*** The Ashes 2009 ***

[Nani121]

Now with KP out looks like Ian Bell will replace him i for one ain't happy about this for me he is a fook up he is a player who will score 20 runs or so and then he will get out! I think Rob key should have come in or even Joe Denly!

Bell has had so many chances but hasn't delivered also Bopara is another flop in the side he has done nothing so far! The middle order looks very weak now i think the Aussies will pleased about this!

 

[jaffa]

I am happy enough with Bell as he is a solid player and captain of the Lions but I would have been happy with Rob Key aswell. I think it may have been a step too far for Denly, its not just a test match, its an ashes test.

 

[ruud36]

it's been a good morning for England in the cricket.both Anderson and Onions are swinging the ball.lets finish them off early after lunch and get some runs up.:Clap:

 

[johnny bravo]

i cant see us beating the aussies now, it seems flintoff will miss the 4th test with injury, hence trott has been called up, but the winner is going to be the weather, looks like its going to be the wettest august since the dawn of time...i think england will still win 1-0. Why have they still got bopara , hes not performed with the bat at all, panesar is out for good as swann is a lot better bowler then the one dimensional panesar and swann can bat and field really well, unlike panesar..also if the ball dont swing then england dont win...

 

[jaffa]

This test series is nutz.

Oz should have won 1st test but didnt
Eng won 2nd test easy
Eng should have won 3rd test
Oz are winning 4th test easy
5th test...all to play for.

Eng wont use excuses about fire alarms etc but it must ave had some bearing on rubbish start, although the Oz bowling is 1st class this test.

 

[srgberian]

What a load of crap we were .

 

[jaffa]

Freddy has been cleared for finale test. I think they took a gamble thinking they would at least draw 4th test and have him fit for last test, it backfired imho.

anyway...at least he looks like playing, just the thought of him in the team will boost confidence. I also think its time to bring in Rob Key...who should have been in every test.

Fom BBC.

England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff is expected to be fit for the final Ashes Test starting at The Oval on 20 August. The 31-year-old missed the fourth Test at Headingley but the swelling on his right knee had eased when it was assessed by a specialist on Monday.
In a statement, the England and Wales Cricket Board said that "subject to further rest and intensive treatment he will be available for selection".

 

[Nani121]

Freddy has been cleared for finale test. I think they took a gamble thinking they would at least draw 4th test and have him fit for last test, it backfired imho.

anyway...at least he looks like playing, just the thought of him in the team will boost confidence. I also think its time to bring in Rob Key...who should have been in every test.

Got to agree get rid of Bopara the shite **** he lacks the technique needed for a top number 3 batsman. Should bring Rob Key in i always have wanted him in the team.

The batting is very poor that middle order is well weak and its going to be a tough job to beat the Aussies now.

 

[Munkey]

Broad played well for a change although the whole bowling attack did rather poorly with poor line and length being being bowled during the whole match. Swann really should have seen much more of the ball as well.

Bopara has had a few bad decisions go against him and he definitely is not worthy of the number 3 slot. He should open with Cook and Strauss should come in at number 3. Bopara's natural game is to be aggressive and it would be nice to see some positive batting from the off. If you're going to win at the Oval you need to score quickly and get the other team in to give yourself plenty of overs to bowl them out. We need to score at 5 runs an over and bat first to stand a chance of winning this match.

It was always going to be difficult to win the series without Pietersen, Ian Bell has been a woeful replacement. I hope we see the Freddy show during the last test match.

 

[Nani121]

Excellent performance form the lads today Broad and Swann were immense. Now time to press on and ensure theres a big lead then knock the Aussies over.

I think there is a great chance to win the test match and in doing so regaining the Ashes would be good if achieved especially after the last embarrasment of the Ashes in Australia

 

[jaffa]

Great fight back by the bowlers, even though Broad has got a couple of wickets now, I still don't rate him as a test bowler.

I hold my hands up....I was wrong. Broad was almost unplayable today. What a strange day of cricket. The Oz fans are whinging about the pitch but its the same for both teams.

Come on guys, you have one hand on the trophy, its only there to lose now.

 

[ruud36]

i agree there mate about broad, i thought he would miss out on the last test.what a performance, just like the old freddie and swan bowled well too.the aussies are moaning cos they didn't pick any first class spinners.more fool them.we need to bat all day and get a really big score and then hopefully bowl them out to secure the ashes.come on england:BLOBBY:

 

[slyboy]

come on england need a quick 200 for today then bowl them out

 

[nara]

The oldies here who remember 'Deadly' Derek Underwood would know what he could do with a pitch like that.

 

[NL7]

so 546 the target.... disciplined bowling like in the 1st innings should see the boys home safely....

 

[gooner71]

I cant see the Aussies batting for 2 days straight - they couldnt do it on a wicket that had only had one innings on it let alone three!! My bet is they will be all out before tea around 4.00.

 

[ruud36]

What a fantastic victory for England.Unbelieveable is all i can manage to say:FLAG::nerner::bouncing::alcohol:

 

[Nani121]

Well played England

Got the most important thing the Ashes but the series in general was crap in my honest opinion not the same exceitemet as there was back in 2005 but mind you 2005 was a very special year from a personal point of view as well.

 

[stevie1ball]

Don't normally follow cricket, but may i say what a fantastic test series this has been and WELL DONE TO " ENGLAND " the AUSSIES are now not the sole winner of the Ashes anymore it's 50/50 now who wins and well done to Strauss on his choice of players.

Its a pity the ENGLAND FOOTBALL team cant be selected from players who can step up to the mark and put us back on the Football World Cup winners list. Cant see it happening in my lifetime again.:Clap:

 

[jaffa]

Welcome back home.