ASHES WATCH 2015

[Pete’s Picture Palace]

Thought I'd start a new thread on a new topic with this:-

OH DEAR!!

[wandererpaul]

Disappointing start, but not unexpected, Lyth - first real test, seems to struggle. Cook - the NZ tests got him back on track a little but something is still not right. Bell - could be his last chance, we need a better bat at 4.

Root and Ballance need to stick and play test cricket for 2 hours. Always going to be tough against a good Aussie side.
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Not Forgotten; Allwright, Greechan, Hagan, Kennedy, Littler, Purver, Robotham, Saunders, Shields

[Pete’s Picture Palace]

I wouldn't disagree with any of that Paul, but it was all so predictable.

Not for the first time in our lives, we find ourselves depending on Yorkshire.

Any Tykes up for some tub-thumping?

[wandererpaul]

Well, the Yorkshire men have steadied the ship superbly. Well done Ballance and Root. Back on track. 190/3.
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Not Forgotten; Allwright, Greechan, Hagan, Kennedy, Littler, Purver, Robotham, Saunders, Shields

[Paul Johnson]

we need more Yorkshire players in the team

[Pete’s Picture Palace]

Great recovery led by Root and if we get 400 that will be superb after being 43-3.

We'll have to bowl well and intelligently on that pitch. If it seams a bit and swings and the bounce is variable it won't be easy batting. Bowlers must put it in the right areas consistently. They don't always do that.

[Fishy]

No being much of a cricket follower I may have missed something, but, can anyone tell me why ENGLAND is playing a home game in Wales?

[wandererpaul]

Pete’s Picture Palace wrote:

Great recovery led by Root and if we get 400 that will be superb after being 43-3. We'll have to bowl well and intelligently on that pitch. If it seams a bit and swings and the bounce is variable it won't be easy batting. Bowlers must put it in the right areas consistently. They don't always do that.

Agreed Pete.

Batting first on what looks like a batsman's wicket, England probably should have been closer to 500 than 400. A good comeback though. We need Ali to tick a long at 3 an over and have Broad, Wood and Anderson backing him up with the odd single an over. The last 3 wickets should put on 50+. If not, then that'll be disappointing!

Then let's see what out attack can do on that wicket. Batting last could be a problem for the Aussies too.
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Not Forgotten; Allwright, Greechan, Hagan, Kennedy, Littler, Purver, Robotham, Saunders, Shields

[wandererpaul]

Fishy wrote:

No being much of a cricket follower I may have missed something, but, can anyone tell me why ENGLAND is playing a home game in Wales?

Just to remind you, it's the England and Wales Cricket Board, although the abbreviated version is the ECB.

Wales come under the England banner. So they have a right to a Test as any other county.

There are 7 (?) Test grounds now? All have to bid for the Tests bar Lords and the Oval I think, maybe Edgbaston too?
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Not Forgotten; Allwright, Greechan, Hagan, Kennedy, Littler, Purver, Robotham, Saunders, Shields

[Fishy]

Cheers Paul - as I said I don't follow cricket and had totally forgotten the England & Wales bit.

[Pete’s Picture Palace]

9 Test Grounds are

Lords
The Oval
Trent Bridge
Old Trafford
Edgbaston
Headingley
Chester-Le-Street, Durham
Rose Bowl, Southampton
Swalec, Cardiff

No idea on bidding process though. I would imagine only Lords is sacrosanct.

[wandererpaul]

Pete’s Picture Palace wrote:

9 Test Grounds are Lords The Oval Trent Bridge Old Trafford Edgbaston Headingley Chester-Le-Street, Durham Rose Bowl, Southampton Swalec, Cardiff No idea on bidding process though. I would imagine only Lords is sacrosanct.

Cheers Pete, yes 9 it is. The County grounds did have to bid for Tests on their home grounds (ended 2013), but I've just read that it's now allocated via the ECB and all home Test grounds have to meet certain criteria on ticket sales and ground etc....
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Not Forgotten; Allwright, Greechan, Hagan, Kennedy, Littler, Purver, Robotham, Saunders, Shields

[Pete’s Picture Palace]

3 days gone now and what excitement so far!

Australia have 2 days to get 412 runs, a record score for Australia in a 4th innings and it would be the third biggest in Tests of all time. On a wearing pitch, if we bowl and catch as we did in the 1st innings the game is England's. But the Aussies will go for it and I wouldn't be surprised if they get fairly close.

England's new attacking approach has taken them by surprise and it's refreshing to see, but we are in for quite a series and you just don't write the Aussies off.

Bring it on!

[Pete’s Picture Palace]

I started this thread with OH DEAR!. I must admit I feared the worst.

So how delighted I am to be proved wrong.

Well done boys. Keep it up - 1 down, 4 to go.

I'll have drink on the victory tonight. Cheers!

[wandererpaul]

That was a great win over the Aussies, just another four to go!

Excellent all round display. Most of the batsmen got a score and all the bowlers contributed. Good captaincy too. I hope the way we played this test continues in the next four. A happy squad too.
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Not Forgotten; Allwright, Greechan, Hagan, Kennedy, Littler, Purver, Robotham, Saunders, Shields

[derby1884]

Pete’s Picture Palace wrote:

you just don't write the Aussies off. Bring it on!

There was a day I'd have agreed with you, Pete, but their inability to pace their innings is as much down to the pernicious effects of all this limited over cricket as it is about the home team's bowling.

Put simply, why do batsmen feel the need to welly the ball out of the ground with monotonous regularity?
Does a batsman no harm to go a dozen overs without scoring a run.

Another Ashes match over within 4 days. Damn the one-day game.
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/derby1884/sets/

[sellsell39]

I have just finished watching the Channel 5 highlights (sponsored by Toyota) on video, excellent coverage from them, although it would be nice to watch live action of course.

Well done England, that was outstanding against Australia, and bodes well for the rest of the summer if they continue to play to a high standard.

Edgastion next I believe ?

Joe Root - what a player and what a prospect for the future, how far can this kid go, he can bat, spin bowl & catch as well.

Two questions though, how many reviews do each team get ?
Sometimes the umpires ask for help with a review ?
Please could someone clarify this for me - I am glad its in use for this series, rather than not in use, as the right decision must be reached.

[wandererpaul]

Lords is next, on Thursday.

Each side get 2 reviews each every 80 overs. If successful, they keep their review, if not, they lose one.

Umpires can check their own decisions if either one has a doubt I believe. Checking the front foot and if a ball carries to the catcher.
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Not Forgotten; Allwright, Greechan, Hagan, Kennedy, Littler, Purver, Robotham, Saunders, Shields

[sydenham hill]

I was at the Swalec today, brilliant performance from England and the Barmy Army, i`m not a cricket expert, but i believe England have a serious good side, Joe Root was outstanding, i believe England will win the Ashes and become a major force in International cricket again, England have`nt lost at the Swalec yet, so hopefuuly we can see more England test matches in the future

[sellsell39]

Sydenham Hill - just out of curiosity, how much was a ticket for the cricket today please ?