Idle cricket musing

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Triple wicket maiden over. mumble mumble well done Johnson mumble mumble.

[maxxi]

like the bog roll baby says 'soft, soft, soft'

[Loz]

England managed to outscore Michael Clarke by 24 runs. Well done.

Mind you it was only because Monty stuck around. If you need someone to take a wild slash at a bouncer, Monty's your man.

[david_carnell]

So only one team in history has ever recovered from a 0-2 deficit to win a series. I'd settle for a draw right now!

So, about these tiddlywinks then....

[Loz]

I think the worst change to hit England is weather luck. Over the past couple of years they have been amazingly lucky with the weather - it's rained when they've needed it and not rained when it could have and they needed it not to. One match, they hit the winning runs and it immediately pelted down.

I think you've angered the gods. You'll need to sacrifice a virgin. And seeing as there is only one available, that'll mean finding someone else new to bat at No 3 then, as well.

[Otta]

They've played some great cricket too, to be fair.

But this series is looking bad, and a draw would feel like a win. I was in oz for the 2006/07 whitewash, and it's starting to look a bit like that batting wise (with Clarke filling Ponting's boots).

Trying to remain positive, but these aren't exactly narrow defeats.

[Loz]

I'm enjoying it while I can. We are a very long way from the star studded Aussie line ups of the Waugh era. I'm hoping we wrap it up at Perth before the emperor's new clothing is spotted.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Right. I've done the night shift, off to bed now. Who wants the lucky pants?

[Loz]

I think Smith just soiled your lucky pants.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

We were doing fine when I went to bed. Just as well I can put new ones on now.

[Loz]

Amazing coincidental stat on the highlights package last night... when Michael Clarke was 3 n.o. they showed a graphic they had prepared...

Sachin Tendulkar: 200 Tests 51 centuries 15921 Runs

Michael Clarke + Alistair Cook between them: 200 Tests 51 Centuries 15921 Runs.

The commentators said the stats guy was praying Clarke didn't hit a four or similar and mess up the milestone.

[Mick Mac]

Peckhamgatecrasher Wrote:

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> Right. I've done the night shift, off to bed now.

> Who wants the lucky pants?

How do you manage to stay up all night PGC. Don't you have a job to do the next day.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

I go to bed earliesh - about 9/10 - sleep for about 4/5 hours. I can't go back to sleep once I wake, so get up for a few hours then go back to bed about 5/6 am for a few more hours. Don't start work until 10 am.

That's what normally happens, but at the mo with the cricket on, I'm staying up longer. After five days, it does get a bit much.

Anyway, Prior's just got out so I may go and bury my head under a pillow.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

At least this Little Ern will always belong to England

http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1fwCeW2aYt0/T2fKjUvu-GI/AAAAAAAAnzU/vBLPONK_hRw/Ernie%252520Wise%252520cameo%2525204a_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800

[????]

Arrange the following words to make a sentence: tour in England's collapses farce

[david_carnell]

Swann - hero or villain?

[????]

Villain. Left them because he's not up to it (and presumambly because he was going to be dropped) and stirred it too. I can't see how it helps his 'team mates' at all.

[Otta]

What Quids said.

Respect for what he's done, but shitty way to leave.

[maxxi]

A hero in the past and not a villain now imho.

Swann's always been outspoken and he's probably right in what he says - it beats being a yes-man. Leaving now is right - the Ashes are lost and it gives Borthwick &/or Tredwell a couple of tests with nothing but pride at stake to see if they are up to it - a baptism of fire but with little to lose given the humiliating results of the tour so far.

Time for some of the others to perform.

[Otta]

Exactly, pride at stake. I'd have liked to have seen him fight wirh his team mates to avoid a whitewash.

[Mick Mac]

86-3. Was going well for England. Root just run out following Carberry lb.

Just as typing, Bell has just gone too first ball, and the commentators can't believe he has played the shot.

86-4.

Enjoying listening to Geoffrey Boycott on 5 live extra. What an interesting guy.

[Otta]

Just when it looked like we might salvage some pride, our batsmen have to bat again.

[red devil]

I fell asleep when it was about 30 for no loss for Eng, woke up to hear it was 30 for no loss for Aus!..

[Loz]

Apparently the level of talent of the pool of young cricketers coming into the England team is so poor, the ECB is considering lodging an official complaint to the South African cricket authorities.

[Mick Mac]

lot of general rubbish is being talked about England never having been very good etc. England were the world number 1 only a year or so ago and went on to a home ashes triumph. Suddenly Armageddon.

huge overreaction. Suspect England were over confident going into this Ashes and also suspect Cook might not be the world's best captain if Boycott and radio 5 team is on the right track.

The real truth is Australia don't like getting beat once, but the thought of two in a row was enough to tighten then up significantly.

England batted oddly.

After a few sleepless night with headphones plugged into live cricket commentary, I'm the oracle.