Off Topic: The Ashes

That puts an end to the "can't get small totals theory" anyhow EH

According to the records it is the highest ever first innings declared, that has resulted in a loss.

Common sense tells you that a team that declares at 551, near the end of the second day couldn't possibly lose..... They'd either win or draw the test.

The only loser out of this will be test cricket. The English will have to revert to their old theory of "the first objective is to ensure we don't lose". A True and Tested Pommie Captain would have batted on for as long as the wickets lasted. 700 at tea on the third day would have ensured a draw.

All credit to Andrew Flintoff for making a semi sporting declaration.

Never in doubt!!!

Teabag,
In my honest opinion and in retrospect the poms lost the game by taking so long to get the 551 and having to declare perhaps 50-60 runs short.
Aint retrospect great.
Cheers,
Bros.

I dont watch many test matches..... I find them a little boring, but I always try watch the high lights to know what went on during the game.

I watched the last 2 days of the Adelaide test with great intrest. I couldnt leave the lounge room it was that good and tight. He wont take the credit for it but I think Warney won that game for the Aussies today. Both him and Clark bowled brilliantly Ya couldnt fault them. They all played the game of their lives today it couldnt be faulted.

Cheers Luke

I was lucky enough to have a day off work and watched the cricket today. Anyone who says cricket is the loser today misses the whole point.

4 days of artrition, arm wrestling then all of a sudden the Aussies pull off a win out of nowhere. That's what is so good about test cricket, anything can happen. It goes for 5 days, not 4 1/2. If you have a bad hour or two it could cost the match.

The shoe was on the other foot a couple of years ago in Adelaide against India when Aussies scored over 500 in first innings and lost in the last session on day 5.

This Aussie team have raised the bar and it's up to other countries to catch up. England will learn from this and come back, they wasted 4 good days play.

Barnesy

I hope the Aussies PUMP IT RIGHT UP 'EM!! And I'm a Pom!!

But I have a piece of paper that says I'm an "Orstralyun".

I'll never forgive the English for winning the Rugby World Cup with that drop goal by Johnny Wilkinson. They called themselves "World Champions" after that win,,,,,,,,,and then won only 2 games in ensuing 18 games. That's not the mark of a true "World Champion". It's the same with The Ashes - it was a fluke. The Poms haven't won anything big since The Battle Of Britain, and that was a bloody close game!! Poms - 9 minute wonders. Some of 'em still believe WE WON THE WAR and WE still have an EMPIRE and the map of the world is PINK all over!

Since the rugby, I've relished, delighted in, savoured every moment anything English gets a hammering. I shoulda known the Glory of England wouldn't last after Maggie Thatcher beat Argentina - hardly a world class game that was it? Hell bells - The Canary Islands could beat Argentina!!

The Ashes is now a dead rubber. Adelaide was the only game where the Poms had a chance of winning - and they couldn't do it. No class, no talent, can't bat, can't bowl. They may as well send Harmison home on the next plane. He's about as dangerous as a chicken salad! With exception of Hoggard, the rest of the bowlers would be leading lights in International Womens' Rounders.

I do, however, feel for Freddie Flintoff. He's a top bloke and a good captain, but it's hard to set a field for a bowler when even the bowler doesn't know where his balls are going to end up. Most English bowlers' balls should be sent back to England by the way - in a brown paper bag!

Don't ever upset The Aussies by telling 'em they're too old!!

Mind you, I reckon Hayden's gotta go and Martyn's gotta go.

Bilbo

I was working up in the ceiling of a building adjusting video equipment and my offsider was getting phone updates from his son as each English wicket fell. It probably added 30 minutes to the job!

We wrapped up in time so that I could listen to the last hour on the ABC on the way home.

What a great match.

Pete