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The Ashes Thread
Topic Started: Nov 10 2006, 01:56 PM (4,477 Views)
hugh
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Did you get his autograph?


Nah, I didn't. He was talking to someone else, I didn't want to interrupt him.
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Fair enough lol

Tour Match :: Day 2 :: South Australia v England

South Australia: 247-7d
England: 303-6


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"BBC Sport"
 

Ian Bell warmed up for next week's first Ashes Test in style by scoring 132 against South Australia.

Bell and Paul Collingwood, who made 80, rescued England from a shaky 34-3 on the second day in Adelaide.

England lost night-watchman Matthew Hoggard and Alastair Cook, tamely caught off Jason Gillespie early on.

But Bell and Collingwood shared a stand of 178 and Kevin Pietersen weighed in with a quickfire 32 as the tourists ended the day on 303-6, 56 runs ahead.

It was an uncomfortable morning session for England, after the loss of two early wickets.

Hoggard, who had come in late on Friday after Andrew Strauss' dismissal for a duck, wafted outside his off stump at a Tait outswinger, resulting in a comfortable catch for wicket-keeper Shane Deitz.

Cook, promoted to opener after Marcus Trescothick's sudden departure, hung his bat out limply at a Gillespie delivery and snicked a simple catch to Deitz, leaving England reeling.

But after evading some early bouncers from Tait and Daniel Harris, Bell and Collingwood began to settle and play some handsome drives.

Collingwood, who came in above Pietersen in a hint that he could also be played higher than expected in next week's Ashes opener in Brisbane, was the first to reach his half century.

But he was caught on 80 by Deitz off the bowling of leg-spinner Cullen Bailey.

Bell, whose innings contained 12 fours and a six, was finally caught by South Australia captain Darren Lehmann off Tait, who later left the field with cramp.

Pietersen made cracked five boundaries in his rapid 35-ball knock before being bowled by Gillespie.

Captain Andrew Flintoff and keeper Geraint Jones were at the crease at stumps hoping to build England's score - and the team's confidence - further ahead of the big date against Australia at the Gabba.
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Tour Match :: Day 3 :: South Australia v England

South Australia: 247-7d and 164-2
England: 415
South Australia and England draw


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"BBC Sport"
 

England's bowlers endured a frustrating end to their final Ashes warm-up match against South Australia which ended in a draw in Adelaide.

Spinners Monty Panesar and Kevin Pietersen were the only wicket-takers as the hosts reached 164-2 in their second innings.

England had earlier been bowled out for 415 with Andrew Flintoff making a steady 47 and Sajid Mahmood a rapid 41.

The first Ashes Test begins on Thursday at the Gabba in Brisbane.

South Australia batsmen Matthew Elliott and Daniel Harris shared an opening partnership of 94 until left-hander Elliott clipped Panesar to mid-wicket where James Anderson leapt to pluck a brilliant right-handed catch above his head.

Elliott, who hit eight boundaries in his 55, was dropped by Kevin Pietersen low at backward point off Anderson when on nine in the eighth over.

Cameron Borgas then swept off-spinner Pietersen high to substitute Ashley Giles at deep mid-wicket to depart for 27.

Harris finished unbeaten on 71 after wicket-keeper Geraint Jones missed a difficult stumping chance off Pietersen when on 68.

Despite making England's breakthrough, Panesar took just one wicket in conditions that suited spinners, while seamers Flintoff, Anderson, Matthew Hoggard and Mahmood failed to take a wicket in the 30 overs they bowled on an unresponsive pitch.

However, England did have some good news concerning bowlers when Steve Harmison was deemed fit enough to come on as a fielding replacement.

Ed Joyce, called up to replace Marcus Trescothick, also got the chance for some practice in the field.

Meanwhile, South Australia bowler Shaun Tait allayed fears about his fitness by returning to bowl six overs on Sunday.

The paceman, who is in Australia's 13-man squad for the first Test, left the field on Saturday with cramp in right thigh and calf.

He finished with the best figures among the home side's bowlers with 3-87.

Jones was the first man out when England resumed their innings, edging a catch to Mark Cosgrove off a Daniel Cullen off-break for 33.

Flintoff was clearly intent on getting some batting practice, spending two-and-a-half hours over his 108-ball innings.

He was finally bowled for 47 trying to slog spinner Cullen Bailey.

