The Ashes
 

A Great British summer of sports, Lions victors, that scottish twat, Froome to win the TdF and can England do it?

England won the toss and will bat, hope the weather holds in Nottingham, this first test is a vital win for us.

Re: The Ashes
 

They've dropped Warner for a 19 year old rookie spinner , if he gets tapped about they could get a hiding !

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Aren't you nervous though?

I mean we thought we'd waltz around Aus smashing them on the Lions tour and it was a lot harder (initially) than we thought.

I'm thinking:

Draw
Eng
Aus
Eng
Eng

Re: The Ashes
 

Michael Clarke (Aussie Captain) on Ashton Agar's selection: "It's maybe a surprise to some but not to us he's bowled really well leading up to this match. England have a lot of right handers so I think he can play a big part in taking 20 wickets. Our chairman made it clear we had the option to bring other players in."

If he screws up we can have a run fest.

I think we'll win the first test - but bookies love me!

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You can never write them off mate . They'll battle until the very end even with a mediocre side which i believe they have at this present time . The Aussies have 2/3 class cricketers , not the 8/9 of the last 12 years in their side .

You need match winners in test cricket , it's the last gladiatorial sport for me , you need mental strength , killer judgement and tactics with great players in every position .

I think the England side have all those attributes . If they play to their ability they'll win The Ashes .

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TMS on BBC strike again - I quote:-

Former England captain Michael Vaughan, BBC Test Match Special
"You have to set the tone as an opening batsman and so far England have sent a nice message, they look in control, and Australia are so inexperienced. There has been enough through the air to create some opportunities but nerves have been a factor for the bowlers, there hasn't been the control."

Next over, Cook out for 13.

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Been watching it all day. I agree with scamp 3-1 to us though I think we will win this one and draw somewhere else. Will be interesting to see how KP does having played little cricket lately , I had decided single figures or a Ton - So a ton it must be..............

Re: The Ashes
 

You twat.

Out for 14.

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Wrote that as he threw his wicket................Still, good start by the bowlers.

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Absolutely. They've certainly made it interesting.

Wish I had OSN and Ramadan hours to take full advantage.

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Yes I'm really glad I have OSN, finish work at 2.30pm and have a good stock of beer. As for the cricket, we may struggle if Broady cannot bowl. I predict a narrow loss in this test as we always seem to play crap at Trent Bridge. Hope to win the series however. Bresnan would have done well on this pitch.

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Apparently Pinoy plus or something will get me the sports channels needed for only 130ish a month.

Ramadan hours may be irrelevant anyway, didn't leave the office until 19:15 last night anyway.

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You could watch on Laptop, or do you have people lurking behind you?

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Big statement from The Dean:

I happen to believe that Anderson's ball that removed Michael Clarke was one of the, say, ten best deliveries I have ever seen at any level in cricket. The term 'unplayable' doesn't do it justice. Anyone? :unsure:

Re: The Ashes
 

My laptop is now successfully hooked up to two screens. I site next to my boss but have a carefully positioned file holder to hide one of them.

I think I'll probably stream some of it today on that screen whilst bashing through linkedin on the other.

Definitely leaving on time today though.

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first session crucial today - I think we'll rattle them

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Totally agree, tremendous ball.

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Correct , swing , pace and even a turn at the end . There's not a batsman on the planet who would have picked that delivery .

Up there with the very best , the perfect ball !

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I hope you're right. We need a strong first session, 3ish wickets for not many runs.

If we can go in a few runs up, knock 250-300 and leave the something close to or starting with a 3 to chase I think we'll be in with a shout.

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200 will be enough lead ;)

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Broad is fit to bowl. So I think you're right.

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What about the Yorker from Siddle which dismissed Rooty (I think it was him) or do you only comment on England performances?

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If you want to comment on Siddle go to aussieexpatwankers.com.

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nothing happening for the seamers, need Swanny

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whats the best website to stream it on? PM anyone?

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Not at all - it just wasn't that good, and certainly not in the same realm as Anderson's. The latter was up there with 'that' Shane Warne ball to Mike Gatting in 1993.

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Found one :)

Good start to the day anyway. Smith was a massive wicket.

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113/6 now, still 102 lead, 4 left standing, hopefully we can get them all out and have a 50 lead. Swann and Anderson are bowling magnificently.

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Make that 7 down....

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make that 8 down..

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I was obviously talking shite 20 minutes ago :D

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117/9 - what happened?

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Wow.

Fall of wickets: 1-19 (Watson), 2-19 (Cowan), 3-22 (Clarke), 4-53 (Rogers), 5-108 (Smith), 6-113 (Haddin), 7-114 (Siddle), 8-114 (Starc), 9-117 (Pattinson).

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England decided to start playing.

Not a good summer to be an Aussie at the moment.

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There's never been a good summer to be an Aussie.

Do England have the best bowling attack in the world at the moment?

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haha!

I think anyone would find it very hard to convincingly argue against it. They are just continually pulling the batsmen out of the ****

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On par with S.A . Steyn and Morkel are a formidable attack

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Can't disagree with that.

I just hope Cook smashed a good few runs in the second innings. He's world class.

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250 will be enough to beat these . If Anderson can get a few more rabbits like that Phil Hughes then they could be in for a torrid summer .

Lets hope we bat like adults in the second innings , no need to go for every fu**ing ball in test cricket , school boy error !

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Not a bad last wicket stand this.