Cricket Thread

[TonyDA]

The Ashes 2006/07 - England Vs Australia - Official Thread

Not sure if there is enough demand for a cricket thread - if not, i'll talk to myself for a while, then toddle off somewhere else!

The First Test starts in a few hours, at the Gabba in Brisbane. Pretty soon we'll know whether Fletcher and Flintoff went for the "safe" option, spinner wise, by picking Ashley Giles as opposed to Monty Panesar.

Anyone staying up? Sky's coverage starts at 11pm, with the first ball to be bowled at midnight. Think i'll watch the first session before creeping to bed.

[TonyDA]

Yes, I'm aware The Ashes is cricket, not football - and i've placed it in the wrong forum.

Mods, if you're watching, can you move please?

[Kongster]

BBC2 will have highlights this week, I believe.

[prinnysquad]

I predict a whupping for our boys. Simon Jones is a huge miss, has been for a year and a half.

[VR46]

I think we'll give them a good run for their money, really looking forward to the series, to beat them and retain the Ashes on their soil would be a real kick in the balls

[KingJames]

Not looking good right now - 159/2 and they're ticking along quite nicely...

[Cranky]

Ponting just scored his century. Many people regard him as the best Australian batsman since Bradman.

An opinion that is very hard to argue against...

[Supergoal]

Going to get leatherd really eh? Though It has been kind of obvious that we'd get it coming since a little after the ashes win...

[Mystery-C]

Interesting first ball from Harmison, do you think he was feeling the pressure.

I hope we can hang on in tomorrow, a few early wickets and we are back in it, the wicket doesn't sound like it has got much in it, but no doubt they will be hoping it scuffs up a bit for Warne.

A draw would be an excellent result right now.

[Cranky]

Considering the spin that Pieterson got off the wicket, I think it's safe to assume Warne is sitting back in the dressing rooms with a smile like a split watermelon.

[VR46]

Well two days in and we're getting well done over, we never seem to start any Test series well.

Australia 602-9 dec v England 53-3

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/england/6177158.stm

[Mystery-C]

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear.

Does anyone know the weather forecast for the next 3 days out there???

I think i will be doing a little rain dance this afternoon. I was hoping that yesterday was just going to be a blip but didn't prove to be. All we can hope for is a bit of Flintoff/Pieterson magic, 80 plus from each would be nice and try to hold on for a draw.

We do always seem to struggle with the first test, it's like we don't know what to expect.

I'm glad i don't live in central london, it would be unbearable with all the aussies there.

[Cranky]

No rain forecast.

Harmison really had to bowl in the lead up game aginst South Australia in my opinion. You can't go into a test with stuff all game fitness. He should have played side strain or not. Mabey he can find some form in the second innings.

Geeze McGrath still has it.

[Spagoli]

We are stuffed in the first test, only think thats gonna save us is freedie hitting 300 not out, problem is that aint gonna take longe enough and we are still 300 behind! Oh well theres a long way to go yet.

[Jebus]

Personally I think we're being as negative as we can possibly be. Where is Monty, one of our form bowlers? Giles is excellent but hasn't bowled for a year. Harmy gave away 100+ runs with not enough wickets...not good.

Yet again, hideously negative tactics from an England test team. Not the time to be hysterical though, it's just the first test...