The Ashes 13/14 - Swann Song
- Thread starter SydneySox
- Start date
Couple of tidbits from this afternoon.
Australian bowlers took six wicket sin less than an hour. Impressive.
The performance if the Aussie tail reminded me of Warne and Lee almost ten years ago when they came back to within two of England to almost win. If only Shane doesn't step into the wicket!
Australian bowlers took six wicket sin less than an hour. Impressive.
The performance if the Aussie tail reminded me of Warne and Lee almost ten years ago when they came back to within two of England to almost win. If only Shane doesn't step into the wicket!
Today was exactly what the series needed. It kinda reminds me of the first test in 1997, when the visiting and favored side (Australia) came in undercooked and underprepared and utterly collapsed in its first innings. England went on to win, but Australia rallied in their second innings and began to show the dominance they would eventually show throughout the rest of the series; assuming England can begin to bat properly second time around, a loss in this match won't be the end of the world.
Warner and Clark with the century and the half at just about the same time.
Syd with the diamond duck.
Lara Bingle looks like a really hot duck.
It's all happening!
Syd with the diamond duck.
Lara Bingle looks like a really hot duck.
It's all happening!
Trott just pulled a Trescothick.
http://m.heraldsun.com.au/sport/cricket/embattled-england-no3-jonathan-trott-flies-home-with-a-stressrelated-illness/story-fni2usfi-1226768146271
He's been playing terrible cricket but this is a definite blow for England.
http://m.heraldsun.com.au/sport/cricket/embattled-england-no3-jonathan-trott-flies-home-with-a-stressrelated-illness/story-fni2usfi-1226768146271
He's been playing terrible cricket but this is a definite blow for England.
Makes Warner's comments look a bit crass.
I thought Warner's comments were a bit much before this news broke.
Now they just seem uncannily accurate.
I thought Warner's comments were a bit much before this news broke.
Now they just seem uncannily accurate.
It's David Warner - he's a stupid asshole.
Both of these teams are full of them; assholes that I hate cheering for as people. Warner, Watson, Johnson are just assholes. Every time they open their mouths to speak, baby unicorns die.
Both of these teams are full of them; assholes that I hate cheering for as people. Warner, Watson, Johnson are just assholes. Every time they open their mouths to speak, baby unicorns die.
Hiya. I don't know anything about cricket, but I have a good friend who is gutted he can't see this live/get reliable video results here in the States. I realize this particular test is over, but is there a link for the future?
Thanks. May all your bowlers be bouncy, or whatever is good in cricket.
Thanks. May all your bowlers be bouncy, or whatever is good in cricket.
He can listen, for free, legitimately, to a number of the radio broadcasts live. ABC Grandstand has an app and streams, and the Beeb do too. In terms of streaming video there are a number of those sort of weird add-filled illegal streaming sites but nothing I'm aware of he can do for free. Also he can just watch BBC America, I'm sure BBC show the Ashes sometimes.
Also if he's English I hear there's a batting position open at the moment.
Also if he's English I hear there's a batting position open at the moment.
Twenty bucks will get you an annual subscription to Cricket Australia's streaming feed - which can be watched on your IOS or android device of choice.
http://www.techworld.com.au/article/532371/cricket_australia_launches_live_match_streaming_subscription_service/
If he's going to bat for England then he WILL get a broken arm.
http://www.techworld.com.au/article/532371/cricket_australia_launches_live_match_streaming_subscription_service/
If he's going to bat for England then he WILL get a broken arm.
Thanks. I told him he couldn't possibly be America's only cricket fan, so there must be a way. I'll pass along these things. He's sort of a tech idiot.
SydneySox said:
BBC America has only vaguely got anything to do with the BBC, and the BBC don't have the TV rights in the UK anyway. He might see a clip or two on the evening news, that's it.
Get adblocker and stream away on websites like Firstrow or Wiziwig. Radio for cricket is every bit as good as it is for baseball, and as Syd's pointed out, Test Match Special (BBC) and Grandstand are always available.
If not for the obvious enjoyment that's taken from seeing the wickets, listening to cricket on the ABC would be completely better. As it is, I really enjoy going for long drives when the cricket is on; my wife always gets suspicious when I volunteer to visit relatives an hour and a half away. Cricket on the ABC is just the best, especially when Skull and Michael Holding are in top form.
Same with Test Match Special. The Sky broadcasters are good, but ultimately really dry - they tend to call and analyze cricket like it's golf. TMS is funny, irreverent, and loud in moments of great excitement.
Nothing like listening to Blowers bang on about pigeons and then call a wicket.
Nothing like listening to Blowers bang on about pigeons and then call a wicket.
TMS has a lighter touch than Sky, but I wouldn't say Sky's commentators are "dry" at all - that's definitely not an adjective I'd ever use to describe David Lloyd or Shane Warne under any circumstances. And it's hilarious to hear the humorously couched but thinly veiled contempt that Ian Botham and Nasser Hussein have for each other. To say nothing of the fact that I rate Michael Atherton right up with Jonathan Agnew as the very best commentators in the business.
