English Cricket/ *The Ashes*!

[kingjulian]

[quote author=doctor_mac link=topic=41229.msg1238630#msg1238630 date=1293625023]
I'm not sure that winning the toss in Melbourne was *that* crucial. Australia batted very badly. The pitch was not doing extraordinary things. There was no frightening bounce. No huge movement off the seam. The reverse swing was there, but it was good selection that made that work for England, with Bresnan there to make the most of it and the Australians making Bresnan look like McGrath in his pomp. Yes it was an advantage, but Australia conspired to make it look like a much larger advantage than it actually was.
[/quote]

This i agree. They played unnecessary shots. Most of their batsmen have shown the ill effects of playing too much limited overs cricket.....prodding forward without thought. England fully deserve credit for winning. No one can dispute that. I'm merely complaining that the matches weren't all that interesting to watch (i shouldn't really expect an Englishman to understand that at this point!) as it became too lopsided and it is not England's fault Australia capitulated on most days in this summer.

 

[kingjulian]

I love watching Steyn bowl, and i can't have enough of it.

But the ball of the tournament so far is the one that got Kallis out. If you are a fast bowling fan out there, you must watch this.

Some fantastic bowling in this series in general.

Edit: Found the youtube..

India in South Africa Test Series - 2nd Test 2010/11 - Kallis Wicket

 

[Oncy]

Its amazing to think given some of the loooooong periods when England have been dominated and the great players who have only maybe tasted one ashes victory (or maybe even non) that Strauss, Cook, Pieterson, Anderson and Collingwood are all THREE time Ashes winners now.
You would have to think that Anderson, Cook, Strauss and Pieterson have all got a good chance of being around to take a fourth victory. That would be amazing and perhaps point to the fact that this generation of England players is pretty special indeed.

 

[ricobats]

[quote author=Herr Onceared link=topic=41229.msg1238832#msg1238832 date=1293652036]
Its amazing to think given some of the loooooong periods when England have been dominated and the great players who have only maybe tasted one ashes victory (or maybe even non) that Strauss, Cook, Pieterson, Anderson and Collingwood are all THREE time Ashes winners now.
You would have to think that Anderson, Cook, Strauss and Pieterson have all got a good chance of being around to take a fourth victory. That would be amazing and perhaps point to the fact that this generation of England players is pretty special indeed.
[/quote]


I don't think Cook and Anderson are 3 times winners.

 

[Fox]

you are right, Marcus T opened with Strauss and of course shaggy Hoggard was the swing bowler instead of Jimmy.

If I remember correctly we played the same 11 for the first 4 tests then when Jones got injured it was a toss up between Anderson and Collingwood coming in, Colly got the nod.

This is why the aussies sledged Colly as he also got a MBE for only playing 1 test and only got about 10 runs.

Doubt whether MBEs will be given out so easily again after one ashes win.

 

[Oncy]

I think they were both part of the squad though.


Edit just checked Cook wasnt.

England[7]
Michael Vaughan (c) (Yorkshire)
Geraint Jones (wk) (Kent)
James Anderson (Lancashire)
Ian Bell (Warwickshire)
Paul Collingwood (Durham)
Andrew Flintoff (Lancashire)
Ashley Giles (Warwickshire)
Steve Harmison (Durham)
Matthew Hoggard (Yorkshire)
Simon Jones (Glamorgan)
Kevin Pietersen (Hampshire)
Andrew Strauss (Middlesex)
Chris Tremlett (Hampshire)
Marcus Trescothick (Somerset)

 

[kingjulian]

[quote author=Herr Onceared link=topic=41229.msg1240879#msg1240879 date=1293892586]
I think they were both part of the squad though.


Edit just checked Cook wasnt.

England[7]
Michael Vaughan (c) (Yorkshire)
Geraint Jones (wk) (Kent)
James Anderson (Lancashire)
Ian Bell (Warwickshire)
Paul Collingwood (Durham)
Andrew Flintoff (Lancashire)
Ashley Giles (Warwickshire)
Steve Harmison (Durham)
Matthew Hoggard (Yorkshire)
Simon Jones (Glamorgan)
Kevin Pietersen (Hampshire)
Andrew Strauss (Middlesex)
Chris Tremlett (Hampshire)
Marcus Trescothick (Somerset)

[/quote]


I think that was actually a pretty strong team. Perhaps stronger than the present one?

