I just saw the last 5 minutes if the second test and was saddened greatly. Australia lost the second test by 2 runs... After a fightback, they just couldn't make it to the end. It's a shame I didn't get to see the whole game. :(
Although I must say that it is nice to see Australia lose for a change.
Excellent :D
(the 'test' (is that the right word? :P) in general as well as beating the aussies by two runs :D )
I saw a fair bit of the Test, It was nailbiting stuff at the end, I was on the edge of my seat and really nervous, It was really hard to watch. I really expected England to get the 2 wickets quickly, but Lee and Kasprowicz did unbelievably well to get so close.
A good result though, If Australia were 2 games up with 3 to go, the series would just about be over, Now it's very much alive, It's hard to see a match going the full 5 days the way these 2 teams play, unless it's rain effected.
It's about time Australia had some real competition in this sport. Looking forward to Old Trafford on thursday.
It's good for the game that Jones finally learnt how to catch. I thought for ages the characteristic England choke would come back in to let them lose from an unloseable position, but they somehow pulled through.
Yeah it is good to see that England is back again with a good side. I remember a couple of years ago they couldn't even find a decent captain.
Cricket doesnt interest me too much, but ive picked up on the three signals the umpire does... The one for 4 runs, the one for six runs and the Yawn...
It's turning into an interesting series, now still 1-1 after 3 matches.
The 3rd test was exciting, even though it ended in a draw after 5 days. There could have been a result up to the final ball, but the Aussies hung on after England were on top the whole match. that would have to be so demoralising for the poms. 2 matches left, it'll be hard to match the excitement of the last 2.
Yeah I'm annoyed that I didn't stay up and watch more of the last match. It turned out to be pretty exciting... Come to think of it, I should relly get an antenna hooked up so I can actually watch tv on my computer. That would make things much easier.
I never thought I'd be cheering Australia batting out a draw.
YOu don't realise how much pride you have in Australia until the ashes comes along and you are in England...
Stupid Poms!!
same but reverse. silly convicts.
Congrats and all, although it's a pity the English weather played as large a role as it did.
Yeah, congrats winning the ashes, well, we had em for 16 years and 29 days even though they remained in the museum at Lords.
It was a great series, all 5 games, and to win 2-1 was as close as it gets, the weather was a factor, but I think England played well enough to deserve it as much as I hate saying it.
It's going to be interesting when McGrath and Warne retire, cause we are yet to have some experience to fill the gap. England have got some great bowlers in Flintoff, Harmison and Jones, and I think they were the difference (appart from all those fkn clouds and rain) Bring on 06-07 back home
Rain: haven't seen it down here, I heard it's something that happens in England
I should clarify that the role the weather played didn't change the result of course, just prevented us getting as much results as we would like to enjoy.
On the other hand, this way we can say the entire series was decided by two runs. Awesome.
Yey we won
I wont miss the "niiiiccceee one shaaannnneee" or "goooood oonnee warrrnnneyy" everytime he's bowling though :P
It was a good series. In fact, probably restored my belief in cricket being a great game.
Quote from: Las Naranjas on Tue 13/09/2005 09:37:20
the entire series was decided by two runs. Awesome.
That is about the difference between the 2 sides at the moment (or McGrath slipping on the ball in the warm up before the 2nd test hence twisting his ankle and being out of the match [really makes you realise what he's worth to the team])
Go The Swannies
I think we have now identified the four resident cricket fans in this community
For those of you not in the former colonies, I shall now explain cricket:
1) Imagine baseball without the excitement, and more stops for tea, cakes, crumpets, etc.
2) You have two sides, one out in the field and one in. Each man that's in the side that's in goes out, and when he's out he comes in and the next man goes in until he's out. When they are all out, the side that's out comes in and the side thats been in goes out and tries to get those coming in, out. Sometimes you get men still in and not out.
When a man goes out to go in, the men who are out try to get him out, and when he is out he goes in and the next man in goes out and goes in. There are two men called umpires who stay all out all the time and they decide when the men who are in are out. When both sides have been in and all the men have out, and both sides have been out twice after all the men have been in, including those who are not out, that is the end of the game!
3) They have names for people like "Silly sod off"
4) All the best teams were countries oppressed by the English at some point. Except Scotland.
5) The English really dont realise that hardly anyone else in the world is interested in it. Kind of like the Americans and their "football"
6) 95% of matches playing in England are stopped for bad light, rain, etc and thus end in a draw. Hence the current euphoria in England is not due to any sporting success but rather that there was good enough weather for any cricket to be played at all.
