Rory got a Jaffa!
1st session of the 1st Ashes Test doesn't mean too much, but 4/59 at lunch is a good start for Australia.
The team will enjoy their lunch (Isn't it usually Barramundi for lunch on Day 1 at Brisbane?)
Definitely a good start! I saw the first two batsmen dismissed, but then had to go out to string Christmas lights over the bushes :(
Got up early to watch the rain! Grrr
However....whatever the Aussies can do......so can we.
Wot? Rain? ;D
It feels like the Brits have been eating too many Moreton Bay Bugs*.
Now their cricket is positively lost in Geological Time too.
Bob
*Ancient creatures that look like trilobites but taste somewhat better :)
Not a good opening innings for England but who knows what the pitch is like? When/if the Aussies make a decent innings from our bowlers then we'll know.
It ain't over until it's over.
As for the rain............nah, it was just another Aussie cricketer blubbing :P
Just remember the last time the Green Baggies where at Headingley, with the Aussies well in control.
I remember it well being there on the first and what became the last day, when that final ball went over the ropes in front of me in the Eastern Stand for four, a very memorable day's test cricket.
Mike H
Quote from: Nbodger on December 08, 2021, 01:04:31 PM
Just remember the last time the Green Baggies where at Headingley, with the Aussies well in control.
I remember it well being there on the first and what became the last day, when that final ball went over the ropes in front of me in the Eastern Stand for four, a very memorable day's test cricket.
Mike H
What a fabulous day that was - it must have been an unforgettable experience actually being there, Mike. Was lucky enough to be at The Oval on the final day in 05 when Pietersen thrashed 158 - a day I'll always cherish. Never say never, but I'm not overly confident we'll be seeing anything as glorious as those 2 days this winter I'm afraid.
Mark
Hi Mark @Mark (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=1658)
Yes it was a day that started without optimism which turned into a wondrous day of unbelievable cricket, a surreal day that I will never forget, never been in such an atmosphere at a cricket match and doubt ever will again, a once in a lifetime day.
Mike H
Quote from: Nbodger on December 08, 2021, 02:00:35 PM
Yes it was a day that started without optimism
Mike, @Nbodger (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=8543) You've hit the nail squarely on the head there - it was the complete lack of hope at the start of the day (and again in that calamitous period after lunch) that made it so incredible and memorable. Oh, for another day like that this winter ...
Mark
@Newportnobby (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=264) is exactly right, and that was what Sir Ian said in commentary. Both sides need to have a bat before any judgments can be made.
Oh dear. I wish we didn't do this.
"Queensland Police are launching an investigation into a group impersonating a Test batting order at the Gabba," they tweeted.
https://www.news.com.au/sport/cricket/police-launch-investigation-into-englands-humiliating-ashes-collapse/news-story/2bf4a608d205afbd46d4af8e6e9359f1 (https://www.news.com.au/sport/cricket/police-launch-investigation-into-englands-humiliating-ashes-collapse/news-story/2bf4a608d205afbd46d4af8e6e9359f1)
It might end up with egg on face!
Well as I type this having me happy hour beers at the bowlo, the Aussies lead by 89
Whoops Carey just got caught out
Quote from: Newportnobby on December 08, 2021, 11:56:00 AM
Not a good opening innings for England but who knows what the pitch is like? When/if the Aussies make a decent innings from our bowlers then we'll know.
OK - it's a fair cop. We were rubbish :-[
Not looking good from an English point of view I'm afraid.
Not a problem, we usually loose the first test in a series, even on home soil ???
Just had a quick look. Aussies lead by 215 this morning
The comeback is on.
Root 66 :D
Partnership with malan. Going well. Need to build on day 4
Went quiet pretty quickly....
Good to see Stuey and Jimmy back in the run on team.
Can you believe how silly we (the Aussies) are, letting our captain and bowler near anyone with covid. :-[
Why are England wearing black armbands at the MCG today (Boxing Day)?
In memory of ray illingworth @Bealman (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=255) see https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/59789915 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/59789915) and https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/52021920 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/52021920)
Ah, RIP. I didn't know.... but I sure do remember him! Don't forget, I only came to Australia in 1974.
RIP one of the English greats.
oh dear, oh dear, oh dear again. have always said I would not support Australia in the Ashes, even though I have now live in Aus longer than I did in England. But after another dismal day I am beginning to wish the England team would grow some backbone or I will have to relinquish my original statement.
