England V convicts.

Well, fairly evenly balanced at the moment.  We never seem to have that killer instinct against the fecking Aussies.  A good innings from Freddy would see us slight favourites.

How frustrating is KP.  Awesome batsman but seems to get a rush fo sh1t to the head every now and then  

Its too early to say who is ahead. Once both sides have batted we will have a good idea & provided England are within 50 runs of the Aussies it will be well set up for a thrilling finish (weather permitting)

The series is over the best part of two months so calling it after 3/4 of one day is a bit premature

Am I the only one who thinks that whilst the Swalec ground looks 'nice' it has a very small capacity and is more a 'stadium' than a cricket ground

I agree that we'll have no idea how good a total it is until the Aussies bat. I think the forecast looks okay so we should have a result.

I do think over the course of the series (a fit Flintoff permitting) that the extra balance Freddie gives the side might just be decisive. Only having 4 front line bowlers, one of whom is a very inexperienced spinner doesn't half put some pressure on the quicks.

It does look like a picturesque ground but it'll need some history to build up the character you get with the other grounds.

This should be its only test match.  Silly idea taking it to wales.  This one will end in a draw cos Saturday and sunday will be traditional welsh weather.


And Pieterson should be shot for playing a shot like that in a test match,mind you our two openers got out to two equally brilliant strokes didn't they?

I think you have to accept it's part of Pietersen's game. It is infuriating but nobody complained when he was reverse slog-sweeping for 6, or when he's scoring at a run a ball. It seems worse when it's him as you know how important he is to the team.

Before anybody misunderstands what I am saying, I do recognise that it was a truly dreadful shot.

Quoted from Rodley Mariner

I think you have to accept it's part of Pietersen's game. It is infuriating but nobody complained when he was reverse slog-sweeping for 6, or when he's scoring at a run a ball. It seems worse when it's him as you know how important he is to the team.

Before anybody misunderstands what I am saying, I do recognise that it was a truly dreadful shot.

I agree.

Quoted from BIGChris

Its too early to say who is ahead. Once both sides have batted we will have a good idea & provided England are within 50 runs of the Aussies it will be well set up for a thrilling finish (weather permitting)

The series is over the best part of two months so calling it after 3/4 of one day is a bit premature Am I the only one who thinks that whilst the Swalec ground looks 'nice' it has a very small capacity and is more a 'stadium' than a cricket ground

It would indeed be premature.  But with the title of the Thread including the words 1st test thought that might be a clue    At the time of posting England were not loads for non, nor where they 100 - 4 etc. So (IMO) it was a fairly even start to the FIRST test  
See what you've done now. Freddie has been bowled just as I was about to post how well we are now doing  

A bleedin night watchman to protect Swan,Broad and that ace batsman Monty.

Another wicket gone,

400 looks a long way off now.

336-7 at stumps.

Even Stephens?

Quoted from BIGChris

336-7 at stumps.

Even Stephens?

Yes agree chris,

I think 400 would be the min we want,

If we mange to keep clear of too much rain,

Our two spinners could TURN the match in our favour.

I would have taken it at 90-3 or or 241-5. That said they'd have taken it at 228-3 or 327-5.

I guess in a very long winded way I'm saying I agree it's pretty even   Good day of cricket with plenty of runs and wickets. Let's hope it continues.

You simply cannot call them convicts, it is so wrong.

Call them colonials instead, they hate it even more.

I'd have taken winning the toss and getting 336 on before start of play.

I can't envisage that the Welsh would be capable of preparing a track to last 5 days.

Going to watch the highlights on Sky at 11. I remain convinced that Katherine Jenkins, despite all this hymn singing malarky, has a voracious sexual appetite and is absolutely Fieal-tie, as they would say in Limerick.

in the end probably a good move to put night watchman in, a good score in the end just see what we can do with the ball.

in the other test match today I think the Windies may struggle!!!

The bleedin welsh are singing "Men of Harlech".  Whats that all about?

Quoted from theicenian

The bleedin welsh are singing "Men of Harlech".  Whats that all about?

