The Ashes

[minestrone]

Two clueless captains, two average attacks and a terrible wicket for test match cricket.

How to kill off test cricket....

To be honest that shows how little you know about the game, in the eyes of the public that was a classic.

[BrilloPad]

Well done England

[PM-Junkie]

To be honest that shows how little you know about the game, in the eyes of the public that was a classic.

Well, we'll see shall we? I guarantee that ponting will be torn to shreds by his press, and rightly so....and strauss has been equally rubbish - though whether the british press picks up on that is another matter. When the dust settles and people look at how both teams played, the summary won't be "what a great game, didn't both teams play well". Australia batted superbly against some decidedly average bowling...that's about it.

And like I say, I hope someone is hung out to dry for playing the game there in the first place. But I won't hold my breath.

[minestrone]

Well, we'll see shall we? I guarantee that ponting will be torn to shreds by his press, and rightly so....and strauss has been equally rubbish - though whether the british press picks up on that is another matter. When the dust settles and people look at how both teams played, the summary won't be "what a great game, didn't both teams play well". Australia batted superbly against some decidedly average bowling...that's about it.

And like I say, I hope someone is hung out to dry for playing the game there in the first place. But I won't hold my breath.

I doubt that very much, Ponting has the full backing of the country and they respect the fact that he is bringing a young team to the series. The fact that his team batted just once and nearly won the game will be recognised and his perfect timing of the declaration which was pin point when you look at where the game ended up.

I can also say that I have and watched many hundreds of test matches far more dull than that.

[oracleslave]

Well I thought that was a thoroughly entertaining last day. On the one hand I am thrilled that England managed to hang on for the draw as that sets up the remaining four games nicely. On the other hand I wouldn't have minded England getting the hammering they somewhat deserve. The noise coming from the press, players, supporters and general public about what a good chance they have, the constant reminder of 2005 ( which if Mcgrath had stayed fit throughout would have been very different) and the refusal to accept that in the interceding years since 2005 England have been ordinary at best is pathetic. What on earth made everyone think they were world beaters and favourites to beat the number one team on the planet is beyond me. Hopefully (although I have my doubts) they approach the next test with a bit more respect for the opposition and their own recent modest achievements and some reality sets in. Having said that I hope England somehow find a way to sneak the series but I can't see it happening at this stage.

Edit: Well played Paul Collingwood. I wouldn't have picked you for the series, I was wrong.

[dozer]

id be interested to know exactly what ponting was supposed to have done wrong apart from not taking the last wicket? wtf was the physio and the 12th man doing on the field? and please please stfu about 2005.

[bodnobal]

If that was what you call a game of Cricket, 20/20 will be all but left of the game in 20 years time.

Shameful excuse for a game called sport that match.

[shaunbhoy]

I was there on day one, and it was an atmosphere-free zone. If I hadn't known better and someone told me it was an ashes test match, I would have thought they were lying.

Yeah, but it was probably down to the fact that it was held in Wales, and that allowed your petty "Little Englander" prejudices to kick in, much the same as they do when Andy Murray plays tennis. Thankfully nobody takes your rants very seriously.

[Mich the Tester]

Well done Monty and Anderson for rescuing England's batting order. I don't really understand why Ponting left two spinners on to bowl the last few overs; surely if there's one thing a tail ender hates it's facing a spinner at one end and a quickie at the other?

[PM-Junkie]

Yeah, but it was probably down to the fact that it was held in Wales, and that allowed your petty "Little Englander" prejudices to kick in, much the same as they do when Andy Murray plays tennis. Thankfully nobody takes your rants very seriously.

Try not to be a moron all your life eh? Exactly how is agreeing with the view that the first ashes test should never have been moved from lords, or the fact that I, like a lot of people, can't stand murray exhibiting "petty little englander prejudices"???

Morons like you who scream racism at the drop of a hat are a pain in the neck.