2009 Ashes Series - England vs. Australia **Spoilers**

[oli collett]

Flintoff in the team, Harmison isn't! I'm quite surprised they left him out.

I was a bit too - on commentary they're suggesting it could quicken up too like in the last test here against the west indies. If the ball is swinging and seaming though, Onions and Anderson will be very useful.

Weather looks pretty mixed so I'm expecting a draw. Good news is we're batting first so as long as we have a good day today we should be in an OK position!

 

[oli collett]

Hah that's a big 'as long as'

Good point, we should really plan for the worst.

Good news is, according to the BBC weather forecast it's going to pour down tomorrow and then showers sunday and monday, so we should be alright!

 

[oli collett]

Nah its a good batting wicket. Another draw I reckon.

So was Cardiff, but we still nearly lost!!!

 

[oli collett]

Cook doesn't get big scores often enough. He's got what, 20 50's and only 9 100s?

 

[oli collett]

I'd take a 95 from him in every innings

So would I, but he doesn't hit 95 every innings!

Ravi gone, collapse?

 

[oli collett]

You know, when Bopara strolled up to the crease, I thought "Are we going to get the confident Ravi Bopara who knocks up a big score with seeming ease, or the shaky one who looks in constant danger, before going out for less than 40?"

Looks like I got my answer.

If Bopara can't score runs when the pressure is on, and looks nervous when the pressure is off on a flat track like today, we might as well have Bell back.

 

[oli collett]

KP gone..

 

[oli collett]

If we get decent knocks from the middle-low order again this'll be a rather healthy total. I haven't actually seen any of the play today but it's unlikely it'll be as easy to bat on as Welshshire.

I'd say it looks flatter, given there's not really been any turn. The ball has done nothing off the seam.

 

[oli collett]

AAAAARGH, COLLY!

 

[oli collett]

We won't make 400 at this rate.

 

[oli collett]

Why cant we dominate like other teams do, we always seems to slump. Im not saying our score in unrespectable but its no domination.

We did dominate the Aussies over in Adelaide once. Oh hang on..

 

[oli collett]

STRAUSS!!!

I guess he did score 160 but still..

 

[oli collett]

The ball's swinging so at least there's some comfort.

Aye. If Jimmy Anderson is on top of his game he's defo capable of ripping through the Aussies.

But then it's that "if" word again..

 

[oli collett]

8 down now..

 

[oli collett]

Doh-Doh!

Can't really blame the tail-enders too much, it's the middle order failure which has done us on this total, we should have been 350-3/4 to start today

Aye. 220-1 to 374-8 is a joke!

 

[oli collett]

Yay, Jimmy off the mark!

 

[oli collett]

Doesn't Jimmy A play a beautiful backfoot drive!

Sure does. He really is a decent batsman now - I'd say he could get near to becoming a bowling all-rounder later in his career if he got some leg sided scoring strokes.

Another nice shot!

Edit: Just to add, from Jan 08 to present he averages over 20 with the bat, not bad.

 

[oli collett]

It's so funny listening to Warney getting frustrated

 

[oli collett]

425 AO, could have been a lot worse.

I don't think either side will be happy or too disheartened either. Let's see how our boys bowl with the new ball.

 

[oli collett]

Cheers for popping in, Phil