Other than Ashley Giles for Swann, that team is probably stronger man for man in every other position?

Aye, Prior is certainly a better wicket keeper batsman at Test level, but Jones was highly rated in the first class scene and quite accomplished as a keeper batsman, was he not?

Simon Jones before he got that injury was quite terrific. Andrew Flintoff was a fantastic asset and would have walked in to any team in world Cricket at that point. He added so much balance to the team. Trescothick was one of the best Test openers then.

You could also argue that Hoggard and Steve Harmlessone were not up to the level of Broad, Finn, Bresnan etc... but the jury is still very much out on that one.

 

[El Pistolero]

Here you go gents perfect stream.

http://www.vip--sport.com/vip-tv.php

 

[El Pistolero]

http://www.everythingon.tv/channel/view/sky-sports-1-1

 

[kingjulian]

How the fuck do you get Jacque Kallis out?

What a player...

 

[LeTallecWiz]

[quote author=kingjulian link=topic=41229.msg1241835#msg1241835 date=1294055257]
How the fuck do you get Jacque Kallis out?

What a player...
[/quote]

Can a player this good be underrated? He's brilliant, and not a bad bowler is ... Another brilliant inning from Kallis:

From Cricinfo: "Kallis now has 389 runs in the series - his highest in a three-match series. And to think he got run out unfortunately, and got the ball of 2010 (arguably) in the two innings in Durban. Staggering."


Steyn and SA off to a good start with the ball too, India are 49-2

 

[wewonitfivetimes]

[quote author=kingjulian link=topic=41229.msg1238617#msg1238617 date=1293624373]
[quote author=Portly link=topic=41229.msg1238600#msg1238600 date=1293621853][size=1pt]goalwire[/size]
Nowadays, Ashes matches are actually balanced on a knife-edge and can turn on a single factor. Last week, after Perth, Australia were the dog's bollocks. This week, their national team is allegedly in crisis. I suggest that the Aussies might not have won so convincingly in Perth, had not Mitchell Johnson unexpectedly found some swing and seam in the wicket, and England might not have won in Melbourne if Strauss had not won the toss and put the Aussies in when conditions favoured the bowlers more than any other time in the match.
[/quote]

That may be. But i like it more when two evenly matched sides are going at it hammer and tongs and the match takes unexpected turns within a game. Three of the test matches have been pretty one sided. Twice England have dominated and once Australia. If you consider entertainment as a factor, then Cricket loses out in the end. They should stop making pitches that plays extremely bowler friendly on the first day morning alone, which make the toss very very critical.

[/quote]

I agree it is more entertaining when it is close - that's what made 2005 so fantastic. But after all the hammerings we have taken down under I think we are allowed one series where we can take revenge!!

With the weather in Sydney not looking good I think this match will be a draw, which will do me fine as I think England deserve to win the series.

 

[LeTallecWiz]

welcome to the site mate

 

[kingjulian]

Today is the best exhibition of fast bowling i have seen in a long long time.


82.6
Steyn to Pujara, OUT, 133.6 kph, That's Shane Warne at 134 kph! That's the end of Pujara. You need a huge dose of luck if you want to survive these. Pujara didn't have it. Steyn gets the away movement going again, this time from leg stump. It landed on a length and opened Pujara up as he desperately tried to cover the line. It defeated his prod and thudded into the back pad in front of middle. What. A. Ball.


That commentary doesn't do that ball justice. You have got to watch it to appreciate it.


Tendulkar vs Steyn has been such a gun battle. Tendulkar has survived so far, but it is one the jammiest innings i have ever seen from him. Very gritty from Tendulkar and Gambir earlier in the day who seemed to have the luck of the irish. Karma is a bitch though.....luck ran out for Laxman, when Harris got a hand on Tendulkar's straight smash and deflected the ball back to the stumps and found Laxman inches short.