Mahmood batted vigorously, hitting two sixes in his 46-ball knock, but was stumped after wandering down the wicket and missing a swing at one of Darren Lehmann's slow left-arm teasers.

England's first innings was ended just before lunch when James Anderson swept a Bailey leg-break onto his right boot, with wicket-keeper Shane Deitz doing well to catch the ricochet.


England's next match of the Tour is the 1st Test against Australia, on the 23rd, in Brisbane.
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Tealey
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I don't understand why they don't have 4 day warm up matches. With 3 day matches there is very little chance of getting a result other than a draw.
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Tealey
Nov 19 2006, 01:32 PM
I don't understand why they don't have 4 day warm up matches. With 3 day matches there is very little chance of getting a result other than a draw.

it has to do with scheduling, i think. The Australian teams are busy playing in the Ford Ranger Cup (One Day) and the Pura Cup (4-day). These competitions run simaltaniously, so it is hard to fit all the fixtures in.
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Tealey
Nov 19 2006, 01:32 PM
I don't understand why they don't have 4 day warm up matches. With 3 day matches there is very little chance of getting a result other than a draw.

I agree! :eek2:
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5 hours 30 mins to go!
Match will start at midnight - UK, 7pm - USA, 10am - Australia

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England will try to upset the odds and a resurgent Australia when the first Test begins in Brisbane on Thursday.

The Aussies have not lost a home Ashes opener for 20 years and have won 11 of their 12 Tests since relinquishing the famous urn after last year's 2-1 loss.

During the same period England have won only one out of their four Test series.

But skipper Andrew Flintoff said: "Not many lads in our dressing room have played a Test in Brisbane before. There are no scars from previous games here."

The all-rounder added: "They're a fine side and to beat them in 2005 we had to play exceptionally well.

"For some of us who played in that Ashes series we have a point of reference, something we can look back to and take some confidence out of."

The tourists are hopeful batsman Ian Bell will be fit, despite being hit on the wrist in practice on Tuesday.

If that is the case England will have one main quandary regarding their line-up.

They are concerned about the depth of their batting, meaning the more experienced Ashley Giles could get the nod ahead of fellow left-arm spinner Monty Panesar.

That plan has led to accusations of negativity towards the visitors, particulary from Australia leg-spinner Shane Warne.

But the skipper insists they are not simply looking for a draw, even though a drawn series would see them retain the trophy.

"You can't go into a Test match thinking we'll come out of this 0-0. You have to go in there trying to win the game and that's something this side have done well," Flintoff explained.

"It would be dangerous to try to draw a game of cricket and go in thinking we have to get this one out of the way."

Whoever is selected, the tourists will be happy to finally get going in arguably the most eagerly anticipated series in history.

Flintoff is relishing the prospect of pitting his wits against the world champions but does not want his side to get carried away in an attempt to recreate the drama of last year's Ashes contests.

"The hype surrounding this series has been going on for what seems ages. We're one day away from what could be the biggest Test series ever," he added.

"Now it's time to get out on the pitch and play some cricket. We just can't wait to get underway.

"To walk out with my blazer and cap on, to do the toss and at some point lead the lads out is going to be a special moment, not just in my career but in my life.

"We can't try to play an unbelievable game of cricket or the perfect game. Hopefully it will be a spectacle but the most important thing is we perform."

Australia captain Ricky Ponting is also keen to move on from the hyped build-up and get out on to the field.

His team came in for fierce criticism on their return from England last year but he insists that will not weigh on their minds.

"We're over that now and it's a matter of performing well in the five Test matches starting tomorrow," he said.

"I don't think there's any more pressure on me or on the players to win the Ashes back. It's just about a hard, intense few weeks of Test match cricket.

"For 12 or 14 months we have all been looking forward to this day coming around.

"I've heard Shane Warne saying he's sick of talking about it, he just wants to get out and play - and I'm in the same boat."

All-rounder Shane Watson's withdrawal through injury means Michael Clarke will slot in as Australia's sixth batsman.

The young right-hander struggled in last year's Ashes and managed only 51 runs in three Test innings in Bangladesh in April but Ponting has faith in him to come good.

"He's probably worked harder on his game than I've probably seen anyone work that's been out of the side for a long time.