Haha thats awesome, and mostly true... but that doesn't make cricket a bad game. It's much better that baseball and Amercan 'Football' in my opinion.
And yeah the Ashes were a bit of a disapointment, but I'm jsu thappy that Australia had some proper competition for once. It's been a while sinse we've seen Australia on the losing side of things.
I can't stand cricket... it's fun to play, but as soon as you have to watch it... honestly get there an hour before the game starts for the true fun. Right after they paint the lines on the grass.
Not only do you get the excitement of paint drying but also of grass growing. After that in comes boring old cricket.
I'd agree that normally, test match cricket is the most boring sport in the world to watch; however, this Ashes series has been the exception. Probably because the two teams seem to evenly matched, it was actually quite entertaining cricket (and that's something I never thought I'd say!)
That's the funniest thing about Cricket. Everyone says they think it's boring, and then watch it anyway.
Pff. Anyone who's played Cirque knows what I think of cricket. *yawn*
Even so, I was slightly sad to hear the Aussies lost something. Then again, what's one loss from... what, 17? Enjoy it, Brits ;)
We gotta give the poms something once in a while...
The Ashes 2006/07
Just had to bring this topic back up due to the massive victory Australia had over the poms in the second test.
It wasn't as massive a victory as the first test, England came back well.
But to lose a test after declaring at 6/551 in the first inns near the end of the 2nd day is almost impossible....
unless you're playing Australia, they were all out for 513 near the end of day 4
then the 5th and final day the Aussies rolled England for 129 leaving 168 runs for Australia to get from 216 balls and they did it with 19 balls to spare, which isn't much after over 30 odd hours of play
Amazing victory, Australia lead the 5 test series 2-0 with 3 to go
South Africa should never have let Kevin Peterson go. he was playing in a B provincial side when he decided to leave. >:( having said that, i hope the aussies win the ashes.
Quote from: Mordalles on Tue 05/12/2006 09:29:05
South Africa should never have let Kevin Peterson go. he was playing in a B provincial side when he decided to leave.
Yeah that's unlucky, any team would love to have Pietersen, he's one of the most entertaining batsman currently, he scored 158 in this test, it's his highest test score and it's the 3rd time he's got it, but I guess it's a pretty good unlucky number to have.
Well, Australia has regained The Ashes
(http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/9434/ashesds4.jpg)
they lead the series 3-0 from 3 matches with 2 to go
England took 16 years to regain them, now after the shortest break between Ashes Series Australia has won them back.
England have been playing well, but just totally out classed.
The highlight of this 3rd test match for me was Adam Gilchrist, one of the most amazing batsman of all time, scored 100 runs from 57 balls, the 2nd fastest century in the history of the game, the fastest being held by West Indian Legend, Vivian Richards who took 56 balls back in 1985.
The win will take a bit of interest off the last 2 tests in Melbourne and Sydney which have been sold out for months, but the Aussies will want to win the series 5-0 just to rub it into the poms
Also Warney has moved along to 699 test wickets, which is the most taken in the history of the game, He'll have his chance to get the 700th at his home ground in Melbourne
Being english I might be a bit biased, but did you see Warne's figures 156-5 altogether, and McGrath look like an old man when he was running! Just wait till the next series >:(
Quote from: Jon on Tue 19/12/2006 21:01:26
Being english I might be a bit biased, but did you see Warne's figures 156-5 altogether, and McGrath look like an old man when he was running! Just wait till the next series >:(
The Aussie team are really old but the depth of talent in the state sides is very strong, EG. Mike Hussey is 31 and only recently made it into the side, He's been brilliant for years but it's really hard to make it into the side, now he'll probably end up being one of the best batsman in the world. He's got a younger brother that is pretty good too, and will probably be in the Australian side soon.
Australia could probably have 3 or 4 sides that would be competitive internationally, I reckon by the time of the next Ashes series (England 2009) the Aussies will still have a strong side, possibly even stronger than it is now.
QuoteThe Aussie team are really old but the depth of talent in the state sides is very strong, EG. Mike Hussey is 31 and only recently made it into the side, He's been brilliant for years but it's really hard to make it into the side, now he'll probably end up being one of the best batsman in the world. He's got a younger brother that is pretty good too, and will probably be in the Australian side soon.