I think it may be about the men of Harlech

Anyone know where I can see an online scorecard?
The Beeb isn't doing one and the SkySports site makes my internet crash

121-1 if it helps

Sky has taken the fun out of the Ashes for me mostly because I haven't got it. But I can never just sit in the pub five days straight for five tests to watch a match The Ashes should be put on the golden list the same as The World Cup, FA Cup, Six Nations, Olympics and other such precious events.

Quoted from AdamHaddock

Anyone know where I can see an online scorecard?
The Beeb isn't doing one and the SkySports site makes my internet crash

its above the txt commentary on bbc online!

http://124.217.238.140/~cricshow/stream1.htm

green watch it there

Fecking Aussies.  looks like we'll be trying for the Draw.  I have a horrible feeling that the wicket will turn, but they will have built up too big a lead and we are definately up against it at the moment.  

Thank christ for the rain long may it continue and if were lucky we may get a draw!

As usual,we are being taught a cricket lesson by the Aussies.Their guys got in and stayed there,piling on the runs.Ours gave away their wickets cheaply.When the Aussies have a sniff of victory,they go for the jugular.I think Strauss is a very poor captain.No imagination and no feel for the way the game is going.

I can't believe we survived! What an escape!

That's how we play cricket!

Phew!

Quoted from immariner

I can't believe we survived! What an escape!

A consummate batting performance by Collingwood. Pity it had to come after some truly awful play by some of his peers in the top of the England batting order. Though how Bopara could have been given out LBW to a ball that was high and wide requires answers on a post card!

What is it about Kevin Springbok that when the chips are down he blows it big time.It really annoys me that he is touted as our best batsman but only comes good once or twice in a series.I'm probably being harsh on him but he does get out in some daft ways doesn't he.And yes I would argue against the statistics every time.

I just find him thoroughly annoying. I suppose I'll get over it when he makes 178 in the next test.

I agree with Icy again ( sorry )

K.P. is either brilliant and scores loads,

OR

Gets himself out playing stupid shots or no shot at all,

There is a difference between twenty/20 and test cricket,

One day KP might realise that.

On the plus side,

I found the last 20+ overs fascinating ,

Well done to the lower order for saving the game after the BATSMEN  (apart from Colly )  let us down again.

Quoted from grimsby pete

I agree with Icy again ( sorry )

There is a difference between twenty/20 and test cricket,

Yes we have just seen why Test Cricket at it's best is still a most compelling sporting spectacle.
Monty must be one of the worst batsman in Test cricket - brilliant stuff. Sets the series up nicely if we get our bowlers going at Lords. Time for Harmy I think.

Monty batted well.

I'd now drop him for the 2nd Test!

Quoted from BIGChris

Monty batted well.

I'd now drop him for the 2nd Test!

I don't think he will play again in this series. To be honest I think we let Robert Croft and few so called experts talk us into playing two spinners,having said that perhaps if the aussies had been made to bat last (ie we actually scored a few more and the bowlers actually bowled) perhaps two spinners would have come into their own on day 5.

Quoted from theicenian

I don't think he will play again in this series. To be honest I think we let Robert Croft and few so called experts talk us into playing two spinners,having said that perhaps if the aussies had been made to bat last (ie we actually scored a few more and the bowlers actually bowled) perhaps two spinners would have come into their own on day 5.

We can only dream....................

I'm sorry but this "big girls rounders" series between South Africa England and Australia does absolutely nothing for me. Just can't get excited about it at all.

Thought Collingwood was superb. He saved the test for us thats for sure.

I thought it was an excellent game ..... Bring on the next test at lords as England can only improve !!

Quoted from Les Brechin

I'm sorry but this "big girls rounders" series between South Africa England and Australia does absolutely nothing for me. Just can't get excited about it at all.

Oooooooh,a touch of controversy there Les.

Quoted from Les Brechin

I'm sorry but this "big girls rounders" series between South Africa England and Australia does absolutely nothing for me. Just can't get excited about it at all.

I think most of the big girls play premiership football nowadays don't they?

Broad out, Cook out, and though it pains me to say it, Panesar out. Broad isn't good enough and is probably still living off his dad's name, Cook always flatters to deceive and Panesar has not bowled well for England for ages.

Cook flatters to deceive?

He is currently ranked in the top 25 Test Batsmen in the world. He is still a youngster, as is Broad, and will get runs during this series.

