Story The Ashes. England Tour Australia (Massive Problem, with computer)

[ivanvdm15]

nice story
im saying b) anderson

 

[gamerkid22]

England lost wickets at regular intervals which is their big problem. Australia are in the driver's seat at the moment. About the prediction i will go with d) Panesar. Nice story and nice presentation

 

[Highlander999]

Just to get it on a fresh page Thanks for the comments ivan and gamer

Australia control Afternoon Session​

Well it is the end of the afternoon session and it has not been a good one for England. Kevin Pietersen and Ian Bell were at the crease and while they were there thinks did look quite positive. They began to play some very confident shots all round the ground and The Barmy Army began to cheer up and make a bit of noise. The two quickly reached the 50 partnership with surprisingly Warne being the main victim as he was smashed all over the ground.

So Ricky Ponting turned to Michael Kasprowicz to make a breaktrhough into this solid partnership. Kaspo had a very good opening spell in the morning session, picking up the wicket of Shah, and he hoped to continue his form into the afternoon. Into his second over in his second spell, he had had four dot balls, and the pressure was beginning to mount on Pietersen as England had not scored any runs now for 3 overs. He attempted to drive the fifth ball, but played it to early and spooned it to Ponting at cover. That was the wicket the Australians wanted and they were ecstatic. Pietersen was very annoyed as he had made a good start.

The new batsman was Mr Dependable himself Paul Collingwood. England were now in a spot of bother now with the partnership broken. They really needed a big innings from this man.

It was however Ian Bell who fell down next however. Michael Kasprowicz had his tail completely up now and clean bowled Bell with an inswinger which just nicked the bails of the top of the off stump. This was another batsman who had made a start but who had not converted it into a big score.

It was however the cult figure himself Andrew Flintoff next in to bat. Ricky Ponting had shown a lot of confidence so far in Brad Hodge who had bowled a lot of overs and yet not been able to make a breakthrough. Flintoff was playing some very agressive shots to him and had quickly shot to 10. However Hodge got his man, when Flintoff danced down the track to him, Hodge put a quicker one in there, which Flintoff hit onto his pad and soared into the air for a difficult catch which Gilchrist took. England were in really big trouble with Phil Mustard being the next batsman, with there being a lot of pressure on the inexperienced batsman.

Collingwood and Mustard began to build a solid partnership approaching tea, with Ponting using spin at both ends via Warne and Hodge. However with only 2 balls left till lunch, Mustard did something very stupid. He decided to adavcne to Hodge who put the full toss in which completely beat him and left him staring at his broken stumps. Mustard looked and probably felt like a total idiot.

So at Lunch on Day 4 England are 137/6 with the two new batsmen being Collingwood and Mascarenhas. Thinks don't look to bright for the English fans at the moment. The frustrating thing has been plenty of batsmen have made starts but none have gone on to make a big score. Here is the scorecard at tea on Day 1.

The Australian bowlers have done a fantastic job out there. The part timer Hodge will be very pleased at picking up two wickets along with Kaspo while Warne has picked up one other. There are rumours that Lee might be injured as he has not bowled yet and has been of the field for the whole session.

Cricketer's Corner with Botham

I must admit I have been very disappointed with the way England performed in this session. It is only Day 1 and yet some of the England batsmen have got out playing completely unecessary shots. At this stage in the game Australia deserve to be where they are through good bowling and fielding. I think unless Collingwood and Masceranhas can get England to at least 200, this match could be heading Australia's way.

Now do you agree with Botham? Post your comments and they will all be answered by Botham

Sky Sports Prediction Contest

Who will take the most wickets in the Australian First Innings. Reps for correct answer

a) Hoggard
b) Anderson
c) Flintoff
d) Panesar
e) Mascarenhas

Good luck with this. The results of the first prediction will be announced once the England innings has finished

 

[LUMB_YORKSHIRE]

great update there Tom England struggling a lot keep it up and a question for Botham is it the pitch the England batsmen or the Aussies bowlers or a combination of all three that sees England in so much trouble?

