Vaughan is hopelessly out of form and I suspect might end up in “Ganguly” mode as the Ashes progresses. Flintoff’s batting form is in bad shape too. Pieterson has sealed his position with two fine knocks. The Aussies have proved once again that they are an incredibly strong test side. I’ll be surprised if they loose even one test this series.
At present it looks unlikely that fighting John Roberts candidacy will win them any political mileage. It might be prudent for the Democrats to pass on this battle and instead go after the Karl Rove controversy.
It will be really cool start to the Ashes if Engaland manages a victory here, perhaps with some heroics from Pieterson! Dream on 🙂
Sometimes when I drive through the fastrak lane on Dumbarton bridge, I don’t see the sensor go off and the display read “VALID”. Instead the display remains blank and there is no beep. I wonder why? Am I getting a free ride? 🙂
This match was almost a mirror image of the first match of the Natwest Challenge. The performances where identical:
Collingwood => Brett Lee
Trescothic => Ponting
Vaughan => Martin
Hussey => Flintoff
Fine “leading from the front” knock from Ponting. The now familiar England batting collapse followed by a middle order fight back. Flintoff finally made a big score.
At least we now have a final match to look forward to. I hope its more evenly matched unlike the first two matches where the scores and performances where identical except the roles where reversed.
We returned to this restuarant (mostly because its a little out of the way) after a few years and definitely found it worth our while.
I think Aussies are making a mistake by persisting with the same team match after match. Gillespie needs to be replaced. While Hayden needs a break. Shaun Tait and Katich deserve to be brought in.
Its a pity the new rules had little impact on the match.
The Aussie’s are still struggling. They no longer look like a champion, unbeatable side. All out under 50 overs for a score of less than 200! Hussey is a great find. I think Katich should be brought in place of Hayden (who hasn’t made a big score in a long time). Gillespie could use a break. He has become the weak link in their bowling attack. Shaun Tait or whoeverelse is on the bench should be given a shot. After the wonderful opening spells from McGrath and Lee, Symonds kept one end tight, but Gillespie was exposed. Ponting’s gamble of going for wickets caused him dearly because his best three (McGrath, Lee and Symonds) had very few overs left and Collingwood and Jones setlled in well by the time Hogg came on. It might have proved better if he had introduced Hogg earlier in the attack promptly after England were reduced to 33 for 5. In a desperate attempt to hit their way out of trouble the England batsmen might have tried to attack Hogg and lost their wickets. I guess Ponting had more faith in his bowling attack to get the needed breakthoughs.
England’s top order is in bad shape. But their bowling looks very strong. Most importantly, they appear to be an inspired, fighting unit just when the Aussie’s seem vulnerable.
It will be very interesting to see the new ICC rules for ODI in action in the three-match Natwest Challenge.
Pakora Korner 