Ashes Thread

[Kris]

I actually dreamt I took a wicket last night. It was a thick inside edge, admittedly, but it was my first delivery.

[Native]

Will be staying up this evening to watch the boys finish the series off.

[Undertaker]

England are a better side than i first thought. They have completely out-played Australia on their home turf.

If you were to pick a best XI, only Hussey would get in it. Maybe Watson. Something seriously wrong with Australian cricket. That spinner they picked ;- Beer, has only played 7 first class matches and he's playing in an Ashes series. They seem to be doing what the England football manager does and pick young kids that haven't done a thing to earn selection. They have a lot of work to do. They are as low as 5th in the world rankings.

[Fugitive1979]

Here we go!

[Undertaker]

Siddle and Smith are doing alright to be fair. Siddle looks to be one of the few that has a bit of fight in him.

[Undertaker]

One wicket to go and not one single dismissal in this match has been LBW.

[gregf]

Congratulations England on winning TheAshes and the series. Certainly the best team won.

[Undertaker]

Very impressed with what Andy Flower has done. He's really interesting to listen to when he speaks.

[Patrick Bateman]

End of a twenty-year cycle. Aussie went up, were the best team in the world for about a decade, and spent the last few years on the way down. This is their nadir. I still find some of their selections this series completely bizarre - why was Hauritz frozen out? Did he shag a selector's teenage daughter or something?

[Undertaker]

End of a twenty-year cycle. Aussie went up, were the best team in the world for about a decade, and spent the last few years on the way down. This is their nadir. I still find some of their selections this series completely bizarre - why was Hauritz frozen out? Did he shag a selector's teenage daughter or something?

Swann (i think it was) had a dig about Hauritzs' omission. Obviously something has happened. He's a very good player and it's made worse by the shocking spinners they have plucked from nowhere.

Had to feel a bit for Michael Clarke. Final Test and he had to answer all the questions and handled himself well. He's a lot more magnanimous and honest that Ponting is, was or ever will be. No piss poor excuses. Shane Watson was the same. Both gave credit where it was due. IMO, it's time to get shot of Ponting as captain. I think he's losing the plot and it came to a head with that embarrassing rant at the umpires but at the same time, it seems Australia don't seem too keen on Clarke.

[Native]

What do Australians do after winning the Ashes?
Turn off their playstations and go and have dinner.

[Fugitive1979]

What do you call an Australian with a bottle of Champagne?

The waiter.

[Native]

It would be fascinating to have seen how this current England side would have faired against the great Australia team with McGrath, Warne and Gilchrist...

[Patrick Bateman]

They'd have been soundly thrashed. Warney got forty wickets alone when they lost in 2005.

England played superbly but Australia were awful. Look at their averages.....

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine ... ype=series

Rolf Harris was even their best bowler.

[gregf]

Don't let anyone say we are bad loosers. We can see how much effort and
determination went into the England win and we respect that. Also the E supporters
are so happy, it's hard not to feel glad for them.

This is Australia in summer holiday mode. The sun is shining, but for once, not
too hot. The birds are singing and everyone is occupied with BBQs or parties
or holidays at the beach. Was there a cricket match ?