Dale Steyn(rf) 24.0 overs 10 Maidens 44 runs 3 wickets.

The only reason Steyn doesn't have more is because Tendulkar shielded Gambhir, Pujara, Harbhajan etc by playing out 7 maidens and facing the majority of Steyn's bowling.

Edit: and no way was that ball that got Pujara out at 134 kph. The speedgun's have been quite a bit off in this test. The bowling has been quite hostile and rapid.

 

[kingjulian]

lol...

88.6
Steyn to Harbhajan Singh, no run, What material is that stump made off? Use it to cut diamonds, I say! Steyn delivers another one of those pythons that lands on a length on middle and off, and seams away, leaving Harbhajan's attempted prod in another zip code altogether. It hits something on the way. South Africa go up in a huge appeal. The ball deviated off something. Turns out it hit the off stump on its way. The bails were not interested in falling down. Steyn is miffed beyond words!

 

[kingjulian]

Some youtube's from the match so far...

lovely seam position from Sreesanth.

Sreesanth takes wickets in two consecutive deliveries. India Vs South Africa 3rd Test at Cape Town

Dale Steyn bowls Harbhajan Singh.... Sort of.

I'm looking for that Pujara wicket. I'll post when i get. It was a beautiful ball from Steyn.

One more youtube moment..i'll post it when i get a hold of this.

104.4
Steyn to Harbhajan Singh, SIX, 137.5 kph, Harbhajan has just played the shot of the match. Of the series. Of the South African summer. Length ball on middle and off, Harbhajan doesn't bother with trifles like foot work. He stays back and drills the bat down in one, smooth, devastating swing. And makes fearsome contact. And then he holds his pose. The ball sails easily over long on. Harbhajan has a wry smile on his face. Business as usual.He hardly strained a muscle and sent the world's top fast bowler packing over long on. On a day when he has bowled the spell of the series. This Test match continues to throw up some utterly unbelievable moments.

 

[peekay]

Harbhajan is out - Steyn takes another wicket

India 323/7.

This is a good test match. High quality fast bowling.

KingJulian - If you want highlights check out this site:

http://cricket-online.tv/

 

[kingjulian]

Thanks mate...i've got tensports at work (well, it's in my boss' room...but he doesn't mind) and at home.

I skipped work for this anyway though....it was too good to miss out on.

 

[peekay]

[quote author=kingjulian link=topic=41229.msg1242596#msg1242596 date=1294157330]
Thanks mate...i've got tensports at work (well, it's in my boss' room...but he doesn't mind) and at home.

I skipped work for this anyway though....it was too good to miss out on.
[/quote]

Great test match. Steyn's 16th five wicket haul in 46 tests and Tendulkar's 51 test century and 97the international 100.

Crucial wickets for India at the end.

 

[dmishra]

I've been off cricket for a long time but Sachin has me watching again. 51st and 97th - what a fucking legend. I'm also starting to get quite excited about the world cup next month. Need to book tickets!

 

[peekay]

[quote author=dmishra link=topic=41229.msg1242708#msg1242708 date=1294164131]
I've been off cricket for a long time but Sachin has me watching again. 51st and 97th - what a fucking legend. I'm also starting to get quite excited about the world cup next month. Need to book tickets!
[/quote]

I grew up in India idolizing Sachin. I was loosing interest in cricket thanks to regular whooping which Pakistan teams of the 80's handed to us at Sharjah. Sachin was the reason my cricket interest sustained. When he retires, I think I will give up watching cricket.

 

[Atlas]

Cook has been fantastic this series, shown some serious staying power with some excellent shots and mature approach.
Broken all sorts of records along the way

 

[Squiggles]

I wouldn't swap him and Trott for anyone right now.

Players of the series, IMO.

 

[LeTallecWiz]

South Africa needed Kallis today ... and he batted despite being injured, and grimacing throughout. Just got his 3rd ton of the series - what an inning. Has given SA a chance to win (but probably draw).

He's one of the best ... Just a phenomenal batsmen and SA has no one who can replace him ... Legend.

