The Ashes 2013

rustynutz · **Reply #60: December 15, 2013, 08:30:56**

He's out for 112....

Shambles · **Reply #61: December 15, 2013, 09:37:47**

The English recovery starts now

Keith · **Reply #62: December 15, 2013, 14:32:53**

The change in each teams fortunes shows how quickly things can change doesn't it, it seems just weeks back we were all wondering what had happened to the Australian sport machine... Since then let's take a quick review...
Success in the Rugby League World Cup...
Success in Rugby Union...
Now the Ashes are going Down Under again...
Just the track cyclists need to step up and the swimmers at the next Olympics and the transformation is complete.

I'm hopeful England's Sports teams can respond likewise.....

Dazzler · **Reply #63: December 15, 2013, 19:41:13**

Our Golfer (Scott) is doing pretty well too..

Pity we are not the Tennis power we once were

I'm more of a Golf and Tennis fan than Rugby and Cricket

rustynutz · **Reply #64: December 16, 2013, 03:54:05**

Ok, Australia has just declared...6/369, a lead of 503.....

rustynutz · **Reply #65: December 16, 2013, 04:01:03**

First ball...out, bowled! Cook departs....

Shambles · **Reply #66: December 16, 2013, 09:03:02**

Just copied this from the BBC Test Match Special, right before the declaration:

Quote

Slow hand claps from the crowd as England waste time between the overs. Then the mother of all onslaughts from Bailey.

First he clips Anderson over the slips for four, then piles on yet more ignominy by clattering him over his head for a huge six.

Another four follows - then another six. And then another. One over long-off and one over long-on. No less than 28 runs off the over and the sight of their newest and least secure Test batsman effortlessly creaming our best bowler for six three times in an over just about sums it all up for me.

rustynutz · **Reply #67: December 16, 2013, 09:18:45**

At least your boys are putting up a fight now....4/206

rustynutz · **Reply #68: December 17, 2013, 06:54:14**

All over, the Ashes are coming down under....

rustynutz · **Reply #69: December 17, 2013, 13:46:25**

Mitch Johnson cries tears of emotion, Cook in pain as Australia reclaim the Ashes

BOWLING braveheart Mitch Johnson broke down in tears when the moment finally arrived and Australia reclaimed the Ashes.

Brad Haddin, whose middle order batting was so often the glue through the three Test victories, had the defining line: "We got 'em back" he said, over and over.

Captain Michael Clarke echoed that. "What an amazing performance," Clarke said. "We got 'em back, so it's a fantastic feeling."

Read more:

beerman · **Reply #70: December 22, 2013, 00:43:03**

Another England scalp, Swann retires.....jumped before he was pushed?

Graeme Swann in shock retirement from cricket

diablo · **Reply #71: December 22, 2013, 02:14:41**

Quote from: beerman on December 22, 2013, 00:43:03

Another England scalp, Swann retires.....jumped before he was pushed?

Graeme Swann in shock retirement from cricket

Well that is a bit of a surprise. Though as he says the series is lost and he had planned to retire before we grab the Ashes back in 2015.

The pitches didn't aid his bowling very much and his batting wasn't too great.

He has done very good work for the England team over the last few years though. The only other spinner to get more test wickets was Derek Underwood - and most of that that period was when the wickets weren't covered when it rained - so spinning was easy.

Quite a good item in the Telegraph -

Ashes 2013-14: Graeme Swann's retirement a savage blow for an England team

beerman · **Reply #72: December 22, 2013, 04:10:49**

It seemed to me from an interview I heard on the ABC that he may have already had the intent to retire before he came down under.

Now the Ashes are gone, he might as well hand the baton on to another spinner to get some match fitness in the dead rubbers before the team's next challenge. Unselfish and lets Monty get into the game again or he knew he was going to get dropped so pulled the pin before he was pushed.