I think your right here, as Hussey is one of the best batsman I have seen for a while, what's wrong with the aussie selectors? :). And I also think Australia have a gem in Stuart Clark (who seems a good replacement for McGrath) as well. But they'll never get someone to replace Warne.
Quote from: Jon on Wed 20/12/2006 17:28:25
But they'll never get someone to replace Warne.
It's actually interesting to see if they'll pick Stuart MacGill who is also a leg spin bowler who actually has a better test record than Warne (eg. has a better strike rate so picks up more wickets in less balls [he has played 40 tests]) and in every test he's played with Warne has out played him. The selectors and media just love Warne, if MacGill played for any other country, he'd be in the side, the problem there is that MacGill is only 2 years younger than Warne so he's near the end of his career too.
Warne announced his retirement today, so after the Ashes he'll probably become a gigolo, MacGrath probably wont be far off retiring either.
There will be a lot of changes to the side over the next year or so, I'm looking forward to seeing how it pans out
I agree that Macgill can play as well, if not better than Warne. But it's not just the bowling in which he is a unique person. The banter he has with many players (especially the english!) is facinating and sometimes hilarious to watch. He is also quite handy with the bat. I wonder if McGrath will follow Warne into retirement, and end on a high with this series wrapped up? (no X-mas Pun intended)
Well it seems McGrath did follow Warnie to retirement. Aussie cricket is going to seem a lot different for a while. I've grown up with both Warne and McGrath playing International Cricket so it will be a bit strange. I don't think there will be too much trouble finding replacements. At least it will give some younger up and coming players a chance to play.
Hmm I just noticed that this was my topic from last year... time to change the year number.
Now 4-0 with one test to go
This was a really bad effort by England, they were in a really good position after batting poorly (159 total) having Australia 5-84. At this point they really had the upper hand, and just needed to put the pressure on, but they let it slip to 6-363 (all credit to Hayden 153 and Symonds 156 [also his 1st test century]) but The field settings and bowling plans were just non existent, it was just like they were waiting for the inevitable.
England were bowled out for 161 in the 2nd inns, with Australia winning by an innings and 99 runs with 2 full days remaining.
Shane Warne got his 700th wicket at his home ground (MCG) and ended up man of the match, he's up to 706 wickets and in total including one day international cricket, 999 wickets just needing 1 wicket in his last match ever to reach 1000 international wickets.
I thought his script writers (fate) couldn't beat getting his 700th wicket at home on boxing day, but to have the milestone of 1000 wickets in his final match seems almost rigged
5-0
This is only the second time in the history of The Ashes (1876-77 - 2006-07) that's 130 years, that a team has won the series by winning all the matches. The first time since the 1920-21 series when Australia won 5-0. England has never done it.
It was another test where England had their chances but failed to take them.
Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath & Justin Langer all retired after this match and all went out on a high, not many people in sport get the chance to do this.
Just shows how much of a gap there is between the No.1 and No.2 sides in the world.
The Australian team were so disappointed losing them last series, that only winning this series 5-0 would make up for it and restore the order of test cricket, and that's exactly what they did. This is something that England must take note of for 2009.
I can imagine, as I read this thread as an American, that the way I'm feeling right now is the same many of you feel while reading threads about the super bowl.
Quote from: rtf on Fri 05/01/2007 05:49:04
I can imagine, as I read this thread as an American, that the way I'm feeling right now is the same many of you feel while reading threads about the super bowl.
The difference is, most people around the world know about the super bowl, and I don't follow gridiron but I understand the game and have followed it in the past.
Another difference is this is an international competition rather than national, so there's a couple of countries getting behind a team, rather than a few fans.
Also the series is 5 games of cricket, with each game going for a maximum of 5 days, and each day goes for a minimum of 6hrs of play. This series lasted 22 of the 25 days of play. compared to a few hours for 1 game.
The stadiums in Australia are quite large also, with the largest ground, The MCG, holding close to 100,000 people, so you can imagine over 22 days (with most days sold out) how much interest there is.
It's interesting just looking at this information, that America hasn't yet got the interest in the game with the potential income if it became popular. It's also got more statistics than baseball, and http://www.cricinfo.com/ is apparently the largest site for a singular sport.
I think more countries participating in world sports like soccer, rugby and cricket can bring more peace to the world with more interest in competitive sport than trying to kill each other.
sorry to crap on, but I felt I needed to explain things a bit to the people unfamiliar with cricket, and how big it is worldwide, especially in the sub continent (India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh)