******* Official Ashes Thread *********

[WillburForce]

Americans - move on, nothing to see here

After the whitewash down under its time for England to show the Aussies how to play the sport!!!

I recon it'll be a close series, but England will win (hopefully more than just the toss).

currently 18-0 England batting

[Monsieur_chat]

Gonna be incredibly close first test I think. Both very inexperienced teams, the Aussies have 9 players in their squad who've played less than 9 tests.

Either way, soo excited about an ashes summer

[Muzzard]

We have a good chance, I think batting wise we're fairly balanced if our players perform. It's a series going to be won or lost by bowling - major plus lee is injured this test and maybe 2 also.

I'm not sure spin is going to be as big an influence as everyone is talking about.

[WillburForce]

I'm not sure spin is going to be as big an influence as everyone is talking about.

I agree - 2 spinners, first game in Wales because its a "spinners" pitch. seems a load of balls to me.

i recon it'll be the old guard such as the likes of Flintoff and Pieterson who will win this for us.

[bode]

silly euros

[Muzzard]

Just seen the team selection for the first time I'm not 100% happy with the selection of Flintoff and Collingwood for this tests.

I very much doubt flintoff will produce much of a contribution

[WillburForce]

i dunno. I'm not one of those silly "Freddys the greatest" types, but i recon he'll get some good wickets and also some good runs.

saying that the first innings is already looking a bit dodgy......

[WillburForce]

silly euros

Americans, move on, nothing for you here. This game needs more than 15mins of concentration before the next hotdog break

[Muzzard]

Yeah not the best start, looked like Bopara was pretty nervous + ppl shouldn't be getting bounced out or hit oon a slow track vs 90mph's

[Chelle]

wat

[Muzzard]

female+american means there's no chance you will understand this thread

[GatorJH]

I thought this was gonna be a thread about dead people.

Looks like I was right.

[Parasurama]

Does it count if I only watch IPL and World Cup matches?

[Muzzard]

Does it count if I only watch IPL and World Cup matches?

does what count?

[Halv]

wtf is going on itt

[chrisa]

Does it count if I only watch IPL and World Cup matches?

World cup yes. IPL no. T20 isn't real cricket.

No Lee for the first two tests.

I fancy our chances since, well, England are shite. :P

[Monsieur_chat]

So, think we can give the Aussie's the first session, but the afternoon was definitely England's. Can't believe Ponting's being so negative.

[Parasurama]

Does it count if I only watch IPL and World Cup matches?

does what count?

Like, can I be accepted into the group of FTR cricket fans?

silly euros

Actually cricket is not a European sport at all, only England and her former colonies.

[Muzzard]

Like, can I be accepted into the group of FTR cricket fans?

For sure! But you're not watching the tests?

[WillburForce]

Aussies could have gone on top, but let it slide. Ponting playing negative has worked for us.

we'll get to 350ish. that'll do for a 1st innings I recon.

[Muzzard]

Nah we wanted like 450+ as the pitch is going to deteriorate pretty rapidly i think.

kevin pietersen is a knob wtf was that bullshit shot.

[Ragnar4]

That was a nasty wickett govnah! Blimey! Pietersen's a git, and that shot would have made the Queen soil her knickers.

amirite?

[Muzzard]

[ ] rite

[bikes]

[x] Tossers ITT
[x] Sheep Shaggers ITT
[x] Wankers ITT

[ ] Takin a piss

[daven]

it's not ashes, but....

Shane Bond is back in the nz team!!! after being banned after the IPL debacle, nz has a strike bowler once more

[WillburForce]

Nah we wanted like 450+ as the pitch is going to deteriorate pretty rapidly i think.

kevin pietersen is a knob wtf was that bullshit shot.

defo agree that 450 is what we wanted, 350 is more likelyt now though.
that'll do...

[Muzzard]

[x] chinks itt
[ ] chinks play cricket

[Muzzard]

defo agree that 450 is what we wanted, 350 is more likelyt now though.
that'll do...

Yeah 350-400 Think Broad and Swan might be able to put on a few, that's if they don't get out tonight already!

Watching it on Skyplayer it's pretty awesome.

