Weren't we 500/1 when Botham and then Willis carved the Aussies up at Headingly? Trouble is this Aussie bunch haven't got any winners in 'em...
To give Root a shot at a double hundred. Root gets Clarke caught at leg-slip............silly shot from such a class player!
I'm torn on this. Though there is some pleasure in grinding the Aussies to dust like they did to us for 20 years, I think its even more fun to watch when its tight. Beating the team with Ponting, Clarke, Warne, Lee, Gilchrist, McGrath etc etc in 2005 was a real achievement and absolutely gripping sport. Sadly it doesn't look like this bunch of Aussie's is anything like good enough as long as England stay focussed.
Stan, i agree that 2005 was special due to the quality of the opposition, but at the end of the day you can only beat what is in front of you, for years the Aussies slaughtered very average England sides and took great delight in grinding us in to the dust and they weren't exactly slow in reminding us how bad the England sides were......now the boot is on the other foot and although it is not the English way we should take delight in the way this is panning out.
Yes, precisely. Even our supposedly captain ( world class player and all ) can't make amends so how the hell will the team of juniors go without any guidance. Congratulations are again in order for the England team and fans. Sorry we could not conjure up a half decent effort to make a game of it. Very disappointing.
I agree with this. Stan is right that 2005 was by far a bigger achievement, but the Aussies really made sure that we were ground into the dirt time after time. I'm enjoying watching us out-class them, even though I don't believe England have hit top gear yet. Nothing from Cook yet and he's a run machine!
The Aussie team remind me of QPR in the last season, not very good and a lot of it self-inflicted - but they've had no luck at all. Their attack has restricted England's batting unit, if they can get a break while batting they can still be there or thereabouts. They won't win the next three though - so the Ashes are safe for a few months at least.
The Aussies need to get Clarke higher up the order. No good having your best batsman coming in at 30 for 3 every time - he should bat at number 3.
Pattinson ruled out for the rest of the series with stress fracture. So that's their second best batsman gone.
It was interesting to hear comments about Shane Watson yesterday. It's crystal-clear that he and Clarke are poles apart and that Lehmann is indulging him allowing him to open the batting even though Anderson has him as his 'bunny'. Watson also won't put himself out either bowling or in the field, they reckon he has another 5% in bowling speed but never uses it and that Clarke really doesn't want him in the team for his attitude more than his flaws. When a team has deep down splits, like QPR did last season, bad results are inevitable. I think only the weather can save them from a 5-0 hammering in both series. But as an Englishman I'll have no sympathy whatsoever...
It' all good 'Sooperhoop' .......... as an Aussie, it's water off a ducks' back. I have no reason to feel bad about it with the team we have. It is expected. If we had a great team and they were beaten, then I would be pi_ssed. If both teams play to their ability, England should win hands down. Regardless of the Aussies losing, if they play poorly like the second test, then it is disappointing to say the least. This is our opportunity to keep the main of this squad together and build for the future. We need to blood these players and be prepared to lose our fair share in order to have a great team for tomorrow, Well, that's my take on it.
