The Ashes 2005... and 2006

[magintz]

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.

[Pumaman]

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!)

[Las Naranjas]

That's the funniest thing about Cricket. Everyone says they think it's boring, and then watch it anyway.

[Kinoko]

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

[Klytos]

We gotta give the poms something once in a while...

[Timosity]

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

[Mordalles]

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.

[Timosity]

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.

[Timosity]

Well, Australia has regained The Ashes


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

[Jon]

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 

[Timosity]

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.

[Jon]

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.

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.

[Timosity]

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

[Jon]

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)

[auhsor]

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.

[Timosity]

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

[Timosity]

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.

[rtf]

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.

[Timosity]

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)