BS: Ashes

Subject: BS: Ashes
From: Hrothgar
Date: 20 Nov 06 - 04:13 AM

Well, somebody has to start it.

Have the Poms set up somebody to roll balls under Glenn McGrath's feet during the warm-up?

Subject: RE: BS: Ashes
From: The Shambles
Date: 20 Nov 06 - 04:20 AM

As long as they are not mine - go ahead.

Subject: RE: BS: Ashes
From: Rasener
Date: 20 Nov 06 - 05:07 AM

Monty Panesar or Ashley Giles?

It seems that there is a very good chance that Giles will be selected.

Personally I can't see the point of bringing back Giles.

I think they should go with Panesar and look to the future.

Any thoughts from the rest of you cricket punters?

Subject: RE: BS: Ashes
From: GUEST,Terry K
Date: 20 Nov 06 - 05:50 AM

The main thing is not building for the future - the future has already arrived - we need to try to win matches, right now. I reckon when the chips are really down, I'd rather have Ashley in the team than not - and believe me, the chips are really going to be down!

We need to graft Ashley's batting and dogged determination on to Monty's bowling, then we would have the ideal choice.

My forecast for the series is that we will get two draws out of them.

cheers, Terry

Subject: RE: BS: Ashes
From: The Shambles
Date: 20 Nov 06 - 06:07 AM

The thinking is that this Aussie team is a now a bit like Dad's Army.

Too old or what?

Subject: RE: BS: Ashes
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 20 Nov 06 - 06:10 AM

Since your chips are down, do you want fries with that?

Subject: RE: BS: Ashes
From: GUEST,dazbo
Date: 20 Nov 06 - 06:35 AM

In case there are any unenlighted citizens of the world:

The Ashes Explained

Subject: RE: BS: Ashes
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 20 Nov 06 - 08:05 AM

Sounds like a good idea... it was really frosty in Dorset yesterday morning, they need something for the path.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Ashes
From: ard mhacha
Date: 20 Nov 06 - 08:29 AM

We stuffed their rugby team at Lansdowne Road on Sunday, Ireland 21 Australia 6, the Aussies will have no worries with this England cricket team, dads army or not they will win the series.

Subject: RE: BS: Ashes
From: alanabit
Date: 20 Nov 06 - 11:38 AM

I think that England will be glad to come away with two draws from the whole series. It was nice upsetting the natural order last time, but reality is back. Anyway, now that the football team has flopped, our rugby teams get pasted regularly and none of our hopes outlast the first batch of strawberries at Wimbledon, it feels comfortable to get back to normality.

Subject: RE: BS: Ashes
From: Les from Hull
Date: 20 Nov 06 - 12:42 PM

Of course this is happening in Australia, on Australian pitches, in front of Australian crowds. I would prefer Monty to Ashley - I don't think that Ashley would get any turn at all. But if Monty doesn't turn it then Ashley is better with flight.

It would be nice if Michael Vaughan will be fit enough to take part later in the series - any English team needs at least two Yorkshire players! Anyway Michael has the technique and temperament needed.

I think we will miss Simon Jones - he was very effective in the last series.

Subject: RE: BS: Ashes
From: Richard in Manchester
Date: 20 Nov 06 - 04:57 PM

You'll need another Yorkshireman. Vaughan is from Worsley - in Lancashire.

Light the blue touch paper....

Subject: RE: BS: Ashes
From: Les from Hull
Date: 20 Nov 06 - 05:05 PM

I didn't say he was a Yorkshireman, did I? He's a Yorkshire player - registered to play for Yorkshire CCC. But he's probably a lot more of a Yorkshireman than Craig White, who was born in Yorkshire.

Everyone knows the unfortunate circumstances of Michael's birth. Apparently his parents were over there on missionary work...

Subject: RE: BS: Ashes
From: dusty rhodes
Date: 20 Nov 06 - 06:20 PM

Shane Warne ,Shane Warne ,Shane Warne ,Shane Warne:
The flipper is back at least thats what he's saying.
For England Big Steve Harmisson is the key , Failed last time he was here and was excellent in England...
Anyway Thursday the yak ends.
Cricket is back , don't matter who wins....

Subject: RE: BS: Ashes
From: Richard in Manchester
Date: 20 Nov 06 - 06:25 PM

Right you are, Les.

