Match Thread: 1st Ashes Test

Rob · #1 July 20, 2005, 09:59 AM

Here we go then.

Like other England fans I am getting nervous, I just can't wait for this series to get started. It just has a special feeling about it.

The media hype over here in the UK has been incredible, in some cases laughable. The war of words between the two sides has been quite funny as well. Matthew Hoggard has said "It will be interesting to see whether McGrath has enough left in him to get through 5 tests almost back to back", and McGrath himself has predicted a 5-0 whitewash.

Most of these comments are not serious, the players on both sides are just winding each other up.

I think Australia will win this series 3-2. Personally, I think anyone who thinks 5-0 to Australia is deluded, there is no way that will happen.

Its a pity for England there is no test at Headingley, they like playing Australia there.

Australia look to be back to there best with the batting but I am unconvinced about the bowling. If England can survive the early onslaught I think there are big totals there for the taking. I have watched Warne a lot this season and he doesn't look as good as he was. He has been bowling around the wicket a lot like Giles in a negative manner and has been getting quite a bit of tap. He isn't a pre-ordered buffet by any means though, the pitches are dry at the moment in the UK, he will still be hard to play. I see McGrath as Australias biggest bowling threat.

Englands batsman are key for this series I think. Top order collapses are a famous trademark of the England one side so I am not overly concerned about the collapses in the one dayers. The top order in tests has been solid for a long time now. England need to get good starts when batting. There is a lot of inexperience in the middle order, numbers 4-7 are all on Ashes debut which could work for or against England.

Anyway, I am losing patience. I want this test to get started!!!

Discuss the match on this thread.

1st Ashes Test Match of 5,
Lords,
21st - 25th July 2005,
Start Time: 10.30am Local Time.

Forecast

Met Office | BBC Weather

Coverage

Live on Channel 4 (UK)
CricInfo Live Text Commentary
CricBuzz - Live Text and Free Audio Coverage
TMS Commentary on BBC Radio 4 LW, 5Live Sports Extra and streaming via. BBC cricket Website

Tintin · #2 July 20, 2005, 10:15 AM

Tremlett No.12 for England

Akib · #3 July 20, 2005, 02:40 PM

Good Luck Peiterson..... I hope that England win this one...

RazabQ · #4 July 20, 2005, 03:08 PM

If the England team hadn't acted with such little class with Bangladesh, I'd have been more pre-disposed towards an English victory. As it is, to quote someone here, "one sided matches demean Test cricket", in this case while it faces an onslaught from footy. Hence I hope for an England win :-)

*reverse_swing* · #5 July 20, 2005, 03:23 PM

This match thread is unique in one sense that one foreign poster opened this thread. Although GB�s mom saga pissed me off but I�ll go for England in this series. Go england go.

Edited on, July 20, 2005, 8:24 PM GMT, by rezwan1977.

Mr-khan · #6 July 20, 2005, 03:24 PM

My prediction for tomorrow
If England bat 1st
1st innings 250+ allout and Australia 180+/3
If Australia bat first
1st innings 380+/8 or allout.

RazabQ · #7 July 20, 2005, 04:07 PM

BTW I reckon that Tremlett is a prospect. An English Bruce Reid if you will.

Fazal · #8 July 20, 2005, 04:52 PM

I am looking for a 5-0 whitewash. But will be happy with a 2+ margin win ( 3-1, 4-1, 5-0, etcx).

This time no mercy.

Rob · #9 July 20, 2005, 05:20 PM

5-0 won't happen. 3-1 or 3-2 is realistic though I think.

Damn I can't wait.

Mr-khan · #10 July 20, 2005, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rob
5-0 won't happen. 3-1 or 3-2 is realistic though I think.

Damn I can't wait.

Haha haha haha..keep dreaming.

BanCricFan · #11 July 20, 2005, 05:28 PM

Good luck England! Good luck Rob!

c'mon england! c'mon england!

This will be a very close Ashes. I wont be surprised if England nicks it 3-2!

c'mon england! c'mon england!

Rob · #12 July 20, 2005, 05:31 PM

I will just say for the final time that anyone who knows anything about cricket is deluded if they think it will be 5-0. Also, anyone who cares about cricket would know that a 5-0 Aussie win would be very bad for the game, we need competition not one team wiping the arses of every team around it.

These are reasonably matched teams. Evenly the crap England teams of the 90's were able to win at least one test against Australia sides better than this one. This is the best England team for 20 years!

I still think we will lose but NOT 5-0. Thats the last I have to say on this 5-0 rubbish.

Edited on, July 20, 2005, 10:34 PM GMT, by Rob.