How on earth can Broad still be 'living off his dads name'? Chris only played 25 tests and had a batting average below 40. Stuart is a bowler but his batting average isnt far behind his fathers!

We, English have a tendancy to over react-especially where sport is concerned. Some would have us change the entire team after we have drawn a test match although there isnt a queue of ready made replacements

Quoted from BIGChris

Cook flatters to deceive?

He is currently ranked in the top 25 Test Batsmen in the world. He is still a youngster, as is Broad, and will get runs during this series.

How on earth can Broad still be 'living off his dads name'? Chris only played 25 tests and had a batting average below 40. Stuart is a bowler but his batting average isnt far behind his fathers!

We, English have a tendancy to over react-especially where sport is concerned. Some would have us change the entire team after we have drawn a test match although there isnt a queue of ready made replacements

I'd agree with that but would add that I feel Broad could do with mixing his length up a bit more and generally pitching it up a little bit. I know he likes to bowl back of a length but I think he's just a bit short.

I thought Panesar batted superbly yesterday but I think Harmison has to come in for him on Thursday. Suggesting Cook is dropped is ridiculous and those saying Pietersen can't handle the big occasion are just plain wrong. Oval in 2005 anyone? He has a bit of a technical problem at the moment and his shot selection hasn't been great but he'll go and work hard on it and he'll make some big scores in the series. The best batsmen in the world can't make runs every innings/game and he's no different. I think he's still averaging over 50 in test cricket.

But we managed to rattle the aussie cage Their whingingeing captain is now acusing us of gamesmanship.
What a cheek if he'd of been in the same position he would have done the same.
Whats wound the little convict up was that in the last half hour we kept sending on the twelvth man with water batting gloves and such.
Straus said it was a way of communicating with his batsmen.
Good on him any rattling the convicts cage is quite acceptible in my book.

I've not been following him so do not know the situation but I've always thought Ryan Sidebottom was a superb bowler for England. Replace Panesar with him.

Quoted from BIGChris

Cook flatters to deceive?

He is currently ranked in the top 25 Test Batsmen in the world. He is still a youngster, as is Broad, and will get runs during this series.

How on earth can Broad still be 'living off his dads name'? Chris only played 25 tests and had a batting average below 40. Stuart is a bowler but his batting average isnt far behind his fathers!

We, English have a tendancy to over react-especially where sport is concerned. Some would have us change the entire team after we have drawn a test match although there isnt a queue of ready made replacements

I agree with all of the above.

Chris Broad lives on one successful series in Australia really.I did admire him as a cricketer though. His son will be a much bigger servant to England than his father.Ok he didn't have the best game in the world at Cardiff but his contribution was no worse than ten other players on the pitch.

And Kevin Springbok can be the most frustrating batsman I have ever watched.He can be breathtakingly brilliant,and equally rubbish.If he settles down to play test cricket he could easily be the best batsman we've seen in years he just needs to control those wild flashes that get him out.Yes,yes I know he has a brilliant batting average but think if he could cure the mad sweep to leg from two yards outside the off and concentrate on defending his leg stump on occassion (The aussies have found his achilles heel) his average would be even higher.

The only change I would cotemplate for  2nd test would be Harmo for Monty.

Quoted from Civvy at last

The only change I would cotemplate for  2nd test would be Harmo for Monty.

That will be the only change imo.

Quoted from grimsby pete

That will be the only change imo.

Fingers crossed Freddie is fit. Prior at 6, Broad at 7, Swann at 8 then Anderson, Onions and Harmison looks a bit fragile to me. Although Anderson and Monty batted superbly yesterday before anyone starts!  

Quoted from BIGChris

Cook flatters to deceive?

He is currently ranked in the top 25 Test Batsmen in the world. He is still a youngster, as is Broad, and will get runs during this series.

Yes he does. Far too many low scores and when the going gets tough against the bigger sides he's more often than not found wanting. But like you say, not many ready made replacements.

How on earth can Broad still be 'living off his dads name'? Chris only played 25 tests and had a batting average below 40. Stuart is a bowler but his batting average isnt far behind his fathers!

Without looking, I'm fairly certain that Broad junior's batting average is barely half that (I looked it up and in tests/ODI & first class cricket it's 24). He showed in the twenty20 where he made member up after member up that he isn't ready for international cricket.

