The Ashes 2009

[Nemo]

Pitching it up?

Definitely. Really showing England up. Mostly a good line too.

 

[Nemo]

England really need at Atherton-at-Joburg performance here.

 

[Upchuck]

It's a false dawn.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

England really need at Atherton-at-Joburg performance here.

Don't forget Russell. Batted all day for 50-odd iirc. Only Collingwood has that kind of application, though.

 

[Nemo]

Scary-looking card when you see the names Bopara and Bell as the next batsmen.

 

[gabi]

Clark - averaging 22 - and has been struggling to get in the side. Now thats scary.

 

[Nemo]

Clark - averaging 22 - and has been struggling to get in the side. Now thats scary.

How could he get into the side when they have the wonder that is Mitchell Johnson?

 

[Nemo]

According to Cricinfo John Crawley is retiring. A real departure of the old guard: Caddick, Butcher, and now Crawley. Gough and Cork as well to complete the set?

 

[Diamond]

I have a strange, and no doubt utterly misplaced, faith in Bopara to come good when the pressure's really on.

 

[Nemo]

I have a strange, and no doubt utterly misplaced, faith in Bopara to come good when the pressure's really on.

Well it could happen in theory...

 

[littlebabyjesus]

Clark - averaging 22 - and has been struggling to get in the side. Now thats scary.

Not scary, a huge misjudgement by Australia, as he is now showing. And as, if I may say so, I've been saying all series.

 

[Nemo]

Is it just me or does Johnson run in a bit lopsided?

 

[gabi]

His action's not as perfect as I'd heard. That's for sure. Wonder why he did so well in SA? He looks ordinary as fuck from what i've seen.

Update: Odds on a draw down to 8/1

 

[Upchuck]

He is ordinary as fuck.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

His action's not as perfect as I'd heard. That's for sure. Wonder why he did so well in SA? He looks ordinary as fuck from what i've seen.

You can kind of see how he could be if he gets it all right. The delivery that had Bell plumb lb but wasn't given is a good example. Tremendous delivery. In amongst the dross, he produces wicket-taking deliveries.

 

[Nemo]

Update: Odds on a draw down to 8/1

Lot's of wishful thinkers have been betting on that evidently.

 

[Nemo]

The Aussies could have an interesting selection dilemma at the Oval if Lee is fit, as they'll need to find two bowlers to drop to accommodate him and Hauritz (assuming they want to play Lee).

 

[Nemo]

Strauss gone now.

 

[Nemo]

Bopara.

 

[King Biscuit Time]

How are the odds looking on that draw now then?

 

[Nemo]

How are the odds looking on that draw now then?

Probably gone to about 30-1.

 

[slaar]

Wow.

 

[mattie]

Bopara.

Dropped, and from a great height.

 

[mattie]

I was just about to say that at least we could see who could stand up to a bit of pressure, make a few runs and generally carry the fight. Some positives to take into the last Text.

We can now see.

 

[Balbi]

I would pay good money to have Ravi chopped into small pieces and forced down the selectors throats.

 

[Diamond]

He was unlucky though.

 

[Nemo]

I would pay good money to have Ravi chopped into small pieces and forced down the selectors throats.

Ravioli.

He was unlucky though.

What about the last n times he's been out cheaply though? Especially the first innings in this match.

 

[Balbi]

Very good

Better than Ravi

 

[Diamond]

Fair enough. If you perform badly and get out cheaply then the times when you're wrongly given out will make people less sympathetic.

Doesn't change the fact that it was the wrong decision though.

 

[Nemo]

Fair enough. If you perform badly and get out cheaply then the times when you're wrongly given out will make people less sympathetic.

Doesn't change the fact that it was the wrong decision though.

It was probably the wrong decision, yes. But the fact remains that atm England deserve every dodgy decision they get.