"He's given himself every chance and he's ready to get out there and perform at Test level."

The hosts will go in with four frontline bowlers, the last of whom will be either Stuart Clark or Mitchell Johnson.

"They've both got very strong cases," Ponting added. "Stuart got the man of the series award in his only Test series he's played in South Africa.

"He was well and truly the pick of our bowlers over there and has started this season very well and Mitchell has done everything asked of him in the one-day form of the game.

"He's improved in leaps and bounds over the last 12 months and grown within himself. He's a lot more confident bowler than he was 12 months ago."


I won't be awake when the teams are announced (probably - I don't know when they will be...), so here are the players who can be chosen...

Australia (from): Ricky Ponting (capt), Justin Langer, Matthew Hayden, Damien Martyn, Michael Hussey, Michael Clarke, Adam Gilchrist (wkt), Shane Warne, Brett Lee, Stuart Clark, Glenn McGrath, Mitchell Johnson.

England (from): Andrew Flintoff (capt), Andrew Strauss, Alastair Cook, Ian Bell, Ed Joyce, Paul Collingwood, Kevin Pietersen, Geraint Jones (wkt), Ashley Giles, Matthew Hoggard, James Anderson, Steve Harmison, Monty Panesar, Sajid Mahmood.

Predictions on the teams? Hughgeta, what do the Australian papers think the line-ups will be? (Your our contact Down Under you see :P)

England News

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"BBC Sport"
 

England batsman Ian Bell is set to play in the first Ashes Test after testing his bruised left wrist in a lengthy net session in Brisbane on Wednesday.
The 24-year-old was doubtful after being hit by a delivery from seamer James Anderson during practice.

But unless there is an adverse reaction to his workout the in-form right-hander looks set to start on Thursday.

Irish-born Ed Joyce was standing by to make his Test debut at the Gabba but that now looks unlikely to happen.

The loss of Bell would have been a blow to England and forced another batting rethink.

After Marcus Trescothick's withdrawal following a recurrence of his stress-related illness, he was lined up for a promotion to three, the position from which he made 132 in the last warm-up match against South Australia.

The Warwickshire youngster struggled against the Aussies in 2005 but he has since re-established himself in the middle order.

He made three centuries in as many Tests against Pakistan this summer to take his total of runs to 1,287 in 18 Tests at an impressive average of 47.66.


Australia News

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"BBC Sport"
 

Australia have released paceman Shaun Tait from their squad for the opening Ashes Test against England, which starts in Brisbane on Thursday.
Following all-rounder Shane Watson's withdrawal with a hamstring injury, the Aussie squad is now down to 12 men.

Michael Clarke will bat at number six with the final bowling spot between Stuart Clark and Mitchell Johnson.

Tait, 23, had caused England problems when they lost their opening tour game to a Prime Minister's XI, taking 3-21.

He also impressed in taking three more wickets for South Australia against the tourists in the drawn three-day match.

Watson injured himself playing for Queensland and was ruled out on Tuesday after a second fitness test in as many days.

He is now targeting the second Test in Adelaide, which starts on 1 December.

"I've done everything I can over the last three days but unfortunately I was only a few days away," the 25-year-old said.

"I feel my game has really improved and that I have earned this spot in the Australian cricket team.

"But I would be letting my team-mates down if I went into the match at only 70% so I have to sit this one out.

"I've just got to get it right and hopefully, if a few things go my way, I can be ready for the second Test, where us picking two spinners should help my cause.

"That is eight to 10 days away and the way I've been responding to treatment I'm confident I can be ready."


@Anyone - If anyone is up when the teams are announced, can you post them, please?
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Tealey
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I think this should be the England XI:

Strauss
Cook
Bell
Pietersen
Collingwood
Flintoff
Jones (I'd personally have Read but they've picked Jones already)
Hoggard
Harmison
Panesar
Anderson

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That looks good, but you'd have Monty Panesar batting higher than James Anderson?

What do you think the Australian team will be? Mine would be:

Hayden
Langer
Ponting
Martyn
Watson
Hussey
Gilchrist
Warne
Lee
Johnson (but I think they're going for Clark)
McGrath
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Yeah I would. I'd let Monty come in and have a slog and then when Anderson comes in he can block for ages to allow the batsman up the other end to score more runs.
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Fair enough.

