Re: England v WI, 2nd Test, Chester-le-Street, May 14 - 18

by Brass Monkey Tue 19 May 2009, 12:25

I agree that Aus are no longer the half-joke people jingoed in there just because they weren't performing exemplarily.

However, they aren't the 'guarantees' we're used to.

by skully Tue 19 May 2009, 12:29

Indeed Dan. No Pidg, Warnie, MtFTB, Langer and Gilly, and it's very much a case of us needing to play at our best to compete.

If we are off our game as we were in 05, and your boys play to their full potential, then England could smash us.

by Brass Monkey Tue 19 May 2009, 12:44

skully wrote:Indeed Dan. No Pidg, Warnie, MtFTB, Langer and Gilly, and it's very much a case of us needing to play at our best to compete.

If we are off our game as we were in 05, and your boys play to their full potential, then England could smash us.

I just don't think your boys have got the same experience of conditions and atmos than the previous lot and hence will be less well equipped to deal with it all.

On paper, Aus look very strong indeed - the batting looks mint.

It's just not written in stone that you'll perform so much so that the English forummers can take it for granted.

Seems to me they're preparing for the worst. Both teams are an unknown capacity IMO.

by skully Tue 19 May 2009, 12:58

Agreed.

by Brass Monkey Tue 19 May 2009, 13:04

skully wrote:Agreed.

One thing's for sure, I can't wait for the series. Should be quality whatever happens.

by taipan Tue 19 May 2009, 13:05

4 match series isn't it?

by skully Tue 19 May 2009, 13:15

taipan wrote:4 match series isn't it?

Fark orf, ya p!ss takin' Yarpie. Cool

by skully Tue 19 May 2009, 13:18

Brass Monkey wrote:
skully wrote:Agreed.

One thing's for sure, I can't wait for the series. Should be quality whatever happens.

Aye, a couple of months of jangling nerves, lack of sleep and getting up the next morning after falling asleep before the final session and hoping like hell we did OK.

In Ashes 05 my wife used to stand looking at me with a smirk on her face as I waited for the news to be read on the radio after I crawled out of bed. My reaction was either "FMD" or "Woohoo". Unfortch, it was more "FMD" in 05.

by JKLever Tue 19 May 2009, 13:27

Brass Monkey wrote:

Seems to me they're preparing for the worst. Both teams are an unknown capacity IMO.

perhaps, but theres been little evidence of anything other than a series loss from our side.

by Henry Tue 19 May 2009, 13:28

In Ashes 05 my wife used to stand looking at me with a smirk on her face as I waited for the news to be read on the radio after I crawled out of bed. My reaction was either "FMD" or "Woohoo". Unfortch, it was more "FMD" in 05.

Did it help to ease the pain of a bad final session for Aus?

by skully Tue 19 May 2009, 13:42

Henry wrote:
In Ashes 05 my wife used to stand looking at me with a smirk on her face as I waited for the news to be read on the radio after I crawled out of bed. My reaction was either "FMD" or "Woohoo". Unfortch, it was more "FMD" in 05.

Did it help to ease the pain of a bad final session for Aus?

My wife's smirk? Or my "FMD"? Of course the answer is neither.

by JGK Tue 19 May 2009, 14:38

skully wrote:
Brass Monkey wrote:
skully wrote:Agreed.

One thing's for sure, I can't wait for the series. Should be quality whatever happens.
Aye, a couple of months of jangling nerves, lack of sleep and getting up the next morning after falling asleep before the final session and hoping like hell we did OK.

In Ashes 05 my wife used to stand looking at me with a smirk on her face as I waited for the news to be read on the radio after I crawled out of bed. My reaction was either "FMD" or "Woohoo". Unfortch, it was more "FMD" in 05.

i keep my wi-fi enabled iPod on my side table so during the Saffie series I could wake up an instantly check the score.

by skully Tue 19 May 2009, 15:01

I preferred the "my sleep will ensure good things" approach. Over many years, in the main, it worked. Just not during much of the 80s (until the mighty 89 Ashes) and Ashes 05.

by JKLever Tue 19 May 2009, 15:24

Fark me, you Aussies are weak - what's happened to the up-all night sessions? Wink

by skully Tue 19 May 2009, 15:34

Getting old, JKL. The old creaky bones need their recuperation time. I find it hard to get through the post midnight final session on a work day, particularly when they go for 3 hours due to tardy over rates.

by Henry Tue 19 May 2009, 15:41

7pm to 2am here in Japan. Should be sweet.

by PeterCS Tue 19 May 2009, 16:50

Dig dig.

by PeterCS Tue 19 May 2009, 16:54

The emergence of Clark, Johnson and latterly Hughes, and the continuation of Ponting, and possibly the batting of Haddin too, have given Australia a decided advantage.

It is only in the last two matches that England have shown any signs of renaissance. Or is that naissance. Hence my comment about "mildly encouraging" - far greater tests (literally) await.

But the only uncontestable wisdom is ever "We'll see".

Which is why bookies depend on lack of wisdom.

by Guest Tue 19 May 2009, 17:04

Brass Monkey wrote:
skully wrote:Indeed Dan. No Pidg, Warnie, MtFTB, Langer and Gilly, and it's very much a case of us needing to play at our best to compete.

If we are off our game as we were in 05, and your boys play to their full potential, then England could smash us.

I just don't think your boys have got the same experience of conditions and atmos than the previous lot

Apart from Hughes. Bloody 'sex.