Akib · #13 July 20, 2005, 06:16 PM

I think that it will be 3-1 or 4-1 depending on rain.

billah · #14 July 20, 2005, 06:24 PM

So, even Rob agrees that it will be a 9-0, regardless of the details.

Well, talking time is indeed over. The first day (usually the most difficult for batting at lords) will tell a lot. I think Australia will win comfortably.

Good luck all.

jabbar · #15 July 20, 2005, 07:56 PM

5-0 rob

Aussies are going to wipe the pitches with English [ ]. Aussies are just playng with you guys - now the real pain begins

Edited on, July 21, 2005, 12:59 AM GMT, by reverse_swing.
Reason: mod.content: Please refrain from using strong words. Thanks.

Carte Blanche · #16 July 20, 2005, 08:05 PM

Ahh, you should have made a poll with that to see how divided we are. May be next time

newbie · #17 July 20, 2005, 09:07 PM

A 5-0 whitewash is as unlikely as BD defeating Sri Lanka... sorry for the pessimism. But this also means "I wish it would happen"

Beamer · #18 July 20, 2005, 09:49 PM

I know right now that Pietersen is the darling of every English fan. He did make a strong case for himself to be included and did so at the expense of Thorpe, who is a top notch player in my book. But, I feel this English middle order is too inexperineced and too attacking. Bell, Petersen and Flintoff makes a very compelling middle order, when on song, can tear into any attack. What I would like to see is how they respond if the openers fail . Thorpe was a master of grafting, a solid player, who had the ability to play according to the situation. And, if the sitauion was bad, you could count on him to rebuild the innings. Pietersen and Flintoff are an unknown commodity under such situations. It remains to be seen how they hold up at the first sign of trouble. We will find out in this Ashes. Actualy, I would have played Thorpe, Peietersen and Flintoff, all three of them. Freddie batting at seven, GO as eight and three bowlers. Simon Jones sitting out !

bangla_amar · #19 July 20, 2005, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jabbar
5-0 rob

Aussies are going to wipe the pitches with English [ ]. Aussies are just playng with you guys - now the real pain begins

This goes a long way to show your total ignorance about international cricket.

bangla_amar · #20 July 20, 2005, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rob
I will just say for the final time that anyone who knows anything about cricket is deluded if they think it will be 5-0. Also, anyone who cares about cricket would know that a 5-0 Aussie win would be very bad for the game, we need competition not one team wiping the arses of every team around it.

These are reasonably matched teams. Evenly the crap England teams of the 90's were able to win at least one test against Australia sides better than this one. This is the best England team for 20 years!

I still think we will lose but NOT 5-0. Thats the last I have to say on this 5-0 rubbish.

Edited on, July 20, 2005, 10:34 PM GMT, by Rob.

Don't even bother about those people who are talking about 5-0 whitewash. When is the last time England lose to anyside 5-0? And here we are talking about an England side which did not lose a single test last year. You guys are outta your mind.

By the way, Rob, why don't you arrange some live streaming? In this way you are guranteed to get some real support from BD fans!

How much I would miss watch this series! Darn! That willow TV sucks...so expensive!

Realistically, at least some video highlights? Whatever happened to that ECB video highlights? Are they done for this summer after the first test against Bangladesh? Pretty lame!

England will give Aus a real run for their money! At least that I hope....

When was the last time I was so excited about a game not involving Bangladesh or West Indies?

Edited on, July 21, 2005, 3:57 AM GMT, by bangla_amar.

RazabQ · #21 July 20, 2005, 11:30 PM

Ya Rob, hook a brutha up with some highlights. I spent my cricket budget on the natwest/Sri Lanka tour package. Did get the 3 challenge matches as an unexpected bonus but now would love to get highlights.

thebest · #22 July 21, 2005, 12:10 AM

KP would be next Hick. I remember the same kind of hoopla just b4 Hick's debut. In fact Hick was quite outstanding in FC againest the WI. I think England would regret dropping Thorpe. He was the base of the team - the unsung hero. My heart wish a competative series but head it is Australian juggernat continue. Remember South Africa - the contender. I Think it was 5-0 out of 6. The same drama would be happed except instaed of SA it is England. Sorry Rob, after Vaughan /GO cheating and JB comment I can not support Eng though Freddi is one of my favourite.

mwrkhan · #23 July 21, 2005, 12:40 AM

I hope the ommission of Graeme Thorpe does not come back to haunt England.

2Ws · #24 July 21, 2005, 03:35 AM

i think Auss will win this Ashes ......surely England will give them a tough time but they are not capable enough to win the Ashes .....England will miss Thorpe, they may have included him in place of Ian Bell

Xavier · #25 July 21, 2005, 05:31 AM

When did Australia lose last series?

btw Cricinfo is reporting of Ponting being injured, bleeding on the face!