2009 Ashes

[Jon MW]

OK, now I'm confident we won't mess it up

[gatso]

If Bradman and Lawry were at the crease, with Hassett and Waugh next in then England *might* be 1.11.

They aren't.

Chargeeeeeeee!

but you forgot how bad i run

and i have bet on england cause the bookies wouldnt give me 10-1 on ausstrailia

I'll give you 15/1

[Longy]

Time to get the beer out imo.

Can i start this thread in 2013, please?

[KarmaDope]

Time to get the beer out imo.

Can i start this thread in 2010/11, please?

FYP.

and yes, plz do.

[Indestructable]

Get in, and GL for the future Freddie

[Ironside]

If Bradman and Lawry were at the crease, with Hassett and Waugh next in then England *might* be 1.11.

They aren't.

Chargeeeeeeee!

but you forgot how bad i run

and i have bet on england cause the bookies wouldnt give me 10-1 on ausstrailia

I'll give you 15/1

i wanted on friday

[kukushkin88]

LOL at the big scab on Pontings mouth........

Not this.

Well done to England excellent result. The lack of confidence the betfair market had in them after the first innings was just staggering, printing money.

[Longy]

I like to let the following people know you took a hell of a slightly unlucky 2-1 defeat decided by the toss of a coin beating.

[Josedinho]

Good Series - a case of when it mattered i think. Good thread - a nice mixutre of negativity, over reaction and joy.

Cheers to Freddie - rumours that he's now out for 9-12 months shows what he put himself through. Provided us all with great memories and he will be missed.

[Woodsey]

This series is a coinflip, with those odds you should be lumping on England.

Ship the prediction at the start the series, shame I didn't have enough cash at the time to lump more on at 3.2 when I was confident it was value.

[WarBwastard]

Alf Stewart has not taken it well

[Longy]

Now i have sobered up. I think we were slightly lucky to win this series and like normal in this country we have completely over reacted one way or the other, I am guilty of this as the next man btw.

If the series was run 100 times in this country with these squads, the Aussies would win significantly more times than England imo. Winning 4 tosses out of 5 was a big influence on the series.

I do think we have something to build on and what looks a reasonably balanced side, with Broad and Swann both useful batsman down the innings. Also Prior is a good batting wicketkeeper, his work with the gloves has improved quite a bit. Also we have that great luxury which hasn't all been the case that Strauss plays better as a captain, even Vaughan who was a great captain, his batting was effected by the responsibility.
 
Looking forward to South Africa which is going to be a real tough tour against the worlds best test side, I would be looking at a team something like this.

Strauss (c) - Obviously
Cook         - He is struggling but I don't see any obvious replacement coming through (maybe Joe Denly), get him playing for Essex and let him work on his technique.
Bell           - This is the spot up for grabs and Bell has just about done enough, but will be the first to be replaced if he fails.
Pietersen   - Injury permitting
Trott        - Looked really good, get the scouts out trying to find some more saffers imo.
Prior (wk)  - Much improved with the gloves, always rated him with the bat
Broad        - Needs to continue working on his bowling but deffo has potential as a first change bowler.
Swann       - Easily good enough to bat 8, wish he was a bit more consistent with the ball.
Sidebottom - Bit unlucky to be dropped imo and presuming he is now injury free.
Anderson   - As good as anyone in the world when the ball swings
Onions      - I was pretty impressed with him and think he is worth persevering with

If it is a turner Adil Rashid who has been playing well for Yorkshire would be my no9 in place of Sidebottom, he has scored two first class centuries for Yorkshire recently. I am afraid despite being a big Monty fan he seems to have lost it and my patience has worn thin.

Harmison will retire imo as he doesn't seem to be relishing a tour to South Africa and he was hardly a sensation in the final two tests.

I would take Collingwood with the team as a replacement but I think his limited talent, is eventually taking its toll at the top level. Also like to see Denly taken as back up opener especially given Cook's struggles.

Will be interesting to see how the Aussies react to this, they certainly need to starting trusting Hauritz more and give him a run in the team. Will Ponting still lead the side, reckon they will keep him but I still don't rate him as a captain, though he is a fantastic batsman one of the best in the world still.

[Acidmouse]

I agree with Rashid, although he's alot better batsman than 9. He is currently top of Yorkshires batting averages with 77! and hes taken 26 wickets for a ave of     31.46     

How the hell he wasnt picked above Monty I have no idea. It was plain crazy picking him for the 20/20 games too.

[thetank]

Silly question.

Is it possible to listen to the forthcoming series vs South Africa on the radio?

[gatso]

Silly question.

Is it possible to listen to the forthcoming series vs South Africa on the radio?

yes. TMS will be on air