Well, regardless of county allegiances, let's just hope they can reach the heights of their 2005 performance. Some sleepless nights coming up, I fear!

There was a great story about Flintoff in one of the papers today. Recalling that now-legendary moment at the end of the Edgbaston Test where Flintoff went over to put a consoling arm around Brett Lee's shoulders, some Aussie journo asked Flintoff what he'd actually said to Lee. Flintoff replied, "What did I say? I said right, that's one-all, you Aussie b*****d!"

Subject: RE: BS: Ashes
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Nov 06 - 06:47 PM

I don't see us coming out with much either. We seem to have moved backwards from the last ashes series (when in fairness, we were not up against the greatest Austrailian side ever but we did play well) and I think Australia are better than they were that time.

As for the choice of spinner, I'm not an Ashley Giles fan.

Subject: RE: BS: Ashes
From: GUEST,Allen in OZ
Date: 20 Nov 06 - 09:36 PM

There is a yarn going around that the England cricketer Collingwood was having batting peactice at the Sydney Cricket Ground using a bowling machine when an Australian onlooker stopped to watch.

The first ball was hit beautifully by Collingwood straight back for an obvious 4 runs. The Aussie bloke said " That's not where McGrath bowls them"

The next ball was driven through the covers in an expansive stroke for another four...The Aussie says " That's not where McGrath bowls them"

The third ball just snicks the bat and drifts to first slip for an easy catch The Aussie bloke says " THAT'S where McGrath bowls them"

AD1943


Man could have invented a better game than cricket...but he hasn't yet


the nect ball wpassed

Subject: RE: BS: Ashes
From: Rasener
Date: 21 Nov 06 - 05:37 AM

So Ian Bell has injured his hand. I like Bell and I just hope that he is fit.

I prefer Panasa to Giles. Never really rated Giles.

Roll on the first day.

Subject: RE: BS: Ashes
From: A Wandering Minstrel
Date: 21 Nov 06 - 08:12 AM

I'd like to see Panesar out there, if only because Warne would prefer us to play Giles!!

Subject: RE: BS: Ashes
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 21 Nov 06 - 08:21 AM

Wish I didn't have to work.

Subject: RE: BS: Ashes
From: Rasener
Date: 21 Nov 06 - 08:58 AM

I'll bet, but I bet you are tempted to stay up though Strollin':-)

Subject: RE: BS: Ashes
From: The Shambles
Date: 21 Nov 06 - 09:27 AM

I'd like to see Panesar out there, if only because Warne would prefer us to play Giles!!

Perhaps it is a double-bluff?

Maybe England should call his bluff and play them both?

Subject: RE: BS: Ashes
From: Rapparee
Date: 21 Nov 06 - 10:26 AM

Will the Cubs be in the playoffs?

Subject: RE: BS: Ashes
From: Rasener
Date: 22 Nov 06 - 02:04 AM

Well it won't be long now.

Crossing fingers that Ian Bell suffers no reactions to his extensive workout.

Subject: RE: BS: Ashes
From: ard mhacha
Date: 22 Nov 06 - 05:19 AM

Any chance of that "Paddy" getting on, Joyce, haw haw.

Subject: RE: BS: Ashes
From: Les from Hull
Date: 22 Nov 06 - 10:44 AM

Ian Bell is fit and will play, so no debut for Ed Joyce yet. (I think Haw Haw was a different Joyce.) Giles will play instead of Panesar 'cos he can bat better. Shame!

Subject: RE: BS: Ashes
From: Rasener
Date: 22 Nov 06 - 11:58 AM

I don't think we should be going into a test match playing Giles just because he can bat better. That says a lot about the first 6 batsmen.You only make choices like that with bowlers when you are not very confident about the earlier batsmen.

I firmly beleive that Panesar has a match winning capability and needs to be given the chance.

Subject: RE: BS: Ashes
From: Les from Hull
Date: 22 Nov 06 - 12:22 PM

I agree. And they've made a similar decision about the wicketkeeper. Maybe they're going for all draws to keep the ashes that way. Too negative for me. We'll see...

