The body may be on its last legs but Flintoff is well and truly up for this particular Ashes series. A quick glance at his bowling speeds demonstrates that Flintoff is determined to enjoy his final few test matches. There are not many bowlers in World cricket who can bowl with such pace and hostility for long periods. The fact they are against Australia will make them extra special. He might have a few niggles but you would not notice due to his 90mph plus deliveries.
Winning an Ashes test for the first time in 75 years is highly significant. This is usually one English venue that inspires the Aussies and hampers the home side. On this occasion, nothing was further from the truth. England dominated this match from start to finish with the minor exception of some admirable resistance from Clarke and Haddin.
Not everything is rosy for England with concerns over Kevin Pietersen and his Achilles injury. If the problem persists, then an opportunity for Ian Bell or Rob Key will beckon. Both players would be determined to grasp an Ashes call up. If that happens, Michael Vaughan will privately be kicking himself for retiring. Bell would probably be the favourite as he has not been short of runs for his county since being dropped.
Graham Onions did not pull any trees up so the selectors might decide to go for the pace and hostility of Steve Harmison for the 3rd test at Edgbaston. Even though Harmy has had countless second chances his inclusion could be an inspired selection. Harmison has always been more effective at home. He may be considering calling it a day himself at some point at least where overseas tours are concerned. There is no better stage than the Ashes to call time on a test career. That could give him the perfect encouragement to produce his best performance.
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Monday, 20 July 2009
Monday, 13 July 2009
Monty And Jimmy Save The Day
It took a while to get going but the 1st test of this Ashes series finally delivered some excitement for the home supporters. On the final day England had an unlikely challenge of batting for a huge 90 plus overs. The task looked doomed to failure with England losing regular wickets throughout the day.
The top 3 batsmen failed in both innings and should take a good look at themselves after letting the side down. It was left to the lower order and they came to the rescue with notable contributions from Flintoff, Swann and especially Collingwood. The last two of Anderson and Panesar played with distinction and negotiated the final tense minutes. What looked an Australian win turned into a draw although it felt more like an England victory.
In this test match Australia was the better outfit in all departments. They batted better, bowled better and fielded better. England was fortunate to escape with a draw. On the other hand, it shows what could happen if batsmen play with discipline and maintain concentration. Most of the top order batsmen got themselves out by playing poor and unnecessary shots.
The experiment with playing two spinners backfired partly because Australia turned the tables on England. They posted enough runs in the 1st innings to ensure that England would be batting last on a supposedly turning pitch. In truth, the pitch was flat and had the draw written all over it but England made life difficult as per usual.
Some fine tuning is required with regard to selection for the next test. Genuine pace is required to get the Aussie batsmen jumping around. Panesar will probably make way for Harmison, Onions or Sidebottom as England search for a formula that will deliver 20 wickets.
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The top 3 batsmen failed in both innings and should take a good look at themselves after letting the side down. It was left to the lower order and they came to the rescue with notable contributions from Flintoff, Swann and especially Collingwood. The last two of Anderson and Panesar played with distinction and negotiated the final tense minutes. What looked an Australian win turned into a draw although it felt more like an England victory.
In this test match Australia was the better outfit in all departments. They batted better, bowled better and fielded better. England was fortunate to escape with a draw. On the other hand, it shows what could happen if batsmen play with discipline and maintain concentration. Most of the top order batsmen got themselves out by playing poor and unnecessary shots.
The experiment with playing two spinners backfired partly because Australia turned the tables on England. They posted enough runs in the 1st innings to ensure that England would be batting last on a supposedly turning pitch. In truth, the pitch was flat and had the draw written all over it but England made life difficult as per usual.
Some fine tuning is required with regard to selection for the next test. Genuine pace is required to get the Aussie batsmen jumping around. Panesar will probably make way for Harmison, Onions or Sidebottom as England search for a formula that will deliver 20 wickets.
The Complete Cricket Trading Solution For Betfair Profits.
Tuesday, 7 July 2009
Fasten Your Seatbelts For The Ashes 2009
The wait is finally over and the Ashes 2009 series is about to get underway. It feels like an age since the 5-0 whitewash down under in 2006/07. During that series England got most things wrong while the Aussies did everything right. This time things should be a little different. Australia is without a host of players who have retired. England will be glad to see the back of Warne, McGrath and Gilchrist to name but three.
The two sides are relatively evenly matched on paper with several players being new to the whole Ashes experience. It promises to be a series with some interesting battles between batsmen and bowlers. Australia is not a team of mugs as the recent series win in South Africa proved. They are still up there in number one spot with the Springboks and India competing to dethrone them.
The spin department is the obvious weakness Australia has to overcome. In contrast England has an embarrassment of riches with Swann, Panesar and Rashid competing for a place. If the pitches are conducive to spin this summer, the aforementioned trio will play a major role in deciding the outcome.
England also has options in the fast bowling department. Anderson and Broad will continue to develop and Flintoff will have a point to prove after the last Ashes series. The captaincy of Strauss will be crucial especially if he finds himself in a position to declare. Positive and aggressive cricket is essential if you want to succeed against Australia.
For the Australians batsman Philip Hughes and bowler Mitchell Johnson have impressed in recent months. Both players will be eager to make their mark on an Ashes series. Johnson in particular has starred with the ball but has also demonstrated a flair for batting which promises to give him all rounder status.
The series should be very close with a 2-1 score line looking the most likely outcome. Whether it is to be in favour of England or Australia is debatable. Much depends on Flintoff and Pietersen and whether they can remain free from injury. If those two players enjoy a productive summer then it is hard to see England losing. Fasten your seatbelts and let us hope we are in for a repeat of 2005. That will do nicely.
The Complete Cricket Trading Solution For Making Money On Betfair.
The two sides are relatively evenly matched on paper with several players being new to the whole Ashes experience. It promises to be a series with some interesting battles between batsmen and bowlers. Australia is not a team of mugs as the recent series win in South Africa proved. They are still up there in number one spot with the Springboks and India competing to dethrone them.
The spin department is the obvious weakness Australia has to overcome. In contrast England has an embarrassment of riches with Swann, Panesar and Rashid competing for a place. If the pitches are conducive to spin this summer, the aforementioned trio will play a major role in deciding the outcome.
England also has options in the fast bowling department. Anderson and Broad will continue to develop and Flintoff will have a point to prove after the last Ashes series. The captaincy of Strauss will be crucial especially if he finds himself in a position to declare. Positive and aggressive cricket is essential if you want to succeed against Australia.
For the Australians batsman Philip Hughes and bowler Mitchell Johnson have impressed in recent months. Both players will be eager to make their mark on an Ashes series. Johnson in particular has starred with the ball but has also demonstrated a flair for batting which promises to give him all rounder status.
The series should be very close with a 2-1 score line looking the most likely outcome. Whether it is to be in favour of England or Australia is debatable. Much depends on Flintoff and Pietersen and whether they can remain free from injury. If those two players enjoy a productive summer then it is hard to see England losing. Fasten your seatbelts and let us hope we are in for a repeat of 2005. That will do nicely.
The Complete Cricket Trading Solution For Making Money On Betfair.
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