Ha! Who says cricket is boring? I don’t have any fingernails left. And now you know why I call Warnie “god”. He’s a damn sight better at miracles than any of those beardy guys.
Bottom line: Australia never stopped believing that they could win; England never quite believed that they could.
Predictions for Perth: Watson in for Martyn. That should strengthen both the batting and bowling for Australia. England will blame everything on Geraint Jones, replacing him with Reed, and will “show faith” with the rest of the side.
I have to get this game when it comes out on DVD. Has there been any team that has come out with a target set at tea on the fifth day and won the game? Do you know Mike Hussey’s average now is 80 plus and he has played 13 tests? Thats second to the Don. One day average hovers at 75 plus. I gotta watch that guy play. Does any one have any of his innings recorded on tape. Will be happy to pay shipping to Los Angeles and return it to you unscathed if you can do the favor. The guy is 31, Are the Australians that spoilt for talent? I am also offering odds on Hussey’s double century in australia’s first innigs at Perth.
I feel sorry for all the english fans out there. About the only thing that is interesting now is if Ponting can better Yousuf yohana’s (Mohammad Yousuf) number of runs in a season. I have no doubt he will tie or beat his century record. Another stat for the nerds. Yohana and Ponting can actually get second only to Don in their cricket ratings. More realistic for Ponting to happen this year with 3 tests to go.
Australia, what a team!!!
I’m pretty sure that other sides will have won a game batting only in the final session, though probably scoring less runs. The BBC thinks that 551 is the highest ever [declared – see comments below] first innings score to have been made by a team that subsequently lost the game.
The Direct TV online coverage should include Sky’s highlights of the final day’s play (about 1.5 hours). But of course to get that you’d need to sign up for the whole of the series.
I note also that their servers suffered meltdown on a few occasions last night, presumably due to the large number of people tuning in.
England has the ignominy of being the only test team to lose twice after declaring with the first innings score of 500 plus. The last time it happened was in Windines. I am thinking of buying the online coverage. thanks for that info.
The BBC would be wrong. In 1894/95 Australia made 586 in the first innings to lose the test, and in 2003/4 made 556 to lose to India. Of course, they didn’t declare and lose. They were bowled out. Still.. Oh, and the last time England did anything like this was in 1928/29.
Don’t know about the BBC, Cheryl, but commentators on Sky said that 551 is the highest total any team has declared at and lost the match (as Jonathan points out). Some game, though. . .
I suspect the operative word is “declare”, which the BBC probably included but which I neglected to reproduce.
Sad to see, from local media here, that it looks like rifts are appearing in the English touring team. Looks like Fletcher wanted to select Panesar, but Flintoff didn’t, ans Fletcher’s getting sick of taking the flak for it. Also, looks like James Anderson and Ashley Giles’s test careers *may* be over.
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Aussie stuck in California for the 3rd test. Any good pubs in San Jose,area that show the ashes?
Your best bet is the Britannia Arms. If they aren’t showing it I have no idea who would. Trials is probably a better pub, but I don’t think they are big on showing sports.
Nothing about game 3 so far, Cheryl?
I’ve enjoyed your insights and analysis so far this series.
Yes, where are you? Miss your blogging!
Well, that went well. For Australia.
No comment on game 3?
Gilchrist’s 2nd fastest test 100 ever?
It was actually looking not too bad for England up until about 10 minutes before stumps on day 4.
And second ball after lunch on day 5. All over.