Ashes 2017

[westg]

Before everyone starts jumping on Ken...and Mitch Marsh's hundred...Eben Ken could make a tonne on that pitch

[Ken Gargett]

Just now, westg said:

Before everyone starts jumping on Ken...and Mitch Marsh's hundred...Eben Ken could make a tonne on that pitch

left-handed westie!

as much as he should never have been there, you can't help feel happy for the bloke when you see how much it meant. and aside from some dodgy early shots, it was a good ton.

[westg]

2 minutes ago, Ken Gargett said:

left-handed westie!

as much as he should never have been there, you can't help feel happy for the bloke when you see how much it meant. and aside from some dodgy early shots, it was a good ton.

Yes..was just going to say that...good for him..well done...

[99call]

Haven't not followed cricket really since 2005, and watching Flintoff at old Trafford. What a test match! 

I have no dog in the game as it were, but surely this has to feel pretty hollow to the Aussies?. In following over the past couple of weeks, England seem to be a mixture of a gang of unprofessional piss-heads and the dregs of an old successful team.  It must be nice for the Aussies to get the Urn back, but there seems to be a bit more excitement that I would expect in dispatching such a poor team. 

Recently watch Wales beat South Africa in the Autumn internationals, and the feeling was totally hollow, the overriding emotion being some weird form of sympathy for the Saffers. 

I'm not having a dig, but whats the verdict gents? Is it just excitement about getting the Urn back, or are fans genuinely proud of beating this team?

[Ken Gargett]

13 minutes ago, 99call said:

Haven't not followed cricket really since 2005, and watching Flintoff at old Trafford. What a test match! 

I have no dog in the game as it were, but surely this has to feel pretty hollow to the Aussies?. In following over the past couple of weeks, England seem to be a mixture of a gang of unprofessional piss-heads and the dregs of an old successful team.  It must be nice for the Aussies to get the Urn back, but there seems to be a bit more excitement that I would expect in dispatching such a poor team. 

Recently watch Wales beat South Africa in the Autumn internationals, and the feeling was totally hollow, the overriding emotion being some weird form of sympathy for the Saffers. 

I'm not having a dig, but whats the verdict gents? Is it just excitement about getting the Urn back, or are fans genuinely proud of beating this team?

i mean no disrespect in saying this. ARE YOU INSANE?

i have never seen such utter ridiculous (and please, i understand what you are saying and i do mean no offence) nonsense since the climate change debate (no, not going back there).

it is the Ashes. if we were the greatest side that had ever played the game and england currently the worst, and we won all five tests by an innings and 400 runs, i assure you there would not be the slightest thought given to it being hollow (i'm now realising you were probably taking the piss, because no one could ever imagine an australian england test was not more important than life itself. )

no. not hollow in the least. could never, ever be hollow. and these sides are probably a lot closer than it appears. the difference is our quicks are a step up and steve smith.

[99call]

7 minutes ago, Ken Gargett said:

i mean no disrespect in saying this. ARE YOU INSANE?

i have never seen such utter ridiculous (and please, i understand what you are saying and i do mean no offence) nonsense since the climate change debate (no, not going back there).

it is the Ashes. if we were the greatest side that had ever played the game and england currently the worst, and we won all five tests by an innings and 400 runs, i assure you there would not be the slightest thought given to it being hollow (i'm now realising you were probably taking the piss, because no one could ever imagine an australian england test was not more important than life itself. )

no. not hollow in the least. could never, ever be hollow. and these sides are probably a lot closer than it appears. the difference is our quicks are a step up and steve smith.

Ha, Sadly I have no ability to realise what cricket means to true enthusiasts, as I simply enjoy turning up to the odd 5day tests having a beer, and a laugh with mates.

I did really enjoy the Ashes in the time between the dregs of Merv Hughes's career, and the dregs of Freddie Flintoffs (a mass of real character in this era), but in trying to get a grip on what the current standings are, you're right.....it seems as if England have turned up with a bowling attack that was never going to make an impression. Of course, if there isn't genuine quicks available, you simply have to turn up with what you have.   

I'm glad you guys are enjoying it, with the teams as they are, cant see the Urn coming to these shores for a good while. Normal service resumed

[Ken Gargett]

1 minute ago, 99call said:

Ha, Sadly I have no ability to realise what cricket means to true enthusiasts, as I simply enjoy turning up to the odd 5day tests having a beer, and a laugh with mates.

I did really enjoy the Ashes in the time between the dregs of Merv Hughes's career, and the dregs of Freddie Flintoffs (a mass of real character in this era), but in trying to get a grip on what the current standings are, you're right.....it seems as if England have turned up with a bowling attack that was never going to make an impression. Of course, if there isn't genuine quicks available, you simply have to turn up with what you have.   

