Story England's International Season [C07] - The 5th 3Mobile Ashes Test

[gamerkid22]

Well now Warney will make a mark as its his final test match . Nice presentation mate.

 

[plympilgrim]

no the ashes gone,,, again

 

[m_vaughan]

5th Test Begins...

5th 3Mobile Ashes Test - Australia vs England
Sydney Cricket Ground

The historic Sydney Cricket Ground is the venue for this final Ashes test match. The new years test match is one of the most looked forward to the cricketing calender and we are in for another cracking game here between Australia and England.

Australia ofcourse have already won the Ashes after taking an unbeatable 3-1 lead in the series after the Melbourne test match which they won by four wickets.

But both teams will be looking to win this game, England especially, will be playing for pride as well as ending the Ashes on a winning note.

It was way back in the summer of 1920-21 when an Ashes series scoreline last read 5-0. As the teams head to Sydney for yet another dead rubber, Ricky Ponting will be looking to repeat what Warwick Armstrong did to England 86 seasons back, with four comprehensive wins in as many games and three retirees itching to deliver the final blow before signing off. England can take inspiration from their face-saving 225-run win at Sydney in early 2003, thereby avoiding a whitewash. That has been Australia's only blemish at the venue in the last ten years, winning ten and drawing one match during that period. England too have the numbers to back them, as the SCG happens to be their most successful venue in Australia, with 21 wins in 52 Tests.

This test match will also be the last for the Australian trio of Justin Langer, Shane Warne and Glen McGrath.

The Pitch
It is a good batting turf here at the SCG and is expected to remain so throughout. Expect some big scores here.

The Weather
Clear skies are expected for the first three days atleast with a slight chance of rain on the final day. The weather is on the warmer side today but will be cooler over the next few days.

The Toss
England have won the coin toss and have elected to bat first as expected.

This wicket has runs written all over it and I think a good first innings score will really give us a firm hold of the game. Its important we get a good score though as in the last game we lost mainly due to failing to do so.

We have made some chances. Ed Joyce and Liam Plunkett have been doing well in the nets throughout and have hence been given the chance here. Matthew Hoggard was complaining of back stiffness and has been rested alongwith Alastair Cook.

I think the team that does well in the first innings will have a good chance of winning the game. So for us its basically to restrict England to as low a score as possible and then get more runs ourselves in the first innings. The lead is going to be extremely important.

Its a big test match for Shane, Glen, Justin and even the rest of us. We've had to work hard in our Melbourne test win which is why the result in the end meant even more to us. Beating England 4-1 after losing the previous series would be a great comeback for us as well.

Brad Hodge is fit again and takes his place in the side. Unfortunately that means Nathan Bracken has to sit out.

Lineups:

 

[plympilgrim]

come one england, you are playing for pride, BTW nice to see joyce in, but no cook

 

[surendar]

Hope England make some huge runs in this teast. Interesting inclusion of Joyce.. But one suggestion, if a wicket goes early for England, it wud be nice to swap Jones and Joyce i.e may be Jones can be experimented at no3 to give supportive role. This also delays this new man(Joyce) to come lower when shine is taken off!

Hoping for a gud opening partnership becos both Vaughan & Strauss are vital.. I am backing England to win this!

 

[m_vaughan]

Thats an interesting suggestion. Geraint Jones hasnt had a particularly good series with the bat though. Will consider it.

 

[mehkar]

yeah
great work man loving your story looking forward to the update

 

[gamerkid22]

Nice preview there . England batting first is good are we on to a memorable Sydney Test.

 

[m_vaughan]

Day 1 Lunch Update...

Strauss departs after start
Once again Andrew Strauss has lost his wicket after getting a decent start. But the decision by the umpire was a poor one as the ball was clearly missing the offstump.

Joyce out to a poor shot
Ed Joyce, who had been given the oppurtunity to prove himself in this game, did his purpose absolutely no good when he lobbed a simple catch to Brett Lee off the bowling of Stuart Clark.

England suddenly find themselves two wickets down now.

Good first session for Vaughan
The England captain has looked really good so far with some fantastic strokeplay and elegant technique. But he must ensure that he converts this to a big score, something that he has failed to do in previous games.

So at Lunch on Day 1
England 106-2 after 28 Overs M Vaughan 44*(83)

 

[WORLD CHAMPIONS]

Vanugh Looks Good . KP is also quite Set. i hope Aussie will do some trick

 

[surendar]

Well, my prediction came true.. Joyce failed.. Thats y i thought, its better to expose him later when the shine is taken completely off!

England in trouble.. One more wicket early in next session will apply a massive pressure on them! Once again KP needs to do the rescue work with support of Vaughan!

 

[PhilD123]

Disappointment's for Strauss and Joyce there, however I would say the game is just about even with KP and Vaughny well set.

Clark's bowling very cheaply, however McGrath and Warne have been relatively expensive.

 

[m_vaughan]

Day 1 Tea Update...

Vaughan-Pietersen partnership puts England on top
The two players are still unbeaten as England ended the second session at the score 196-2. Currently their partnership is worth 134 runs.

Michael Vaughan has played some glorious shots so far, with the perfect mix of timing and placement. His near flawless batting technique was once again displayed today.

Kevin Pietersen has been more aggressive than Vaughan, going after the Australian bowlers. His innings has been the case of the three Ps - Power, Precision and Placement.

This partnership must be broken by the Australians as soon as possible as otherwise England look well on course to posting a massive first innings score.

So at Tea on Day 1
England 196-2 after 58 Overs M Vaughan 82*(175) K Pietersen 80*(129)

 

[Pakistani Army]

Warney got hit for runs. Excellent presentation m_vaughan. Keep it up

 

[Roofrom50]

This is my 1st post on this story, good presentation mate, keep up the good work