some superb bowling and a helpful deck go a long way as well.
It felt different right from the first ball...more energy, confidence and belief, the pressure put on a shaky England lineup harkened back to brighter days.
We held our catches ranging from regulation right through to the superb.
England never looked comfortable (unlike myself who was so comfortable that I missed the second session due to bad light entering the eyes).
Even Johnson's sometimes wayward deliveries didn't seem to worry him, not surprising given the support he had and the fact that he was on line more often than not.
Losing Katich early was a worry but a century stand and overhauling Englands paltry score for the loss of 1 wicket looked to put the game out of Australias reach.
Losing 3 quick wickets for 50 odd, hopefully, reminded them that there is still a long way to go.
4 for at stumps and with our most in-form batsmen out there they should be looking to bat for a day and pile yet more pressure on the old dart then make them fold like a cheap suit.
I am still erect.
Saturday, 8 August 2009
Thursday, 6 August 2009
To Lee or not to Lee
...That, it seems is the question.
With Brett announcing that there is no reason that he shouldn't be picked as far as his fitness goes and with Australia under increasing pressure to put together 5 days of solid cricket the selectors will be feeling the heat.
I have never been a big fan of Lee (no secret) in Test cricket but I feel that he is just what the side needs right now: Some fire, fear, unpredictability and energy.
If he is picked then the bowling attack needs to be balanced, I agree with Lefty on this and much that it pains me I think Siddle would be the one to make way. Johnson improved during the 3rd Test, Hilfenhous is a no brainer and Hauritz is bowling well.
So to the batting:
Watson is safe (no injuries...WTF?)
Katich although not making large scores is usually staying at the crease for the first 20 overs or so. (no alternative anyway)
Ponting and Clarke are fine.
North saved himself with a good dig in the second innings (pity he was in a race to 100 with Pup).
Hussey is the problem but if the selectors do anything about it I will go he.
Haddin is set to come back in after sooking about a broken finger (Talk to Heals matey and harden up a bit).
So my thoughts are there will be one change to the team.
With the weather looking ominous lets hope we can reverse the pressure with a win.
Alas poor Warney, I knew him Horatio.
With Brett announcing that there is no reason that he shouldn't be picked as far as his fitness goes and with Australia under increasing pressure to put together 5 days of solid cricket the selectors will be feeling the heat.
I have never been a big fan of Lee (no secret) in Test cricket but I feel that he is just what the side needs right now: Some fire, fear, unpredictability and energy.
If he is picked then the bowling attack needs to be balanced, I agree with Lefty on this and much that it pains me I think Siddle would be the one to make way. Johnson improved during the 3rd Test, Hilfenhous is a no brainer and Hauritz is bowling well.
So to the batting:
Watson is safe (no injuries...WTF?)
Katich although not making large scores is usually staying at the crease for the first 20 overs or so. (no alternative anyway)
Ponting and Clarke are fine.
North saved himself with a good dig in the second innings (pity he was in a race to 100 with Pup).
Hussey is the problem but if the selectors do anything about it I will go he.
Haddin is set to come back in after sooking about a broken finger (Talk to Heals matey and harden up a bit).
So my thoughts are there will be one change to the team.
With the weather looking ominous lets hope we can reverse the pressure with a win.
Alas poor Warney, I knew him Horatio.
Tuesday, 4 August 2009
Ponting is only a pantomime villain
Ponting is only a pantomime villain
The unkind treatment Ricky Ponting has received from the English crowds has prompted the media over here to leap to the Aussie skipper’s defence. The boos and jeers that have generally greeted Punter’s arrival at (and departure from) the crease is deemed to be disrespectful to one of the game’s great players.
However, the stick Ponting gets should not be taken too seriously. It has snowballed throughout the series, thanks partly to his complaints of English gamesmanship at Cardiff and his dissent at his dodgy Lord’s dismissal, but largely because he is seen as an easy target.
Ponting is seen in England as a man with a fiery temper – his reaction to the Gary Pratt run out at Trent Bridge in 2005 is still fondly remembered – and many fans are jumping on the bandwagon of Ponting-baiting.
He is also targeted because of his stature in the game. He is the last real link to the great Aussie teams of the last two decades – a bit of abuse now feels like a way of repaying the past Ashes humiliations that he has been integral to.
Ponting’s standing in the game is recognised. He was warmly applauded on passing Allan Border’s Test run record by English as well as Australian fans at Birmingham and his achievements and talent do not go unnoticed. English spectators know they are watching one of the great batsmen.
He is right to wear the treatment as a badge of honour. We know he is the big wicket in the opposing team and the booing can be taken as a sign of respect. Ponting would much rather have the jeers than the journalists’ sympathy.
