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.
Posts Categorised: The Ashes
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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
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Job 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
0Heart attack beckons after nervewracking finale
WOW!! What a match. Granted the shocking umpiring decisions (when you include 3rd umpires) perhaps made it a little closer than it should have been (although both sides suffered) but what a fantastic advert YET AGAIN for test match cricket.
Going into this series it looked like it was going to be hard going for Australia. On paper only three players, at best, would make it into the England starting XI from the Australian squad – Clarke, Watson and Siddle. Few people gave them a chance. But through some heroic displays they proved that, when it comes to the Ashes at least, as a team they are greater than the sum of their individual parts.… Read Full Article
0Days Two and Three — A Right Old See Saw
I was so incensed last night at England’s ability to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory by failing to bowl a debut 19 year old number 11 rabbit out (helped by an appalling umpiring decision) and then their perfect following of the script by losing two cricket wickets in reply (note again – appalling decision) that I was unable to put keyboard to laptop.
It looked that today might a have been a second day of radio silence but England managed to dig deep and locate some so far as of yet reserves of guts and bottle (Anderson aside). Well played to Cook and to KP for some decent contributions but especially to Ian Bell. I’ve been one of his harshest critics of late – but only because he hasn’t been weighing in with decent scores when they matter. But today it was time to step up to the plate and he did so, ably assisted by Broad at the other end.… Read Full Article
0Day One of the Big Battle. Disappointment
All I can say after the first day of this summer’s Ashes is that I’m hugely disappointed. Intriguing test match cricket at its best yes, but a strong marker put down by a dominant England against an average test team, no.
Aged 33 I am used to England folding against far superior Aussie teams but this time round it was meant to be different.
On paper England should wallop this lot. The bowlers are far superior and the batsmen for the most part better than theirs.… Read Full Article
0It’s time… Ashes predictions
So, the biggest sporting event of 2013 is finally upon us, which means it’s time for me to stick my neck out and predict a result. I’ll start by confidently predicting an England victory. I’m not so confident of the margin of victory but I think it will be at least 2, but as I don’t think England will ever have a better chance I’m going to really risk the “commentators curse” and suggest England could manage a 5 0 whitewash.
I’m not convinced that Australia have an experienced enough bowling attack to exploit the England weaknesses. I am sure the Australian batting line up is going to be given a rough time by the England seamers and the 6 left handers are going to struggle on dry wickets against Graeme Swan. Unless weather or injuries intervene I don’t see how the Aussies can outscore England consistently.
If England can make 350+ in the first innings (having won the toss) I expect them to win the first test. I’ll guess the scores will be about 400, 350, 300, 200 which will give England a 150 run victory around lunch on day 5. Let’s find out how silly I look by Sunday afternoon…
“The pink ball appears grey/blue in red/green deficient vision, depending on its severity. I did a simulation with colour blindness…”