Can I just double check with our readers — England did win the Ashes 3–0 at home this summer didn’t they? I’m not stuck in an alternate universe where England were thrashed? I’ll continue on the assumption that I am in fact in the same universe as everyone else, and that England did indeed win, in which case I have to assume that a large section of the media, including the BBC are the ones in an alternate universe.… Read Full Article
Posts Tagged: Australia
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Ashes 2013: Team of the series
One of the things that surprised me during the series was how the pundits compared the respective wicket keepers — with Brad Haddin getting a pretty good press, whilst Matt Prior got a slightly negative overall rating. From what I saw I didn’t think there was much to pick between them, so I thought I’d see how the numbers stack up. I figured I might as well do the same for the rest of the sides and see if a team of the series emerges that reflects how well individuals have played.
0A cracking final day of the summer
I wasn’t expecting a great deal from the final day of the Ashes. With England still in their first innings, and seemingly with no chance of winning I expected them to bat out the day. Instead a wonderful day of cricket took place with both sides deserving a huge amount of credit.
0England losing momentum?
So, as the final test heads towards a rain soaked draw the pundits are searching for something to chatter about. They finally seem to have got bored of taking pops at the DRS system, and it isn’t cricket to kick a team whilst they’re down (i.e. Australia) so inevitably the attention has turned to England. It seems that winning the series 3–0 (as will doubtless be confirmed in around 30 hours time) and winning 3 ashes series on the trot is a sign that England are “losing momentum”. What nonsense.
1Australia hold the upper hand — in a dead rubber match
Two days in and Australia certainly have the upper hand. But so what. The Ashes are won and won pretty convincingly at that. This is a dead-rubber match and is very reminiscent of Ashes series of old when England used to suddenly pull a decent performance out of the hat when the urn was in the possession of the Aussies. Players who time and time again let the team down would suddenly grab a five-for or score a century and their series average to the historic observer would look half-decent.… Read Full Article
03–0 to England… what have we learned?
I’ve been away on holiday for the past 2½ weeks and haven’t had chance to write about the cricket. During that time there have been 2 more Ashes test matches and England have extended their lead to 3–0. Having been away from all the talking heads I haven’t heard what they have to say, so here are some of my own thoughts, uninfluenced by the pundits.
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Where do Australia go from here?
So, the second Test is over, and England have won comprehensively, and with it, almost certainly retained the Ashes. A lot of discussion is already focussed on what Australia can do to get some pride back in this series, and how they can rebuild for the return series this winter in Australia. The focus is on Australia’s batting line up, so let’s look at some numbers from the last 2 tests… Read Full Article
1Job Done — England Take a 2–0 Lead
Job done. Australia thrashed.
They didn’t really have the answer to the combined heroics of Root (massive century and a couple of handy wickets), Bell (a very important first innings ton with a decent half century in the second (although he should have been out, caught, on 20-odd) and Swann (9 wickets). It has to be worrying for the visitors when their second best player, Watson, is having his technique exposed by the England attack in a big way – he was yet again a LBW victim today.… Read Full Article
0Second Ashes Test — Walking in a Yorkshire Wonderland
There’s not much to say on the last couple of days – basically England have ground Australia into dust. That’s my summary. England lead by 566 runs with wickets and time in hand. Pretty comfortable.…
Instead I’m going to concentrate on today’s hero, Joe Root.
“I were chuffed to bits”…so said Joe when asked to reflect on his stupendously good ‘mega ton’ he scored today. I was rather happy too.… Read Full Article
0The Ashes: Second Test — Day 1
So, another day of exceptionally entertaining Test cricket is over, and the second test match is well and truly under way. Pleasingly today hasn’t been marred by any poor decisions (by umpires or players), but I was disgusted by the mistaken booing of Jimmy Anderson. I’ll talk a little more about that later, but first some predictions (admittedly a day late)… Read Full Article
“The pink ball appears grey/blue in red/green deficient vision, depending on its severity. I did a simulation with colour blindness…”