We, English have a tendancy to over react-especially where sport is concerned. Some would have us change the entire team after we have drawn a test match although there isnt a queue of ready made replacements

Barring the excitement of just scraping a draw with our tail-enders shaming the top order, the result was embarrassing. The Aussies were probably no more than half an hour away from a crushing victory. Cutting a few under-performers would not be an over-reaction.

Quoted from immariner

Barring the excitement of just scraping a draw with our tail-enders shaming the top order, the result was embarrassing. The Aussies were probably no more than half an hour away from a crushing victory. Cutting a few under-performers would not be an over-reaction.

100% agree with that. The Aussie bowling attack is nothing special but we made Johnson, Hauritz, Hilfenhaus and Siddall look like McGrath, Warne, Lillee and Thomson.

Kudos to Collingwood for grinding out almost all the final day, instead of wasting his wicket like our top order.

Those suggesting chopping numerous players need to say who they think should come in. Drop Cook for?

I know Rodders, I did say that I agree with Chris on the lack of replacements. Cook is a fantastic batsman, he just frustrates the hell out of me and I just feel that a few England players (including Cook) know that they're under no pressure to perform or lose their place. I don't really know. I'm no fan of Ian Bell's for a start. Why not give Trott a go?

Cook averages over 44 in Test Match cricket. In 2009 he has really struggled and only averages 55. Terrible form!

If we want to emulate the Aussies we should look at how they manage their team. They pick their best players and let them get on with it. The players, in return don't feel under constant pressure. Look at Ashes Series for the past 20 years. When we put out a settled side for a series was the only time we've beaten them.

We got battered at Lords in 2005 but we knew that was our best side so we stuck with it and with that backing they came good. Some sort of mass cull would be hugely counter-productive in my opinion. Throwing someone like Trott in would strike me as smacking of panic and desperation and unless I've missed something we're not even losing the series at the moment.

Quoted from Rodley Mariner

If we want to emulate the Aussies we should look at how they manage their team. They pick their best players and let them get on with it. The players, in return don't feel under constant pressure. Look at Ashes Series for the past 20 years. When we put out a settled side for a series was the only time we've beaten them.

We got battered at Lords in 2005 but we knew that was our best side so we stuck with it and with that backing they came good. Some sort of mass cull would be hugely counter-productive in my opinion. Throwing someone like Trott in would strike me as smacking of panic and desperation and unless I've missed something we're not even losing the series at the moment.

What an excellent post!

We've only added Harmison and Bell to the twelve to cover for Freddie. So if Freddie doesn't play do you think the Aussies will notice we are playing with twelve men.

Quoted from theicenian

We've only added Harmison and Bell to the twelve to cover for Freddie. So if Freddie doesn't play do you think the Aussies will notice we are playing with twelve men.

Do you think Ponting might have a bit of a moan about it  

Quoted from Rodley Mariner

If we want to emulate the Aussies we should look at how they manage their team. They pick their best players and let them get on with it. The players, in return don't feel under constant pressure. Look at Ashes Series for the past 20 years. When we put out a settled side for a series was the only time we've beaten them.

We got battered at Lords in 2005 but we knew that was our best side so we stuck with it and with that backing they came good. Some sort of mass cull would be hugely counter-productive in my opinion. Throwing someone like Trott in would strike me as smacking of panic and desperation and unless I've missed something we're not even losing the series at the moment.

Right okay, I agree with you that wholesale changes are not what is needed once a series has started (and to BC I had no idea Cooks' average was that high!). I don't however feel that Broad is currently playing well enough to keep his place. And I'm not sure that keeping the same players in squad after squad is a good thing. Yeah it worked in 2005 (McGrath's injuries and Gillespie being kack were big factors)but against, shall we say, the lesser teams, we should be trying out a couple of those on the fringes of the national team, otherwise how will we know if they can handle it if called upon? It's all well and good sticking with 13/14 regulars and saying there's no strength in depth, if you don't give anyone else a go to show that they can do it. It happens in the one day sides so why not test matches sides.

Freddie announcing his retirement from Test cricket later. Shame his body wont hold up to the amount of games, regardless of what you think of him (Swin!!).