What would your Australian team be? (If you were a selector, not an England fan :P :|)
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Probably:

Hayden
Langer
Ponting
Martyn
Hussey
Clarke
Gilchrist
Warne
Lee
Clark
McGrath

Watson's injured.
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Tealey
Nov 22 2006, 07:13 PM
Watson's injured.

Oh yeah! Sorry

Also, read this :rofl:
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4 hours 30!
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1st Test :: Day 1 :: Brisbane

Australia: 346-3
England:


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Captain Ricky Ponting served notice of Australia's determination to regain the Ashes by hitting a superb opening day century against England in Brisbane.

The home side were 346-3 at stumps, with Ponting (137) and Mike Hussey (63) sharing an unbroken stand of 148.

Andrew Flintoff provided England's main threat, dismissing Matthew Hayden (21) and Justin Langer (82).

Ashley Giles had Damien Martyn (29) caught at slip but England ended the day weary and short of inspiration.

Earlier this year, Ponting admitted Australia had been "embarrassed and ashamed" after their 2-1 defeat last year.

And he looked like a man bent on laying down a marker not just for the opening Test, but for the entire five-match series, as he made the most of an excellent batting pitch.

There were only a couple of anxious moments during Ponting's innings, once when he played the ball uppishly past gully and later on 72 when Giles had a confident lbw shout turned down after he missed an attempted sweep.

Prior to the match, much had been made of the need to seize the initiative as England did at Lord's last year when Steve Harmison peppered Justin Langer and Ponting with short deliveries.

This time, however, Harmison was short on control and confidence after starting things off with a wide which Langer could not have reached if he had been holding three bats glued end to end as Flintoff took it at second slip.

Four boundaries followed in his first two overs and Harmison found himself confined to fielding duties before he had even got properly warmed up.

The total went past 50 in the 11th over as Langer sliced Matthew Hoggard away past point, prompting Flintoff to bring himself into the attack.

Once again he proved a galvanising force for the team as he angled an excellent delivery across Hayden and the big left-hander edged to Paul Collingwood at second slip.

Ponting was soon into his stride by pulling a long-hop away to mid-wicket and then punching the next ball through mid-off for a second boundary - shots he was to repeat all too frequently as England erred in line and length.

The home side continued in the same positive vein after lunch, but Flintoff stuck to his task and was rewarded again when Langer, on 82, carved the ball to Kevin Pietersen at point.

Harmison bowled a better spell during the afternoon without ever looking like his old self and it was Giles who finally achieved another breakthrough.

He tempted Martyn into a late cut, but he misjudged the bounce and Collingwood, moving smartly to his right, made the catch look easy.

Next up for Australia was Hussey, a prolific scorer since making his Test debut 12 months ago, but new to the high-pressure atmosphere of an Ashes contest.

He showed no sign of nerves, however as he stroked Flintoff through mid-off for four and then whipped Giles away through the leg-side for four more.

Despite that, Giles could be well satisfied with figures of 1-51 from 18 overs in his first Test for 12 months after being preferred to Monty Panesar.

Giles was not the only England spinner in action as Flintoff resorted to giving Pietersen an extended spell of off-spin in an attempt to separate Australia's fourth-wicket pair.

Pietersen showed he had suffered no serious damage when he jarred his knee in the field earlier in the day, but the turn and bounce he obtained provided a warning about what England can expect from Shane Warne later in the game.

Ponting's hundred eventually arrived with a push through the on-side off Hoggard, and in the process he equalled Steve Waugh's Australian Test record of 32 three-figure scores.

So deflated were England that Flintoff delayed taking the second new ball, and even when he did, he did not deem it necessary to summon Harmison from the deep, a decision hardly likely to boost the Durham paceman's self-belief.


Scorecard

Australia: M L Hayden, J L Langer, R T Ponting, D R Martyn, M E K Hussey, M J Clarke, A C Gilchrist, S K Warne, B Lee, S R Clark, G D McGrath
England: A J Strauss, A N Cook, I R Bell, P D Collingwood, K P Pietersen, A Flintoff, G O Jones, A F Giles, M J Hoggard, S J Harmison, J M Anderson

As you can see, Clark beat Johnson to the last seamer spot for Australia, and Ashley Giles was chosen ahead of Monty Panesar...

(I saw an hour of the Ashes this morning! :P)
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