THE ASHES 2015

[Chinagirl]

HB, my personal feeling is that they have, by and large, lost self-confidence as a TEAM. For so many years they have dominated the game (not this particular set of men, but former Australian teams) that they have come to expect to win, and thereby show arrogance to their opponents. Personally I never really warmed to Michael Clarke (many older Australians felt much the same, as he was not quite the calibre of previous Australian cricket captains, though he has become a little less "bogan" in later years). Seems from Wilson's article that his team mates have felt the same. Anyway, he has just announced his retirement, not unexpectedly.

England have gained self-confidence, and are reaping the rewards.

I also take your point about not enough pre-test preparation. I also think the advent of T20 is affecting the way today's cricketers approach the long form of the game, and I think this is a great pity. It's significant, I think, that none of the four tests so far have gone into the fifth day.

[Chinagirl]

Gosh, two overs gone and England hasn't taken a wicket yet .... falling down on the job!

[honestbroker1]

Old-fashioned test cricket.

Australia have just 16 runs from 14 overs.

That's how the game used to be played at the highest level ....

[honestbroker1]

There may be something in my analysis?

Oval flat pitch and England getting thrashed.

Lords flat pitch the same.

Seaming pitches and England have the edge.

But only because Australia lack the practice of playing on seaming pitches ....

[Chinagirl]

To enforce the follow-on, or not .....?

[honestbroker1]

To enforce the follow-on, or not .....?

A depressingly familiar question ....

[Chinagirl]

So the follow-on has been enforced. Apparently the first time in Clarke's career that he's done so - in his last international match!

[honestbroker1]

Congratulations to Australia who (I believe to be) the better team, even though England won the series ....

[Chinagirl]

Gosh, HB - 'tis I who should be congratulating (as I definitely do) the English team .....

[Chinagirl]

The Australian women's cricket team has outshone the men. Just won their Ashes series.

Good on them!

[Truthiness2]

The Australian women's cricket team has outshone the men. Just won their Ashes series.

Good on them!

Congratulations!


I sometimes think our ladies should don manly wigs and play instead of our men

[Chinagirl]

I agree, Truthi, but even more importantly I wish radio and TV would give the girls (all girls' sports for that matter) greater coverage.

[honestbroker1]

The Australian women's cricket team has outshone the men. Just won their Ashes series.

Good on them!

Congratulations!


I sometimes think our ladies should don manly wigs and play instead of our men

You're headed for trouble there.

You may have a point, though ....