Where's the Oval Groundsman's Thread.

[Bradman]

I think the English authorities will forgive him the two days in lost revenue.

[DJ_Smerk]

I think more England pitches should be like the Oval.

[JKLever]

I'm utterly amazed they've made a dustbowl, good on em'

[Basil]

I think the English authorities will forgive him the two days in lost revenue.

Aha! I claim the prize for the first sighting of an Aussie whinge about the pitch - and they've not even lost yet!!

[embee]

How is it possible to whinge about the pitch ...poor application by the batsmen and good bowling have been the major factors in just about every wicket

[Bradman]

The thread was tongue in cheek. I predicted they'd do this. And you're right the batting has been shithouse.

[JGK]

At the risk of NSR - you can't blame the pitch for a batting line up with no ticker.

Steve Waugh and AB (if they were dead) would have been rolling in their graves following yesterday's effort. It's not as if they were facing Curtly Ambrose on a lightning fast WACA.

[Bradman]

So we should take up a collection for a contract on Ricky or Hilditch? I'm just glad the Rugby's on tonight. I can watch an Australian team get whipped by someone who traditionally does it anyway.

[JGK]

This is shaping up as one of the worst weekends ever - the St George bubble officially burst, another last place in the Tri Nations and the most insipid Ashes performance by an Aust team for 25 years.

In the positive, Aust somehow managed to win a gold medal at the athletics.

[JGK]

By the way, I am happy to donate the winnings of my England bets towards the contract on Ponting and Hilditch. Need to do a final tote but should be a couple of grand.

[Bradman]

Save your money. I've still got contacts. I'll do it for free.

How did you get up a couple of grand? I'm in the hole for a fair bit.

[Invader Zim]

Gutsy effort to produce a pitch like it, but when you have to win to win the series, why not?

Win the toss and you win the Test and series.

[JGK]

$200 on England for this match at 5.25 helps. Had a bit on them at the start of the series as well (although only about 3.40 I think).

One thing I've learned in the last little while is the unending ability of Ricky Ponting captained cricket teams to play below their potential. I made a tidy sum in the home Saffie series as well during the Perth and Melbourne tests.

[Bradman]

They had to do it mate. They had no choice. Should've sent someone else out to call. I think Puntwit has a shocking history with tosses.

[Bradman]

$200 on England for this match at 5.25 helps. Had a bit on them at the start of the series as well (although only about 3.40 I think).

One thing I've learned in the last little while is the unending ability of Ricky Ponting captained cricket teams to play below their potential. I made a tidy sum in the home Saffie series as well during the Perth and Melbourne tests.

Smart. Don't try spread betting, especially on Hussey. I'm a bit bitter and twisted at the mo so don't be offended when I say I hope it pisses down for the next three days.

[Guest]

I'm utterly amazed they've made a dustbowl, good on em'

And the other great thing was that they didn't pick Panesarse.

[Merlin]

The match ain't finished yet FFS.

As Katich pointed out in his interview yesterday - BOTH teams have to bat on it ... and at 58 - 3 England are still buried deep in the woods. Knock them over before lunch (or even tea) and Aus have over 2 days to graft to a win.

Re : win toss / win match ... true to a great extent, but the Aussie bowling first dig didn't exactly cover itself with glory ... with at least 4 maybe 5 England gimme wickets. A better effort with the ball (AND picking a genuine spinner) and Aus might only have had a 75 / 100 run defecit rather than 170.

This match is far from over.

[Bradman]

Would you like to offer odds.

[Merlin]

$200 on England for this match at 5.25 helps. Had a bit on them at the start of the series as well (although only about 3.40 I think).

Nice one !

I didn't do this game (should've because the odds on England were cute after the Headingley mauling).

But laid out heavy wedges back in Feb/March when Aus were kicking Saffie arse, on an England series win...
3-1 ( @10's but now dead) and 2-1 (@ 6/1 early doors).

A'int counting up as yet, but hopeful.

[JKLever]

Would you like to offer odds.

Australia are 5's in the betting exchanges - not the long odds chance some in here are trying to paint.

[Merlin]

Would you like to offer odds.

Nah Brads, but thanks for the thought mate !
I'd rather bet than lay ... and Ladbrokes "owe" me !!

[Bradman]

500-1 would be a fair turn about.

[taipan]

So if England win will the players pass the hat around for the groundsman like they do in India?

[Hass]

Can we have more pitches like this please?

I'm sure the groundsman took the balance of the series into account when preparing this strip, but it's good for the game.

If England were one up and he'd prepared a road then we'd have a reason to criticise him. But they're not and he didn't, so bravo to the groundsman.

[Zat]

I'd love to see more wickets similar to this in Test cricket, but perhaps coming up like this a day later than it has.

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