Subject: RE: BS: Ashes
From: Rasener
Date: 22 Nov 06 - 12:36 PM

Well thats 2 les's that agree Les

Cheers
Les :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Ashes
From: The Sandman
Date: 22 Nov 06 - 05:03 PM

if australia play stuart macgill as wellas Warne england could well be in trouble. NOW YORKSHIRE HAVE AFINE NEW LEG SPINNER ,I PREDICT HE WILL BE IN THE ENGLAND TEAM IN 3 YEARS.

Subject: RE: BS: Ashes
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 22 Nov 06 - 08:50 PM

Missed my name om my not being a Giles fan post...

It's at least 3 of us, Villan. I'd take the attacking option.

Subject: RE: BS: Ashes
From: alanabit
Date: 23 Nov 06 - 01:25 AM

Well the first score is in and the good news is that England are back to getting their usual pasting. I quite enjoyed all that winning stuff a year or so back, but we Brits can only stand that for so long. It ain't natural. Somehow comfortable normality feels right!

Subject: RE: BS: Ashes
From: Rasener
Date: 23 Nov 06 - 03:03 AM

The bowling stood out like a sore thumb and lacked inspiration.

Freddie was the best and Giles bowled well, but how much better would Panesar have been and would he have sorted the Aussies out. We will never know.

Rest of the pace attack was pretty poor.

OR

Were the Aussie Batsmen too good ?

Why do fielders slide when trying to stop a ball. It is so dangerous and so is the outfield, as Pieterson found out.

Now will our English heroes wake up in the morning refreshed and full of inspoiration and bowl the Aussies out for under 400 ?

Subject: RE: BS: Ashes
From: GUEST,Terry K
Date: 23 Nov 06 - 04:56 AM

It looks like the usual Woolloongabba batting track to me so the question of who spins the ball better is a bit academic. Without any swing and nothing at all from the deck, the seamers were on a hiding to nothing. The new ball swung a bit but that won't last, and Flintoff will be over-bowled and knackered before it starts to reverse.

The key for me is whether our top order can get a few runs on the board so we can avoid the follow-on and play this one out. We'll see.

Subject: RE: BS: Ashes
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 23 Nov 06 - 05:21 AM

Well, there's a few nasty things happening at The Gabba - no bottles, water or whatever or backpacks (TERRORISTS MAN!) allowed thru the gates, so after queueing for a few hours, you get told that you gotta go queue at the "Cloakroom tent" and pay $5, then go back to queue at the gate...

The 'Barmy Army' has been split up into groups of about 20 scattered all through the grounds, and their trumpeter got evicted, but not arrested. the Mexican Wave banned apparently too - but how the hell they gonna evict EVERYBODY?

The several pubs nearby opened at 8:30am instead of the usual 10am, and they aren't trying to stop the Barmy Army drinking after the game, at least...

Subject: RE: BS: Ashes
From: ard mhacha
Date: 23 Nov 06 - 05:27 AM

Looks like 500 or more for the Aussies.

Subject: RE: BS: Ashes
From: A Wandering Minstrel
Date: 23 Nov 06 - 08:19 AM

nah! we'll hold em to 450 and then dig in! :)

Subject: RE: BS: Ashes
From: Rasener
Date: 23 Nov 06 - 09:05 AM

Do England know what "dig in" means of recent ?

Subject: RE: BS: Ashes
From: Les from Hull
Date: 23 Nov 06 - 10:37 AM

Actually Dick, Yorkshire have two fine young leg spinners Adil Rashid and Mark Lawson, although it's probably Adil you're referring to. And they won't leave him out of the side because of his batting.

Subject: RE: BS: Ashes
From: Richard in Manchester
Date: 23 Nov 06 - 04:15 PM

It's down to field placings and luck. The number of Aussie thick-edges that went through and over the slip/gully area in the first session, they could have been 80-4. It was like that in 2005, but England were fortunate that many of the edges went to hand.

I agree with Terry. Warne notwithstanding (which, granted, is a risky thing to say!) it will come down to whether England make use of the prime batting conditions like the Australians have. If they do, the match will peter out drawn, and that will suit England far more than Australia.

If if if.

Subject: RE: BS: Ashes
From: The Sandman
Date: 23 Nov 06 - 07:20 PM

yes adil rashid .Iwas booked at scarborough sea fest, which coincided with scarborugh cricket festival, so had the honour of watching rashids debut ,I think he got five wickets.