 

[kingjulian]

[quote author=LeTallecWiz link=topic=41229.msg1243418#msg1243418 date=1294241514]
South Africa needed Kallis today ... and he batted despite being injured, and grimacing throughout. Just got his 3rd ton of the series - what an inning. Has given SA a chance to win (but probably draw).

He's one of the best ... Just a phenomenal batsmen and SA has no one who can replace him ... Legend.
[/quote]

He is a machine. What a man!

India had South Africa on the floor, but Indian pacers let the team down. They had them at 160 for 6, and from there to concede 341 runs is very poor effort. Harbhajan bowled well, but lacked support. It was quite surprising to see Dhoni not use Sachin as a bowler at all. Sachin bowled 4 overs for a wicket, and considering how effective Harbhajan was, i would say Dhoni missed a trick. It was quite poor captaincy from Dhoni all round. India missed Sehwag's (dodgy shoulder) part time spin bowling in this series for sure.

South Africa have now all but batted India out of the game. It would take a miracle innings to get 340 in 90 overs on the final day.

South Africa win 50 % Chance - Draw 40 % Chance and India win 10 % Chance.

It has been a fantastic game though.

Steyn and Kallis have been unplayable in this series.

Kallis scored a double in the first innings of first Test. Didn't bat in the second innings. He got run out in an unfortunate manner and got out to the ball of this series in the second test. He has come up with two stunning innings in the third. Man of the fucking series.

 

[kingjulian]

I think India have proved why they are a credible number 1 team in Test cricket at this point, but their failure to finish this match on the 4th day at Newlands is also proof enough for people to question their ability to hold on to that spot.

 

[kingjulian]

I would also say that this has been the best series since Ashes 2005. Some real heavy weight punches have been traded in this series, and both teams can hold their head up high no matter what happens in the last day! We have had about 20 sessions in this test where it has been difficult to call the winner, and it has been truly high quality stuff.

 

[LeTallecWiz]

[quote author=kingjulian link=topic=41229.msg1243539#msg1243539 date=1294247697]

South Africa have now all but batted India out of the game. It would take a miracle innings to get 340 in 90 overs on the final day.



[/quote]

Did India pull this off a few years ago against England? (higher target if I remember correctly)

 

[kingjulian]

[quote author=LeTallecWiz link=topic=41229.msg1243561#msg1243561 date=1294248957]
[quote author=kingjulian link=topic=41229.msg1243539#msg1243539 date=1294247697]

South Africa have now all but batted India out of the game. It would take a miracle innings to get 340 in 90 overs on the final day.



[/quote]

Did India pull this off a few years ago against England? (higher target if I remember correctly)
[/quote]

It was in one of the flatter Chennai wickets i think. It will be hard to replicate that in South Africa against Steyn & Co.

This is the match you are talking about.
http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/current/match/361050.html

Sehwag is out of form and is carrying a shoulder injury - and Gambhir, i hear is not fit to bat in the second innings - he has done his hand and didn't field.

India relies on those two to give an aggressive start and they deliver more often than not, but they won't be able to do that in this test. At least Gambhir won't for sure, as he is injured.

But i would still say there is a 10% chance of India pulling it off because of these two factors
- Tendulkar's form
- Kallis' unavailability to bowl mean South Africa are effectively reduced to two bowlers Steyn and Morkel. Harris is not really a spinner who could trouble Indian batsmen, but if they are looking to attack him they might end up losing some wickets to him as we saw how effective Harbhajan was while bowling.

I'm still quite a bit miffed about Dhoni's tactical faux pas. He became ultra-defensive ever since Gambhir injury and it felt like he was playing for a draw. To an extent Smith didn't cover himself in glory either. He should have had India playing 5 overs at the end of the day. 320 vs 340 will not make that much of a difference, but a Indian wicket would have made hell of a lot of difference. He should have declared when they were 8 down.

 

[kingjulian]

yeah but this Indian batting line up does indeed have form for scoring 350 runs in a day on a regular basis all around the world - so it is definitely not improbable or impossible. It is just a monumental ask....