[surviva316]

F cricket! i picked a cricket game in my beat the streak once and the game lasted close to 10 hrsm and the box score was like a bazillion pages long, and i lost my streak.

i'm hijacking this thread with baseball. goin' to the phils tonight. got 3rd row seats in LF for less than face value. it'd be ballin' if they could put up another 22 spot

[BankItDrew]

GOOOOOO ALL BLACKS !!!!

[Ragnar4]

It sure is good that bowler has several maidens, because he's a right ferret when it comes to his time at bat, the team captain is absolutely bonkers for having him bat first... It seems like that bowler is always out for a golden duck.

IS THAT ANY BETTER YOU CRAZY LIMEYS?

[JKDS]

AMERICA, FUCK YA

[UnbelievableJeff]

All I know is that with a 2 spinner attack on a pitch deteriorating that fast, we are literally going to rape the Aussies.

[bjsaust]

England has a great chance. The aussie team is nowhere near the strength it was a few years ago. Should be an interesting series.

[WillburForce]

we are literally going to rape the Aussies.

I really hope we are not going to "literally" rape the Aussies.

[Keith]

we are literally going to rape the Aussies.

I really hope we are not going to "literally" rape the Aussies.

no wonder they moved it to sky, no way that would get pastthe watershed on terrestrial. Seriously though. no Warne , mcgrath, gilchrist and a couple of the other aussie greats that have retired , We actually have a chance assuming pietersen can get along with the rest of the team and Flintoff can stay off the booze so that he can see the ball coming at him.

[Kits]

Go Aussies.

Why is the urn so small?

That is all.

[kevster]

Ok, I'm late to this thread because I was too busy watching it and didn't think there'd be anyone on FTR interested.

Anyway......

I'm not sure spin is going to be as big an influence as everyone is talking about.

I agree - 2 spinners, first game in Wales because its a "spinners" pitch. seems a load of balls to me.

It's not just that the pitch is expected turn - though it looks like it is deteriorating - the Aussie batsman aren't playing spin well generally.

I very much doubt flintoff will produce much of a contribution

What!!?!?!?! He's been consistently our best bowler for many years, never gives anything away. Plus he seems to be fit, bowling for 90 minutes last week at 90MPH+. He merits inclusion on bowling alone. Anything with the bat is a bonus.

Anyway, a cracking effort from England's tail this morning and the Aussies are just in to bat. C'mon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Monsieur_chat]

Good to see the England tail wagging.

[Muzzard]

I very much doubt flintoff will produce much of a contribution

What!!?!?!?! He's been consistently our best bowler for many years, never gives anything away. Plus he seems to be fit, bowling for 90 minutes last week at 90MPH+. He merits inclusion on bowling alone. Anything with the bat is a bonus.

Anyway, a cracking effort from England's tail this morning and the Aussies are just in to bat. C'mon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He's well overrated as a batsmen IMO. He han't played much first class cricket in the last few years through injury and had to undergo surgery a few times. He has only played 2 first class matches for Lancs this season. I think to rerly upon him to produce the goods after such a long time out of the game is stupid.

Although the pitch is deteriorating the assuies got it to turn alot more than Swann or Panesar.

[Seasider]

So annoying that it is only on Sky! I am listening to it on BBC's red button tho which is still pretty good and catching up with the pictures on 5 each evening.

Looks like the first test is slipping away after Katich and Ponting dug in this afternoon; a hat-trick would be helpful tomorrow!

Also cricket is the one sport i'll support England, although Ireland booked a 3 wicket win over Kenya in the 1 days

[Muzzard]

Katich and Ponting did what several of our batsmen who got off to a good start should have done.

Sky player FTW, grind teh pokers + watch the ashes on comp wheeeeeeee

[WillburForce]

looking good for the Ozberts.

looks like the spin idea is working out....

[WillburForce]

thats better. got Ponting.

few more wickets and this could even out again.

[Monsieur_chat]

Yes Monty

[WillburForce]

meh, just a meh day.

hope for rain tomorrow? get a pikey draw.

what is it about the fking Aussies??? They can just man up at all times, when England just crumble.

I was so sure this Ashes could be for England (I know early days), but then you see the Aussies come over, with a weaker side, or maybe just youthful. And they just get it right.

[UnbelievableJeff]

All I know is that with a 2 spinner attack on a pitch deteriorating that fast, we are literally going to rape the Aussies.

I was wrong.

[kevster]

England should have batted better. Ponting is so good it's ridiculous - on TMS they were talking about best Aussie batsmen since Bradman. In other words, 2nd best batsman of all time!