I'm glad you guys are enjoying it, with the teams as they are, cant see the Urn coming to these shores for a good while. Normal service resumed

actually, the strange thing is that since the domination of australia which ran pretty much from 1989 to 2005, it seems to swap back and forth depending on who is hosting the games. hoping that changes next series.

[99call]

1 minute ago, Ken Gargett said:

actually, the strange thing is that since the domination of australia which ran pretty much from 1989 to 2005, it seems to swap back and forth depending on who is hosting the games. hoping that changes next series.

Well, if it's warm, dewy and the ball is swinging both ways, we can be assured of seeing a few Aussie collapses. 

[99call]

1 hour ago, Ken Gargett said:

steve smith.

As a side question, when watching the first couple of tests (on the google box) I couldn't stop focusing on how Aboriginal Steve Smith looked in the face. Is there anything known about his family background?. Not that it would mean anything, but I was just interested if anything is known if he has an interesting family tree

[Ken Gargett]

1 minute ago, 99call said:

As a side question, when watching the first couple of tests (on the google box) I couldn't stop focusing on how Aboriginal Steve Smith looked in the face. Is there anything known about his family background?. Not that it would mean anything, but I was just interested if anything is known if he has an interesting family tree

what on earth are you on? and can we all have some?

blond haired, blue-eyed????

aussie dad (scientist?) and english mum, i think.

[99call]

Just now, Ken Gargett said:

what on earth are you on? and can we all have some?

blond haired, blue-eyed????

aussie dad (scientist?) and english mum, i think.

I meant as a genetic throwback (generations back) The structure of he face is has some aspects that look quite aboriginal to me.  It is possible to be born blonde haired and blue eyed, if your great grandfather was black etc etc

To me, he has very deep set eyes, and looks quite aboriginal in the bone structure of his face. Particularly this photo

[Ken Gargett]

Just now, 99call said:

I meant as a genetic throwback (generations back) The structure of he face is has some aspects that look quite aboriginal to me.  It is possible to be born blonde haired and blue eyed, if your great grandfather was black etc etc

To me, he has very deep set eyes, and looks quite aboriginal in the bone structure of his face. Particularly this photo

n

not to my knowledge.

[westg]

His grand parents are English

[99call]

12 minutes ago, westg said:

His grand parents are English

Poor bugger!

[Ken Gargett]

i see that the real mitch marsh has arrived and the evil twin who batted yesterday condemned to history.

[dicko]

i see that the real mitch marsh has arrived and the evil twin who batted yesterday condemned to history.

Haha c'mon most batsman struggled today!

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[Ken Gargett]

25 minutes ago, dicko said:

Haha c'mon most batsman struggled today!

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he led the way!

but it was a cracking ton.

[JohnS]

Well, predicting that Steve Smith and Mitchell Marsh would share a 301-run partnership for the 5th wicket in this test would be akin to picking lotto numbers but it seems to be the type of wicket where you can score boundaries easily and once you hit 50 you can go on and make a big hundred. Can anyone predict a repeat of the Mitchell Starc delivery which got James Vince on the 5th day? Can England escape with a draw 127 runs behind in their 2nd innings on the last day of the 3rd test?

[Ferrero]

Went missing from this thread for a while and all I can say is WOW!

Australia should make it 3-0 today without any trouble. Can't see Malan or Bairstow backing up their first innings performances unfortunately.

I still have issues with the Marsh's selections regardless of their performances. They've angered the Australia fan base for so long that I think the relationship is tarnished. One bad performance and they will be back under the bus. Cricket Australia will also have the same issue with them next year when they turn 35 and are banished irrespective of their on field performances.

3 hours ago, JohnS said:

Can anyone predict a repeat of the Mitchell Starc delivery which got James Vince on the 5th day? 

One of the best balls I've seen bowled. No matter how many times I see it I can't get my head around it. The original path that ball was on makes my thought process the exact same as Vince's and then it hits the deck and jumps a mile. Amazing!

[Ken Gargett]

49 minutes ago, Ferrero said:

One of the best balls I've seen bowled. No matter how many times I see it I can't get my head around it. The original path that ball was on makes my thought process the exact same as Vince's and then it hits the deck and jumps a mile. Amazing!

that ball hits a crack. amazing stuff and looked great but it would be a disservice to the genuinely great deliveries to put that with them. a ball like warnie's to gatting was truly extraordinary but that was simply good fortune. sure, aim at the crack and that can happen but sans crack, forget it.

as for cricket australia, they have been shown to be the spineless simpering pondscum of world sport by mike proctor's new book. it is exactly the story that the players have always insisted. and have been doing so for years. cricket australia failed themselves, their players, the supporters and the game. they are a permanent stain on this nation.

