Ashes Down Under 2013/14

[Indian Bee]

Its not that he hasn't performed, it's he hasn't played due to injury for the most part and when he did get fit Surrey were reluctant to pick him.

Yep injury really has knocked him back but equally when he has played he has not reached the heights of when he previously bowled. He may still have a good test career but I can sadly see him going the way of Simon Jones.

 

[Salford Bee]

I think Finn taking five has given him a real chance of playing the first Test.

 

[Judio1999]

Where is the last minute deal to have Highlights on TV for non Sky Sports customers ????

 

[TW3Bee]

England closing in on victory in the warm up game against The Invitational XI.

England trail by 119 runs, with three more wickets to take.

The wickets have been spread around with 2 apiece for Broad, Finn and Swann. Rankin has the other one.

 

[TW3Bee]

England need 148 to win.

 

[Salford Bee]

England win by seven.

 

[Brickie Chap]

Looking forward to catching up with 237Bee for a few days during the Sydney Test...what can possibly go wrong lol

 

[super J]

Looks like Tremlett will play but doubts over Prior's fitness remain.

Anyone know what time play starts over here Wednesday night?

 

[stevil]

Looks like Tremlett will play but doubts over Prior's fitness remain.

Anyone know what time play starts over here Wednesday night?

Midnight apparently

 

[Indian Bee]

Really looking forward to the series. There seems to be a bit of needle between the sides which always provides good entertainment.

Key is how the Australia batting middle order stand up. If Australia manages to get runs on the board, I am slightly swaying towards them winning the series.

I can see Bell having another great series.

 

[davido_i]

I can see Bell having another great series.

Words I never thought I'd see typed by Indian Bee.
A belated welcome to the Belly Fan Club, the classiest England player since Vaughan retired.
Shut the back door behind you would you

 

[maddogging]

Never been more undercooked for an Ashes Series than this one. I just can't get excited for it happening so soon after the last one

 

[Indian Bee]

Words I never thought I'd see typed by Indian Bee.
A belated welcome to the Belly Fan Club, the classiest England player since Vaughan retired.
Shut the back door behind you would you

I wouldn't say I am part of Belly's fan club at all but what impressed me with Bell in the summer is that he scored match winning runs when it mattered. England on a number of times were 3 down for next to nothing. So credit where credit is due.

Now if he was against Ajmal then ....

 

[whyteleafebee76]

Never been more undercooked for an Ashes Series than this one. I just can't get excited for it happening so soon after the last one

If you mean England have never been so undercooked I don't agree with that. Tours in the 90s/2000s we seemed to turn up play one 4 day game and then that strange one day game at Lilac Hill where we would lose against some invitational side.

The last couple of tours (including this one) we have played more first class warm up games and although the Hobart game lost a couple of days to the weather the warm up has been fine. All of the top 6 have had time at the crease, some having scored some big runs. Broad has bolwed himself into form, Anderson is always there or thereabouts anyway and Swann has now got some overs under his belt. I think only the 3rd seamer and Prior could be deemed as undercooked or a cause for concern.

I quite like the fact that this series comes so close to the last one, I think it has spiced it up a bit and is why there seems to be a bit of needle between the 2 sides.

 

[Les Beeavinu]

Can't wait for midnight. Tomorrow morning booked off to sleep - hopefully I'll get to tea. :bound:

 

[Mr Tree]

i'm very excited for it. i didn't really realise til listening to Tuffers the other night, but Prior is a huge huge risk - if his calf pops on day one then Root would have to take over (sub can't keep) plus you lose a batsman (cos you can't have runners these days - which i do think is "fair" in its way although a difficult situation). so Bairstow may get the nod.

here's what i don't get: they say Bairstow over Foster for his batting ability (vs Fozzie's better glovework). so Bairstow may get 20 extra runs - but isn't he as likely to lose 20 (compared to Foster) behind the stumps?

i must say, even though Tufnell and Harmison have a tenuous grip on the English language, I do find them very interesting to listen to as pundits. i'm really impressed by Harmison actually - he's 20% nonsense (which is low for a pundit!!!), wears his heart on his sleeve a bit, but he comes out with some really intelligent, thoughtful stuff

 

[Mr Tree]

Can't wait for midnight. Tomorrow morning booked off to sleep - hopefully I'll get to tea. :bound:

i'm going t'other way - 6am alarm calls for the "evening" sessions each day, roll into work late (don't care, working out my notice period )

day's play starts at 1am for me, bit too late. our cricket club is having its end of year do on Friday, so unless i get distracted :beer: i should roll home in time to fall asleep in front of the "morning" session on Saturday morning

 

[Nada Bee]

Cant wait. Love it.