As a commentator myself, it generally galls me when ex-sportsmen take so many of the jobs which should be given to expert communicators. But cricket is really an exception - most of these guys are unbelievably articulate in getting their knowledge across to the viewer. (Or at least that's true in England, and also what I've seen of Aussies like Jim Maxwell; most of the Indian commentators I've heard seem more Dan Dierdorf than Cris Collinsworth, if you follow me.)
As a commentator myself, it generally galls me when ex-sportsmen take so many of the jobs which should be given to expert communicators. But cricket is really an exception - most of these guys are unbelievably articulate in getting their knowledge across to the viewer. (Or at least that's true in England, and also what I've seen of Aussies like Jim Maxwell; most of the Indian commentators I've heard seem more Dan Dierdorf than Cris Collinsworth, if you follow me.)
Oh, and Blowers is *really* past his sell-by date. Mentally, I just don't think he's quick enough to keep up with the game any more - it's a real shame, because he was once a real character and a unique commentator, but now it feels like he's forced to rely upon a shtick instead of using it to add flavor to his ramblings. (Luckily, TMS has groomed Simon Mann into a really solid commentator and also let Arlo White leave for the US; for all the good things I hear about White's work on the MLS and English soccer, he was immensely grating as a cricket commentator.)
Maxwell isn't an ex-player, he's been a broadcaster all his life.
I agree Blofeld is past his best, but he's Blofeld. I immediately get a smile when I get a description of avian life outside the ground, or what cake some lady in Somerset has sent the commentators. He's also better at describing the ball that's just been bowled than any other TMS commentator. The story about him nearly playing for England is one of the greatest stories ever, and one feels like Micky Stewart has some explaining to do for not letting it happen.
Mann's OK, but I think Ed Smith is quite a good find, even if he's a giant fucking toff. Speaking of toffs, I never much rated CMJ. Would rather he left the TMS studio in less tragic circumstances, but for a commentary booth full of public schoolboys, he was the worst in terms of being stuck-up and affected.
A hidden strength of TMS is their summarisers and their relationship with the ball by ball broadcasters. I've always really enjoyed Vic Marks and Tuffers on TMS. Boycott is a giant fucking asshole, but it kind of works when he's paired with Agnew because Agnew's such a nice guy, and he gently pats Boycott on the shoulder when Boycott's going over the top.
By the way, a good friend works on the cricket on Sky and says Botham is a dick while Hussain is a great guy.
I agree Blofeld is past his best, but he's Blofeld. I immediately get a smile when I get a description of avian life outside the ground, or what cake some lady in Somerset has sent the commentators. He's also better at describing the ball that's just been bowled than any other TMS commentator. The story about him nearly playing for England is one of the greatest stories ever, and one feels like Micky Stewart has some explaining to do for not letting it happen.
Mann's OK, but I think Ed Smith is quite a good find, even if he's a giant fucking toff. Speaking of toffs, I never much rated CMJ. Would rather he left the TMS studio in less tragic circumstances, but for a commentary booth full of public schoolboys, he was the worst in terms of being stuck-up and affected.
A hidden strength of TMS is their summarisers and their relationship with the ball by ball broadcasters. I've always really enjoyed Vic Marks and Tuffers on TMS. Boycott is a giant fucking asshole, but it kind of works when he's paired with Agnew because Agnew's such a nice guy, and he gently pats Boycott on the shoulder when Boycott's going over the top.
By the way, a good friend works on the cricket on Sky and says Botham is a dick while Hussain is a great guy.
In a surprising turn of events the top order has, despite the wicket holding no demons whatsoever, left the middle/bottom order to carry the can.
Lowrielicious said:
Know why SoSH is great? Someone on here has a freakin' clue what that means.
Lowrielicious said:
It's okay. The top order has seen off the worst of the second new ball, and the best Australian batsmen are still in the pavilion!
Yeah he's a fucking toolbag.
That ball to Cook last night by Mitchy was unbelievable... and now another wicket as I type! GFY Pietersen!
That ball to Cook last night by Mitchy was unbelievable... and now another wicket as I type! GFY Pietersen!
Can England do anything right in this test? Drops, costly bowling, shocking shots. They're almost certain to see the follow-on, and Australia may next have a bat in Perth. And we all know what joy England has at the WACA.
The first England innings may be over before tea. Australia's into the tail, and Carberry still has half of England's runs by himself.
And Broad goes for a duck. 117-7, and Mitchell Johnson is just a beast.
And Broad goes for a duck. 117-7, and Mitchell Johnson is just a beast.
Plenty of other worthy threads full of goodness on here today. But I just have to say Mitchell Johnson is a MF stud.
Looks like Clarke is going to rub England's nose in the steaming pile they left on the wicket. My guess is he'll declare fairly early tomorrow, at about the end of the first session at the latest, and force the noodle batsmen to score 500+, or bat through five sessions for the draw.
And by early, I guess I meant before an over is played today. The target's 530, there's rain in the forecast, and Mitchell Johnson has not likely forgotten that he's Mitchell Johnson.
SydneySox said:
I'm going to claim some credit for that, but I was also completely wrong about the Australian top order. When we've watched both teams bat, they've actually looked pretty strong.