[JohnS]

And so Australia wrap up the Ashes in the last test to be played at the WACA Ground in Perth (the first was played in 1970), coming back from England being 4/368 at one stage in their first innings to bowl them out for 403. Steve Smith scored 239, Mitchell Marsh 181 and together they had a 5th wicket record 301-run stand which allowed the Aussies to declare at 9/662. England were bowled out on the 5th day for 218. Josh Hazlewood took 5/48. For England, Dawid Malan scored 140 and 53, Jonny Bairstow scored 119 in the 1st innings and James Anderson took 4/116. Mitchell Starc has a heel injury and is in doubt for the next test. See you for the big Boxing Day test from Melbourne in a week.

[JohnS]

There's confirmation this morning that Jackson Bird will come into the starting XI to replace Mitchell Starc who developed a bruised heel in the Third test at Perth. Starc has said that he will try to return for the Sydney Test starting next Thursday January 4th, but in my opinion, this is unlikely as I feel the Australian Selectors will rest Starc for the upcoming tour to South Africa.

Mitchell Starc has the most wickets and best bowling average in the 3 tests this far, with 19 wickets at 21/05 a piece, so his loss will be a blow. However, Hazlewood has taken 15 wickets at 23.20, Lyon has taken 14 wickets at 26.07 and Cummins has taken 11 wickets at 30.09, so Australia still has formidable bowling strength for the next two games. For England, Jimmy Anderson has taken 12 wickets at 25.83 but he needs support from at least one other bowler for England to compete in the 4th Test, in my opinion.

Jackson Bird last played Test Cricket at the corresponding Boxing Day Test Match against Pakistan in 2016. Incidentally, Starc played his one and only Boxing Day Test Match last year too, having missed prior Boxing Day games due to injury and selection since his debut in 2012. Jackson Bird is more than a capable replacement as he has been unlucky not to play Test Cricket in the last 12 months. He has a decent Test bowling average of 34 wickets at 27.47 a piece, but his First-Class form has been irresistible this season, with 25 wickets at 16.56 a piece from 4 matches. I feel he will be more than a handful for the English batsmen in this test.

The Boxing Day Opening Day is traditionally one of the biggest sporting events on the Australian Cultural Calendar, with an anticipated crowd of over 90000 for the Opening Day. Perhaps only the Australian Football League Grand Final comes close for crowd support.

[JohnS]

Craig Overton has also been ruled out of the Boxing Test today. His place will go to either Mark Wood, himself under an injury cloud or Tom Curran, the son of Zimbabwe international, Kevin, who if picked, will be making his test debut. Alternatively, Mason Crane, the 20 year-old leg-spinner, could make his debut if the English selectors favour a spin option.

[dicko]

I attended the first 2 days of the boxing day test. Good cricket with a ton for warner day 1 and from cook day 2. The bowling was pretty brave as well.

 

I have to say apart from the atmosphere the "best seat in the house is your living room" really is true as far as watching the bat on ball action. That said some things really are better taken in live. Ill give an example, the captaincy.

 

In my opinion you get to see the field placings better, get a better sense of the tactical game and the body language.

 

Joe Root was very defensive again. Also his body language was a bit off at times. I know you shouldn't judge people on their appearance but he really does look like a grumpy school boy at times. That said he did make some good bowling changes and got some good results from being more aggressive.

 

Im not a cricket expert and this might be obvious given it is often talked about in commentary etc but ive noticed that the more proactive and aggreasive the captaincy the better the result.

 

Jeez im impressed by Steve Smith. What a tough bloke. Good captain as well. Conpare to Root he changed bowlers more often i think, placed more aggressive fields and strong body language. Fits the mould of the classic Aussie captain perfectly. Tough and aggressive.

 

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[westg]

8 minutes ago, dicko said:

I attended the first 2 days of the boxing day test. Good cricket with a ton for warner day 1 and from cook day 2. The bowling was pretty brave as well.

 

I have to say apart from the atmosphere the "best seat in the house is your living room" really is true as far as watching the bat on ball action. That said some things really are better taken in live. Ill give an example, the captaincy.

 

In my opinion you get to see the field placings better, get a better sense of the tactical game and the body language.

 

Joe Root was very defensive again. Also his body language was a bit off at times. I know you shouldn't judge people on their appearance but he really does look like a grumpy school boy at times. That said he did make some good bowling changes and got some good results from being more aggressive.

 

Im not a cricket expert and this might be obvious given it is often talked about in commentary etc but ive noticed that the more proactive and aggreasive the captaincy the better the result.

 

Jeez im impressed by Steve Smith. What a tough bloke. Good captain as well. Conpare to Root he changed bowlers more often i think, placed more aggressive fields and strong body language. Fits the mould of the classic Aussie captain perfectly. Tough and aggressive.

 

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You are a lawyer.... it is not what people tell you....it is what they show you ...

Glad you enjoyed it....will we be graced with your presence in the 13 th