Third Test: Australia v England at Edgbaston

[Ollie_H]

I don't get how your point came from mine?

I know it was thanks to the rain that it was a draw and if there had been an extra day the aussies may very well have been realing or we could have had another thriller. We shall never know!

 

[MasterBlaster76]

I don't get how your point came from mine?

I know it was thanks to the rain that it was a draw and if there had been an extra day the aussies may very well have been realing or we could have had another thriller. We shall never know!

Yeps, sorry about that, I pressed quote by accident.

 

[angryangy]

As they say, it would have been a whole other game without the bad weather. You can't really take away bits of weather where you feel it is appropriate.

 

[Owzat]

Disappointing final result, pressure counting for nothing and England's attack does look toothless without some assistance of some kind.

While I like the idea of keeping changes to a minimum in a series, it is hard to justify retaining three bowlers averaging well over 40 in the series - Flintoff, Broad and Swann. Flintoff is a talisman, more of a big score hitter and match-winner than Broad, Swann is our spinner so bye bye Broady. Broad is ninth in the list of frontline bowler's BBs in the series so far, the only one bar Monty not to take three in an innings. Cook and Bopara have to be doubts too, Bopara's HS is 35 and average under 21 while Cook has averaged 12.00 in the four innings excluding that 95 and even with it he is averaging under 30.

I would recommend at least two changes, probably give Cook a final chance but axe Bops and Broad. Not sure who to bring in. Trott seems to be hitting the attacks around a bit for a Bradman-esque average. Plunkett and Mahmood look to be doing ok, but I'm not sure either looked the part last time they played. Perhaps Sidebottom could come back, left-arm so something different and is a combatitive tailender

Strauss (c)
Cook
TROTT
Bell
Collingwood
Prior (wk)
Flintoff
Swann
Anderson
SIDEBOTTOM
Onions

I can see why the selectors don't want to drop Broad as the tail does start at nine without someone who can bat, BUT both Anderson and Sidebottom have hung around before and I'd take 10-15 runs and 4-6 wickets in a match over say 30-50 runs and 2-3 wickets. 1-8 should be getting the bulk of the runs, Swann is maybe a little iffy for eight but I think he can do it. Does he still open in some one dayers for Notts? Crank Flintoff up for one last push at a win that would now win the Ashes and if we do somehow win, then maybe play him as a batsman for the last Test as a farewell. Last thing we really want is a draw or defeat in the next Test to leave a tense finale.

 

[Hooper]

So, thanks to the rain, it petered out to a draw. Still, we only need one win or two more draws now. Let's put this to bed in the next match.

MasterBlaster76 added 1 Minutes and 41 Seconds later...



:rtfl :rtfl :rtfl :rtfl

You're calling us Whingeing Poms, when you've done enough whingeing for five Ashes series in three Test Matches! Ponting alone has been acting like a crybaby this series.

Sorry, but that's really funny. :laugh :laugh :laugh

Besides, what's to complain about? We're still 1-0 up and the games are running out.

Personally, I can't see us being beaten by this Australian side - they have indeed lost their aura.

Ponting acting like a crybaby? Where do you get that idea from?


We won't lose the Ashes mate, don't get too cocky. We just have to get a couple players in form and a test win is ours...Just look back to the first test. Its not like you guys have completely dominated us because you are so good - we have played shockingly.

 

[sifter132]

I can see the selectors and Ricky wanting him back over Clark. They seem to think Clark's career is next to finished. And Lee gives them that extra batting option which they seem to love. Its too risky for mind bringing him in with no match time under his belt. He could break down at any stage and who knows what his form will be now. If he is coming back it should be the 5th Test after playing the tour match.

If they thought his career was over he wouldn't have been on the plane. Bollinger would have been picked.

It's been a balance thing. When Lee went down he was fighting with Siddle and Clark for 2 spots opposite Mitch. Siddle impressed in the tour game and virtually guaranteed his spot. But having Siddle and Mitch means there is little swing/no RELIABLE swing and they both go for a high RPO. Hilfy solved BOTH those problems in one package and he became the surprise pick. They also mentioned they wanted a guy to move the ball away from batsmen. So Clark was a victim of Siddle's success really. But Hilfy turned out to be an excellent choice.

It will be the same this time. If Siddle is chopped (hopefully), the choice will be between pace and swing (Lee) or line and length and pressure (Clark). Given our position in the series, we need to attack to win so I think Lee will be the choice. It is a shame for Clark, but he's just been a victim of circumstances rather than the selectors hating him like all and sundry seem to be implying.



Anyway..

North played beautifully. He really plays well when he gets in. I'm not missing Symonds one little bit.

And did anyone think Watson didn't hit that one he 'nicked'? Everytime I see that replay it looks like his bat is closer to his pad than the ball. There was no snicko, or hotspot that I saw. But it didn't really matter and the one shot they showed of Watson going off made him look calm so maybe he did hit it.