However, the jeers will become cheers at the Oval. Like all pantomime villains he will be applauded off the stage. Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne – no strangers to a bit of stick in England - were given a standing ovation when they signed off at the Oval in 2005 and Ponting, who will surely not tour this country again, will get the same treatment.
Make sure you have a look at the Fourth Test odds (http://betting.betfair.com/cricket/2009-ashes/ashes-betting-preparing-for-life-after-freddie-sta-210709.html) before any Headingley Test betting (http://betting.betfair.com/cricket/2009-ashes/).
The unkind treatment Ricky Ponting has received from the English crowds has prompted the media over here to leap to the Aussie skipper’s defence. The boos and jeers that have generally greeted Punter’s arrival at (and departure from) the crease is deemed to be disrespectful to one of the game’s great players.
However, the stick Ponting gets should not be taken too seriously. It has snowballed throughout the series, thanks partly to his complaints of English gamesmanship at Cardiff and his dissent at his dodgy Lord’s dismissal, but largely because he is seen as an easy target.
Ponting is seen in England as a man with a fiery temper – his reaction to the Gary Pratt run out at Trent Bridge in 2005 is still fondly remembered – and many fans are jumping on the bandwagon of Ponting-baiting.
He is also targeted because of his stature in the game. He is the last real link to the great Aussie teams of the last two decades – a bit of abuse now feels like a way of repaying the past Ashes humiliations that he has been integral to.
Ponting’s standing in the game is recognised. He was warmly applauded on passing Allan Border’s Test run record by English as well as Australian fans at Birmingham and his achievements and talent do not go unnoticed. English spectators know they are watching one of the great batsmen.
He is right to wear the treatment as a badge of honour. We know he is the big wicket in the opposing team and the booing can be taken as a sign of respect. Ponting would much rather have the jeers than the journalists’ sympathy.
However, the jeers will become cheers at the Oval. Like all pantomime villains he will be applauded off the stage. Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne – no strangers to a bit of stick in England - were given a standing ovation when they signed off at the Oval in 2005 and Ponting, who will surely not tour this country again, will get the same treatment.
Make sure you have a look at the Fourth Test odds (http://betting.betfair.com/cricket/2009-ashes/ashes-betting-preparing-for-life-after-freddie-sta-210709.html) before any Headingley Test betting (http://betting.betfair.com/cricket/2009-ashes/).
Enjoy the 4th
Enjoy the 4th test folks. I'll be unavailable for comment over the next week, but have been assured by Sledgey that the rains (sic) will be well and truly tendered.
Thanks for all of your input over the series so far, i'm sorry about my minimalist involvement; life is just testing me at the moment but all should be better soon.
until next Thursday
atb
stoph verismo
down the wicket
Thanks for all of your input over the series so far, i'm sorry about my minimalist involvement; life is just testing me at the moment but all should be better soon.
until next Thursday
atb
stoph verismo
down the wicket
Monday, 3 August 2009
i know what i want
Virtual sports up date: 21 out of 641, as a league we are right in there!
with their "no-sense-of aggression-or importance-of the occasion" it is way easier to be more happily involved in fantasy than the actual Aus team.
Credit to England that they are delivering the goods, but shame on you Australia for not showing intestinal fortitude. They look to be laying down quicker than a gray street street walker!
Not everyone, but there just isnt anyone that walks in to their task like they own it...unlike Freddy who just reeks of sense of self importance; self belief makes a world of difference.
I'm not giving it away now, but with their current body language (fearful and desperate to just survive) Australian players look like they are giving it away.
i want swagger in steps. i want more than just staring back at a bowlers stare down, i want batsmen to run through a bowler that strays across the batsmans line in their follow through. I WANT ATTITUDE AND AGGRESSION!
And i want some BEFORE this is done and dusted.
stoph verismo
down the wicket
with their "no-sense-of aggression-or importance-of the occasion" it is way easier to be more happily involved in fantasy than the actual Aus team.
Credit to England that they are delivering the goods, but shame on you Australia for not showing intestinal fortitude. They look to be laying down quicker than a gray street street walker!
Not everyone, but there just isnt anyone that walks in to their task like they own it...unlike Freddy who just reeks of sense of self importance; self belief makes a world of difference.
I'm not giving it away now, but with their current body language (fearful and desperate to just survive) Australian players look like they are giving it away.
i want swagger in steps. i want more than just staring back at a bowlers stare down, i want batsmen to run through a bowler that strays across the batsmans line in their follow through. I WANT ATTITUDE AND AGGRESSION!
And i want some BEFORE this is done and dusted.
stoph verismo
down the wicket
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