South Africa in England

[evertonfan]

Gee you guys are obsessed with the Ashes, aren't you? Yes, it's historical, yes it feels good beating the Aussies but having only beaten New Zealand and losing to India, Sri Lanka and South Africa; things aren't looking good at all for England to be honest.

The Ashes is bigger than anything. In terms of general British sport, it's second only to the football world cup.

 

[The_gas]

Let us not forget, we turned over the Saffies in their back yard just a couple of years ago. In this game, we aren't playing our best players, so to lose is not the end of the world.

Saffies have played well, they are a good team. Maybe the selectors will start picking our best players now.

 

[Adarsh]

English cricket is still on the hangover from the 2005 Ashes. Get over it. Concentrate on the present and near future. Else you're giving yourself no chance to beat the Aussies. Going into 2005 England had a good run of matches prior to that and the series was exciting. Ever since they've been pretty dreadful overall.

 

[evertonfan]

English cricket is still on the hangover from the 2005 Ashes. Get over it. Concentrate on the present and near future. Else you're giving yourself no chance to beat the Aussies. Going into 2005 England had a good run of matches prior to that and the series was exciting. Ever since they've been pretty dreadful overall.

Yeah we know. You seem to think that we don't realise how bad we are at the moment when clearly, we do. However, the Ashes is always and will always be the series England prepare for most. It's the way it is.

 

[Ollie_H]

In my opinion we need to make some changes. We have not played well at all since the first day of the series. The bowlers have tried there guts out while the batsmen have done nothing!

I know we keep chopping and changing but I think its time for another! Ambrose just isn't fitting the bill at the moment. Averaging just over 25 and apparently what the england selectors is a keeper who can bat! Well done the selectors!

Sidebum needs to be rested, he has tried his absolute heart heart when he has been playing but it is publically known he is carrying a few niggels (sp?) and his speeds are down.

So I think maybe 3 changes need to be made.

I think Vaughan needs to go. You can't really drop your captain but when he has now lost two home series in a row and isn't helping our batting problems the selectors need to be ruthless(which we know they are not).

Next change is the keeper. Ambrose needs to go, his keeping isn't the best and that's being nice. His batting well thats even worse!

And then Sidebum needs to be given a rest. Please don't bring Pattinson back in. He bowled well but picking someone who hasn't even played a full first class season. Its just madness!

The worst thing is..We know this won't happen. One of the the sky guys commented on this and it's perfect Vaughany said it himself. They said it was uncomfortable when Darren came in.

Your a cricket team not a CLIQUE!

 

[vaibhav mehta]

I think again England need to look forward to the Harmison.
England need to bring triad of Hoggard,Harmison and Flintoff to get 20 wickets against Australia.
Did I mention Hoggard?
Yes Because Anderson is just terrible.

I don't think We are going to see Vaughn calling for toss against Australia.

 

[Skater]

I think Vaughan needs to go. You can't really drop your captain but when he has now lost two home series in a row and isn't helping our batting problems the selectors need to be ruthless(which we know they are not)

I agree with you but he hasn't lost two home series in a row, we beat New Zealand 2-0.

 

[The_gas]

I would like to see England appoint new selectors who pick our best players. Can't be that hard can it?

 

[evertonfan]

Ambrose's keeping isn't the best? He's done absolutely nothing wrong with the gloves. The batting criticism I can handle, but he's been near enough faultless with the gloves.

Cricket team's have team spirit Ollie. It's the same with football teams. Man United had a great unity last year so imagine if on that Champions League final night in Moscow instead of going with one of the regular's of the season you bring in a complete unknown from the reserves. You wouldn't be best pleased would you?

I think we have to be a bit harsh and can Sidebottom for now at least. I agree with you on that. After the phenomonal 2007 and early 08 he just hasn't been the same against a quality batting line-up like SA.

evertonfan added 0 Minutes and 50 Seconds later...

Yes Because Anderson is just terrible.

Being England's best bowler of the series is hardly terrible.

 

[m_vaughan]

English cricket is still on the hangover from the 2005 Ashes. Get over it. Concentrate on the present and near future. Else you're giving yourself no chance to beat the Aussies. Going into 2005 England had a good run of matches prior to that and the series was exciting. Ever since they've been pretty dreadful overall.

England with a rubbish team drew with India in India in 2005. Results havent been as good as the 2003-05 period, but England have not played that bad to be honest. Last year's test series defeat to India was also very unlucky.

End of the day, England are losing to the second best team in the world, with probably the best fast bowling attack, and one that can really challenge Australia in Australia.

 

[The_gas]

Yeah i like Anderson, i think he is a good bowler. However i would rather see Jones and Harmison in the team, however Anderson would easily be my next choice. I would love him to bowl a tad fuller, he is rather ineffective when he bowls back of a length.

 

[vaibhav mehta]

That were We have Problem.If Anderson has been our best bowler of the series than We should drop our other bowlers first.I am not counting wickets He has taken or his economy rate.Your leading bowler should get you wicket when it matters the most same as Flintoff did in first innings.

 

[evertonfan]

Last year's test series defeat to India was also very unlucky.

I agree. When we lost to India last year we were a bad decision away from beating them at Lords and then we lost at Trent Bridge on a 'win the toss win the game pitch'. That's why I wasn't so disapointed when we were beaten last year. But I genuinely believed we were better than South Africa this year but our batting has been feeble and at times when our bowlers really needed to stand up and be counted they have proved to be feeble. Today being a prime example. At 96/4 we had the game won, yet the bowlers decided to switch off and let SA back into the game. Then when we had them 5 down we did the same thing and have gifted the game to SA. I am desperately disapointed by our performances this summer.

evertonfan added 1 Minutes and 0 Seconds later...

I would like to see England appoint new selectors who pick our best players. Can't be that hard can it?

Your talking about the country in which Steve McLaren was made head coach of the football team.

 

[WestIndian]

Game on, a half hour more, Smith smells series win and don't want to leave it for next day, what a guy, what a match.

 

[The_gas]

With the current players playing, i think the saffies our better because they can bat so easily aginst us. Sure, our batting is weak too, changes are needed.

This ones for Kev, but maybe Key should replace Vaughan and take over as captain?

What do you guys think of them apples? :