THE ASHES!

johnnylad · Tennis legend

RE: THE ASHES!

Mikeduke · County player

This is a great test. I still think (hope) England will do it today though. They just need to get a couple of early break throughs.

I did put a sneaky bet on Australia when they were 14-1 though.

Salmon · Tennis legend

FREDDIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! again! 4 more to go.

Count Zero · Tennis legend

job done :)

1 up 3 to go :)

Salmon · Tennis legend

Awesome Lord's farewell for Flintoff.

I'm still hoping that he'll make a comeback after a few years. He should just play Tests against the Aussies, actually, although that'll disrupt the balance of the team, so I don't know.

johnnylad · Tennis legend

Exactly 0 work done today.

But 1-0 England!

Drew · Jul 20, 2009

Well done to the lads...as you may know Im an English cricket team supporting Scot who has always done so and really chuffed with this win.

However we will now have to endure the 'over-the-top-make-freddie-king-bigger-than-landing-on-the-moon' press reaction...and when the Aussies win the ashes 1-2 it will all be the 'worst-team-full-of-no-hopers-must-get-freddie-cloned-life-is-over' press coverage.

Actually I think England will win the ashes back...if they use freddie wisely and find a space for Harmy...and repalce Bopara with Bell. Just my thoughts.

Salmon · Tennis legend

I think we need Harmy or Sidebottom, but then Broad didn't do too badly here.

I don't see how Bell will contribute with more than what Bopara is doing - barring his excellent fielding. His record against Australia is very ordinary and the selectors should show some faith in Ravi. After all, Bell was in a very similar situation 4 years ago - great performances against weak teams followed by failure at Ashes, but they chose to stick with him.

By the way, Anderson has scored more runs than Phil Hughes so far.

Means nothing, but I like it!

indiana · Tennis legend

I tend to agree with Drew ( my fellow England cricket supporting Scot ), I'd have Bell in for Bopara ( won't happen ) and Harmison in for Broad or Onions ( won't be in place of Broad, might come in for Onions )

England got away with retaining Bell four years ago, but I don't think they could push their luck too far with Bopara ( I still don't think he's reallly ready, particularly for batting no 3 in Ashes ). Maybe Bell would be a slightly contradictory beneficiary on both occasions, but so be it. I would in 2009 feel easier with Bell at no 3 rather than Bopara.

-- Edited by indiana on Tuesday 21st of July 2009 01:52:46 PM

johnnylad · Tennis legend

Bell = Bopara. If dropping Boppy need someone completely different until Bell/Bopara are ready. Someone like Rob Key.

I think the selectors are dead on in saying Harmison is cover for Freddie or Broad rather than Onions. I like Onions a lot. He's one of those that may gop 8-0-50-0 in a session but could go 5-3-9-4 in the next. He's also dead handy against the tail because he pitches it up more.

Count Zero · Tennis legend

any news on Kp's status. i think losing him would be a big psychological blow and a huge boost for the aussies

Salmon · Tennis legend

KP out of the Ashes.

It's a terrible thing, but it was the best option in the long run.

You guys will think me to be a lunatic for saying this, but I want Ramprakash called in.

Count Zero · Tennis legend

Loon.

Bell will surely be the one to come in.

Hopefully freddie will be able to play. if we lost both, well it doesn't bear thinking about.

Salmon · Tennis legend

Bell will surely come in. After the Pattinson incident, I don't see England making anything but the most obvious choices.

Ramps actually had a good record against Australia (averages something like 42, I think), so why not? Gooch played till 42 in an era which was full of awe inspiring bowlers, unlike today, when batsmen probably aren't scared of anyone barring Steyn, Freddie and Murali.

-- Edited by Salmon on Wednesday 22nd of July 2009 03:01:34 PM

johnnylad · Tennis legend

Bad short term news for England. The middle order becomes even more brittle.

I tihnk Matt Prior will have to stand up and be counted in KPS place. Hopefully being dropped for a couple of series will cause Bell to overperform as well until we get KP back. I'd love to see Ramps or Rob Key in for the series but it won't happen.

Don't worry about Freddie. He's gonna bowl all day every day until the end of this series.