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

[Monsieur_chat]

How awesome was that?

[WillburForce]

we thinks a draw?

[kevster]

Forgot about this thread.

1-0 up with 2 to play. I think we'll win at Headingly and that will be that.

[kevster]

***** FOURTH TEST *****

Today the start of the now crucial fourth test. And I'm going to a fucking wedding

Heigh-ho. If it swings as expected, I think England are going to take this test. Apparently, there's rumours knocking about that Freddie is unfit. The Aussies still have their problems though. Brett Lee has declared himself fit but still may not play whilst Clarke has an abdominal strain.

[r9453]

Ponting is a great batsman but if Australia lose this test he will be the first captain in 100 years to lose the ashes twice.

[WillburForce]

problem is, its a swinging pitch. And they've left out Sidebottom and gone for HArmison. Seems a bit dumb to me...

[Hal]

What a time to check the score.. *puts on his Ritchy voice* "2 for 22!"

Nice start by the Aussies.. Guess it's time to go looking for a stream.. (Being overseas sucks during cricket season :P )

[WillburForce]

England back to what they do best. Fucking thing up royally!

Wrong choice of players. Win the toss and then opt to bat. WTF????

on the back foot now. all out today?

so predictable.

[r9453]

Best toss for Ponting to lose in ages. England is not alone in making odd selections. Wtf is an all rounder opening the batting for Australia 2 tests in a row?

[Hal]

Must say I am so pleased to see Clark back in the side.. and now already to wickets to him (and 1 to each of the other 3 pacers)..

He's brought the steady accuracy and pressure to the game we've had rarely since McGrath retired.. Something we've needed with some of the wayward efforts of the other 'super quicks'.

[kevster]

Have been out all weekend so far and have been avoiding this thread.

What a depressing couple of days. Credit to the Aussies - they've found their form from nowhere. How England have gone from playing some pretty good cricket to this fucking shambles is beyond me.

Only a handful of runs added for the last six wickets in the first innings (not including extras) and then we go from 50+ without loss to 70+ for 5 in the second innings where we need to bat for a looooooooooong time to save the game.

Total disgrace.

[r9453]

There's nothing like staring down the barrel of losing the ashes to get back into some form. Not that Australia was that far out of form. Had the best of the first test, umpires got in the way at Lords and the rain affected match was pretty even. Clark back in the side and Johnson picking up wickets is enough to turn things around.

[kevster]

There's nothing like staring down the barrel of losing the ashes to get back into some form. Not that Australia was that far out of form. Had the best of the first test, umpires got in the way at Lords and the rain affected match was pretty even. Clark back in the side and Johnson picking up wickets is enough to turn things around.

I appreciate your Aussie candour but I don't think much of this is even remotely true. The first test aside, England were the better side by a long way in the 2nd and 3rd tests.

Australia (admitedly by their own very high standards) haven't looked much like Australia at all until this test started.

[WillburForce]

England have been so bad this test it's beyond a joke.

I just can't understand why they batted first. and went for Harmisson. it just seems so obvious to get Sidebottom in who can swing a ball, and then on such dank overcast conditions put them in to bat.

i think we've now thrown it away and will lose the last one.

[r9453]

I appreciate your Aussie candour but I don't think much of this is even remotely true. The first test aside, England were the better side by a long way in the 2nd and 3rd tests.

Even before this test started Australia featured heavily in the individual leading wicket-takers and run-scorers. In the 3rd test Australia was 262 runs ahead w/ 5 second innings wickets intact and England to bat last.

The Lords test was a pretty emphatic win to England but some key umpiring mistakes definitely went against Australia. I don't see how you can simply leave out the first test. Otherwise I could say lets leave out the Lords test and we'd be basing this discussion on just the 3rd test (see above).

Anyway, its now 1 all and that's a reasonable indication of both teams form.

[kevster]

In the 3rd test Australia was 262 runs ahead w/ 5 second innings wickets intact and England to bat last.

This is ludicrous. You're quoting the Aussie score at the end of a game which they never had a chance of winning, only saving. Perhaps you don't understand how cricket works.

[flomo]

i don't think ash has even replied to this thread.

[r9453]

In the 3rd test Australia was 262 runs ahead w/ 5 second innings wickets intact and England to bat last.

This is ludicrous. You're quoting the Aussie score at the end of a game which they never had a chance of winning, only saving. Perhaps you don't understand how cricket works.

What score other than the score at the end of the game should I be quoting? Australia never had a chance of winning because in the first innings they batted in the worst conditions and England batted in the best conditions. Finally, the match was shortened due to rain, the result was a draw and England didn't win. None of which indicates that Australia's form (the starting point of this discussion) was all that bad.

[kevster]

What score other than the score at the end of the game should I be quoting?

My point was that you did this to try and make it look that Australia were in charge which is just plain wrong.

[kevster]

Ooops, wrong thread.

[kevster]

***** 5th and CRUCIAL test ******

Cook out early - Strauss & Bell going well. 68 for 1.

[WillburForce]

Strauss got his 50.

looking pretty solid.

[WillburForce]

here we go. c'mon England. lets skuttle the Aussies and win this.

[kevster]

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

Beautiful stuff from Broad & Swann

[WillburForce]

looking forward to watching the highlights tonight.

This would really make my summer if we could win The Ashes!!!!

[kevster]

looking forward to watching the highlights tonight.

This would really make my summer if we could win The Ashes!!!!

I postponed all plans at 7.15 last night - corking highlights. Yesterday will be one of those days that is remembered for many years to come.

Something like......

"Do you remember the fifth test at the Oval in 2009 when Broad fucked Australia in the ass?"

[kevster]

This would really make my summer if we could win The Ashes!!!!

And as far as this goes, of course it's 'possible' that Australia could win this test - you have to attribute a percentage chance to it in the same way that a draw is still 'possible'. But it's not going to happen.

Australia have a mountain to climb. The average 4th innnings score at The Oval is 147. I can't see how they're going to manage 250+

[AnTman_69]

what happened to andrew symonds? he was my fav player...now hes off the grid completely.

[kevster]

what happened to andrew symonds? he was my fav player...now hes off the grid completely.

When this is all done and dusted, I think the Aussies will regret not recalling Langer too.

Didn't Symonds kept letting himself down off the field?

[kevster]

Another incredible day's cricket today.

If anyone truly believes Australia can do it then I award them the "degree of ass-shattery" but, being Australia, you wouldn't put it past the bastards.

[Keith]

woooo hooooo we won em

[kevster]

Just got back from a Champagne binge at the pub.

Happy fucking days.

[ATOTHEC101]

Beautiful.

[WillburForce]

oh yesssssssssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[kevster]

I think we won the Ashes.......