2017/8 Cricket, Ashes, etc.

[turtlemichael]

You're:
A. Comfortably retired
B. Working for CA
C. Working as a cricket correspondent for media.

Whichever, you're very lucky... and I'm jealous!

A.

 

[JohnK]

Just can’t wait until SA for more of your supportive and positive comments on the Australian Cricket Team, JohnK.

Allan Border is the best Australian cricketer since Sir Donald Bradman. If not for him we would not be in the position we are in today. He had the ability to turn a match at will. Unfortunately he had to restrain himself as he came in to bat most times with the team in big trouble. It wasn't until the Ashes in England in 1989 where we saw the turnaround of the Australian team and Border was dominant in that series.

In my opinion the 100* and 98* he scored in a test match in the Carribean against the might of the West Indies was one of the best performances by an individual of all time. I listened to almost every ball of that test match and the series on radio. Also the 150* and 153 he scored in a test match in Pakistan was not far behind. The first cricketer to score 150 in both innings of a test match. I have no doubt he would average 60+ if he was playing today and I would not be surprised if his average was closer to 70 but we will never know.

Shane Warne is the most exciting cricketer I have seen. I remember the ball that bowled Gatting in 1993 quite well. He created a buzz the minute he was handed the ball.

Unfortunately dominating cricket over the past 25 years the Australian cricket team has developed a sickening arrogance which does not belong in cricket. I am still an Australian supporter and will never change allegiance but I do not support nor tolerate arrogance. In fact I hate it. When the Australian team learns to be humble again they'll regain my full support.

 

[Pushka]

Just checked our seats for Day 2 of the Boxing Day test and with a temp est of 33 currently, am relieved to see they are under cover. The level about the Committee Room in fact in MCC reserve. Row A. Level 4. Pleasant.

 

[turtlemichael]

Just checked our seats for Day 2 of the Boxing Day test and with a temp est of 33 currently, am relieved to see they are under cover. The level about the Committee Room in fact in MCC reserve. Row A. Level 4. Pleasant.

I'll be around from you in N53. It's times like this i deeply regret letting my MCC membership go a number of years ago when I was interstate. Just couldn't see the value of keeping an interstate membership going. Now I can!!!!!

 

[kelvedon]

Well it won't be 5-0, 3-1 ?, or more probably 4-0. Smith is in such fine form.

 

[VPS]

I'd be happy with 3-0 but doubt it - usually a result in Sydney

 

[turtlemichael]

I'd be happy with 3-0 but doubt it - usually a result in Sydney

Coming to the end of my round of the 5 Tests. I have a great seat right behind the wicket in Sydney and have seen two good days of cricket. Smith has been very scratchy but is still there. It is maybe Australia marginally in front at the moment. I’m amazed there are so many English fans.

 

[Pushka]

Coming to the end of my round of the 5 Tests. I have a great seat right behind the wicket in Sydney and have seen two good days of cricket. Smith has been very scratchy but is still there. It is maybe Australia marginally in front at the moment. I’m amazed there are so many English fans.

Barmy Army is rather vocal.

 

[Cossie]

Better being here in the warm weather, rather than being back in the UK.

 

[moa999]

Richie's were louder and more active than BarmyArmy most of the day.

Beautiful weather all day today.

England bowlers really look like they are struggling to take wickets. Anderson just trying to bore the Australians into bad shots.

Had a lovely lunch in the Members Stand dining room today - $55 for a carvery buffet and wine from $33 a bottle

Pink shirts tomorrow.

 

[Pushka]

Richie's were louder and more active than BarmyArmy most of the day.

Beautiful weather all day today.

England bowlers really look like they are struggling to take wickets. Anderson just trying to bore the Australians into bad shots.

Had a lovely lunch in the Members Stand dining room today - $55 for a carvery buffet and wine from $33 a bottle

Pink shirts tomorrow.

I guess we were there when Cook was on a roll. My fav player too. Lots of Aussie wickets.
The Richies sing Advance Australia Fair waaay better than any of the routine warblers. Apparently they are not allowed to complain about the heat. Tomorrow will be a challenge for them. They lasted brilliantly in the Melb heat last week.

