The Ashes 2013/14

[DexterPunk]

All I keep reading is Drag Reduction System.

This bowling is horrendous. Apart from the few good balls that got wickets.


Sent from Han Solo using TK-421's phone.

[Jiminee]

Ill tell you what I liked. Smart use of the DRS by England. Sure they lost the one they did review but it was awful close. I bet that if Australia had been batting and copped the Cook delivery they would have reviewed it and lost that too. Well played England

I agree and I think that says a lot about the state of the teams. The Aussies are all constantly playing for their spots, but not in a good way (ie there are guys bashing down the door for a spot) more in a hanging on for grim death kind of way so they are desperate and playing for themselves and not for the team. In cricket that is not usually as a big a deal as it might be in basketball or football but it is a sign of the lack of confidence in the whole unit.

[Big Kev]

Eng 361 all out.

I'll take that after being 28-3

[Bauer]

another waste of the DRS I see. It pays to bat in the top 3 for australia it seems. Its not like the umpire is supplied by the poms and is on their side.

anyway, best thing about Watson getting out is Khawaja coming in. hope he goes really well

[Bauer]

and now I even more fucking confused. Where did the DRS not overturn that decision? No hotspot, a sound that could have been fine leg cracking his knuckles.

I thought that was a good review.

[Dr. Pain]

This is very frustrating!

[Dr. Pain]

...and now it's getting f#@king worse!

[Dr. Pain]

[Crowella]

I think we can safely say this one is England's.

[Big Kev]

Wow I thought we were in trouble when you guys were at 42-0.
You've now lost 7 wickets for the next 54 runs.
Shame

Got to get to 161 to avoid the follow on I think.

[Dr. Pain]

Our middle order seem to hit self destruct for no reason. They can all bat. We're in for a right royal thrashing this game after one bad session.

[Big Kev]

I would take the follow on but the BBC pundits reckon England will bat again and get out to a 500 lead and declare.

[Big Kev]

England: 361 (100.1 overs)
Australia: 128 (53.3 overs)

England lead by 233 and are not enforcing the follow on.

[Johnny X]

Great effort from Siddle but the Aussies look in disarray.

Not enforcing the follow on seems to be the England way. As Swan said after close of play, they seem to get the upper hand by bowling last when the wicket is at it's worst if they have the chance. We need to show some resolve tomorrow though, can't keep relying on Bell and the tail-enders.

[Hazelb]

Drs needs to go, put it in the hands of the umpires...its having to much of an impact on the game when left for the sides to use...drs every out I say...

[Big Kev]

Great effort from Siddle but the Aussies look in disarray.

Not enforcing the follow on seems to be the England way. As Swan said after close of play, they seem to get the upper hand by bowling last when the wicket is at it's worst if they have the chance. We need to show some resolve tomorrow though, can't keep relying on Bell and the tail-enders.

Can't help thinking if we'd put them back in to bat, they'd be 3 wickets down and still 200 behind.

[Dr. Pain]

Watson needs to go. The sooner they piss him off the better and I'd make Clarke bat at 3.

[pixelboy]

This is the disaster we all feared.. Yes Watson needs to go.. No runs and more wasted drs.

[Jiminee]

Watson needs to go. The sooner they piss him off the better and I'd make Clarke bat at 3.

Yep and he is a pussy for not doing it. All the greats batted at 3 - Bradman, Ponting, Border (early on), Jones, Chappell etc. Its the spot where your best player should bat but he has it in his head that he is best at 5 and is not budging. Really at the moment the difference between coming in at 3 and at 5 is only 10 minutes so man up and do the team thing.

[Hazelb]

Answer is simple, we need to source new talent from South Africa, like the Poms have...

[Dr. Pain]

We need another captain like Allan Border, one who won't take any shit. We also need a system where it's an honour to play for Australia, not a right. Make them play their guts out before they get selected and if they have the wrong attitude like Watson shows then bye bye. He sulks around the field when bowling or going out. Another thing is to get them out of 20/20 mode and into test mode where you don't have to belt the skin off every ball.

Our side is good, they can all play but the batsmen need a change in attitude.

[DexterPunk]

I completely agree. They need to start putting their heads down to dig in and bat. If needs be, to spend some time at the crease getting comfortable. Easier said than done from your arm chair I know.

I was watching with my old man on the first night and even with our bowling he said how frustrating it is to watch after watching the Lilys, mcgraths etc for years and years. None of them seem to be able to consistently bowl line and length.


Sent from Han Solo using TK-421's phone.

[Dr. Pain]

They always seem to be wanting something to happen all the time. Sometimes you just got to grind each down for something to happen. It's called a test for a reason.

[Johnny X]

Answer is simple, we need to source new talent from South Africa, like the Poms have...

You guys are missing a trick.....

[Big Kev]

583 or 10 wickets to win then.

We've already got one wicket