England in Australia

[Simbazz]

Thats what I was thinking actually
I feel Monty would have been a threat on that pitch looking at how much KP was turning it.
I hope Fletcher's happy now, Giles isn't threatening and Australia are dominating.

By next year we'll be calling KP an allrounder You watch, on these Australian spin friendly pitches, KP will get at least 5 wickets in series, and for a Batsmen who bowls 12 overs over 2 innings, is good

 

[evertonfan]

Any suggestions of KP being anything more than a part-timer are ludicrous to be honest.

 

[Simbazz]

Any suggestions of KP being anything more than a part-timer are ludicrous to be honest.

I suppose your correct, but he has the ability to become Englands very on Chris Gayle or Virendar Sehwag

Im guessing more the Sehwag kind of player, but if he improves itll mean a very good thing for England in the World Cup, should he tighten up his bowling enough not to get smacked

If KP can bowl 5 overs in the Carribean then itll mean that we can strengthen the squad with maybe Vaughan,Colly AND Bell, as we wouldnt need an Allround spinner like Fletch likes, but i suppose that Fletch wont, and he will go with Dalrymple or Yardy but thats a way off yet

 

[evertonfan]

I'm sorry, but what does the World Cup have to do with the Ashes?

If England are to stand any remote chance of at least getting a draw in this game, they need a few early wickets tomorrow. We have to stop leaving all the wicket-taking up to Fred. It's about tme Anderson finally showed us that he's good enough and Harmison to sort himself out. Whether it was Flintoff or Fletcher who gave Harmison the first over today, it was a shokcing decision. Why give a bowler who has always been slightly erratic and is now in the worst form of his life the first over? The first over is crucial in any form of cricket and Harmison's wayward over completley set the tone for the rest of the day, the rest of the Test and possibly even the rest of the series.

 

[Simbazz]

I totally disagree,

Giving Harmison the new ball is like old routine, tried and tested, worked many a time, won us the Ashes in 2005, or at least was a biggish part of it!

Harmison has been out of the game, but that is irrispective of wether he bowls first up or not. I dont think, if it could have been helped, Jimmy would have been in the attack till at least the 10th over, if Harmy and Hoggy where bowling to thier normal standard.

I'm sorry, but what does the World Cup have to do with the Ashes?

And i was merely stating about how it would be good for England if KP was to tighten up in time for the World Cup as he could bowl a few, why is that such a problem for you me just adding it in?

 

[PhilD123]

When David Lloyd told the Sky viewers that Giles was playing, I honestly felt my stomach turn inside.

I had exactly the same feeling, if so much wasn't up for stakes I would hope Gilo gets a pair, but we will need him to get runs and wickets. He tried to be more attacking and come around the wicket, which was good but he hasn't got the skill of Monty. As said by other people, he developed the one that goes straight on before, and he hasn't really developed another delievery .

When Harmy bowled the first ball straight to second slip, my mind turned to feel, oh here we go again. I was waiting before the Aussies chanted wwwww. etc. On a plus note Freddie bowled superbly, and England fans must give credit to the Aussie batsmen, especially Ponting and Langer. I can't believe it took Hussey so long to get into the test team, he's such a player. Its really going to be difficult to draw this game as I would expect Warne to be extremely dangerous even on day 3.

If we can get early wickets tomorrow and with an incredible amount of luck bowl them out for 450, then I think we are still in the match. I have a funny feeling tomorrow will be a good day for England.

 

[icyman]

Great overlays by Channel 9
and what with 3 commentators I really enjoyed the part I watched.
SAdly,could'nt watch the entire match as I was in my college !

 

[CricketFan999]

I'm sorry, but what does the World Cup have to do with the Ashes?

If England are to stand any remote chance of at least getting a draw in this game, they need a few early wickets tomorrow. We have to stop leaving all the wicket-taking up to Fred. It's about tme Anderson finally showed us that he's good enough and Harmison to sort himself out. Whether it was Flintoff or Fletcher who gave Harmison the first over today, it was a shokcing decision. Why give a bowler who has always been slightly erratic and is now in the worst form of his life the first over? The first over is crucial in any form of cricket and Harmison's wayward over completley set the tone for the rest of the day, the rest of the Test and possibly even the rest of the series.

Early wickets tomorrow means win or draw I feel. If the Aussies bat all day tomorrow they'll leave a target around 550/600 which if England chased with any vigor after a couple of wickets go down for too few runs will end up with us losing. I feel that if the Aussies post a total that high and we get down 3 or 4 wickets without a decent score for it then we'll play for the draw.

In a series where a draw is all we need it's better to get a long draw than a short lose due to wildly swinging the bat at everything.

 

[PhilD123]

Great overlays by Channel 9
and what with 3 commentators I really enjoyed the part I watched.
SAdly,could'nt watch the entire match as I was in my college !

Was David Lloyd commentating for Channel 9 as well as Sky?

On the other point about Harmy taking the new ball. I think they gave him the first over as a reminder to the Aussies about 2005, when Harmison bowled the first over at Lords and it set the tone. Unfortunately the gamble didn't come off, but Jimmy Anderson didn't really look threatening so he shouldn't replace Harmy opening the bowling. I reckon Freddie should open the bowling now the experiment about testing the Aussie's memory of last year has failed. Anyone feel Hoggard could be a luxury, as the ball may not swing too much? He adapted his game in India, hopefully he can do the same in oz.

 

[Turbanation]

If Monty was there he would have ripped thru the top order.

What a sight it would have been.

 

[woodywiss sa sa]

Pieterson in his around 9 overs of part time off spin looked a hell of a lot more dangerous than Giles, Giles didn't cause problems, Martyn got out because he has a weakness for trying to run the ball late and it will never work with a slip in place. England should really try and Further Pietersons bowling, he's more than handy.

I hardly think that Monty would have 'Ripped' through the Auzzie top order but he would have done a hell of a better job.

 

[PhilD123]

I heard it this morning and just to make sure I was right I have just been watching the highlights show on sky. Did anybody else hear the Aussie in the crowd towards the end of play? He must have been shouting very loud as the microphones picked up what he was saying. I picked up these things, to Harmy "How long are you going to shave for? Harmy", I probably mis-heard that, but it was something about Harmison and shaving. Another when Freddie decided not to bowl Harmison with the 2nd new ball, the man this time shouted "Freddie doesn't like you, Harmy" and when Hoggard was bowling afterwards he said "Freddie likes you, Hoggy". Am I just hearing things or did other people hear this. I sincerely hope I'm not losing my mind :crying

 

[JamesyJames3]

Not the most intellegent insults to be quite honest. Would be suprised if any of the England players bat an eye lid at them.

 

[PhilD123]

Nope not intelligent at all, just wondering if anyone else heard them. He must have been really shouting them. Harmison was on the boundary fielding at the time.

 

[woodywiss sa sa]

Harmy only bowled the first ball to Flintoff because He knows that G.Jones can't catch :P