Swann & Broad have been disappointing but this could've been a draw even without the intervention of the forecasted weekend weather - there's just not enough in the pitch for the bowlers.

I lumped on the draw at 1.5

[Seasider]

Katich and Ponting did what several of our batsmen who got off to a good start should have done.

Sky player FTW, grind teh pokers + watch the ashes on comp wheeeeeeee

Sounds nice but as my comp can no-longer run teh pokrz at teh same time as teh hud I'm afraid it would probably asplode if i tried Anyway Boycott on Radio 5 is golden!

Im doing my rain dance -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B616xuAQ7dU

[kevster]

lol at this thread dying on it's arse since the Aussies started pounding ours

[Muzzard]

I didnt think their batting line up would be so strong. Maybe we just bowled pretty poorly, idk.

[kevster]

If we lose this, it's really down to our batting. Ponting and others have shown that the pitch is pretty lifeless and perfect for batsmen.

Ok, our bowling attack has been meagre but theirs isn't up to much either. We threw too many wickets away in the first innings, didn't score as many as we should've and the second innings is heading in the direction of severe embarrassment.

[mbiz]

props to england for their dodgy delays for the draw.
Im australian but due to our cricket team being a bunch of arrogant assholes i always go for the other team. RSA being my fav.

which makes me wonder, do you guys see our team like this? ponting epitomises the arrogant aussie cricketer to me - cant stand him (roy/andrew symonds is awesome)

[kevster]

We pulled it out of the fire and the lower order, especially Colly, deserve huge credit for it.

If we can improve on our mistakes (and we'll have to) the rest of the series is going to be pretty close but the Aussies definitely have the edge based on this test.

[UnbelievableJeff]

"And Monty's dived for the crease... for no apparent reason."

PMSL.

[WillburForce]

props to england for their dodgy delays for the draw.
Im australian but due to our cricket team being a bunch of arrogant assholes i always go for the other team. RSA being my fav.

which makes me wonder, do you guys see our team like this? ponting epitomises the arrogant aussie cricketer to me - cant stand him (roy/andrew symonds is awesome)

iassume this is alevel? An aussie who doesn't support his team? WTF?

and I have huge respect for Ponting. Is it arrogance being in the best team and knowing/speaking it? his/Oz record speaks for it self,

GG England though. the faces on the Aussies supporters was hilarious.

[mbiz]

nope im not alevel just good old mbiz.

Really, i dont support australian athletes too often because i just plain dont like them. Exceptions involve soccer/football, and tour de france - i go for australia.

Ponting is a great cricketer no doubt, but he really is a dickwod. Its all bitch/moan when he loses any game, theres always an excuse

[kevster]

2nd Test at Lords

ENG won the toss and are batting. 91-0. C'mon!!!!!!!

[WillburForce]

100-0

c'mon England.

[kevster]

100-0

c'mon England.

255-2.

[bjsaust]

Any time the best team/player(s) in the world in any sport show anything other than humility they're labelled as arrogant. Nothing wrong with having self-belief.

Why is the urn so small?

Not sure if that was a serious question, but the ashes are the remains of burning the bails from the first match that Australia ever won on British soil. Thats just not much ash.

[kevster]

425ao

England must bowl well now.

[WillburForce]

nice early wicket. get another before lunch....

[kevster]

11 for 2. Ponting out - Yesssss!!!!!!

Who cares if was a dodgy decision?

Don't want rain now.

[WillburForce]

looking gloomy here in SW London....think it's gonna rain.

[ryokan]

what an end to the day for us! hopefully we can skittle the aussies sharpish tomorrow.

[UnbelievableJeff]

ez game

[kevster]

ez game

I can't see us not winning this now but it's clearly not over yet.

[kevster]

Australia staring down the barrel.

Fucking come on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Carroters]

What is crickietz anyways?

[WillburForce]

getting a bit nervous now....

[kevster]

getting a bit nervous now....

this.

Gotta stay positive though. One wicket changes everything.

[WillburForce]

yes yes yes! All over now...coupld more wickets.

Flintoff the man!

[kevster]

yes yes yes! All over now...coupld more wickets.

Flintoff the man!

He sure is. It's crucial he plays the rest of the series.

[WillburForce]

whoop whoop!