I'm not even sure who England could win against at the moment :(
Not looking good for England I'm afraid.
England will never have good first class international test players until the ECB provide the environment to develop test match talent. Far to much emphasis by the ECB on developing the short format of the game.
When I was coaching young kids at cricket they just wanted to play the shots that were developed in T20, I used to explain to them they need to be able to do the basics well first.
Quote from: Graham on December 26, 2021, 08:47:47 AM
oh dear, oh dear, oh dear again. have always said I would not support Australia in the Ashes, even though I have now live in Aus longer than I did in England. But after another dismal day I am beginning to wish the England team would grow some backbone or I will have to relinquish my original statement.
I'm in the same situation, but seeing as my wife and kids are all Australian, I'm pretty much outgunned.
It's all over red rover anyway. Bloke at the bowling club just asked me which side of the fence was I on today ;)
Agree with both sides of the perspective from mike and george. Tame, awful batting, just no ruthlessness and lack of preparation. The arguments, discussions will go on no doubt
England have had some covid problems, which is a sort of weak defence, I suppose
A weak one. Just do not have the quality of the players except joe root. Anderson and broad had moments. Look at aussie and ask your daughters .... warner, labuschagne, head , smith top batsmen. Starc the spearhead bowler with cummins bowled well and captained well. Plus boland amazing spell
I walked up to the course this morning for 18 holes and as it was a sloooww round, I decided to have look how the cricket was going on the 11th tee.
All finished! I thought we may have been in trouble having to bat the 4th innings, but, apparently not.
I got a video from my daughter today showing her 4 month old daughter in front of the TV while the cricket was on, blowing raspberries. My daughter said here's your granddaughter summing up England's performance! ;)
Quote from: Bealman on December 28, 2021, 06:49:33 AM
England have had some covid problems, which is a sort of weak defence, I suppose
There is no defence, George. England were (again) pathetic, summed up admirably by.......
Quote from: Bealman on December 28, 2021, 07:03:04 AM
I got a video from my daughter today showing her 4 month old daughter in front of the TV while the cricket was on, blowing raspberries. My daughter said here's your granddaughter summing up England's performance! ;)
I despair for 'the long game' and, in fact, feel sorry for cricket fans who paid money to see a competition where none existed. Out and out Aussie fans will be delighted the Ashes have been retained but it wasn't cricket really but a slaughter. Expect the Aussies to be really gunning for a whitewash now.
Quote from: Nbodger on December 26, 2021, 11:18:25 AM
England will never have good first class international test players until the ECB provide the environment to develop test match talent. Far to much emphasis by the ECB on developing the short format of the game.
If the changes intimated above were put into practice today, then we are looking at ten years to develop test quality players, in other words the next generation coming through.
I said on Christmas Day to our youngest son"If we bat first in this test it will be all over in two days", unfortunately I wasn't too far off the mark.
Mike H (a dedicated cricket fan)
I largely agree with Mike @Nbodger (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=8543) .
The ECB need to look at a long term plan (maybe 10-15 years).
They need to take a long, hard look at what they want to achieve.
As part of that, the County game needs, in my opinion, a complete revamp.
It seems to me that over the last 20years the county game has become a total mess with 20 and 50 over competitions and the new "hundred" all muddled in amongst the traditional 4 day games.
So we have players involved in all 4 competitions in the course of only a very few weeks. No wonder they have difficulty in adapting to the very different challenges of various forms of the game.
Martin @port perran (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=230)
If I was to formulate a plan for the county game, the first thing I would do is scrap "the hundred", many professional cricketers don't see the point of it other than it was a laugh to play in it. The money would have been better spent on the T20 Blast.
The county four day game needs playing all through the season, not just at the beginning and end of season, so that it can be played in all conditions, possibly even a few day/night games. County games to be played mid week.
As England play in both the T20 and 50 over world cups, these formats still need to be retained, but should be played on the weekends, to get the crowds in. In T20 have three teams playing a round robin at 5he same ground as they do for the finals day.
But the most important thing is the four day game through the full season.
Mike H
Structure wise is important. The test team need to be playing on the 18 county circuit. I would have the t20 for that team and 1 x 50 over cup for those players solely in that format. And its a pity that tte structure of the 90s and before those old enough to remember County championship, nat west trophy, bh trophy, before that the sunday league, gilette cup
Quote from: Nbodger on December 28, 2021, 04:31:25 PM
Martin @port perran (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=230)
If I was to formulate a plan for the county game, the first thing I would do is scrap "the hundred", many professional cricketers don't see the point of it other than it was a laugh to play in it. The money would have been better spent on the T20 Blast.
The county four day game needs playing all through the season, not just at the beginning and end of season, so that it can be played in all conditions, possibly even a few day/night games. County games to be played mid week.
As England play in both the T20 and 50 over world cups, these formats still need to be retained, but should be played on the weekends, to get the crowds in. In T20 have three teams playing a round robin at 5he same ground as they do for the finals day.
But the most important thing is the four day game through the full season.
Mike H
I agree completely.
I fail to see what the hundred brings to cricket in Britain. It is an attempt to dnvourage youngsters to watch but I'm sure that enhancing the T20 would work equally well.
County Championship Cricket needs continuity. In its current format cricket fans lose interest.
Change certainly needs to happen.
The nature of Cricket changed with the IPL!!
Long gone are the days of Boycott and Tavare batting for 3 days for 100 runs (ok an exageration, but you know what I mean) I used to get bored watching them play when I was a kid, but as I got older and started playing the game I realised just how skilful they were, just standing there waiting for some one to chuck a very hard ball at you at 80 mph+ (90+ if you include the West Indians) and knowing which ball to leave and which one to defend or swat away for runs.
Cricket has got a bad reputation as a 'boring' sport with the long version of the game, a lot of newcomers bought up on the IPL and 20-20 don't understand or enjoy the mastery of eeking our runs, they just want to see the crash & smash of belting the ball out of the ground every ball bowled. Just look at the viewing figures for the World Cup in 2019 going down to the Super Over.
The 100 was a success in bringing people to watch cricket, but will it spurn them to then follow England into Test Matches?? If they throw the bat like they do now, trying to score 300 runs on the first day, then yes they will but it's not for those of us who love the game in it's purest form.
The County Championship will die a death, I'm afraid, in preference for the T20, 50-over and the 100, so where will we get our Test side from?? Where will the long game specialists come from?? Test Matches will go down to 4 days, + 1 for a bad weather day.
Just my tuppnce on the death of a game I loved and played for 20 odd years, until my knees gave in..
Cheers
Neal.
Quote from: Calnefoxile on December 28, 2021, 06:29:53 PM
The 100 was a success in bringing people to watch cricket, but will it spurn them to then follow England into Test Matches?? If they throw the bat like they do now, trying to score 300 runs on the first day, then yes they will but it's not for those of us who love the game in it's purest form.
Neil @Calnefoxile (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=619)
There was a big change in attendance at Junior cricket coaching sessions at local clubs during and after the 2005 Ashes series which was live on Terrestrial TV. Cricket needs to be on Terrestrial TV.
The 100 as you say was to encourage new supporters to cricket, but has it worked, many free tickets were given out by the ECB which clouds the attendance issues. They changed the terminology of the game, no longer for example overs, this could lead to confusion for new attendees of other cricket games and start questioning what's going on.
On the many occasions I have been to watch Yorkshire play at Scarborough it is quite amazing how many families attend all formats of the game. The difference at Scarborough is you are allowed on the outfield during the official breaks which leads to hundreds of games of cricket going on, it's absolutely brilliant, when I took the kids we always took a bat and ball. Great atmosphere easy to get players autographs etc unlike Headingley
Ouch. England, needing 271 runs in their 2nd innings, had 60 odd runs without loss, and then get bowled out for 124.
The pink ball on the Hobart pitched really ruled, and with the exception of a ton by Travis Head in the 1st innings, the bowlers had the best of it in the 5th and final test.
A really good, fighting, exciting draw for England in the 4th test was great, even in a dead rubber.
Thanks to the English team for, actually, some really exciting, entertaining and sometimes very close cricket across the 5 tests.
Anyway, it's bye bye from Blundstone Arena, Mr Burns.
Can you do a Novax Djokovic and quarantine them...................................for a long time.
Not sure we want them back :-\
Nah, we sent him back as well. What a farce, and another bad look for Aus. The immigration minister is my local mp and asking him for a concession for a situatuon like this is only going to be met with a stony faced NO!
Well, naturally enough the Serbian government and general community itself, I suppose, are heaping :poop: on Australia for doing so (personally I think it's great). However, as the Federal opposition points out, he should never have got into Australia in the first place.
End of story from Bealman, as the sporting banter is sorta becoming political. ;)