Ashes Cricket

[harsha]

The Australians really did a number on the Poms.

Great bowling by Mitchell Johnson

He bowls to the left , he bowls to the right. This Mitchell Johnson , his bowling's alright.

[steveaki13]

Not a thread I wish to post on just now.

[steveaki13]

In all seriousness though.

Australia and Johnson are playing well. They deserve nothing less than utter domination.

As for us, well we just gotta try and dig in. As unlikely as that is. We have no other choice. As for the Ashes as a whole. I think this one's gone back down under.

It will be interesting to see if England change things round a bit for future series or whether they stick with some of the older players.

[Rollo]

As for us, well we just gotta try and dig in. As unlikely as that is. We have no other choice. As for the Ashes as a whole. I think this one's gone back down under.

The chances of England winning the second test at Adelaide is zero.

From their second innings, Australia needed to post just 20 to make England face a record for a successful fourth innings chase. To make England chase more than 500 when this series they haven't even got to 200 is in all honesty, is firstly selecting and the taking Mickey Bliss for the XI.
I should also point out that in the entire of Ashes history, only one side has even won 3-2 after being 2-0 down; that was Australia in 1936-37 in Australia.

In the words of current Australian Prime Minister and goblin (ex-employee of Gringotts), this series is as good as "dead, buried and cremated"

[AndyRAC]

As a member on here used to call certain drivers; England are batting like 'sick dogs'.....

Saying that, they've been on the slide since 2012, and were fortunate to win in the summer 3-0. Only at Lord's were they the far better team. Too many not producing....

[Valve Bounce]

There is a very good chance for England to draw this game: Hire some Aboriginal rain dancers.

[webberf1]

I couldn't have been more surprised than to see Australia actually playing with some confidence when the Gabba test got going. Seemed alien after so many years in the doldrums. England just straight up need to get their act together. Their batsmen in particular have no excuse to be struggling so badly against pace.

Edit: I'll also add this; Michael Clark is way better as a captain than Ricky Ponting ever was. He's always attacking, leaves the other side guessing, has better instincts, reads the game better, and uses what resources he has (which, lets face it, still aren't THAT amazing compared to yesteryear's players) much more effectively.

[Rollo]

There is a very good chance for England to draw this game: Hire some Aboriginal rain dancers.

At the beginning of Day 5, it is raining in Adelaide; so maybe there's hope... but if it stops raining, forget it.

The highest successful fourth innings run chase is 418 and England don't look like coming close. They were sent in with the prospect of surviving six sessions and England don't look like coming close.

The ABC's Crystal Ball puts:
England win - 1%
Australia win - 92.5%
Draw - 6.4%

A draw is technically possible I suppose but hoping in that might be like trying to catch the wind with a sieve.

[Rollo]

When Panesar was caught by Rogers at short-cover... England were all out for 312. Australia won by 218 runs.
At this point England are 2-0 down and I think the best case scenario is a 2-all series draw; at worst is a whitewash.

The difference between Australian fans and English fans though are that the English a predisposed to lose. When England was exceptional crap in the 1990s, we knew the score. Australian fans are entirely fairweather though.

[555-04Q2]

Must say the Bruce's have bounced back nicely after their poor performances in Engerland