The “Real” death of English Cricket

[Barry FooteParticipant @barryfoote68385]

Now then, after another great days cricket at Lords, with the game swinging both ways, have we finally converted The Fat Controller to the worlds best sport??

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

NO

[Barry FooteParticipant @barryfoote68385]

Yet another great day, particularly for the England supporters. The ball doing more than yesterday and 8 Aussie wickets in the day. Can they save the follow on? I reckon not, but with this game anything is possible……Keep your fingers and toes crossed Peter!!

[Peter FitnessParticipant @peterfitness34857]

I am Barry, I’m looking like a contortionist at present 

 

As far as Paul goes, I’m afraid some people are beyond help, and are destined to remain Philistines forever  At least he builds great model boats.

 

Peter. 

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Peter / Barry

 

I am sorry to say that Cricket leaves me cold…..I did try to get involved in the game, at school I was a good bowler and had a mean spin that defeated the sports master on more than one occasion (he didnt like that at all and I was never asked to join the school team)

In later life I rented a box at Old Traffod for a one day match and took some chums to make an event out of the day, but whilst I enjoyed the company the game failed to inspire.

Perhaps if the thread was about rugby…………………….

 

Paul

[Barry FooteParticipant @barryfoote68385]

Peter……..Peter………Where are you?????It’s gone very quiet over there!!!!!

[Peter FitnessParticipant @peterfitness34857]

I’m still here, Barry, I’m the eternal optimist. We might succeed in a record runs chase, it might rain, pigs might fly, I might win the lottery…..anything is possible.

 

Peter. 

[neil hpParticipant @neilhp]

Oh peter, what an injustice………..we had to cheat to beat you………I’m sure the umpire’s hands had been brushed with silver……..never mind, we’ll still revell in it,lol

[Peter FitnessParticipant @peterfitness34857]

Neil, I would never accuse England of cheating, but I do believe the umpires made some appalling decisions. I can understand the on field umpires making a few mistakes, but I cannot undrstand how the video umpire can fail to see what is glaringly obvious to everyone else – Andrew Strauss’s “catch” for example.

 

That said, I firmly believe the better side won, and if Australia had pulled off an impossible win, it would have been a miscarriage of justice. England simply out batted and out bowled Australia.

 

Well done England.  

[neil hpParticipant @neilhp]

I agree with you totally about the two “outs” that were “in”.

It just shows that even with the 3rd umpire we humans are all too infalable….pity we didn’t have that umpire on the Rugby world cup a little while back………………lol

 

I shall say nothing more about that one………just supplying the bullets,lol

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Still, as I’m sure Neil will agree, umpiring cricket matches is nowhere near as risky as judging model boat competitions!

 

Colin 

[Peter FitnessParticipant @peterfitness34857]

Colin I’ve heard that model boat judging can be a hazardous occupation 

 

Neil, rugby……rugby….I’ve heard of it……..I remember, it’s that game  where you need to be a barrister to understand all the many interpretations of the hundreds of laws just so you can be a referee, then you still get it wrong more often than not.

 

Peter. 

[neil hpParticipant @neilhp]

I once umpired a grudge match against another school of teachers that we used to play annually.I ruled one of my own team out for LBW………I had to buy my own beer all night.

never umpired another match again.lol

[Peter FitnessParticipant @peterfitness34857]

I’m often critical of umpires and referees, but I wouldn’t be one for any money.

 

Peter. 

[Barry FooteParticipant @barryfoote68385]

With some luck the rain may save Australia this time!!!I have to say that neither side is as good as it was in 2005, but Australia have been woeful…..and very disappointing..

[Peter FitnessParticipant @peterfitness34857]

I agree completely, Barry, Australia have been extremely disappointing, with both bat and ball. I was not confident going into the series, and my confidence has sunk even lower as the series progresses. I don’t know what has happened to Mitchell Johnson, he is way out of form, and bowling dreadfully.

 

Unfortunaltely, the Birmingham weather seems to have ruined any chance of a result in the current match, which may be just as well for the Aussies. We are going to have to produce a form reversal of epic proportions to have any chance of retaining the Urn. 

 

Peter. 

[Barry FooteParticipant @barryfoote68385]

The thing with Johnson is unusual, but with his low action, it does not take much for the ball to come out wrong. Mind you it does not take much for it to start coming out right either and then we will be in trouble………I just hope he does not get over the “yips” till the end of this tour!!

[Peter FitnessParticipant @peterfitness34857]

It’s been very quiet here lately, I wonder why  Could it be that Australia has had that “form reversal of epic proportions” that I mentioned earlier. Maybe the fact that Johnson has recovered from the “yips”…and also the selectors FINALLY decided to include Stuart Clark. have something to do with that reversal.

 

Peter. 

Edited By Peter Fitness on 10/08/2009 07:56:50

[Barry FooteParticipant @barryfoote68385]

Peter,

 

I am still in shock at the site of English batsmen simply giving their wickets away, against what is at best a reasonably good attack.

 

I know the Australians are now bowling better, but when you look at some of the great attacks they have had, this one should not scare a decent team….

 

well done to Ricky Ponting and his team though…..Roll on The Oval……..I think!! 

[Peter FitnessParticipant @peterfitness34857]

You’re quite right, Barry. Our attack has improved, but they’re certainly no Glenn McGrath, Dennis Lillee or Shane Warne. Mind you, not many of their class come along in a lifetime, and it’s taken Aussie cricket a long time to recover from their retirement, particularly Warne.

 

England can recover, especially if Flintoff plays, but whether they can actually win remains to be seen. All we need is a draw, but to go into the match with that attitude would be inviting disaster. 

 

Peter. 

[Barry FooteParticipant @barryfoote68385]

Well Peter, I feel this thread should be renamed……..the Real death of Australian Cricket…..

 

About to lose a series to a rather poor England team. Australia have 4 of the top 5 batsmen. 4 of the top 5 bowlers and still lose………I think heads will roll.. 

[neil hpParticipant @neilhp]

Arrrhhhh…………revenge is sweet.!!!!!  

[Barry FooteParticipant @barryfoote68385]

Quite right Neil………..An amazing feeling, particularly after a 5-0 drubbing last time. All that said, well done to Ricky Ponting and his team. he really is one of the games great playrers and captain. He should retain his position and keep his head held high……

 

Well done England   

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

What a pity we couldn`t watch the match, like we used to?

 

They could have at least broadcast the final on BBC?

 

Was very exciting, all the same!….Well done you chaps!

 

Bob

[Barry FooteParticipant @barryfoote68385]

…..Any one seen Peter lately??????

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