The Ashes Chat

Jacob Oram is: THE NEW MASTER BLASTER. The last couple of games, his first 2 for the series, have been phenomenal. His 86 in Adelaide was some big power hitting and now in Perth, this was explosive, and I mean explosive. 101 of 72. When you see that you think, 20/twenty match. Nop, just chasing a huge total set by the Aussies thanks to Hayden’s 117 and Ponting’s 111 and finally some big 3 sixes from Hussey to get him 29 of 20. Oram came in when the score was 5 down for 160 or 70. That is when the fun started. Oram hit boundary after boundary and Mcullum doing the back up roll. When the rain came nobody thought firstly, the would not come out and finally not be that close. With Bracken bowling the final over to Oram they needed 24 of it, in the end, NZ got it down to only 8 thanks to Oram bringing up his hundred in the final over but it was not enough. Unlucky Kiwis. But Jacob Oram is someone to look out for in the future.

Jacob Oram

by BuyBigPrints.com

Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff is finally finding his touch. After some painful injections in his dodgy ankle before the Ashes and then given the captaincy it was about time Freddie found form with bat and for that matter ball. His hard fought 50 against the Aussies at the “G” was good to see and had an okay time with the ball. Now his latest match against NZ at Hobart was just fantastic to see. It wasn’t the smash and bash “Freddie”, it was a slightly controlled side of him but still a joy to watch. He just looked in control the whole time. Basically, to get form he needed to find his timing and it all would come back. And it did, going at Bond, Gillespie, Patel and Vettori. And hitting a four to win the match for them with 2 balls to spare it was great. 72 N.O. For me, even though I’m an Aussie supporter it was great to see him back, smiling, bowling well and batting well I hope he keeps it up for the whole series. But now that Vaughn has done a grade 1 hamstring tear “Freddie” has been given the captaincy back! Stupid I say. Strauss did a good job as captain against Pakistan and Sri Lanka in England last English summer so let’s hope “Freddie” wont fall into that slump that we got in the tests.

Andrew Flintoff

by 668 neighbour of the beast

Pietersen was literally ‘bowled over’ by a stinger from McGrath and hit the dust as if he’d been in combat and been shot through the heart. KP is a big bloke and he’s no wimp but he was in serious pain. At one stage I wondered if he’d cracked a rib, and he’s certainly going to be black and blue tomorrow and very stiff. Meanwhile McGrath, Ponting et al seem to be enjoying the sight of having felled the only giant in the England team and there were a few choice remarks directed his way. It certainly was a key moment in the innings because as Flintoff subsequently showed he was up for striking boundaries and the pair could really have piled on the runs. I shall be logged in live to the Aussie innings this morning in lessons but I am not holding out any hope!!

Yesterday there was mixed emotions for me. I was over the moon about the poms loosing 5-0 [yes Mrs B, it is hard to deal with :)] and the Aussies doing it 5-0 so comprehensively and sad because it was the end of an era. Warne, McGrath and Langer leaving international tests but for McGrath he will play in the ODI’s against the poms and NZ. I just can’t believe that we will never see a leg spinner [I say leg spinner because I think Murily is just behind as a spinner] like Shane Warne. I’m sorry but I can’t say the same for McGrath. Stu Clark is almost his identical twin with accuracy and length. And also Shaun Pollock is almost his identical twin as well. And for JL, he is so gutsy and determined to do well for his country. I saw Matt Hayden crying because they were great mates and a great opening partnership. So farewell, three great Aussie players.

Shane Warne Glenn McGrath Walk Off

by talrejaharish

Justin Langer Leaves The Field

by talrejaharish

Ah well at last the agony is over and the death or glory brigade, (rather more fluffy than light ), have finally succumbed albeit it with somewhat of a whimper. It is nice to see that despite the no doubt bitter taste of defeat that must have been welling up in their throats, the English team showed extraordinary good grace in giving the lesser publicized of the three retirees due recognition by forming a guard of honor adjacent to the pitch. Nice touch that.

Another interesting feature of all the ceremony attached to the end of the series was the kindergarten assembly that also took place on the ground. Despite the banning of the Mexican Wave, stodginess is not totally pervasive at the cricket also. Nice to hear also in the presentation speeches lots of acknowledgment of the part that the Barmy’s played in the whole series. Interesting to hear from a couple of commentators wondering whether it might not have aided the English chaps a little if in fact the Barmy’s had been a little less fulsome in their support at those times when the Poms had lost the plot in order to add a little more ginger to their game.