Much the same way that AFL coaches start playing the young blokes when their finals dreams evaporate, the old blokes might get a farewell game somewhere, but getting games into the young players becomes the priority.

Ugly Mongrel · **Reply #73: December 29, 2013, 09:24:13**

happened to the Poms? They have gone from a lead of over 100 runs with 10 wickets in hand to getting flogged by 8 wickets in a.bit over one day's play.

Here was me thinking they were putting up a bit of a fight. They couldn't knock the top of a baked pudding.

Keith · **Reply #74: December 29, 2013, 14:13:51**

We're busted and know it.
It will be an interesting pointer to how bad England have become, or how good Australia are, when both sides have played the circuit a bit.

Maybe Mitchell is a new irresistible force or maybe England can't bat defensively...

No-one knows right now, but time will show us.

Phil №❶ · **Reply #75: December 29, 2013, 17:25:14**

There's a saying, "The fish smells from the head."

The English team need to be looking higher up for signs of leadership, there doesn't appear to be any at present. The coach and team manager are responsible while the team is on tour and they have let the team down badly.

How a player can be allowed to retire mid tour and actually return home before the conclusion of the tour is just unbelievable. He was given the honor of a Team Cap and is subsequently obliged to do his bit for the team, through to the end.

IMO.

Ugly Mongrel · **Reply #76: January 02, 2014, 08:39:28**

Ouch!!!!

A cricket fan's plea to end The Barmy Army noise pollution

Phil №❶ · **Reply #77: January 02, 2014, 09:21:12**

It's just Cricket evolution. Originally tea would be the drink of the day, not any more.

rustynutz · **Reply #78: January 02, 2014, 13:32:37**

Quote from: Ugly Mongrel on January 02, 2014, 08:39:28

Ouch!!!!

A cricket fan's plea to end The Barmy Army noise pollution

Couldn't agree more....

I do understand you poms singing and carrying on at the footy (soccer) as that is bloody boring and you lot have to do something while waiting forever for someone to perhaps score a goal...but, it's just not cricket at the cricket....

Keith · **Reply #79: January 02, 2014, 17:47:41**

Never, in the field of Cricket, have so many Aussies whinged so much about something so Pom!

Jeez guys your gonna whitewash us, at least don't be so girly about our supporters singing!

Phil №❶ · **Reply #80: January 02, 2014, 22:05:10**

Quote from: Keith on January 02, 2014, 17:47:41

Never, in the field of Cricket, have so many Aussies whinged so much about something so Pom!

.............................. Rat,tat,tat,tat,tat,tat,tat,tat..................................................

Keith · **Reply #81: January 02, 2014, 22:22:31**

Good spot Phil!

Lakes · **Reply #82: January 02, 2014, 22:58:19**

I think the Indian's are coming to play Cricket this year too?
where will we stand then

Phil №❶ · **Reply #83: January 02, 2014, 22:59:48**

In a circle

Keith · **Reply #84: January 02, 2014, 23:02:30**

Hahahaaa

rustynutz · **Reply #85: January 02, 2014, 23:30:29**

I'll probably be accused of being racist here but what is this bs aboriginal welcome thing at the cricket these days?

Have we handed our cricket grounds over to them or something?

Keith · **Reply #86: January 02, 2014, 23:42:01**

Aren't the Aboriginals the indigenous population Rusty?

Personally I'd say it's good of them to let you guys play on their land lol!

rustynutz · **Reply #87: January 02, 2014, 23:51:06**

I just get sick of all this pandering....Do other Countries do this with their indigenous population?

Keith · **Reply #88: January 03, 2014, 00:06:08**

Touchy subject huh mate? I was ripping the pi$$

The Yanks don't give sweet FA to the Red Injuns, the Maories (sp) don't do well with the sheep shafters and we all know what happened in Sth Africa...

Shambles · **Reply #89: January 03, 2014, 00:07:39**

All I know is... England have struck an early blow in Sydney

The Ashes 2013 - part two