Australia ruthless
I went to bed after Hussey made his century thinking Australia were well and truly in charge of this game. I felt sorry for England. But they seemed to bowl with no strategy. Australia, on the other hand, amended their first innings mistakes, conquered Harmisson and Panesar, and set about trying to win the test match. Drawing the game was never an option for the Aussies.
They were in control of the situation. Clarke and Hussey were dancing down the pitch, taking singles on both sides of the wicket, and smashing boundaries at will.
Naturally, I didn't think anything more would shock me afterI woke up this morning, got my cup of coffee, and checked the scoreboard.
My goodness. 102 from 59 deliveries? Are you kidding me?
Gilchrist has effectively ended this series! His onslaught, though I haven't seen it yet on reply, must have been incredibly demoralizing. No wonder most bowlers chose Gilchrist as the "World's Scariest Batsman".
The Aussies have not only given it to England like no other, but they have embarrassed the opposition beyond belief. England have been put in their place. Their Ashes win last year was an anomaly. What I am enjoying about this is how confidant everyone in their camp seemed to be coming in this Ashes series. All the talk in their media was Ashes, Ashes Ashes and how they were the 2nd best test team in the World. Their thrashing at the hands of Sri Lanka and Pakistan was a clear indicator that their class was temporary. Australia don't look like they are going to let up. I am no one to predict but 5-0 seems like the likely scenario. Save face and fly home now is my advice to the English camp.
6 comments:
I think the English team are quality, its just that stupid selections screwed this series for them. Carrying 6 guys who were on the disabled list and an opener who was fighting depression is not what you want to do in the biggest series of your lives.Going back from India to England before flying off to Australia is also not the most optimal thing to do.
Gilchrist is no wonder the world most exciting cricketer, and i feel pity on England, they should lift their head up!!! how about Monty magic, haven't been watching cricket for month or so, didn't get cable connected to my place...the fact now is that the ashes remain in Kangaroo Belly, and England go home taking the Kangaroo shit!!! lolz!
scary.....thats the word!
i think i agree with homer..the english team is not as bad as it it has made itself seem to be. a few bad decisions..their obsession with a non-spinner called ashley giles being one of them. Australia may have still won, but...
sorry guys - i wasn't able to reply to your thoughts on time - i was away this weekend.
homer - in hindsight, i agree that the england team has some great players. but even if they play to the best of their ability, i don't know if they can match the consistency of the aussies.
and yes, they have lost the ashes due to the blunders of selection. such poor moves. so unfortunate for them and panesar. someone needs to take the blame. flintoff and fletcher better own up.
ugyen - quite a picturesque analogy! effective though..
amit - yeah - u think flintoff and KP can last the entire day! if they do, they will win the test.
how emphatic would that be! :)
About Ashley Giles.. I think that guy is copping a lot of flak, most of it unwarranted. Here are my reasons why
1. In England last summer, the guy did a good job of holding one end up as well as taking wickets. His scalp of Damien Martyn was as good as any from the Warne stable. Plus he got each of the Australian top order atleast once in the series.
2. His 53 and his partnership with Kevin Pieterson in the final test at the Oval secured the Ashes for the Poms. Also remember that he was the guy who hit the winning runs at Trent Bridge.
3. Although Giles was ineffective at Brisbane, there are no guarantees that Panesar could have done any better. With no purchase for finger spinners, Monty would have been targetted by the Aussies and he could have joined the list of the mentally disintegrated.
4. Despite the team losing at Brisbane, they were persisted with at Adelaide. The only reason I can think of is Lords 2005. After the battering the Poms took there, there were calls to basically change half the team but Fletcher and Vaughan persisted with the same unit and the results are there for all to see.
5. Monty was not too flash in the warm up game against South Australia at Adelaide. That could have counted as a negative against him.
Not having Tresco at the top of the order hurt the poms more than they care to admit. Plus, harmy, Freddie and Gilo hardly had any match time coming into the Ashes.
A little more preparation and a more careful selection of personnel and the series would still be alive.
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