Ah well now to the Pyjama game though there is one of those silly hit’n'giggle games to come yet. Perish the thought that “Aggers” and a number of other commentators have suggested that the Poms are much worse at the one day game than at this five day stuff. Wouldn’t it be awful to have to go back to the old dart beaten by not one southern colonial team but by the Maoris as well :).

One of the good things about being on hols is that you have a chance to get things done like clean out the emails, check out all those links you had passed over etc, (not to mention all the odd jobs around the house but more of them later ). Unfortunately it seems this malaise has also struck our young correspondent Josh, either that or he is sunning himself beside a pool somewhere. I for one am really missing his take on this current test as for once we really do seem to be in the midst of a real contest.

What a morning has been served up, a quick (and unexpected) wicket, quick runs, controversy and all manner of tipping points. Damn the list of jobs has extended even further as I juggle between the ABC radio commentary, the vision from our TV broadcaster channel 9, (sometimes you have to put up with Tony, Bill and Mark as they explain the Tracker Hot Spot Snicko device), not to mention the fun online commentary from the Age online as well as the BBC. Boy is it tricky being the all round sports fan. Thank goodness this is the last test :).

Ah well as it is lunch I had better off and do some real work :). As to the other bloke, JOSH WHO??????

Like the Charge of the Light Brigade, England belatedly have started to put Dad’s Army to the sword and mount what may prove to be a suicidal charge led by Bell, Pieterson and Flintoff. The runs are mounting, is the moment finally approaching when the Aussies get their comeuppance and a few more join the queue at the unemployment office?

Josh, I was delighted to hear you had to suffer the Barmy Army, there is some justice after all! Pack away your strait jacket you’re not going to need it for this test!

For the upcoming Commonwealth Bank series between Eng, Aus and NZ the Aussies have produced a new one-day top. Last summer the Aussies quit FILA and changed to Adidas for both tests and limited overs. Well, last summer the Aussies were wearing yellow with green Adidas 3 stripe trademark down the sleeves and pants and down the side of the top. Well now, the new one for all limited overs matches the top will be Adidas again and it will be all green with this time gold instead of yellow and this time the Adidas logo on the left and coat of arms on the right with the Adidas gold stripes down 3 quarters of the sleeves and pants. 

Cricket Australia have yet to decide whether to get a sponsor like VB of last summer on the tummy of the top [because there is no room for a logo on the side], or just leave it all green with the coat of arms and Adidas. I got a replica of the top a couple of days ago and it looks good but I prefer the one from last summer which was gold with the Adidas trademark 3 stripe logo on the sleeves and down the sides. Also, Mr P, I could take a pici of my top and put it on the blog [unlike last time] The only problem: Hard to tell who is NZ or the Aussies in the crowed at the One dayers. Go out in green but not much gold!

www.viewimages.com

Old Top

www.aocshop.co.uk

New Top

On Day 3 at the “G” Dad and I arrived expecting some good Aussie onslaught like on Day 2 thanks to Roy Boy [Andy Symonds] and Haydos [Matt Hayden]. Well, the perfect seats, 5 rows from the front. Only down side of the whole entire day, we were right next to the Barmy Army! To spice up the day, they spiced up Shane Warne with a song. Shane Warne is: “An Aussie, he wears an Aussie hat, he wears a Nike earing and looks like an Aussie Pratt!” There was a few more but the are a bit to rude. Symonds gone, Clark gone and McGrath gone and Warney stuck on 40 N.O.

Then the trumpeter comes into the day and starts the army off again. He starts the tune of Jerusalem. Then: “Were the Barmy Army, the Barmy Army. It strikes me how well they sing for so late in the day because half of them are drunk! The Army sang on and on and on, even when the match finished they were singing! So they were great and so was the match. Bret Lee picked up 4 fer and Clark bowled KP with a cracker. I’m sorry Mrs B but, 5-zip, YOU BEAUT That’s my day at the “G” and what a day to go, seeing Warney’s final over at the “G”. C’MON AUSSIES!

MCG, Day 2 The Barmy Army

by ~Prescott

Woe at the Wacca. Massacre at the MCG. Any suggestions for Sydney? Sorrow at Sydney? Suicide at Sydney? Santa Claus did not deliver and I bet the New Year won’t either. Resignation has set in with a vengeance.

Loving colourful characters, I couldn’t help but enjoy Warne’s windups of the crowd and his performance which led to his Man of the Match Award. He truly is one of the cricketing greats. It seems strange to watch cricket being played in a huge football stadia type arena reminiscent of the San Ciro or the Bernabau and hearing the fantyastic noise generated. All credit to the Barmy Army for still making their presence felt and making themselves heard.

My theory on the disappearance of Josh is that he’s got so high on events, his family have had to consult a doctor who has prescribed a strait jacket until the New Year!!!