 

[turtlemichael]

I guess we were there when Cook was on a roll. My fav player too. Lots of Aussie wickets.
The Richies sing Advance Australia Fair waaay better than any of the routine warblers. Apparently they are not allowed to complain about the heat. Tomorrow will be a challenge for them. They lasted brilliantly in the Melb heat last week.

View attachment 114273

Looks like the Richies are having the day off or they have slept in.Their spot is full of pink shirts today. The Barmy Army has been quiet but it is still early.

 

[drron]

Good to see the English spinners both bring up their 150's.So I would say definitely no wins for England on this tour.

 

[JohnK]

England are making us look very good. Flat pitch for 4 days and all over a sudden there is fire in the pitch? Would Stokes have made a difference? Maybe not.

Here are some interesting figures

- 417 wickets at 22.30
- 172 wickets at 22.37
- 105 wickets at 22.29
- 281 wickets at 28.45
- 56 wickets at 25.03

India are getting smashed at the moment. Smith is the key but I cannot see how we can score more than 300 against that attack. Anyone?

 

[turtlemichael]

England are making us look very good. Flat pitch for 4 days and all over a sudden there is fire in the pitch? Would Stokes have made a difference? Maybe not.

Here are some interesting figures

- 417 wickets at 22.30
- 172 wickets at 22.37
- 105 wickets at 22.29
- 281 wickets at 28.45
- 56 wickets at 25.03

India are getting smashed at the moment. Smith is the key but I cannot see how we can score more than 300 against that attack. Anyone?

I worked out that your were quoting the South Africans' bowling stats. You may be right but I would not rely overly on the current Test in CPT. Apparently it is an amazing wicket. Also Steyn has been injured and is likely out of the rest of the series against India and who knows beyond that when the Australians start in Durban at the end of February. He has suffered a serious injury yesterday. But the rest of their attack is formidable too even without Steyn. As I said in another post Rabada has the potential to be one of the great bowlers of all time.

While I agree Smith, from the Aussie point of view, is the key don't under-estimate the ability of the Australian fast bowlers to damage the SA batsmen who are very fragile. My tip 3-1 to SA or maybe 2-2.

 

[JohnK]

While I agree Smith, from the Aussie point of view, is the key don't under-estimate the ability of the Australian fast bowlers to damage the SA batsmen who are very fragile. My tip 3-1 to SA or maybe 2-2.

I didn't realise that Steyn was injured again. That does make a difference. I have no doubt our bowlers are good but the Poms have scored some runs against us and South Africa has a very strong batting line up and with de Kock at 6 gives them the option of 5 bowlers.

You went to South Africa last test series. Green tops or flatter wickets? On statistics alone Maharaj appears to be a better spinner than Lyon but statistics can be deceiving.

 

[turtlemichael]

I didn't realise that Steyn was injured again. That does make a difference. I have no doubt our bowlers are good but the Poms have scored some runs against us and South Africa has a very strong batting line up and with de Kock at 6 gives them the option of 5 bowlers.

You went to South Africa last test series. Green tops or flatter wickets? On statistics alone Maharaj appears to be a better spinner than Lyon but statistics can be deceiving.

They are currently saying up to 6 weeks out for Steyn which would get him back in time for the Australian series but we shall see. He is getting near the end of a great career.

I have been for two series - the last against Australia 4 years ago and two years ago when South Africa played England. Wickets vary of course There are big differences between say Durban at sea level and very humid and Jo'burg humid but at I think about 6000 feet. They are broadly similar to Australia but probably swing more - they are not like traditional Perth wickets. More lije Brisbane and Sydney. Mitchell Johnson bowled superbly in the series and got good returns, as did Harris, so I'd expect all the Australian bowlers, including Lyon, to do well.

 

[OZDUCK]

And of course Pat coughmins made his debut at Jo'burg and took 7/117 for the match so he must like the conditions. I still rate S.A. as the better team and would see 3 - 1 their way as the most likely result

 

[JohnK]

Are we assuming result in every match in South Africa? I think 1-1 or maybe just South Africa at 2-1. It will be a close series with our bowlers the key.

 

[junbugging]

4-0 I reckon. For England, Cook, Root, Bairstow and Ali are world class, but they have too limited an attack. Anderson and Broad basically need the conditions to be in their favour, which they won't be except possibly during brief periods in Adelaide. I envisage several Australian totals above 500.

So yeah, pretty much.