As for the comments re Cook, Broad etc - I'd suggest BigChris has it right. Cooks average is decent, and every batsmen goes through bad spells - it was only a few months ago Strauss was on the verge of losing his place in the side for good. Now he's captain. Broad had a bad test at Cardiff, but he's produced before and will again - just needs to learn to be consistent and not spray it around - that will come with experience, and his batting is bloody good for a tail ender.

  Re ones for the future...Joe Denley, there's another one who played for the Lions against the Aussies and got a tonne but cant recall his name. It's not all doom and gloom.

And this test - if Freddie doesnt play then it leaves a spot for Harmison, and Onions to replace Panesar. If Freddie plays - Onions in for Panesar.  

I think Freddie will play, the timing of his announcement seems to me to be a rallying call to both players and fans alike.  If Freddie isn't fit then I believe Bell will be taking his place with Monty making way for G.B.H..

Lets treat the next test like a new Town game.  We can at least start with a bit of hope and enthusiasm.

COME ON ENGLAND  

Quoted from Civvy at last

I think Freddie will play, the timing of his announcement seems to me to be a rallying call to both players and fans alike.  If Freddie isn't fit then I believe Bell will be taking his place with Monty making way for G.B.H..

Lets treat the next test like a new Town game.  We can at least start with a bit of hope and enthusiasm.

COME ON ENGLAND  

They have released Bell back to his county.

Quoted from theicenian

They have released Bell back to his county.

Which suggests Freddie will be fit. Or at least that he'll be playing.

Quoted from Rodley Mariner

Which suggests Freddie will be fit. Or at least that he'll be playing.

He was in the 14 to cover for Pieterson who has a cruciate problem, which has been dealt with by an injection.Harmison is cover for Freddie.

Quoted from theicenian

He was in the 14 to cover for Pieterson who has a cruciate problem, which has been dealt with by an injection.Harmison is cover for Freddie.

Everything I've read suggested that Bell would also play if Freddie was unfit and that Harmison would also come in for possibly Broad to provide the variety in the attack. Just Harmison in for Flintoff would leave that batting line up looking very fragile.

Yeah, thinking the same.
But I too think that it will be irrelevent as Freddie will play, take 5 for 34 and make 197 Not Out as England declare on 642 - 4 (376 ahead).  

At the risk of jinxing the team.  It's looking like a decent start for England.  IF (and I know it's well early yet) we could get a win I honestly believe it would set us up to win the series.

COME ON ENGLAND

God hope we don't have a batting collapse now.

I KNEW we should have dropped Cook

Out for 95 FFS.

We need to push on Colly & Strauss need to try and be there at close to give us a platform for tomorrow although the forecast isnt great

Quoted from Green27

God hope we don't have a batting collapse now.

I hold you partly responsible for that   Not a bad day for England but we really should have totally batted them out of the game.

Whilst discussing this over evening meal, (tea/diiner/lunch or whatever you want to call ) an intersting theory was put forward.  Maybe the players in this country play too much limited over cricket T20 etc.  Thus the patiance and discipline required for Test cricket goes out of the window.  It must be hard to adjust from T20 to test cricket all the time.  Having said that, is it the same in Aussie land ?

We do seem to lack that middle order concentration where 3 or 4 go on to get high scores.

Overall though I would have taken todays score at the begining so lets just wait and see eh ?

And yet again the England tail enders out show the middle order. Good on 'em

425 I'm happy with that really and would of taken it at the start of the test. Now watch us rip through their batters!

What a start 4-1!

10-2!

111 for 5

England doing well,

Keep it up lads,

139-6 north gone for a duck

Aussie's still need some to avoid the follow on.

156 for 8

Bad light.

Aussies in big trouble.

I just have to smile at todays cricket.

So many people are sooooooo quick to abuse the players after a few hours of a 5 day test.

This game and series has many twists and turns before it is over.

How about supporting the lads rather than abusing them and calling for various players to be dropped after one innings?

We can win the Ashes back with these players because in my eyes our attack CAN  take 20 wickets in a match. Do that and we have every chance

Come on England!

Quoted from BIGChris

I just have to smile at todays cricket.

So many people are sooooooo quick to abuse the players after a few hours of a 5 day test.