 

[King Cricket]

Who will take the most wickets in the Australian First Innings?
Monty Panesar.

 

[tonka998]

Nice presentation! Shame about the recklessness of the English batting. I say Flintoff (c) will get the most wickets!

 

[biks76]

I say they all take 2 each.With no runouts and retired hurts!

 

[Highlander999]

English tail puts up resistance​

Well it is the end of the England innings now and the English fans will be pleased to know that Collingwood and Mascarenhas went down fighting dragging England towards a respectable score. They put on a partnership of 46, with both batsmen hitting some nice shots as they desperately tried to give the English bowlers something to work with. In the end however the partnership was broken by the King of Spin who clean bowled Paul Collingwood when he attempted to sweep him. It was a very good 40 by Collingwood especially under such pressure.

With the arrival of Matthew Hoggard, Mascarenhas was now batting with the tail. He begun to hit some truly magnificent shots while rotating the strike with Hoggard at the end of each over. The partnership had nearly reached 20 without Hoggard scoring a run before, Hoggard nicked one behind of the bowling of Michael Clarke. Now that Mascarenhas was batting with Panesar and Anderson the England innings was in it's final few minutes.

However Panesar and Anderson didn't even get a chance to bat with Mascernhas as he quickly got out, to the bowling of BRAD HODGE who was having a great time out there. Mascernhas advanced down the track to him, to try and smash him back over his head. He however moved too early and Hodge saw him coming. He quickly put it down his legs, and Gilchrist did the rest. A nice little knock by Mascernhas he is really cementing the Number 8 spot.

There was a very brief flurry of runs with the last two batsmen with quite a few attempted slog sweeps before eventually Monty perishsed, with Clarke picking up another wicket again through a batsman knicking to the keeper.

So that is the end of the innings. 211 all out. A disappointing total for England after electing to bat first although it could have been so much more worse if it had not been for Collingwood and Mascarenhas. Let's hope that the English bowlers can try and bowl Australia out for a lower total although it does not look likely. Here is the English scorecard.

It was a good bowling display by the Australian attack, however Hodge and Clarke picking up five wickets apeice does show how useful the part timers can be. Kasprowicz also did well, getting 3 wickets, showing he should be trusted with the new ball. Lee and Bracken will be gutted not to have had a chance to bowl very much, but with spin picking up seven wickets there was no real need for them. Here is a summary of the Australian bowling card.

Paul Collingwood top scored for England scoring 40 runs of 109 balls with 6 four's in there and no sixes. His wagon wheel, shows he was stronger on his off side especially cover driving.

Cricketer's Corner (with Ashley Giles)

Well this innings was dominated by spin, especially the part timer's. This does how the recent trend of using part time spinners to slow down innings and pick up the odd wicket is increasing. Colli and Dimi played really well at the end and I think that they may have just got enough runs on the board to give the English bowlers something to work with. Hopefully as the pitch cracks up, it might mean it becomes even harder to bat on. Don't rule England out yet

Sky Sports Prediction Contest

No one correctly guessed, England's First Innings score, so no reps prize. Remember, that the competition for who picks up the most wickets is still running in the Australian First Innings:

a) Hoogard
b) Anderson
c) Flintoff
d) Panesar
e) Masceranhas

Good luck everyone :happy

 

[innes]

Im gonna guess Hoggard
Nice story mate

 

[Pakistani Army]

Nice resistance by the English tailenders. Great presentation Tom.

 

[LUMB_YORKSHIRE]

i think Andersen will get the wickets and very nice Pres

 

[Roofrom50]

Brillaint Presenatation tom, love the work mate

 

[Left_Hander]

D) Panesar

I think Australia are in a good position to win this match, the start to their batting is the key.

 

[freddiw]

YEA monty for most wickets.....
come on england sort it out.....
good work highlander love the story
KUTGW

 

[morgieb]

c) Flintoff IMO.