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[cesare_in]

9/172 
Depressed.. I had thought this would be one heck of a series..

[i12breakfree]

All Done. Mitch 7 -40

[Pendles10]

Good stuff from the Aussies..........Who would've thought they would be all out for 172?

[mo_town]

Well Bowled Mitchell Johnson! What a superb spell of quick and hostile bowling!!

[farnham_quins_2]

Lovely ball by Monty to get rid of Clarke.

I was shocked to see us out for <200 again when i woke up at 5. Our batsmen really need to pull something out the bag second innings and regain some confidencs, and respect from the aussies. They must just be laughing at us so far

[finbarr44]

As my old rugby coach used to say total lack of moral fibre. Looks to me that we haven't got the stomach for the fight. Absolutely devastated fair play to the Aussies but bowled out 3 times for under 200 not good enough by a long way.

[smilley792]

Here's my take on everything.


Today/last night.

Not saying root and pieterson didn't play the wrong shots at the wrong time(they both did) but I believe they was playing to England's tactics.
Which I believe we're.
"Block duck and ignore Mitch, he's too good
Harris, just hit the really bad ball.
Lyons and siddle lets get after them, and be aggressive.
This will mean they bring Mitch and Harris back on and get tired"

Didn't work, root should have played down the ground, and looked at a few first.
Pieterson ego took over after siddle bowled well at him.

Bell certainly attacked well!



The ashes in general.

Many will blame the warm up games, priors injury etc, but we are well in now, it's quite clear we aren't good enough and lack confidence at the mo.

We've lost these, we will lose by one of 3-0 3-1 4-0 or 4-1.

In my opinion we only won the home serious for several reasons.
1 bell
2 carried over confidence from the Strauss era
3 Australia's lack of confidence
4 Micky Arthur was useless!


Lehman is doing a great job,and i can only think Australia will get better, they have some good up coming pace options, and when agars spin improves, he should take over as top spinner, but batting at 6,7 to strengthen the batting.

I have a feeling aus will try to drop Rodgers though, as he was Arthur's left field pick, and Lehman has stuck with him through a good few innings, but once he has two tests without a 50, I think he'll go.
Which is a shame as I like him, atleast he will get to win The ashe's atleast once though.


England going forward

They need to mix it up for next test. Bresnan for Monty, bairstow for prior
And change batting line up.
Root
Carberry
Bell
Cook
Pietersen
Bairstow
Stokes
Bresnan
Broad
Swan
Anderson
(I expect flame for this)


As for roots issues, he was picked and groom for England because he is a backfoot player. And that's what they wanted to add to the side.
Would make no sense to then turn him into a front foot player.
Having played against him in two leagues, and watching our juniors vs him. He always has and always will be a back foot player.
I believe he will come good, and will be in an England short for atleast 10 years. We will see though....

[Number4]

England only won the home series because of the weather and dodgy umpiring.

Thinking of dropping Cook down the order is simply insane... And to be a good opening batsman you need to be a good front foot player

[smilley792]

Speaking of umpires, how annoying is this front foot no ball check at almost every wicket?

[Number4]

May as well not have umpires in the centre at all

[yvk3103]

Last  night was totally worth keeping awake. Mitch was superb. Some amazing catches-Clarke, Warner's one -hander.

Bell played well and kept Eng afloat for some time. Monty survived 35 balls - very good considering te 3 more accomplished batsmen before him lasted only half  the balls.

High point for Eng - Carberry  getting a 60 and taking Watto's catch

[Pendles10]

Here's my take on everything.


Today/last night.

Not saying root and pieterson didn't play the wrong shots at the wrong time(they both did) but I believe they was playing to England's tactics.
Which I believe we're.
"Block duck and ignore Mitch, he's too good
Harris, just hit the really bad ball.
Lyons and siddle lets get after them, and be aggressive.
This will mean they bring Mitch and Harris back on and get tired"

Didn't work, root should have played down the ground, and looked at a few first.
Pieterson ego took over after siddle bowled well at him.

Bell certainly attacked well!



The ashes in general.

Many will blame the warm up games, priors injury etc, but we are well in now, it's quite clear we aren't good enough and lack confidence at the mo.

We've lost these, we will lose by one of 3-0 3-1 4-0 or 4-1.

In my opinion we only won the home serious for several reasons.
1 bell
2 carried over confidence from the Strauss era
3 Australia's lack of confidence
4 Micky Arthur was useless!


Lehman is doing a great job,and i can only think Australia will get better, they have some good up coming pace options, and when agars spin improves, he should take over as top spinner, but batting at 6,7 to strengthen the batting.

I have a feeling aus will try to drop Rodgers though, as he was Arthur's left field pick, and Lehman has stuck with him through a good few innings, but once he has two tests without a 50, I think he'll go.
Which is a shame as I like him, atleast he will get to win The ashe's atleast once though.


England going forward

They need to mix it up for next test. Bresnan for Monty, bairstow for prior
And change batting line up.
Root
Carberry
Bell
Cook
Pietersen
Bairstow
Stokes
Bresnan
Broad
Swan
Anderson
(I expect flame for this)


As for roots issues, he was picked and groom for England because he is a backfoot player. And that's what they wanted to add to the side.
Would make no sense to then turn him into a front foot player.
Having played against him in two leagues, and watching our juniors vs him. He always has and always will be a back foot player.
I believe he will come good, and will be in an England short for atleast 10 years. We will see though....

Yeah I wouldn't be moving Cook from 1, considering it is going to be at the WACA I think Tremlett and/or Finn should come into the side..........But the move of Bell to 3 should do him justice. Oh and England should watch out for umm..........Johnson!!!!!!

[farnham_quins_2]

I would keep The top 5 as they are.
Then bring in Bairstow at 6 for prior as smilley said. Also agree bresnan for Panesar. I would like to see Finn get a go too. He has the same kind of agression and raw pace as Johnson. Clearly he isnt as good yet, but with time and experience I think he will be.

[Alvaro]

I would be wary of throwing the baby out with the bath water.

[Red Ink Cricket]

I think they need to take a long hard look in the mirror. They are making an average Australian side ( some of who are having blinders) look like unbeatables. Carbs and bell are the only ones who can take a little pride from their batting. Kp should be shot! Someone of his talents playing that shot when the trap it set is shocking. Root should be put in detention. Terrible shot, but you can't pick on a kid. Mitchell is bowling well but he's only a couple of tough spells away from his old spray it everywhere days. He bowled that horrible wide last night. Put him under some pressure and see what he does. He's got the ability to dictate at the moment and were batting like fools.

Bring in a proper no3. A grafter like Compton and let him just bat. Bring in some
Fire power in the bowling. Bowling 80mph at international level isn't testing anyone. Prior has to be dropped but we need to call up a decent keeper batsman. Bairstow isn't the answer.

The difference ATM is this

They have Clarke- our equivalent is bell- tho slightly less runs
They have haddin- out scoring prior massively. I think I'd out score him ATM
They have Johnson - we have medium pacers.

The rest of the aus side isn't doing a huge amount better than some of our boys. We need to hit them hard with a team capable of ruffling some feathers rather than hiding behind some