Cricket-Match-Special ... A forum for discussion

Arthur Crabtree wrote:I saw some of the ODIs in the pub actually. And KP got terrible abuse from the South African crowds. But he still performed.

I went to the pub to watch the ODIs and had to put up with vision only, as they insisted on playing music for the regular clientele. When I asked all four of the people in the pub whether they minded having the cricket commentary on they all agreed, yet the landlord would not relent

Fortunately me and my friends drink so much in the local they'd be foolish to risk us going somewhere else. This is fine now, but I dread to think how knackered we'll be in ten years time.

That KP seems to be quite something. I can imagine him being in the side for a good fifteen years. Our answer to Ponting but with more flair. I reckon he would make a good captain too as he seems to be a likeable chap.

Australia have named their Ashes squad.

Ricky Ponting (c) (Tasmania)
Adam Gilchrist (wk) (Western Australia)
Michael Clarke (New South Wales)
Jason Gillespie (South Australia)
Bradley Haddin (New South Wales)
Matthew Hayden (Queensland)
Brad Hodge (Victoria)
Justin Langer (Western Australia)
Michael Kasprowicz (Queensland)
Simon Katich (New South Wales)
Brett Lee (New South Wales)
Stuart MacGill (New South Wales)
Damien Martyn (Western Australia)
Glenn McGrath (New South Wales)
Shaun Tait (South Australia)
Shane Warne (Victoria)

Mike Hussey a surprising absence?
Or Stuart Clark, lately in English county cricket with a big reputation?

Hayden>Trescothick
Langer>Strauss
Ponting>Key
Martyn<Vaughan
Clarke<Thorpe
Katich<Flintoff
Gilchrist>Jones
Warne>Giles
Lee<Jones
Gillespie=Harmison
McGrath>Hoggard

6v4 to the Aussies. Not bad. A couple of key injuries and it could be all square?

An injury to Flintoff , and the dream is off.

Australia won the three Test series in NZ last month to fine tune for the Ashes. Two heavy, nine wicket wins.

In Christchurch, Hamish Marshall's 146 out of 433 (6 for McGrath) gave NZ hope when the Aussies replied with 201-6. Before Gilchrist and Katich scored hundreds. Warne bowled the Kiwis out for 131 in reply, which Langer and Ponting bullied down.

In Wellington, Martyn and Gilchrist repaired a poor start with huge tons. But rain intervened.

In Aukland, the openers went cheaply but runs from Ponting and Gilchrist put things right. McGrath and Warne took the wickets. Langer and Ponting got the small target.

What does that tell me?

Gilchrist is key. He's sort of The Equaliser turning any situation to his own advantage.

The bowling tailed off after McGrath and Warne. Gillespie and Kasprowicz weren't in great form.

The top order were knocked over at times, can England make that pay???????

James Franklin took a lot of wickets. Is left arm medium pace the way to go?

Spin did little. Sorry Gilo.

NZ drew in Wellington. Are Australia susceptible in windy conditions? Is it too late to move the series to Aberdeen?

In conclusion, not much to go on.

Bangladesh start their tour on May 10, with three warm ups against the counties, two Tests and then a tri series against the old rivals. Can't imagine they will win anything. But it's their first tour here, so all the best. Not much happening until then. Just have to watch early season county form.

Arthur Crabtree wrote:Gilchrist is key. He's sort of The Equaliser turning any situation to his own advantage.

The bowling tailed off after McGrath and Warne. Gillespie and Kasprowicz weren't in great form.

I believe there is a suspicion that he can be a bit vulnerable early in the innings to bowlers coming around the wicket.

No idea if this is the case, but it might worth exploring.

I agree about Dizzy and Kaspa. Maybe the Aussies think that Clark and Glenda are a bit 'samey'?

Worth trying for a few of them. That was Franklin's angle and he had a good series.

Gillespie has a great record here, but time is passing and it takes more and more hair dye to give the illusion of youth. He is the third highest wicket taker over the past two years, and very economical. The Aussies have all been very economical. Could be a lot of grinding, though that's not our style.

Got tickets for the last two days of the TB Test and an ODI v BD.

Fourth Test at TB.

If the series is still alive after that game, it'll be a hell of a summer.

If it gets that far, I'm thinking of popping down to OT for the final day. Can't book in advance, but I believe it will only be a tenner a ticket, if you turn up on the day. Might get half a day's play in if I'm lucky. I've not been to OT before and it should be fairly quiet if it goes to a final day. It'll give me a chance to have a good look around.... examine all the nooks and crannies

Might be worth looking around before the development. A good thing about the last day is that you can just pop down and see a game without too much planning. Usually, a result.

Is there going to be a redevelopment? I hadn't heard that.

Lets hope they keep the traditional feel to the ground and don't muck around too much with a beautiful and iconic pavillion.

Well, the game is afoot.

Welcome to the Bangladeshis for their first Test tour of England. They start against British Universities in a three day game at Fenner's, May 10-12. The students are led by Durham University's Will Smith, who many are expecting to be a star of the future. My mate says the Loughborough University off spinner Mudhsuden Panesar is one to look out for. Antonio Palladino, from Anglia Poly looks interesting and is signed to Essex, but Sussex left arm fast bowler Glen Read is the one I'm predicting great things for. Remember this name.

Hope Bangladesh win a game along the way. Not in the Tests though! They also warm up against Sussex and Northants.

McGrath has predicted a whitewash. Unless it rains.

'Unless it rains.'

Humorous touch that.

Funny man.

You know, if he got injured, I wouldn't be hugely disappointed. Although some miserable smart arse would say England won because McGrath was injured.

Or failed to get whitewashed because...

I need to go to bed.