Ashes 2015

[Harrowby Hall]

Is it true that some men, wearing white sweaters and trousers and speaking with Australian accents, were seen in a Nottingham police station asking for political asylum?

[Hope]

Less than a year ago, Alistair Cook was being lambasted for his poor form, both with the bat and his poor captaincy.  Yesterday, he joined two of England's greats as only the third England captain of all time to win two home Ashes series - the others being W.G.Grace  and Mike Brearley.

England, as a whole, have turned the cricketing world upside down from abject failures a year ago, to stunning Ashes winners now. 

What do folk put such turnarounds - both Cook as an individual and the team/squad as a whole - down to?

[Hope]

An interesting report into the value or otherwise of home advantage

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/33841265

[BashfulAnthony]

An interesting report into the value or otherwise of home advantage

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/33841265

As Jason Gillespie said, at the beginning of the tour," It's like Dad's Army."

[jeremyp]

An interesting report into the value or otherwise of home advantage

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/33841265

As Jason Gillespie said, at the beginning of the tour," It's like Dad's Army."

It doesn't say anything about that in the article.  However, I might remind you that in the conditions most resembling those of Australia (at Lords), the Dads' Army pummelled us. 

I think it is fair to say that the current Australian batting line up is not World class (I think a world class player should be able to adapt to the prevailing conditions) but I don't think ours is either.

[BashfulAnthony]

An interesting report into the value or otherwise of home advantage

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/33841265

As Jason Gillespie



It doesn't say anything about that in the article.  However, I might remind you that in the conditions most resembling those of Australia (at Lords), the Dads' Army pummelled us. 

I think it is fair to say that the current Australian batting line up is not World class (I think a world class player should be able to adapt to the prevailing conditions) but I don't think ours is either.

But we've pummelled them three times, so far, and as Michael Clarke admitted, a good team has to adapt to the prevailing conditions.  It remains to be seen whether England will abroad.  But is it is increasingly difficult for visitng teams to win a series abroad.

[Hope]

An interesting report into the value or otherwise of home advantage

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/33841265

As Jason Gillespie said, at the beginning of the tour," It's like Dad's Army."

??

[BashfulAnthony]

An interesting report into the value or otherwise of home advantage

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/33841265

As Jason Gillespie said, at the beginning of the tour," It's like Dad's Army."

??

He likened the Aussie team to Dad's Army.

[jeremyp]

But we've pummelled them three times,

In conditions that give our batsmen and bowlers a huge advantage.

Michael Clarke admitted, a good team has to adapt to the prevailing conditions.

I agree and if you look at my previous post, you'll see that I wrote nearly exactly that.

It remains to be seen whether England will abroad.

Indeed, but I think Lords would be a taster for that. 

 

But is it is increasingly difficult for visitng teams to win a series abroad.

Yes and the article explains why.

[BashfulAnthony]

But we've pummelled them three times,

In conditions that give our batsmen and bowlers a huge advantage.

Michael Clarke admitted, a good team has to adapt to the prevailing conditions.

I agree and if you look at my previous post, you'll see that I wrote nearly exactly that.

It remains to be seen whether England will abroad.

Indeed, but I think Lords would be a taster for that. 

 

But is it is increasingly difficult for visitng teams to win a series abroad.

Yes and the article explains why.

Top Test batsmen , some world-class, ought to be able to adapt, at least to some extent.  60 all out, before lunch is inexcusable.  Some of the Aussie batsmen have played in England regularly.  They cannot claim conditions were completely alien to them.

Fair dues: credit to an outstanding bowling spell by Broad, allied to brilliant catching.

[Hope]

He likened the Aussie team to Dad's Army.

I'm aware of that, Bash.  Just wondering what relevance that has to the article.

[BashfulAnthony]

He likened the Aussie team to Dad's Army.

I'm aware of that, Bash.  Just wondering what relevance that has to the article.

I haven't read the article, it won't come up.  I was just addressing the topic.

[jeremyp]

But we've pummelled them three times,

In conditions that give our batsmen and bowlers a huge advantage.

Michael Clarke admitted, a good team has to adapt to the prevailing conditions.

I agree and if you look at my previous post, you'll see that I wrote nearly exactly that.

It remains to be seen whether England will abroad.

Indeed, but I think Lords would be a taster for that. 

 

But is it is increasingly difficult for visitng teams to win a series abroad.

Yes and the article explains why.

Top Test batsmen , some world-class, ought to be able to adapt, at least to some extent.  60 all out, before lunch is inexcusable. 

You're confusing me.  Do you think we are having an argument here?  Because your statements seem to be agreeing with mine.

Some of the Aussie batsmen have played in England regularly.  They cannot claim conditions were completely alien to them.

Michael Clarke claimed the Trent Bridge pitch was as difficult as he had seen.  Most of the commentators were claiming that Edgbaston was worse and England scored 390 immediately after the Aussies were skittles out for 60.  I think we can be sure that the Aussie claims are just excuses.  In reality, the batsmen were unable to cope with a moving ball.  Combine this with the psychological scars from the previous test and you have the makings of the rout.  It still needed exceptional England bowling and fielding skill to take advantage though.

[BashfulAnthony]

But we've pummelled them three times,

In conditions that give our batsmen and bowlers a huge advantage.

Michael Clarke admitted, a good team has to adapt to the prevailing conditions.

I agree and if you look at my previous post, you'll see that I wrote nearly exactly that.

It remains to be seen whether England will abroad.

Indeed, but I think Lords would be a taster for that. 

 

But is it is increasingly difficult for visitng teams to win a series abroad.

Yes and the article explains why.

Top Test batsmen , some world-class, ought to be able to adapt, at least to some extent.  60 all out, before lunch is inexcusable. 

You're confusing me.  Do you think we are having an argument here?  Because your statements seem to be agreeing with mine.

Some of the Aussie batsmen have played in England regularly.  They cannot claim conditions were completely alien to them.

Michael Clarke claimed the Trent Bridge pitch was as difficult as he had seen.  Most of the commentators were claiming that Edgbaston was worse and England scored 390 immediately after the Aussies were skittles out for 60.  I think we can be sure that the Aussie claims are just excuses.  In reality, the batsmen were unable to cope with a moving ball.  Combine this with the psychological scars from the previous test and you have the makings of the rout.  It still needed exceptional England bowling and fielding skill to take advantage though.

"You're confusing me.  Do you think we are having an argument here?  Because your statements seem to be agreeing with mine."

No argument.  I'm just putting those Aussie claims in perspective.

[Outrider]

The Ladies' Ashes Test looks to be a little closer - after an early wobble on the first day Australia batted well through the lower order, 268 for 8 at the end of play. Could be an interesting day if that tail order hangs on until lunch.

O.

[Hope]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/33895778

Doesn't look hopeful.

[Hope]

I see that 37-year old Australian opener, Chris Rogers, has announced his retirement from international cricket following the 5th Ashes Test.  He follows in the footsteps of Michael Clarke.

[Hope]

This series saw a considerable problem with batting, often of the batsman's making - one criticism from many commentators was the insistence by some to play 20/20 shots unnecessarily.  With Pakistan in the UAE England's next opponents, who do those who watch cricket believe the English team could or should be for that series?

[Hope]

Ony partially related to the Ashes - insofar as it was the last match of the Women's Ashes Series - what do you think of double-headering a mens' and women's T20 match as they have done at Cardiff today?  Could we see a double English victory, I wonder?

[Hope]

Double England victory.  Well done all.