The Ashes Article Thread

[BoyBrumby]

Interesting little article from The Guardian on how the the 8 members of our touring party who've played Grade in Oz got on:

http://sport.guardian.co.uk/ashes200...953018,00.html

Generally favourable, Collingwood seemingly particularly so winning the Ryder medal whilst playing for Richmond in 00/01, but the club administrator of Glenelg Seahorses where The Python spent 05/06 is less than fulsome in his praise,

"I think it's fair to say he didn't set the world on fire. I actually thought he was a very average bowler...We were staggered when he got a Test call."

[Pedro Delgado]

I like him a lot too, but he's an Anglo-Aussie, isn't he? Blighty-born, Oz-reared.

Aye summat like that. He's got his head screwed on at any rate.

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Ashes 2005 - lest we forget

Spot the mistakes. Complete rubbish.

Haha, "After Australia had lost the 4th test and effectively the Ashes"

Did he even watch the series?

[garypratt]

I liked Warne's comments on England picking Jones behind the stumps, saying that Jones 'wouldn't want to drop Pontingon 12'. I seem to remember Warne dropping the Ashes in the last test of the last series when he shelled a fairly straightforward chance from Pietersen. Click the link below my mail for an amusing take on England being a one man team (as if!).

[pasag]

No thanks

[FaaipDeOiad]

I'm really enjoynig Gideon Haigh's column on cricinfo about the ashes. Today's entry is top notch. Being a Taylor fan, I love the quote from him as well.

Interesting how positive the comments are regarding the follow-on decision too. I expected a bit more negative coverage.

[pasag]

Yeah been reading that as well and after reading his book on the Ashes, he's easily my favorite cricket writer.

[Nnanden]

That Age audio thing was plain embarrassing. Got the Work Experience kid to do it IMO.

[steds]

Interesting little article from The Guardian on how the the 8 members of our touring party who've played Grade in Oz got on:

http://sport.guardian.co.uk/ashes200...953018,00.html

Generally favourable, Collingwood seemingly particularly so winning the Ryder medal whilst playing for Richmond in 00/01, but the club administrator of Glenelg Seahorses where The Python spent 05/06 is less than fulsome in his praise,

"I think it's fair to say he didn't set the world on fire. I actually thought he was a very average bowler...We were staggered when he got a Test call."

I liked the bit where it said Strauss proved he could play leg spin by scoring 150 against Ian Salisbury. That's like saying he could be an olympic sprinter because he once beat a man with no legs in a race.

[Nnanden]

Rare good form by Sean.

[Slow Love™]

Yes, it's Roebuck, but I thought this article on Stuart MacGill was of interest, mainly looking at some of the temperamental issues that have dogged him through his career (I have always had the feeling he's played less than he could have because he's not popular with the Aussie team):

http://www.theage.com.au/news/column...476207387.html

[BingLeeElectric]

Ian Bell
Perth University CC, 2003-04

"He was very adept technically and they were good tracks, so any flaws could be covered. The conditions were different - Perth pitches are a lot bouncier - but he didn't change anything. He played 10 matches that season, scoring 407 runs at 45.22 with a highest score of 159. He was social and didn't shut himself away, but he kept up the hard work on his game. He was a short guy with freckles and red hair, but he was a strong character. We still remember the outrageous celebration for one of his nine wickets with his dibbly dobbers."

John Townsend, club official

Could Bell be any more of a laughing stock?

No wonder he struggles with confidence.

[Slow Love™]

Enjoyed this one - top class beatup.

No bat, no pants, no runs

[Mister Wright]

Fletcher should resign or be sacked

Interesting comparison between Fletcher and Bobby Simpson.

[Slow Love™]

Fletcher should resign or be sacked

Interesting comparison between Fletcher and Bobby Simpson.

Yeah, good points on the selection issue - the conservatism on this is likely undercutting England's bid to bowl Australia out twice and win games. But in terms of Fletcher's all-encompassing rule, it was looked on as crucial when England won the Ashes. In reality, it's probably not a good thing, and I think coach's focus should be more on the physical side of things, as well as motivation, maintaining mental focus, etc, etc. But the dictatorial approach only tends to look bad when performances start to slip.

In spite of how annoying Simpson can be, I really thought (and still do) that he was a quality coach who knew how to get the best performance out of his players. Bit old school, but that can be a good thing.