Virgin is finishing in about 2 weeks, lets see how many tests i get out of it. lol

 

[Les Beeavinu]

i'm going t'other way - 6am alarm calls for the "evening" sessions each day, roll into work late (don't care, working out my notice period )

Yep - that's how I'll go after tomorrow but can't miss the first couple of sessions.

 

[super J]

I wouldn't say I'm less excited about this series because they are back to back, it feels more of a continuation of a ten match series with a couple of months break.

I'm really unsure how the series is going to go, Australia look a really dangerous side and there were signs towards the end of the series over here that they had worked out how to beat us and the momentum was beginning to change. BUT the fact is for all the good cricket they might have played they have failed to beat us and have lost 7 of their last 9 test matches and haven't won a test since Mike Hussey retired.

The crucial moments when they looked like winning at Trent bridge and Durham they couldn't get over the line and cracked under pressure. I actually think the series will one down to how well we bat, if Cook and Trott can rediscover their form from the 2010/2011 series then we should win. If not then Harris and Johnson could really cause us trouble if they get it right.

Fancy 2-1 England but wouldn't be surprised if Australia won.

 

[Les Beeavinu]

I think England will bat better this series so I'll go for an England win by 1 test.

 

[Mr Tree]

yeah i've got us 2-1 - think there are a few of our players who will perform better down there than they did this summer

 

[Salford Bee]

I actually believe Bell will find it a struggle this series. Australia will have worked out different plans for him over the past few months. I hope Cook and Trott will have done the same.

 

[Buzzettesfriend]

I think all the hype the Aussies are creating is to cover up their own shortcomings. It's only 10 weeks or so since we beat them 3-0, and if Old Trafford and The Oval had finished it would have been 4-1, and England didn't get our of 2nd gear. England to win this 3-1, with this first test being the draw because of the dodgy weather forecast for the 4th and 5th days. England are better than Austraila. Fact!!

 

[Alan D]

yeah i've got us 2-1 - think there are a few of our players who will perform better down there than they did this summer

Sorry my old mate, but regrettably I think the Aussies will win by that margin. Just can't see them letting England win four series on the trot.

 

[The Pipe]

There is a winning mentality currently in the England team which is missing with the Aussies, they have forgotten how to win and whilst we were not at our best in the Summer, when it came to crucial sessions of play we pulled something out whereas the Aussies couldn't

I think the pitches will suit our batters allowing them to play more on the back foot however the Aussie bowling attack looks pretty decent

That being the case England will retain the Ashes but could well be a drawn series or us by one test

 

[davido_i]

Don't think I will be able to catch a live feed on the works computer.

Questions for the GPG cricket fraternity.....
Are TMS broadcasting live for listerners outside UK..??
Otherwise, is there Aussie commentary available worldwide??

I am hopeful that my 2 month old son will wake my wife to feed at the start of every session

 

[Mr Tree]

Don't think I will be able to catch a live feed on the works computer.

Questions for the GPG cricket fraternity.....
Are TMS broadcasting live for listerners outside UK..??
Otherwise, is there Aussie commentary available worldwide??

I am hopeful that my 2 month old son will wake my wife to feed at the start of every session

the Aussies were pfaffing about with it but ABC Grandstand is the one to check there, if any

didn't hear back from TMS

sky sent me a link for their partners who show one-offs in Mainland Europe. first Test is free but then it's a subscription service. would that be any use?

 

[davido_i]

the Aussies were pfaffing about with it but ABC Grandstand is the one to check there, if any

didn't hear back from TMS

sky sent me a link for their partners who show one-offs in Mainland Europe. first Test is free but then it's a subscription service. would that be any use?

Cheers Dan, I am happy enough with TMS on Radio 4 internet commentary.
Currently listening to Aggers & Vaughan, will do the first hour for sure.

 

[TW3Bee]

I did the first hour with Sky then went up to bed with TMS.

 

[Mr Tree]

Cheers Dan, I am happy enough with TMS on Radio 4 internet commentary.
Currently listening to Aggers & Vaughan, will do the first hour for sure.

understandable. i do love TMS too. the Sky-partner link conked out after the first over(!!) last night, but was fixed by the morning so i watched the last session, very nice. i'm pretty tempted to pay for the rest of the series if that's the service - it's pretty reasonably-priced

 

[Les Beeavinu]

Got up to 5 wickets down and must have been 5 minutes before Smith went. Great viewing and I hope the Aussies continue to stick it to Broad if that's going to be his reaction.

 

[Les Beeavinu]

So, early to bed tonight and up early. No point in staying up and watching the Aussies scratch around for 30 runs and then Cook and Carberry dig in for the first twenty. Going to go for 5am start so I can watch the evening session before work. Hopefully we'll be in good shape by the end of the day so a late one Friday night / Saturday morning.

