posted Nov 4, 2010

I certainly agree nigeweir that if he's firing, he's a match winner. Just hope Flower & Strauss light his blue touch paper.

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posted Nov 4, 2010

FleetJack, the fact that KP went to South Africa to play some cricket and to get some intensive coaching is at least a positive sign that he wants to succeed. He is saying that he feels a lot better for working with Graeme Ford.

I guess that you read the comments that "there are one or two places up for grabs in the side". I don´t think that you need me to spell that one out. One of them is a bowling place and there are no prizes for guessing who is receiving a subtle hint about the other.

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posted Nov 5, 2010

So, it's 7 little ducks all in a row and Sri Lanka added the 7th easy as you please.

Meanwhile, over in Perth, it seems that the England attack was not quick the bunch of pie-throwers that our Australian friend was predicting. If we get into a winning position against Australia, no mercy, no feeling sorry for them. It's time for England to be as brutal as Sri Lanka were today.

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posted Nov 5, 2010

¡¡¡Whoops Apocalypse!!!

Agreed, Stargazer. Total war, no mercy, take no prisoners! (All within the rules, of course. )

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posted Nov 5, 2010

What amused me, FleetJack, was an Australian whinging that the English are getting arrogant. After 20 years of dishing it out, it seems that they are turning into sensitive little souls.

I go with the vast majority in the CricInfo poll in believing that the Aussies are playing possum and that the Ashes will be tight. But, if we can't win them now when will we even win them in Australia?? We still need a good start in Brisbane though. If we can get that then Australian morale may just crack a little. What I wouldn't give though for Sri Lanka to make it 3-0 on Sunday... Sigh!!!!!!!! And before today they had never won a series of any description in Australia.

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posted Nov 5, 2010

Well now, Stargazer, that could well be right. Despite my euphoria (above)at SL's second victory, I'll be taken nothing for granted in Brisbane. Ponting needs these Ashes like he needs breath, so... well... so back to your foot on throat metaphor!

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posted Nov 5, 2010

Foot on throat and no relaxing the pressure. In his first series as captain (v Pakistan in 2006) Andrew Strauss did it to perfection. We really do need a repeat of that lack of mercy.

What I enjoyed seeing today was Stuart Broad making a real impact with the new ball and then, after a big recovery by Western Australian, the rest of the bowlers chipped in. Everyone had a bowl. Everyone took a wicket. No one was expensive. It was, at very least, an encouraging start. Now the batsmen need to make a statement on Day 2. Anyone who thinks that the Ashes will be easy is a fool, but we need to kick Ricky Ponting while he is down.

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posted Nov 5, 2010

Nevertheless, 10-1 is not as good as 10-0. What was Cook doing? Let's hope we bat like champions... Er ...today? tomorrow? .. I never know when the old and illustrious contest takes place in Australia. Unlike you, Stargazer, I don't watch cricket from outer space! - See you in Brisbane. Well... virtually!

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posted Nov 5, 2010

FleetJack. It seems that someone took exception to something in my last post (apparently a word was mistaken for a racist or sexist term). So, let's try again...

No. Where I work I talk to outer space and receive signals from outer space, but I am not up there myself (wish that I were... several colleagues did apply to the astronaut programme last year).

Agreed that we could have done without Alistair Cook's aberration, especially as he is one of the players that the Aussies are trying to put under pressure. Today we have cleared the first hurdle: our attack has shown itself not to be a toothless. Tomorrow the batsmen need to make a similar statement. Clear that hurdle too and I'll be well pleased with this first match.

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