Subject: RE: BS: Ashes
From: Rasener
Date: 24 Nov 06 - 02:24 AM

>>whether England make use of the prime batting conditions like the Australians have.<<

WEll they sure have - in ltlle than an hour they have managed to get to 50 for 3.

Excellent bowling from the Aussies. Very accurate. Are you watching England?

I cannot understand what the hell Strauss was doing to go for such a risky shot so early in the game.

Aaaaagh Shane Warne is coming on.Time for knee trembles. Will we save the follow on?

Subject: RE: BS: Ashes
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 24 Nov 06 - 03:12 AM

Only got to get a high normal inning, and then they are only 50% behind...


The trumpeter (who IS very good) - Bob Cooper I think they said - had a good run in the pub last night. Today he left it behind - and someone passed him some tiny little plastic thing...

A lot of people were still shocked to find that theoretically no backpacks were allowed - but some got in yesterday and the same ones were not permitted today - and yet today, others were permitted - sounds like the typical FUBAR that our US cousins experience when boarding a plane....


The River City Clippers have been on TV a fair bit singing songs which put down the Barmay Army...


"What shall we do with the Barmy Army?" - yep you know the tune...

for example...

Subject: RE: BS: Ashes
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 24 Nov 06 - 03:17 AM

OOO found The River City Clippers!!!!

The Brisbane River City Clippers Men's Harmony Chorus
Brisbane's Premier Men's A Cappella Experience

there's some mp3 samples there.

Subject: RE: BS: Ashes
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 24 Nov 06 - 03:32 AM

http://www.questnews.com.au/article/2006/10/24/12202_wn_news.html

OCTOBER 25: If you believe the bookies, the on-field battle for the Ashes is already over.

But off the pitch, Australia finds itself decided underdog as a group of Brisbane barbershop singers tries to silence England's famous Barmy Army of supporters.

The 64-strong River City Clippers -with members across the westside - this week issued a call to arms in an attempt to out-chant the enemy.

Vice-president John Shelton said the group had eight songs in its arsenal, and aimed to be as ``positively abusive in a good-natured way'' in its lyrics as the Barmy Army was expected to be.

``We are going to have a singing Test match,'' Mr Shelton said.

``If the opposition tries to put us off we will just keep singing.''

Clippers singer Keith Druery said his group's ammunition would be singing tunefully.

``We don't expect the same from them,'' he said.

A Barmy Army spokesman welcomed the Brisbane challenge but said the army did not believe it would be beaten.

``This is the fourth time the Barmy Army have been to Australia and they have never been close to being out-sung,'' the spokesman said.

``Man for man you will need at least two or three Aussies to match us.''

He said the army looked forward to meeting the Clippers.

``Hopefully after all the banter we'll all sit down together and have some beers,'' he said.

The Barmy Army has sold 1700 official packages and has 5000 independent travellers.

The Clippers' songs refer to five Australian cricketers, including a song about Shane Warne to the tune of God Save the Queen.

To join the Clipper Army, phone [phone].

Participants do not need to be professional singers, and song sheets will be provided.

Subject: RE: BS: Ashes
From: ard mhacha
Date: 24 Nov 06 - 10:19 AM

Digging in?, the trouble with digging in the hole gets deeper and deeper,the game might be over a day early.

Subject: RE: BS: Ashes
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 24 Nov 06 - 11:09 PM

Well, all gone for 157 - so now the Aussies taunt them by not enforcing the follow on... just so the bowlers can have a rest...

Subject: RE: BS: Ashes
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 24 Nov 06 - 11:41 PM

Well the crowd got bored cause the follow on wasn't enforced - the Barmy Army Trumpeter had been quietened - so suddenly an inflated young lady was being thrown around till she was arrested by the Police.

Subject: RE: BS: Ashes
From: Rasener
Date: 25 Nov 06 - 03:29 AM

When will Australia bat to tomorrow?

Seems like a strange decision to me, even if England are so poor. Runs are not important for England anymore. Ponting has made sure of that

If Australia bat until lunch, they are giving England a slight chance of batting the match out.

Psychologically I think it better to bat knowing that you are batting out 1 and a half days than 2 plus days, no matter how bad the batting is.

Subject: RE: BS: Ashes
From: Wyrd Sister
Date: 25 Nov 06 - 05:50 AM

Woe, woe and thrice woe!
Still, it's good of Ponting to give us some bowling practice...