 

[Mr Tree]

lol sounds perfick to me Les, i'm on the same plan

 

[Buzzettesfriend]

Staying in a Wolverhampton hotel on Friday night that doesn't have sky, so I staying up tonight to watch it at home before my night away without being able to. Got to tea last night, aiming for the same tonight, but with only 3 hours sleep from last night I may just struggle.

 

[badgerbee]

Where is the last minute deal to have Highlights on TV for non Sky Sports customers ????

For those of us who can't afford the subscription fees..........

Sky highlights every night at 10:00pm on Pick TV......

 

[The Pipe]

Also don't forget Radio 5 live extra repeat the whole day from 11am, so if you can avoid hearing what's happened you can settle down to 6 hours of radio commentary. !!!

 

[Mark H]

Breaking news - Trott has left the tour. Stress related illness. Makes sense now.

 

[Mark H]

I hope that that ****** Warner is respectful of Trott and doesn't say anything more stupid.

Having read Trescothick's book, it is shocking to see how stress and depression can effect high standard sportsmen. It is sensible Flower has acted quickly with the players interest.

 

[banburybee]

Aussies goingback to the ocker approach, what else do you expect from Lehman? Time for England to man up and kick their a@@@s . Cannot wait until next test.

 

[Indian Bee]

I have also read Trescothick's book and it's actually quite harrowing.

With reference to Trott, sad to see him go. I think his failure in this test and the media and public attention on him was probably the final straw. I simply do not think he has had it in him to cope.

 

[Mark H]

I have also read Trescothick's book and it's actually quite harrowing.

With reference to Trott, sad to see him go. I think his failure in this test and the media and public attention on him was probably the final straw. I simply do not think he has had it in him to cope.

If he is ill then it is not a question of just coping. He needs help. Just heard Trescothick on the radio, really eloquently reviewed stress and depression in sport.
Great to hear he has the backup of Flower. Great coach and man manager.

 

[Indian Bee]

If he is ill then it is not a question of just coping. He needs help. Just heard Trescothick on the radio, really eloquently reviewed stress and depression in sport.
Great to hear he has the backup of Flower. Great coach and man manager.

If this was a 'long standing' condition then Trott should not have even been on the tour. I think the England management team should have made a call and said to Trott - you get better and do not worry about the ashes. If Trott had scored runs in the last test then he would not have gone home. The 'failure' and the attention on him - had added to his condition.

 

[whyteleafebee76]

I suspect Warner's comments were a contributing factor. If Trott is in a pretty low place, probably feeling he is letting his team mates down and then someone wades in with the remark that Warner made that would have had a massive impact. It would be nice if Warner came out with some supportive words but I suspect he is not man enough to do that.

Its starting to feel like a nightmare tour of Australia from previous years.

 

[Mr Tree]

wow

what will England do? Bell at three seems the clearest option, but a shame to mess with him when he'd done well at five. a couple of wobbles at three and everyone starts whispering like they did with root earlier in the year...

but you wouldn't put any of the others there would you! so i guess he's gotta... unless you move to Root to three? otherwise Ballance/Bairstow/Stokes in at six (root up to five)?

 

[super J]

Having also read Trescothick's book I wouldn't wish what Trott is probably going through on anyone. Really feel for the bloke and Warner I'm sure can expect a hefty fine from the ICC for his comments.

As for the rest of the series, I'd expect Bell at three and likely Bairstow at 6 with Root up to 5. With Adelaide such a flat pitch an generally the hottest weather I would be tempted to pick Stokes as a fourth seamer to ease the workload on Anderson and Broad.

 

[Judio1999]

Root at 3 and a new boy at six

Keep Bell at 5

 

[Nada Bee]

Sad to see him leave. He has obvious talent but appears to have lost it.

This, to be honest is positive news for England. Trott has been a walking wicket for several months, so a new boy in can hopefully only mean good things for the batting line up.

Cook
Carberry
Pietersen
Bell
Bairstow / Ballance
Root
Prior
Broad
Swann
Anderson
Tremlett / Finn

 

[Indian Bee]

Having also read Trescothick's book I wouldn't wish what Trott is probably going through on anyone. Really feel for the bloke and Warner I'm sure can expect a hefty fine from the ICC for his comments.

As for the rest of the series, I'd expect Bell at three and likely Bairstow at 6 with Root up to 5. With Adelaide such a flat pitch an generally the hottest weather I would be tempted to pick Stokes as a fourth seamer to ease the workload on Anderson and Broad.

Why? I really do not understand the hoo-haa about Warner's comments. All he said was that the way he batted was 'poor and weak' - that is what most people thought about his innings. Should he have said it publicly - probably not. But let's not all go overboard.

 

[Indian Bee]

Root at 3 and a new boy at six

Keep Bell at 5

Agreed. You do not want to move your current best batsmen from a position where he has had most of his success.