Selectors have stuck by him and have chosen a quality sqaud of 23 men to do the job over in England

Ricky Ponting (C)
Michael Clarke (VC)
Phil Hughes
Simon Katich
Michael Hussey
Shane Watson
Brad Haddin (WK)
Marcus North
Mitchell Johnson
Brett Lee
Stuart Clark
Peter Siddle
Nathan Hauritz
Ben Hilfenhaus
James Hopes
David Hussey
Jason Krejza
Ben Laughlin
Shaun Marsh
Andrew MacDonald
David Warner
Cameron White

Some interesting Selections were made there as there are a few players looking to squeeze their way into the XI. Some questions have been raised about the fitness and well being of bowling spear heads Brett Lee and Stuart Clark and the interesting inclusion of the dynamic pocket rocket David Warner surely puts his selection into speculation. Even Michael Hussey has his spot under fire do to his lack of form. On the more positive side, however, it is good to see some young, inexperienced players into the mix, such as Ben Laughlin and Phil Hughes retaining the no.1 opening spot.



To England now and the selectors there have had a fair few headaches with their selections. Alot of players have been out of form and lucky to have been picked despite their poor performances of late.


Andrew Strauss (C)
Alastair Cook
Ravi Bopara
Kevin Pieterson
Paul Collingwood
Matt Prior (VC)
Stuart Broad
Andrew Flintoff
Graeme Swann
Monty Panesar
James Anderson
Steve Harmison
Adil Rashid
Dimitri Mascarenhas
Ian Bell
Luke Wright
Michael Vaughan
Owais Shah
Robert Key
Ryan Sidebottom
Samit Patel
Steve Davies
Tim Ambrose

Eyebrows have been raised at the selcetion of Michael Vaughan. There has been talk about whether the Former Captain will get a chance to take it to The Australians, or whether he was just selected to fill the spot. New Captain Andrew Strauss has been given the hard task of beating the Aussies at home and will face one of the toughest series of his career. Ian Bell was a surprise inclusion after he was dropped on account of his dismal form. A fair few soon to be debutants have been selected in hopes of success against the tourists. Also the fitness of Spearhead Andrew Flintoff is questionable as he is now suffering from a knee injury that could have him sidelined from the entire series


The Much anticipated series is just around the corner stay tuned for more in the coming updates

 

[surendar]

I still remember your career story which was class. Hopefully, this should also be a class like the other. Good luck.

 

[gutterman]

I still remember your career story which was class. Hopefully, this should also be a class like the other. Good luck.

thanks mate should be an update tomorrow sometime

 

[gutterman]

Final Squad Selections for First Test At Cardiff​

In What has been a frenzy for selectors to choose the final 12 men to play in the first test at Cardiff, both countries have had numerous opportunities to show their quality and cement their place in the starting XI.

England first as they are the hosts.

1) Andrew Strauss (C)
2) Alastair Cook
3) Ravi Bopara
4) Kevin Pieterson
5) Paul Collingwood
6) Andrew Flintoff
7) Matt Prior
8) Stuart Broad
9) Graeme Swann
10) Ryan Sidebottom
11) James Anderson

Surprise inclusion of Ryan Sidebottom as he is lacking form, taking the place of Monty Panesar who was believed to be in the side as the Cardiff wicket would deteriorate later on on the match and be good for the spinners. Ravi Bopara has a lot to prove as he is also down on form, but it looks as if the selectors are putting their faith in him to do the job. Flintoff's Fitness is still questionable after being selected to take up the number 6 spot.

This Is wat England Captain Andrew Strauss had to say:

I am quite happy with our current selections. I have full faith in the selectors choice's and I believe that this is the team to do the job. We do have some players lacking some form at the moment but a big series against Australia always presents big opportunities to perform so hopefully we get a lot of them.

When asked about the exclusion of Monty Panesar, he had this to say:

Yeah it was quite unfortunate about that. Monty is a great bloke and I'm sure he'll get more chances as the series wears on.

On to Australia's Squad now and this side doesn't look too much different from the side that toured south Africa
1) Phil Hughes
2) Simon Katich
3) Ricking Ponting (C)
4) Michael Clarke (VC)
5) Michael Hussey
6) Marcus North
7) Brad Haddin
8) Mitchell Johnson
9) Nathan Hauritz
10) Peter Siddle
11) Ben Hilfenhaus

The Australia Squad looks strong but questions are still being raised about the form of Michael Hussey. Greats of the game have said that he should be dropped to make way for a younger player who can do the job just as good. Good to see Young Phil Hughes at the top of the order

Australia Captain Ricky Ponting Had This To say:

Yeah it is a good squad one i believe will do the job. Huss has had a bad run lately but feel that all he needs is a hard fought series and this is the one where he should feel right at home

The First Test as Cardiff will start Tomorrow, and sbs has the coverage rights to the Ashes series with Stuart Macgill, Damien Martyn and Greg Matthews doing thier show during the session breaks.

 

[gutterman]

1st Ashes Test Match At Cardiff

Toss
The weather conditions appear to be cloudy and quite cool here at Cardiff. The pitch looks a bit damp so it would be ideal to bowl first, especially with the current overcast conditions. We have seen the two teams and they both have some issues but it will all come down to this first test match. Now down in the middle with the two captains for the toss.

Strauss To call
"Tails"
and its a head so over to Ricky Ponting for his decision

"We are going to have a bowl first, We will use the conditions to our advantage."

So there you have it Australia have won the toss and will bowl first we will see if that was the right decision as the match wears on.



Predicta Contest
1st One Who will Win the match
A) Australia
B) England
C) Draw


2nd one who will score the most runs in this match
1) Ricky Ponting
2) Michael Clarke
3) Kevin Pieterson
4) Andrew Strauss