Cricket

[leo]

Well don to England for doing a great job in squaring the Ashes series

[hex]

Normally I wouldn't watch cricket )give me a freshly painted wall anytime ;D) but I really enjoyed this game. Talk about excitement. Best match ever.

[Emerald Midi]

Not normally into Cricket either but I must admit I'm really enjoying this encounter between England and Australia. Looks like it's going down to the wire.

[leo]

As a Scot I wouldn't usually watch the cricket that much but I got to admit watching the Ashes has been the most exciting thing on the telly for me lately. And as a Scot I certainly wouldn't usually wish England all the best but this time around they have been marvelous.

keep it up lads!

[sarah]

Cricket? If there's paint drying on the other side I'll be watching it ;D ;D

My husband loves the game but I NEVER let him watch it. ;D

[midimart]

Well Sarah, you are cruel

But maybe while you are on gigs or out in the van listening to our mp3's your hubby may be watching cricket.... you never know!!! ;D

Agreed, well done ENGLAND

[leo]

sarah said:

My husband loves the game but I NEVER let him watch it. ;D

Ooch!

But good girl, let him know who's boss ;D ;D

[Emerald Midi]

Sarah, do you happen to be related to my wife?

Back on topic.

I will be watching the cricket tomorrow. As I've said I'm not a great fan of the game - but it's growing on me.

[sarah]

I'll have you chappies know that my hubby knows his place ;D ;D

Midiman

If your wife has any sense she'll whip you now and then, just to let you know who's boss ;D ;D

[guilty]

It's been over a year since you have talked cricket.....are you looking forward to the next 'Battle for the Ashes' over here in Oz? Time to get the ashes back where they belong.

AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE OI OI OI

PS. My wife won't let me watch too much either.

[guilty]

C'mon guys, the English are down here ready for the 1st test and still none of you are talking cricket. I'm sure if you retain the ashes we'll be hearing from you.

PS. Would you like Tony Grieg back.........please.

[bigsteve69]

G'day Guilty, I'm happy to talk about the cricket because I'm an Aussie. We will win back the ashes because we have a fitter and more aggressive team, and we're playing at home in conditions which suit us more than England. I believe that the Poms will give us a run for our money, but we'll prove to be too strong for them.
I'm also looking forward to the AFL draft on Saturday, and hope that the Kangaroos choose some quality young players, especially with pick 3. If Dean Laidley stuffs up this time, he should get the arse.
Let me know what you think, Big Steve

[Steptoe]

The only Cricket I like is Buddy Holly's!!

[Emerald Midi]

In the past year I have become a huge follower of the game, and in particular England. Young Ed Joyce's inclusion in the team has made it easier for me to follow them

The Ashes, which kicks off proper at midnight tonight UK/Ireland time, should be an exciting encounter. What is amusing for me is is how the Aussies assume they are going to walk the series - I personally think they will be mightily surprised by the ferociousness of the England side as I can see an all-out seam attack that will not only bamboozle but horrify the unsuspecting Australians batsmen.

Time will tell if my prediction amounts to anything

[guilty]

After day 1 Pat you couldn't be more wrong however cricket is a 'funny' game they tell me. As long as there is some close test matches it will be a good series.

Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi.

Regarding the 'Roo Boys and Dean Laidley I wish we'd go back to a Pagan style of footy when we have a big forward line instead of the Laidley chipping around type game. So many times last season when 5 goals down we wasted time chipping instead of kicking long to Thommo & Sav and scoring quickly.

The 'experts' are tipping us for the wooden spoon in 2007......looking forward to a top 8 position and shoving it up them!

GO NORTH !!!!

[bigsteve69]

G'day everyone, it's good to see the Aussies struggle to 9-602, ;D then blast through the top order of the English batting!
At this rate the 1st test will be finshed before the end of the 3rd day.
On the Kangaroos, I agree with Guilty's comments about kicking long and quick ball movement to the big forwards. It's a pity that Big Sav had to go and play gridiron earlier than he wanted to, due to Dean Laidley not playing him. :(He could still play well next year, but Dean's nutsty game plan of rooting around with the ball, and putting 2 players behind the play to limit the opposition doesn't help you get the ball to the forwards quickly.
Radio station SEN are broadcasting the AFL draft live from 9am Saturday morning, and I'm looking forward to seeing who goes where.
Talk again soon, Big Steve. ;D

[levi2]

Im sorry but i just dont like cricket gimme football anytime

[Emerald Midi]

What can I say? Yes, without a doubt, those Aussie boys got stuck in and played very well but being an eternal optimist I have to believe that the England boys, who are well noted for being slow starters, will still go on to win the series.

This leg will certainly go to the 'Roos but in the ones ahead, and especially when England add Mahmood, Monty and young Joyce to the mix, expect to the lads to raise their game.

[bigsteve69]

G'day Pat, I think that you're taking optimism to extremely high levels! ;D It will be a lot harder for the Poms to improve quickly being away from home. There aren't any dodgy Duke balls that swing like bananas over here! I hope that they do improve though, as if the Aussies cream them in the 2nd test it will be a boring old summer.
Go Aussies, Big Steve.

[Emerald Midi]

Well Big Steve after last night's shambles on England's part any amount of optimism I had for that leg has been totally vanquished. Freddy, KP and co were unfortunate not to get into their stride. Bell was the only one who made any headway with his 50.

To add insult to injury Pontin did not make England follow on, choosing instead to demonstrate that it was possible to still get runs so late in the game. Talk about driving the humiliation home.

But well done to the Aussies and Glen McGrath in particular for showing us how the game can be played. Hopefully their lesson has been good enough to show the English how to make in-roads in the games ahead.

Questions need to be answered but if Fletcher and Flintoff have learned anything from this public flogging then Harmison will not get to bowl again.