I have trouble watching netball QM, lovely ladies and all, but I just can't get into it. They've been a powerhouse for some time now, so I suppose they'll still be the ones to beat, even after the Kiwi loss. I could be wrong here, and it wouldn't be the first time, but I think NZ and Australia have dominated the game for yonks, and one of them should take the bikkies.
That's the mentality of a small country like Scotland though, it isn't the mentality of the England football supporters
My oh my. Strangely I felt a bit embarrassed listening to this................ http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02z3jhq
I wouldn't feel too bad Swanny, it's all just a game. If the shoe had been on the other foot we'd probably have done the same. Revel in it mate, like all sports, it's all swings and round abouts. Oz has had it's fair share of success, so we can't really grumble. Well ok, maybe a little.
Yep, Cyc, your impressive new-look team is a real force in RU now; NZ must have the heebie-jeebies at the moment!
I think I have found the Aussies starting line-up for the final Ashes Test at The Oval. They are currently having a warm-up in Canterbury. Instead of a load of blokes that play like women, they will just field the Sheilas. A wink and a smile at Anderson and Broad should see that game finish in two days so they can go to the Aussie hotel at the weekend for a few drinks and a game of naked pool with the opposition.
Swanny, winning the 4 Nations from New Zealand, Argentina and South Africa, was a huge achievement for us. We have not had a team quite this good for a very long time, but we probably will cop it in the neck on Saturday. New Zealand hold the Bledisloe Cup which is only a two round competition, and the All Blacks hold the trophy, they only have to draw the series to retain it. We beat then last week in Australia, but to take the Cup, we need to beat them in NZ. The game will be played at Eden Park, a place where we have not won in nearly 30 years. Betting sees the All Blacks at $1.25 and Australia at $4. If we can pull this off, it will be one of the biggest upsets in yonks. Like you said though, we have a good outfit, so a surprise could be on the cards. Either way, I just hope they play well.
Ah yes, the Bledisloe Cup. That's all that's best in the Union game. Sure hope I can see some of it on TV, as long as bloody Sky haven't grabbed it all! Hope the Aussies do well, Cyc, a change is always good for the game.
Many thanks, will search around. Here's a nice bit from Matt Burke on the subject: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/u...-park-says-matthew-burke-20150813-giyug0.html
England stick with the winning side from Trent Bridge as James Anderson is still not available. Michael Clarke has announced that he is jumping before he is pushed and Chris Rogers is also bowing out but the present is the problem never mind the future. Peter Siddle has finally been brought into the bowling attack whilst they have also swapped the Marsh brothers again! The Oval wicket is reportedly green and it is overcast, so England have opted to bowl first to see if the Aussies are interested in going home before Sunday. With the weather set fair for the opening day, the only way I can see the visitors getting a consolation victory is to somehow put together a decent first innings total and make the game competitive. Another batting collapse and this Test will look just like a couple of others on the highlights DVD that will not be a best seller in the Southern Hemisphere. Finn's next wicket will be his hundredth in Test matches - quicker than Anderson did it.
Crikey, the Aussies will be putting together a highlights DVD of this one – three overs faced, no wickets lost, three runs on the board...
Aren't you forgetting Lords QM? Dead rubbers are a bit of a waste of everyone's time really. It doesn't matter what the England captain will say about wanting to end the series with a win to maintain momentum etc, the intensity drops 10% and that's usually enough. I can remember us beating the champion Aussie sides of 90s/early 00s in the last match on a few occasions having been stuffed out of sight in the earlier matches. I suspect the money men are just hoping it goes well into 4 days. I'm hoping that both Clarke and Rogers get runs in their last test match but we win, or at least draw.
That is why they do not bother with the dead rubbers in America. When the Boston Red Sox were 4-0 up in the seven game World Series in 2004, they did not bother with the other three. Now it looks like the weather forecast at The Oval is being revised with the possibility of rain this afternoon. The Aussies will be gutted: the openers are unbeaten on 82 at lunch, Warner is eyeing his highest first innings Ashes Test score (60) and there has to be a good chance of the hundred opening partnership. England might be hoping that any rain delays result in changed conditions so the decision to bowl first does not turn out to be a bad one.
Nonsense. The Ashes are not real. Every game counts of a series. One of the best test matches ever was the last '66 test when the WINDIES were hammering England and the series was lost. The selectors in a moment of sanity ditched the captain and appointed B. Close. Given no chance at all England won the last test in a truly fascinating game and Close went on to be one of the few unbeaten England captains. And England were pretty good then as well.
Spot on Bustino..every game counts...always has done,too much pride with both sides. I think the previous two posters don't really understand Ashes cricket. Chany is blinded by his unfettered dislike of Australia. QM is a lot like the old Al Cook...follows the ball and generally reacts and comments after the event...relying on some obtuse archived previous reference for qualification. Discuss chaps...we've only 4 days left to fall out!!
Interesting that the Oval is once again a great pitch..plenty of bounce and carry. It always has been apart from the last time Australia needed a result there,then it was a low greener. Had this situation "demanded" such a surface then it would no doubt have been prepared. Lords deserve credit.The groundsman is,as stated before,a rather truculent individual who refuses to be bowed by such demands..as the wicket showed. Lords also keep out the rascals of the "barmy army"..respect. The ECB deny any intervention in the preparation of wickets.
Of course the ECB prepare the wickets just like Cricket Australia do down under. Whats the point in having home advantage if you aren't going to use it. Looking like a silly decision to put them in, Cook obviously felt they were on a crest of a wave after the last 2 tests but the Aussies have had 2 weeks to work on their decision making at the crease
