Ashes - Australia v England - 2010/11

[tblaxland]

Well, I know it is rather early to be starting this thread, but I am itching for some vengeance so I couldn't help myself. This Cricinfo article also inspired me:
http://www.cricinfo.com/england-v-australia-2010/content/current/story/464122.html

If there is a future for 50-over cricket, then surely it lies in contests such as this: a five-match hors d'oeuvre that is decidedly and unashamedly geared towards more significant encounters in the not-so-distant future.
...
English teams have invariably performed better when the one-dayers have preceded the Tests. In 2005, England produced some of their best 50-over form of the decade to share the NatWest Series courtesy of a tied final against Australia

I must admit I'll be asleep during this match, but good luck Aussies. Here's a little something for atmosphere:

 

[Notebook]

Marvellous, didn't know Elvis played cricket...?

N.

 

[tblaxland]

Marvellous, didn't know Elvis played cricket...?

Cricket (especially in the 70s) was made for Elvis - whites with flares . I'm not sure which musician would best suit the Aussie ODI uniform - Bananas in Pyjamas, perhaps? :lol:

 

[tblaxland]

What, no bragging yet? (Notice I let this thread die for a little while? :dry Not looking good for the Aussies so far, 2-Nil series lead to England .

Story: Liberated England turn the tables

When, in the aftermath of another one-sided contest, it was put to Ricky Ponting that England are now one victory away from being able to claim bragging rights in all three forms of international cricket, he bridled with the sort of indignity which suggested that the question was not as preposterous as it might have sounded six months ago.

 

[Notebook]

Cricket seems to have dissapeared from sports scheduling. World Cup and Wibledon I suppose. Haven't had much time lately, real things keep happening!

N.

 

[tblaxland]

England finally decided to let us win one
England v Australia, 4th ODI, The Oval
Australia 290 for 5 (Clarke 99*, Ponting 92) beat England 212 (Yardy 57, Harris 5-32) by 78 runs

Also:
Ashes loss could end Ponting's captaincy
http://www.cricinfo.com/england-v-australia-2010/content/current/story/465693.html
"I'd probably be looking for a new job if we lose again," Ponting told the Daily Mail. "It's as simple as that."
No kidding mate. Losing three Ashes series? No Aussie captain could ever expect to survive that.

In other news, the rhetoric from both sides of the ICC over the John Howard non-election has been keeping me amused. How do you watch that and then tell your son "its only a game" :dry:

 

[Xyon]

Eh, makes it more interesting.

 

[tblaxland]

Eh, makes it more interesting.

True. I know that Howard's indignation at getting knocked back doesn't help, but now our new PM has decided to weigh in on the debate. This is turning into a mega trans-Indian Ocean flame war:

Indian columnist Suhel Seth says racism does not end with the former prime minister.

"Australia is a racist country. There is nothing secular or non-racial about them," he said.

 

[tl8]

I wonder how he got that idea?

We invite everyone in as long as you have the right paper work and come by plane...

More surprisingly is that you can hardly get a peep out the sports report in the news. Surely cricket is more popular than soccer...

 

[tblaxland]

More surprisingly is that you can hardly get a peep out the sports report in the news. Surely cricket is more popular than soccer...

No way cricket is going to get more popular at this rate...

Aamer helps Pakistan to 2-0 Twenty20 win
http://www.cricinfo.com/pakistan-v-australia-2010/content/current/story/466322.html

Pakistan 162 for 9 (Kamran Akmal 33, O'Keefe 3-29, Nannes 3-30) beat Australia 151 (D Hussey 33, Mohammad Aamer 3-27) by 11 runs

If Pakistan are a confidence team, their Twenty20 efforts over the past two days augur well for next week's first Test.

 

[Notebook]

Seems to be some confusion...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-11650729

After three recent Australian Test losses, England are rated above the Australian side for first time since the rankings began.

N.

 

[tl8]

Just a psychological thing, Australians perform better when they are the underdog

 

[Notebook]

Ha ha ha...I must write that down.

N.

 

[tblaxland]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-11650729

:lol: So the prosecution will be packing their kit bags for the trip down-under too?

After three recent Australian Test losses, England are rated above the Australian side for first time since the rankings began.

I note that this is more due to Australia's slide than to England's rise, you are still only at fourth

Anyway, Australia lost again last night in the hit-and-giggle game:

Dominant Sri Lanka crush Australia
http://www.cricinfo.com/australia-v-sri-lanka-2010/content/current/story/484492.html
Sri Lanka 3 for 135 (Sangakkara 44*, Dilshan 41) beat Australia 8 for 133 (Haddin 35, Randiv 3-25) by 7 wickets​

 

[Notebook]

I think anybody would be happy to have a trip to watch, wish I could afford it.

Best not mention the rugby...

N.

 

[tl8]

Notebook, best to use Rugby League

Australia are doing quite poorly in Rugby (Union).

Phil Gould said he was looking forward to the cricket. The football in the last 30 minutes was shameful from both sides.

 

[Notebook]

A month to go...should be plenty of time for wind-ups!

N.

 

[tblaxland]

...plenty of time for wind-ups!

???

 

[tl8]

Takes ball tampering to a whole new level, now you need a mechanical engineer.

 

[tblaxland]

Aussies snatch defeat from jaws of victory
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/11/03/3056532.htm

Australia has inexplicably coughed up the opening one-day international from an almost unbeatable position, with Sri Lanka piling on a record ninth-wicket partnership en route to a scarcely believable one-wicket win at the MCG.

Chasing 240 for victory, the visitors were in dire straits at 8 for 107 before an all-time record stand of 132 off just 110 balls between Angelo Mathews (77 not out) and Lasith Malinga (56 off 48 balls) turned the game in their favour.

Hint to Michael Clarke: Use your spinners when the ball is getting older! [rant]There is no point putting flat medium pacers on a platter for a tail-ender intent on slogging. With the bulk of Malinga's runs coming from boundaries, how many catching opportunities would Australia have had from some spin? You don't need a lot of spin for a ninth order batsmen either, just a little variation. Steven Smith only bowled three overs (3-0-8-0)![/rant]