What a disappointing series this has been. The only theory I can come up with is that England was complacent in preparing for the series after the summer, whereas the reverse was true of Australia; otherwise, how on earth have both teams turned the clock back to the mid-90s?
I don't think it's been disappointing 
There's a few interesting things - the re-emergence of Mitchell Johnson being the biggest. Another thing to remember is Australia was not actually that bad in England, not as bad as a 3-0 scoreline shows. A couple of those tests were pretty close, and at least one saw rain stop an Australian victory.
Can't wait for the SCG!
There's a few interesting things - the re-emergence of Mitchell Johnson being the biggest. Another thing to remember is Australia was not actually that bad in England, not as bad as a 3-0 scoreline shows. A couple of those tests were pretty close, and at least one saw rain stop an Australian victory.
Can't wait for the SCG!
Completely Agree Syd. It's the opposite of disappointing.
And the last series could easily have gone the aussies way despite the end result being an ugly 3-0.
Although there is no way to know what form he would have been in at the time, Warner would have been a good bet to put up a better show than the Cowan/Hughes/Khawaja shitshow that were brought him to replace him after his misadventures in the Walky. Could easily have swung the series the other way.
Interestingly a closer series then may have provided the motivation for the English to make some changes to their ageing and out of form side.
Nice to see Watson finally pull his finger out and make my earlier prediction of him making a best XI a little less embarrasing. I have been tempted to suggest I meant Warner rather than Watson on more than one occasion.
EDIT: and promptly gets dropped and run out. I should just shut up about that guy.
And the last series could easily have gone the aussies way despite the end result being an ugly 3-0.
Although there is no way to know what form he would have been in at the time, Warner would have been a good bet to put up a better show than the Cowan/Hughes/Khawaja shitshow that were brought him to replace him after his misadventures in the Walky. Could easily have swung the series the other way.
Interestingly a closer series then may have provided the motivation for the English to make some changes to their ageing and out of form side.
Nice to see Watson finally pull his finger out and make my earlier prediction of him making a best XI a little less embarrasing. I have been tempted to suggest I meant Warner rather than Watson on more than one occasion.
EDIT: and promptly gets dropped and run out. I should just shut up about that guy.
Yikes. Way to twist the knife before the declaration Bailey.
Expensive little drop by Bell/Anderson in the previous over.
Pushes Anderson to 105 runs for no wicket too going for over 5.5 an over. Despite Broads bad rep with the public I find Anderson and Swann much more dis-likeable.
Expensive little drop by Bell/Anderson in the previous over.
Pushes Anderson to 105 runs for no wicket too going for over 5.5 an over. Despite Broads bad rep with the public I find Anderson and Swann much more dis-likeable.
You guys aren't even a little disappointed that England has been so pathetic? I mean, the 2005 series was one of the greatest sporting experiences of my life precisely because Australia was so good and yet England still won. The most recent series in England was slightly depressing precisely because Australia was so bad in so many ways...it was hardly worth getting excited about. And I know, things are different because Australia hasn't won for a while, but wouldn't you like to see at least one exciting finish before the series is done?
I expected Australia to give it a good go, but at the moment it's going to end 5-0. I don't think anybody expected that.
The Aussie batting getting it together has been the biggest surprise of the series, IMO.
The Aussie batting getting it together has been the biggest surprise of the series, IMO.
ConigliarosPotential said:
No? Because Test Match Cricket isn't good because of what happens at the end of day 4 or 5 but the play over both innings.
Also because I love seeing England destroyed at anything but especially in cricket.
And finally because I don't think I agree with you that Australia are winning because England has been pathetic, or that England won in England because Australia was pathetic. Credit where it's due, man, I think Australia has been phenomenally good in this series, both with the ball ... well, mainly just Mitch... and with the bat - Warner and Clarke at the forefront.
Bring on 5-0. It will be glorious.
I'd have to agree with Syd here. I have no problem with watching Australia play some very high quality cricket and rolling right over the Poms. Yes close, tense test match cricket is great to watch, but I'll take (being on the good side of) a trouncing any day of the week.
I think the bowling all around for the Aussies has won them all three tests. Mitch has been a demon, but Harris has been phenomenal as well - bang on the money from the very first ball every time, and Siddle taking Peterson basically out of the equation has been key as well. Lyon unspectacular but solid.
So good to see performances with the bat come from many different guys too. And how good has Haddin been? great with the bat and so good with the gloves, though maybe Priors shitty performance in comparison is just making him look good.
I think the bowling all around for the Aussies has won them all three tests. Mitch has been a demon, but Harris has been phenomenal as well - bang on the money from the very first ball every time, and Siddle taking Peterson basically out of the equation has been key as well. Lyon unspectacular but solid.
So good to see performances with the bat come from many different guys too. And how good has Haddin been? great with the bat and so good with the gloves, though maybe Priors shitty performance in comparison is just making him look good.
This is a mainly superfluous comment from a cricket neophyte but: I was just introduced to the phrase "bowled for a golden duck", love it, and plan to work it into casual conversation whenever possible this holiday season.
Also, England losing at anything is hilarious, so I am pro on the result here.
Also, England losing at anything is hilarious, so I am pro on the result here.