This game and series has many twists and turns before it is over.

How about supporting the lads rather than abusing them and calling for various players to be dropped after one innings?

We can win the Ashes back with these players because in my eyes our attack CAN  take 20 wickets in a match. Do that and we have every chance

Come on England!

I couldn't agree more. I wonder if the Aussies are clamouring for North and Johnson to be dropped. Out of interest who still wishes Broad and Cook had been dropped?

What a marvellous day. Freddie back to 90 mph, Jimmy really starting to perform at this level and I think Blowers is in his element when Unyans is selected...

Awesome day's cricket. Havent seen the highlights yet. Was Pontin actually LB or did the umpire get it wrong ?

Quoted from Civvy at last

Awesome day's cricket. Havent seen the highlights yet. Was Pontin actually LB or did the umpire get it wrong ?

He gave him out caught behind but he didn't get any bat on it. It was a very good shout for LBW though - hitting leg half way up according to Hawkeye. Anderson appealed for the LBW rather than the catch. Great day of cricket. Looking like it could be another cracking series.

I'm enjoying my Nostradamus like abilities right now. I will find a bag full of those 20p's tomorrow after I've watched England bowlers force the follow on and skittle Australia all out for a combined total of 522. After a rain full Sunday England bat through the fifth day at speed tense but a win! And Town win the league by 28 points.

Quoted from Civvy at last

Awesome day's cricket. Havent seen the highlights yet. Was Pontin actually LB or did the umpire get it wrong ?

Apparently he was caught off his boot,

During the lunch interval it was said that the Umpire thought that he had nicked the ball onto his pad, which then carried onto the slips for Strauss to catch.

However, replays later showed that the sound, that the umpire thought was bat on ball, was in fact the bat hitting Ponting's foot. The ball cleanly hit the pad and carried, but he was given out.

It would've been LBW if they used the referal system.

Quoted from grimsby pete

Apparently he was caught off his boot,

Bollox to him what about the bad calls we got in Cardiff it always evens out.

311 for 6 at end of play today.

A few more runs tomorrow morning and then almost two full days to get them out!

BH.

Could this really happen! A win at Lords!

Looking good.  This could really set the series alight.  Another couple of wickets today would be nice. just to make sure.  

[IMG]http://i415.photobucket.com/albums/pp233/GTFC27/18292194-4481d98312879fe980b0ea9e95.jpg[/IMG]

Love it, absolutley love it. Have printed it off and it is in the album next to the picture of the sydney operah house coevered in a George Cross when we done em in the rugby world cup final.

CATCHES WIN MATCHES

Getting tense!

I had a really enjoyable day yesterday (apart from being sat next to 2 Scunts), my first time at Lords which has a unique atmosphere all of its own compared to other cricket venues. I actually thought Strauss made the correct decision, although many so called 'experts' around me assumed Aussies would be made to follow on. At close of play one bloke from Queensland said he couldn't remember a day when Oz were so far behind and how weak their attack was!

Btw: We moan about prices at footie, but I spent a small fortune in total yesterday including 2 nights in a hotel off Regents Park. A memorable 'one-off' nonetheless with many famous faces milling about!

Watched it on tele today, and an early wicket tomorrow and we should be okay, otherwise it could be a successful world record chase for them!

What we didn't do is put the game beyond them. If they chased the score down it will be a world record but they are the aussies and well capable. We should have batted for an hour, got an hours worth more runs on the board and an hours less runs for them, therefore the last day would have them chasing 300+ or so runs instead of 200. That's my opinion, the aussies are too good and if you give them a sniff they might just take it.

Quoted from bawarmy

What we didn't do is put the game beyond them. If they chased the score down it will be a world record but they are the aussies and well capable. We should have batted for an hour, got an hours worth more runs on the board and an hours less runs for them, therefore the last day would have them chasing 300+ or so runs instead of 200. That's my opinion, the aussies are too good and if you give them a sniff they might just take it.

Had we batted for an extra hour today and then failed to bowl the aussie's out loads would have been complaining about not leaving ourselves enough time and how 520 was easily enough

Sometimes you cannot win!

It will be close but we will win, we have the new ball already and it was showing good pace it will be close but we will win.